BleedGopher
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Starting with Saturday's home game against Michigan State, improvement in each area would go a long way in the Gophers (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) beginning to string together victories they'll need to compete for the West Division title.
Athan Kaliakmanis endured a difficult first half, completing three of eight passes for eight yards as the Gophers mustered only a field goal.
In the second half, however, the staff showed more trust in Kaliakmanis, who went 3-for-6 for 40 yards on a 13-play drive that cut the Iowa lead to 10-6 on a Dragan Kesich field goal. That set the tone for two more field-goal drives. Kesich's 31-yard winner in the fourth quarter was set up when Kaliakmanis hit Daniel Jackson on a deep route for a 39-yard gain to the Iowa 17.
Saturday, though, linebacker play was a strength against Iowa. Williams had his best game as a Gopher, collecting four tackles and one sack, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble. Pro Football Focus gave Williams an 82.3 grade, the highest of his career. Baranowski tied for the team lead with six tackles, including one for loss.
"Devon Williams played his best football game — one of the better linebacker performances I've seen since I've been here," coach P.J. Fleck said. "Two weeks ago, I couldn't say that. You're watching growth."
An improving Williams could help come Saturday against Michigan State, which features the Big Ten's third-leading rusher in Nate Carter (80.7 yards per game).
Because of Kesich, Minnesota's kick coverage team has faced only five returns, but the Gophers are allowing an average of 28.2 yards on those returns, the most in the Big Ten.
The Gophers' punt coverage nearly cost the team the game late in the fourth quarter when Cooper DeJean spun out of an attempted tackle, took advantage of an open lane down the sideline, then cut across the field for an apparent 54-yard TD return and 16-12 Iowa lead. However, replay officials ruled that DeJean had given an invalid fair catch signal, wiping out the return.
Fleck saw much to correct in that episode.
"When you punt, everybody has their lane or their gap. One of our players, when DeJean spins, jumps inside and out of his gap, and that's how DeJean goes down the sideline," Fleck said. "Our special teams specialists have played really well this year. We've had some big-time plays in our coverage units. We've also had some mistakes. Nothing's gonna be perfect."
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Go Gophers!!
Starting with Saturday's home game against Michigan State, improvement in each area would go a long way in the Gophers (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) beginning to string together victories they'll need to compete for the West Division title.
The passing game
Minnesota's passing offense, which ranks 129th of 133 FBS teams at 131.9 yards per game, has been a concern all season, and its up-and-down tendencies played out at Iowa.Athan Kaliakmanis endured a difficult first half, completing three of eight passes for eight yards as the Gophers mustered only a field goal.
In the second half, however, the staff showed more trust in Kaliakmanis, who went 3-for-6 for 40 yards on a 13-play drive that cut the Iowa lead to 10-6 on a Dragan Kesich field goal. That set the tone for two more field-goal drives. Kesich's 31-yard winner in the fourth quarter was set up when Kaliakmanis hit Daniel Jackson on a deep route for a 39-yard gain to the Iowa 17.
Williams leads linebackers
All season long, the Gophers defense has missed the talents and on-field leadership of Cody Lindenberg, who has yet to play because of a leg injury. The absence forced the Gophers to use a pair of inexperienced players, third-year sophomore Devon Williams and redshirt freshman Maverick Baranowski, who've taken their lumps.Saturday, though, linebacker play was a strength against Iowa. Williams had his best game as a Gopher, collecting four tackles and one sack, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble. Pro Football Focus gave Williams an 82.3 grade, the highest of his career. Baranowski tied for the team lead with six tackles, including one for loss.
"Devon Williams played his best football game — one of the better linebacker performances I've seen since I've been here," coach P.J. Fleck said. "Two weeks ago, I couldn't say that. You're watching growth."
An improving Williams could help come Saturday against Michigan State, which features the Big Ten's third-leading rusher in Nate Carter (80.7 yards per game).
Return and coverage units
The Gophers special teams have received outstanding play from kicker Dragan Kesich, who's 14-for-16 on field goals and has touchbacks on 28 of his 33 kickoffs. The return and coverage units, however, did not have great games at Iowa. The wind played a factor as two Iowa kickoffs landed short of Gophers return man Sean Tyler and had backspin, forcing Tyler to scramble to the ball before the Hawkeyes could recover. The Gophers made fair catches on five of Tory Taylor's nine punts, and the Hawkeyes downed four inside the Minnesota 20-yard line, as Taylor averaged 49.3 yards per punt.Because of Kesich, Minnesota's kick coverage team has faced only five returns, but the Gophers are allowing an average of 28.2 yards on those returns, the most in the Big Ten.
The Gophers' punt coverage nearly cost the team the game late in the fourth quarter when Cooper DeJean spun out of an attempted tackle, took advantage of an open lane down the sideline, then cut across the field for an apparent 54-yard TD return and 16-12 Iowa lead. However, replay officials ruled that DeJean had given an invalid fair catch signal, wiping out the return.
Fleck saw much to correct in that episode.
"When you punt, everybody has their lane or their gap. One of our players, when DeJean spins, jumps inside and out of his gap, and that's how DeJean goes down the sideline," Fleck said. "Our special teams specialists have played really well this year. We've had some big-time plays in our coverage units. We've also had some mistakes. Nothing's gonna be perfect."
Three factors for Gophers football that could define the rest of the season
The Gophers need more out of their passing game, for one, heading into Saturday's game against Michigan State.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!