BleedGopher
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per Randy:
Here is a look at some themes that have emerged this season:
Gophers will run the ball
Despite all his sloganeering and attention-grabbing activities, Fleck at his core is a football coach who’ll play the hand he’s dealt. And with this team, the hand he has is a solid run game.
In Saturday’s 34-3 victory over Middle Tennessee, the Gophers rushed 47 times and passed 18. That’s a similar run/pass ratio to the Buffalo game (51/32) and the Oregon State game (58/8).
Rhoda solid, but more needed
Rhoda, a fifth-year senior, has emerged as an effective game manager and strong leader. He has completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 152 yards per game and two touchdowns with one costly interception. But he knows the Gophers’ so-far vanilla offense will have to diversify and that he’ll have to be more of an option threat once Big Ten play begins.
Defense gaining an identity
Entering the season, the Gophers defensive line and secondary appeared to have depth issues, but that hasn’t been a major issue so far. Granted, these nonconference opponents won’t be confused with Alabama or Clemson, but surrendering only 24 points in three games (none in the second half) and creating five takeaways the past two weeks means the defense is doing a lot of things right.
Jonathan Celestin has set the tone for a fast, tough linebacker group, and Antoine Winfield Jr. has been a difference-maker at safety.
http://www.startribune.com/patterns...plete-nonconference-football-games/445204213/
Go Gophers!!
Here is a look at some themes that have emerged this season:
Gophers will run the ball
Despite all his sloganeering and attention-grabbing activities, Fleck at his core is a football coach who’ll play the hand he’s dealt. And with this team, the hand he has is a solid run game.
In Saturday’s 34-3 victory over Middle Tennessee, the Gophers rushed 47 times and passed 18. That’s a similar run/pass ratio to the Buffalo game (51/32) and the Oregon State game (58/8).
Rhoda solid, but more needed
Rhoda, a fifth-year senior, has emerged as an effective game manager and strong leader. He has completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 152 yards per game and two touchdowns with one costly interception. But he knows the Gophers’ so-far vanilla offense will have to diversify and that he’ll have to be more of an option threat once Big Ten play begins.
Defense gaining an identity
Entering the season, the Gophers defensive line and secondary appeared to have depth issues, but that hasn’t been a major issue so far. Granted, these nonconference opponents won’t be confused with Alabama or Clemson, but surrendering only 24 points in three games (none in the second half) and creating five takeaways the past two weeks means the defense is doing a lot of things right.
Jonathan Celestin has set the tone for a fast, tough linebacker group, and Antoine Winfield Jr. has been a difference-maker at safety.
http://www.startribune.com/patterns...plete-nonconference-football-games/445204213/
Go Gophers!!