BleedGopher
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per Dan Smith:
OFFENSE
The Golden Gophers' tendency to run a grind-it-out offensive style syncs up with what we saw of Fleck's system at Western Michigan. The rushing attack will be spearheaded by junior running backs Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith. (You may remember Brooks from his game-tying 27-yard touchdown run against Penn State in 2016 that put that game in doubt.) Smith, meanwhile, had 23 receptions out of the backfield, more than any returning receiver on the team.
They'll likely lean heavily on Brooks and Smith with the departures of quarterback Mitch Leidner and number one receiver Drew Wolitarsky. Fleck did not commit to a starter at quarterback, saying that senior Conor Rhoda and sophomore Demry Croft will both play in the opener against Buffalo. Two-quarterback systems have an ugly history in college football, but Fleck appears willing to rock the boat in addition to rowing it.
Tight end Brandon Lingen returns from a mess of injuries that held him out in 2016. Wide receiver Rashad Still flashed big play ability last season but will need to emerge from Wolitarsky's shadow more consistent. He was targeted 39 times in 2016 and made just 19 catches.
DEFENSE
Minnesota has an experienced pair of tackles in seniors Steven Richardson and Andrew Stelter, and linebackers Blake Cashman and Jonathan Celestin worked well with them as playmakers. But the rest of the front-seven is made up largely of inexperienced young players who remain unknown quantities. There is potential in sophomores like Winston DeLattiboudere, but nothing can be counted on as of yet.
In the secondary, the losses of cornerback Jalen Myrick and safety Damarius Travis will be felt. Corner Antonio Shenault and safety Duke McGhee will be the steadying presences on the back end.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Emmit Carpenter is one of the best kickers in the country; in 2016, he hit all 10 field goals he attempted outside of 40 yards. But the return game has been gutted, with Myrick in the NFL and KiAnte Hardin expelled from the school. They will need to start from scratch here to match the excellent special teams production they saw last season.
2017 OUTLOOK
Minnesota is coming off a 9-4 season, but they have lost some significant pieces and have a new coaching staff. It is a transitional year, albeit a nontraditional one. That said, they have talent, they have coaches who have succeeded quickly elsewhere, and they play in a weak Big Ten West. Don't be surprised to see the Golden Gophers make some noise in 2017.
https://www.roarlionsroar.com/the-b...2017-big-ten-preview-minnesota-golden-gophers
Go Gophers!!
OFFENSE
The Golden Gophers' tendency to run a grind-it-out offensive style syncs up with what we saw of Fleck's system at Western Michigan. The rushing attack will be spearheaded by junior running backs Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith. (You may remember Brooks from his game-tying 27-yard touchdown run against Penn State in 2016 that put that game in doubt.) Smith, meanwhile, had 23 receptions out of the backfield, more than any returning receiver on the team.
They'll likely lean heavily on Brooks and Smith with the departures of quarterback Mitch Leidner and number one receiver Drew Wolitarsky. Fleck did not commit to a starter at quarterback, saying that senior Conor Rhoda and sophomore Demry Croft will both play in the opener against Buffalo. Two-quarterback systems have an ugly history in college football, but Fleck appears willing to rock the boat in addition to rowing it.
Tight end Brandon Lingen returns from a mess of injuries that held him out in 2016. Wide receiver Rashad Still flashed big play ability last season but will need to emerge from Wolitarsky's shadow more consistent. He was targeted 39 times in 2016 and made just 19 catches.
DEFENSE
Minnesota has an experienced pair of tackles in seniors Steven Richardson and Andrew Stelter, and linebackers Blake Cashman and Jonathan Celestin worked well with them as playmakers. But the rest of the front-seven is made up largely of inexperienced young players who remain unknown quantities. There is potential in sophomores like Winston DeLattiboudere, but nothing can be counted on as of yet.
In the secondary, the losses of cornerback Jalen Myrick and safety Damarius Travis will be felt. Corner Antonio Shenault and safety Duke McGhee will be the steadying presences on the back end.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Emmit Carpenter is one of the best kickers in the country; in 2016, he hit all 10 field goals he attempted outside of 40 yards. But the return game has been gutted, with Myrick in the NFL and KiAnte Hardin expelled from the school. They will need to start from scratch here to match the excellent special teams production they saw last season.
2017 OUTLOOK
Minnesota is coming off a 9-4 season, but they have lost some significant pieces and have a new coaching staff. It is a transitional year, albeit a nontraditional one. That said, they have talent, they have coaches who have succeeded quickly elsewhere, and they play in a weak Big Ten West. Don't be surprised to see the Golden Gophers make some noise in 2017.
https://www.roarlionsroar.com/the-b...2017-big-ten-preview-minnesota-golden-gophers
Go Gophers!!