BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 60,794
- Reaction score
- 16,212
- Points
- 113
Per Marcus:
In the first half Thursday, Gophers coach P.J. Fleck's offense to open the 2023 season was far from producing fireworks, but there was a newcomer who carried the load in the passing game early in the 13-10 victory over Nebraska.
Western Michigan transfer Corey Crooms Jr. made a case to be quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis' go-to guy to open the game with five catches in the first quarter. He finished with seven receptions for 63 yards.
The most explosive play in the first half was Crooms' 20-yard catch to end the first quarter. That eventually set up the 37-yard field goal that helped the Gophers take a 3-0 halftime lead.
It was the ninth consecutive time in his career that Crooms caught at least three passes in a game, but the first four years were spent with the Broncos. He earned Mid-American Conference second-team honors in 2022.
Fleck saw several players make their Gophers debut on Thursday. Here were some of the notable performances:
* Elon transfer Tre'Von Jones won the starting cornerback spot opposite Justin Walley in fall camp. Jones started 27 games at the FCS level and showed that experience in the opener. Jones led the Gophers with nine tackles and had one of their three interceptions (other two were by Tyler Nubin).
* Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler, an All-MAC running back last season, had enormous shoes to fill with the Gophers' all-time leading rusher Mo Ibrahim graduating. Fleck went with a two-back approach Thursday, including Bryce Williams. But Tyler still finished with a team-high 10 carries for 41 yards, including an 11-yard run that set up the game-winning 47-yard field goal by Dragan Kesich.
*Linebacker Ryan Selig, another Western Michigan transfer who was a Broncos teammate of Crooms and Tyler, finished with two tackles and a quarterback hurry against Nebraska. Selig's presence helped to replace Cody Lindenberg, who was out with an injury.
* Charlotte transfer Elijah Spencer had one catch for 9 yards. He was one of the five players who caught passes from Kaliakmanis.
* The top recruit in Fleck's 2023 recruiting class, freshman tailback Darius Taylor, saw action in his first collegiate game. The Michigan native had one carry for 3 yards.
m.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
In the first half Thursday, Gophers coach P.J. Fleck's offense to open the 2023 season was far from producing fireworks, but there was a newcomer who carried the load in the passing game early in the 13-10 victory over Nebraska.
Western Michigan transfer Corey Crooms Jr. made a case to be quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis' go-to guy to open the game with five catches in the first quarter. He finished with seven receptions for 63 yards.
The most explosive play in the first half was Crooms' 20-yard catch to end the first quarter. That eventually set up the 37-yard field goal that helped the Gophers take a 3-0 halftime lead.
It was the ninth consecutive time in his career that Crooms caught at least three passes in a game, but the first four years were spent with the Broncos. He earned Mid-American Conference second-team honors in 2022.
Fleck saw several players make their Gophers debut on Thursday. Here were some of the notable performances:
* Elon transfer Tre'Von Jones won the starting cornerback spot opposite Justin Walley in fall camp. Jones started 27 games at the FCS level and showed that experience in the opener. Jones led the Gophers with nine tackles and had one of their three interceptions (other two were by Tyler Nubin).
* Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler, an All-MAC running back last season, had enormous shoes to fill with the Gophers' all-time leading rusher Mo Ibrahim graduating. Fleck went with a two-back approach Thursday, including Bryce Williams. But Tyler still finished with a team-high 10 carries for 41 yards, including an 11-yard run that set up the game-winning 47-yard field goal by Dragan Kesich.
*Linebacker Ryan Selig, another Western Michigan transfer who was a Broncos teammate of Crooms and Tyler, finished with two tackles and a quarterback hurry against Nebraska. Selig's presence helped to replace Cody Lindenberg, who was out with an injury.
* Charlotte transfer Elijah Spencer had one catch for 9 yards. He was one of the five players who caught passes from Kaliakmanis.
* The top recruit in Fleck's 2023 recruiting class, freshman tailback Darius Taylor, saw action in his first collegiate game. The Michigan native had one carry for 3 yards.
Gophers comeback victory over Nebraska gets boost from newcomers
Western Michigan transfers Corey Crooms Jr. and Sean Tyler were among the newcomers to give the Gophers a lift against the Cornhuskers.
Go Gophers!!