BleedGopher
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Per Neal:
Tyler Nubin had just picked off a Luke Altmyer pass with just over four minutes remaining in the Gophers' tussle with Illinois. Minnesota had the ball at their 39-yard line and appeared to have the game in the bag.
Two runs netted a total of 6 yards. Illinois called timeout with 183 seconds left to play. On third-and-4, the Gophers elected not to run the ball. Athan Kaliakmanis dropped back and looked for tight end Nick Kallerup, but his pass fell incomplete. The clock stopped with less than 3 minutes remaining.
No problem. Just punt away and make Illinois go 80-something yards to beat them. Altmyer got walloped during the next series, so backup John Paddock was in anyway. Surely the Gophers couldn't let this one slip away. Surely, the decision to throw a pass and not get the clock moving with a run on third down would not lead to immediate regret. Illinois' offense had done little in the second half, except when Kaden Feagin took a swing pass 54 yards for a score — thanks to some poor angles by pursuing Gophers defenders.
So stuff the Illini, go to 6-3 and control your own destiny in the Big Ten west following losses by Wisconsin and Nebraska on Saturday.
Wait. What?
Paddock came in slinging on fourth-and-11, completing a 22-yard pass then another for 17. Well, just keep everyone in front of you as the clock runs out.
That didn't happen.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
Tyler Nubin had just picked off a Luke Altmyer pass with just over four minutes remaining in the Gophers' tussle with Illinois. Minnesota had the ball at their 39-yard line and appeared to have the game in the bag.
Two runs netted a total of 6 yards. Illinois called timeout with 183 seconds left to play. On third-and-4, the Gophers elected not to run the ball. Athan Kaliakmanis dropped back and looked for tight end Nick Kallerup, but his pass fell incomplete. The clock stopped with less than 3 minutes remaining.
No problem. Just punt away and make Illinois go 80-something yards to beat them. Altmyer got walloped during the next series, so backup John Paddock was in anyway. Surely the Gophers couldn't let this one slip away. Surely, the decision to throw a pass and not get the clock moving with a run on third down would not lead to immediate regret. Illinois' offense had done little in the second half, except when Kaden Feagin took a swing pass 54 yards for a score — thanks to some poor angles by pursuing Gophers defenders.
So stuff the Illini, go to 6-3 and control your own destiny in the Big Ten west following losses by Wisconsin and Nebraska on Saturday.
Wait. What?
Paddock came in slinging on fourth-and-11, completing a 22-yard pass then another for 17. Well, just keep everyone in front of you as the clock runs out.
That didn't happen.
P.J. Fleck played it too safe early, too aggressive late in last-minute Gophers loss
This Illinois team was there for the taking. But the wrong calls in pivotal moments left the Gophers stunned with 50 seconds to go.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
