A nailbiter of a victory against Rutgers has Minnesota one win away from bowl eligibility. This was not the same Rutgers team that scored 14 points in their previous four games combined. The change to Giovanni Rescigno at quarterback sparked the Scarlet Knights offense to a three-touchdown, 372-yard performance. The game was competitive right until the end, when a 28-yard Emmit Carpenter field goal with ten seconds on the clock sealed the 34-32 win for the Gophers.
Minnesota Golden Gophers One Win Away From Bowl Eligibility
There was some luck involved in this win for Minnesota. Rutgers had a chance to tie the game with a pick-six in the third quarter, but missed the extra point. After a later touchdown, they went for a tying two-point conversion and failed. The Knights shot themselves in the foot with penalties a few times as well. However, the Gophers made some big plays when necessary. Rodney Smith had a fantastic game, rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown and returning a kickoff 94 yards for another score. Jalen Myrick and Damarius Travis each had an interception, and Hank Ekpe had two sacks, including a strip sack, with Gaelin Elmore recovering the fumble.
Coming up… Illinois (Saturday at 12 EST on BTN)
The Gophers travel to Champaign this week to take on the Fighting Illini. They’ll be without defensive lineman Steven Richardson, who is in the concussion protocol, and tight end Brandon Lingen. Lingen missed several games after breaking his collarbone last month; he suffered a lower leg injury against Rutgers and is listed as out for Saturday. It sounds like they’ll be without him for quite a bit longer. Offensive lineman Jonah Pirsig is listed as out, but coach Tracy Claeys says he is improving and will travel with the team. Also available for this game are the five players who currently cannot play home games due to a restraining order a stadium employee has against them. (Another hearing in relation to the case is scheduled for November 3). Of the five, only KiAnte Hardin has seen significant playing time this season.
The State of the Illini
It’s unknown right now who will be under center for the Illini. Jeff George, Jr. played against Michigan last Saturday with starter Wes Lunt and second-string Chayce Crouch injured. Coach Lovie Smith, understandably, doesn’t seem inclined to clear things up. The Illinois offense is fairly balanced, but expect a heavy dose of Kendrick Foster carrying the ball, especially if someone other than Lunt is the quarterback. This is where the Gophers will miss Steven Richardson’s run-stuffing ability. Ke’Shawn Vaughn, the Illini’s third-leading rusher and fourth-leading receiver, was injured against Michigan but appears likely to play.
Minnesota Offense
As for the Minnesota offense, quarterback Mitch Leidner looked rusty against Rutgers after missing the Maryland game with concussion symptoms. The running backs came up big and bailed him out. I expect another big ground game for the Gophers, but the passing game needs to start clicking again as well. Everyone knows to double-cover Drew Wolitarsky, so someone else needs to become a reliable target for Leidner. Tyler Johnson and Brian Smith have shown flashes of big-play ability, but nobody has been consistent.
Bottom Line: Minnesota nearly let the Rutgers game slip away, and in fact Illinois beat Rutgers by a much wider margin (24-7). The Gophers need to get off to a fast start and play a smart game. No turnovers, no dumb penalties.
