Gopher Football
It was another case where the Gophers blew a big lead, 35-14 in the third quarter, and couldn’t make the big play with the game on the line. Two Adam Weber interceptions got Northwestern right back into it, as they scored touchdowns after both INTs.
Every aspect of the team had a critical letdown when the game was on the line. The Gopher offense stalled at the Northwestern 27 with about two minutes in the game and a chance to seal the win. Then Joel Monroe missed a 44-yard field goal that would have put the Gophers up by 10. Finally, it was the defense’s turn to fail at clinching the win. Northwestern scored the tying touchdown on fourth down on the Minnesota four yard line. This score sent the game into overtime. The defense was unable to make another fourth and four stop in overtime.
Yes, there is no doubt this team lacks confidence. It’s evident everywhere you look. There is no go-to-guy when the game is on the line, nobody on offense, no one on defense and no kicker to turn to. It makes these kinds of finishes all too common.
Statistically, this game was just as even. Minnesota had 586 total yards on offense and Northwestern had 567. The Wildcats made some critical mistakes too, like the two missed field goals. It comes down to who has more poise at the end and more often than not the Gophers don’t.
So it’s on to the next game against North Dakota State in front of what is expected to be a sellout crowd in the Metrodome. The Gophers escaped last years NDSU game with a 10-9 win. Since then, Minnesota has had almost no success in the many close games they have been involved in.
This has been a throw away season from the beginning in terms of wins and losses. Still, every loss is hard to stomach. And it looks like there is plenty more tough weeks ahead. Give this team credit for continuing to play hard. The challenge ahead for Tim Brewster will be to keep them fighting to the very end of this dismal season.