Step Back Offensively in Big Ten Play This Year

[LesBolstad]

Very disappointing offensive effort in Big Ten play this year. Down to 17 pts./game and 273/yds from 18/310 last year. Lots of injuries and freshman quarterback, but you'd think we'd have done better in the second year of offensive scheme.

Conversely, Indiana goes from 21/ 360 to 31/442 in their second year.

 

[MNVCGUY]

If this offense is going to cut it in the Big Ten we should see signs of that next season. Nelson got some good expereince this season. The O-Line will have a lot of experience on it even if those guys are still somewhat young in terms of year in school. We have some servicable options at RB and TE, biggest question mark still remains the WR position.

The offensive numbers for the past two years are terrible but there are lots of built in excuses for why that has been the case, youth, injuries.....

 

[Rouser4eVA]

Medic!....

This year's step back can be attributed to the part of the human anatomy between the foot and the knee.

Can someone please rattle off the ankle injuries this year? Downturn in production can be attributed to the decimation of our starting line, QB, WR(s)....

 

[corcoran1]

If you do not have an offensive line, you do not have an offense without a superstar athlete QB. Whatever thoughts we had about having either or both of those ended in midseason with ankle injuries.
We need more depth at both positions going forward.

 

[John Galt]

Last year we started 2 seniors on the O-line, Wynn and Barker. Even though neither was an all-Big Ten type player, there's something to be said for 23 year olds that have been in the program for 5 years.

Back in August, everyone said this team will go as far as MarQueis can carry them this year, and most predicted 5-6 wins. Given that he was injured in Game 4, we had a true freshman/sophomore playing QB, mainly first year players at WR (Fruechte, Engel, McDonald), our best WR got injured halfway through the season and quit, and the O-line was decimated, I'm not sure how much more could have been expected. Let's hope for some big strides next year.

 

[e.bigelow]

Just way to many injuries this year to have any form Of consistency on offense. Especially when those injuries occur on the offensive line where continuity and experience are paramount over anything else. Add to that, losing our best playmaker, MarQuies Gray, for a stretch, and it is a recipe for a bad and inconsistent offense.

 

[GophersInIowa]

No doubt our offense was not very good in the Big Ten this year. Hopefully the experience gained will help us next year.

On the other side, the Gophers defense improved in the Big Ten from 34.1 points and 413 yards to 27.5 and 375.4.