BleedGopher
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per Sid:
The Gophers’ historic 31-26 victory over then-No. 4 Penn State on Saturday would not have happened without nail-biting nonconference wins over South Dakota State (28-21), Fresno State (38-35 in double overtime) and Georgia Southern (35-32).
At the time, those three victories were viewed as signs that this Gophers football team — now 9-0 going into Saturday’s game at Iowa — really wasn’t all that special because they needed huge plays to win each of those games against teams nowhere near the caliber of the Nittany Lions.
Against South Dakota State, Mohamed Ibrahim scored a 1-yard touchdown with 5 minutes, 39 seconds remaining after Winston DeLattiboudere recovered a fumble when the Jackrabbits were looking like they were going to take the lead.
Against Fresno State, Tanner Morgan hit Chris Autman-Bell with a miraculous pass and catch in the corner of the end zone with 46 seconds remaining on fourth down to tie the score at 28. Antoine Winfield Jr. ended the game with an interception in the second overtime.
Against Georgia Southern, Morgan again made a huge pass, this time connecting with Tyler Johnson on a 2-yard score to take the lead with only 13 seconds left.
Coach P.J. Fleck said those victories built the team’s resolve and prepared them to hold on against Penn State, clinched with a final-minute interception in the end zone by Jordan Howden.
“I think in the first three games our character, our culture were all tested,” Fleck said. “Our players found a way to pass the test. Those are three really good football teams that we played. We got tested in a lot of areas that are helping us right now. If it wasn’t for those three games, we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in.”
http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...lose-victories-early-in-the-season/564892342/
Go Gophers!!
The Gophers’ historic 31-26 victory over then-No. 4 Penn State on Saturday would not have happened without nail-biting nonconference wins over South Dakota State (28-21), Fresno State (38-35 in double overtime) and Georgia Southern (35-32).
At the time, those three victories were viewed as signs that this Gophers football team — now 9-0 going into Saturday’s game at Iowa — really wasn’t all that special because they needed huge plays to win each of those games against teams nowhere near the caliber of the Nittany Lions.
Against South Dakota State, Mohamed Ibrahim scored a 1-yard touchdown with 5 minutes, 39 seconds remaining after Winston DeLattiboudere recovered a fumble when the Jackrabbits were looking like they were going to take the lead.
Against Fresno State, Tanner Morgan hit Chris Autman-Bell with a miraculous pass and catch in the corner of the end zone with 46 seconds remaining on fourth down to tie the score at 28. Antoine Winfield Jr. ended the game with an interception in the second overtime.
Against Georgia Southern, Morgan again made a huge pass, this time connecting with Tyler Johnson on a 2-yard score to take the lead with only 13 seconds left.
Coach P.J. Fleck said those victories built the team’s resolve and prepared them to hold on against Penn State, clinched with a final-minute interception in the end zone by Jordan Howden.
“I think in the first three games our character, our culture were all tested,” Fleck said. “Our players found a way to pass the test. Those are three really good football teams that we played. We got tested in a lot of areas that are helping us right now. If it wasn’t for those three games, we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in.”
http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...lose-victories-early-in-the-season/564892342/
Go Gophers!!
