{"id":51204,"date":"2023-09-17T18:07:45","date_gmt":"2023-09-17T22:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=51204"},"modified":"2023-09-17T18:07:45","modified_gmt":"2023-09-17T22:07:45","slug":"20-north-carolina-beats-gophers-31-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2023\/09\/17\/20-north-carolina-beats-gophers-31-13\/","title":{"rendered":"#20 North Carolina Beats Gophers 31-13"},"content":{"rendered":"

Drake Maye<\/a> threw for 414 yards, and #20 North Carolina beat the Gophers 34-31. The Tar Heels quarterback finished the day 29 for 40 and threw two touchdowns and two interceptions. UNC wide receiver Nate McCollum<\/a> had a career day with 15 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. It was an uncharacteristic performance for Joe Rossi<\/strong>\u2019s defense, which allowed 519 yards and 26 first downs. The Gophers fell to 2-1 on the season, while UNC improved to 3-0.<\/p>\n

Offense Struggles<\/h3>\n

Minnesota quarterback\u00a0Athan Kaliakmanis<\/a> struggled again and finished 11 for 29 for 133 yards, an interception, and an abysmal QBR of 28.6. Backup quarterback Cole Kramer<\/a> came in for one play, and his only attempt was picked off in the endzone. Corey Crooms<\/a> led all Gopher receivers with four catches for 46 yards. Through three games, the Gophers have averaged 148 yards passing per game, which is ranked 114 out of 133 FBS teams.<\/p>\n

The lone offensive bright spot was Darius Taylor<\/a>, who made his first career start for the Gophers. He finished with 22 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown. He is the first true freshman to rush for over 100 yards in consecutive weeks since Laurence Maroney<\/strong> in 2003. Taylor has had ten rushes of over ten yards so far this season. Sean Tyler<\/a>, who started the first two games, had three carries for two yards on the day.<\/p>\n

The Gophers’ offense is averaging 17 points per game and is ranked 101 out of 133 FBS teams. They average 174 rushing yards and 148 passing yards per game, which is ranked #39 and #114 in the FBS, respectively.<\/p>\n

Defensive Woes<\/h3>\n

The Gophers entered the game ranked in the top 10 in total defense and scoring defense but could not stop Maye and the UNC passing game. Maye was ranked #54 in FBS passing yards entering the game but is now ranked #17 in the country. The Gophers stopped the Tar Heels rushing attack for most of the day and held UNC to 105 total rushing yards. Omarion Hampton<\/a> rushed 13 times for 46 yards and had one touchdown. The Tar Heels entered the game ranked ninth in the country at 243.5 rushing yards per game.<\/p>\n

Minnesota had a hard time stopping North Carolina on third downs, who converted 12 of 17 attempts. North Carolina beat the Gophers with explosive plays and had four over 38 yards, all of which contributed to Tar Heel points. Conversely, Minnesota was 3 for 12 on third-down conversations and had only one play over 26 yards.<\/p>\n

Players Making Plays<\/h3>\n