There was a frequent refrain on Twitter this weekend from Minnesota fans watching the Gophers run roughshod over the Terps: “How did this team lose to Bowling Green?”
It’s a fair question, and one nobody had an answer for. Common sense tells you that when your team loses its starting running back and the backup, you don’t improve. Yet that’s what the Gophers have done in recent weeks. In their most recent effort, freshmen Mar’Keise “Bucko” Irving and Ky Thomas became the fourth and fifth rushers with 100-yard games this season, and scored a touchdown apiece. Bryce Williams chipped in with 48 yards and another score, with offensive lineman Axel Ruschmeyer lined up at fullback. The “rhino” package, with the Gophers using six and at times seven offensive lineman, has been very successful of late, but this was a new twist on it.
Speaking of offensive linemen, when you rush for 326 yards in a game, they need some love. Ryan Burns of 247sports.com gives it to them here.
In addition to their 326 rushing yards, Minnesota got 125 through the air. Quarterback Tanner Morgan had one of his best games, in part because he only had to attempt 12 throws. Why throw the ball when you’re dominating on the ground?
But it wasn’t just the offense. This was arguably Minnesota’s best defensive showing this season, aside from perhaps the shutout of Colorado. Linebacker Jack Gibbens was, again, all over the field and, again, led the team in tackles with 10. The Abilene Christian transfer was a major find by the coaching staff. Esezi Otomewo, Mariano Sori-Marin, Boye Mafe… it’s hard to come up with someone who didn’t have a good game. Cornerback Justin Walley decided not to let his fellow freshman on offense have all the fun, and contributed with a big pass breakup in the first half.
Up Next
The Gophers need similar efforts from here on out. Their next opponents are Northwestern and Illinois, both of whom look beatable, but they can ill afford to be looking ahead to Iowa. (On the off chance that you’re a Gophers fan who wants to read more about Iowa, here’s a mid-season report from our Nick Lemkau). Northwestern showed flashes this week against Michigan, but they’re very lacking in consistency. A couple of good plays were inevitably followed up by big miscues, on both sides of the ball. It’s hard to picture them stopping the Minnesota run game as it’s currently construed.
Main Image courtesy AP Photo/Stacy Bengs
