BleedGopher
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per Shama:
Here’s what was learned from Minnesota’s 48-10 season opening win over New Mexico State last night at TCF Bank Stadium:
The Golden Gophers were impressive. Don’t be lazy in evaluating this game by dismissing Minnesota’s performance because it came against a poor team. After two games, including a 29-7 loss last Saturday to Wyoming in Las Cruces, the Aggies are living up to their reputation as a college football bottom-feeder, but there was still a lot to like about how the Gophers played.
Start with the effort. The Gophers were motivated for four quarters. Offense, defense and special teams were mentally sharp. Instead of buying into the nonchalance the fan base had about the Aggies, the Gophers came to play and avoided mental lapses in effort and execution.
Second-year coach P.J. Fleck preaches “the ball is the program.” Quarterbacks Zack Annexstad and Tanner Morgan, playing in their first college games, didn’t throw one interception. Minnesota had one fumble, a first half miscue by Annexstad, that set up a short drive and lone touchdown in the game by the Aggies.
Annexstad was 16 of 33, with two touchdown passes. He threw with occasional accuracy and played with poise in his debut as a true freshman and walk-on quarterback. Fleck even said after the game that Annexstad reassured him on the sideline things would be okay after the quarterback fumbled the ball.
Minnesota had 227 yards passing last night—rare air compared to the failed passing attack in 2017. Annexstad’s touchdown passes were to junior wide receiver Tyler Johnson who showed an elusiveness that could put him in consideration for All-Big Ten honors this fall.
Encouraging also was the pass catching performance of true freshman wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who could be the best of a boatload of newcomers on offense, defense and special teams. He had five receptions in the game as did Johnson who totaled a team-leading 100 yards in catches. Redshirt freshman Chris Autman-Bell had four receptions and showed Minnesota has potential depth and quality with its wide receivers roster.
http://shamasportsheadliners.com/
Go Gophers!!
Here’s what was learned from Minnesota’s 48-10 season opening win over New Mexico State last night at TCF Bank Stadium:
The Golden Gophers were impressive. Don’t be lazy in evaluating this game by dismissing Minnesota’s performance because it came against a poor team. After two games, including a 29-7 loss last Saturday to Wyoming in Las Cruces, the Aggies are living up to their reputation as a college football bottom-feeder, but there was still a lot to like about how the Gophers played.
Start with the effort. The Gophers were motivated for four quarters. Offense, defense and special teams were mentally sharp. Instead of buying into the nonchalance the fan base had about the Aggies, the Gophers came to play and avoided mental lapses in effort and execution.
Second-year coach P.J. Fleck preaches “the ball is the program.” Quarterbacks Zack Annexstad and Tanner Morgan, playing in their first college games, didn’t throw one interception. Minnesota had one fumble, a first half miscue by Annexstad, that set up a short drive and lone touchdown in the game by the Aggies.
Annexstad was 16 of 33, with two touchdown passes. He threw with occasional accuracy and played with poise in his debut as a true freshman and walk-on quarterback. Fleck even said after the game that Annexstad reassured him on the sideline things would be okay after the quarterback fumbled the ball.
Minnesota had 227 yards passing last night—rare air compared to the failed passing attack in 2017. Annexstad’s touchdown passes were to junior wide receiver Tyler Johnson who showed an elusiveness that could put him in consideration for All-Big Ten honors this fall.
Encouraging also was the pass catching performance of true freshman wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who could be the best of a boatload of newcomers on offense, defense and special teams. He had five receptions in the game as did Johnson who totaled a team-leading 100 yards in catches. Redshirt freshman Chris Autman-Bell had four receptions and showed Minnesota has potential depth and quality with its wide receivers roster.
http://shamasportsheadliners.com/
Go Gophers!!