{"id":2885,"date":"2016-10-27T15:16:10","date_gmt":"2016-10-27T19:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=2885"},"modified":"2016-10-27T15:16:10","modified_gmt":"2016-10-27T19:16:10","slug":"minnesota-one-win-away-from-bowl-eligibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2016\/10\/27\/minnesota-one-win-away-from-bowl-eligibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Golden Gophers One Win Away From Bowl Eligibility"},"content":{"rendered":"

A nailbiter of a victory against Rutgers<\/strong> has Minnesota<\/strong> 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<\/a><\/strong> at quarterback sparked the Scarlet Knights <\/strong>offense to a three-touchdown, 372-yard performance. The game was competitive right until the end, when a 28-yard Emmit Carpenter<\/strong> field goal with ten seconds on the clock sealed the 34-32 win for the Gophers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Golden Gophers One Win Away From Bowl Eligibility<\/h2>\n

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<\/a><\/strong> had a fantastic game, rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown and returning a kickoff 94 yards for another score. Jalen Myrick<\/a><\/strong> and Damarius Travis<\/a><\/strong> each had an interception, and Hank Ekpe<\/strong> had two sacks, including a strip sack, with Gaelin Elmore<\/strong> recovering the fumble.<\/p>\n

Coming up… Illinois (Saturday at 12 EST on BTN)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Gophers travel to Champaign<\/strong> this week to take on the Fighting Illini<\/strong>. They’ll be without\u00a0defensive lineman Steven Richardson<\/a><\/strong>, who is in the concussion protocol, and tight end Brandon Lingen<\/a><\/strong>. Lingen missed several games after breaking his collarbone last month; he suffered\u00a0a 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<\/strong> is listed as out, but coach Tracy Claeys<\/strong> 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<\/a><\/strong> has seen significant playing time this season.<\/p>\n

The State of the Illini<\/h3>\n

It’s unknown right now who will be under center for the Illini. \u00a0Jeff George, Jr.<\/strong> played against Michigan<\/strong> last Saturday with\u00a0starter Wes Lunt<\/a><\/strong> and second-string Chayce Crouch<\/a><\/strong> injured. Coach Lovie Smith<\/a><\/strong>, understandably, doesn’t seem inclined to clear things up. The Illinois offense is fairly balanced, but expect a heavy dose of Kendrick Foster<\/a><\/strong> carrying the ball, especially if someone other than Lunt is\u00a0the quarterback. This is where the Gophers will miss Steven Richardson’s run-stuffing ability. Ke’Shawn Vaughn<\/a><\/strong>, the Illini’s third-leading rusher and fourth-leading receiver, was injured against Michigan but appears likely to play.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Offense<\/h3>\n

As for the Minnesota offense, quarterback Mitch Leidner<\/a><\/strong> looked rusty\u00a0against Rutgers after missing the Maryland<\/strong> 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\u00a0to double-cover Drew Wolitarsky<\/a><\/strong>, so someone else needs to become a reliable target for Leidner. Tyler Johnson<\/a><\/strong> and Brian Smith<\/a><\/strong> have shown flashes of big-play ability, but nobody has been consistent.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n