The Gophers got two special teams TDs and a defensive TD in Thursday night’s opener.
Game Recap
The Gophers got off to a slow start, falling behind the UNLV Rebels early in Thursday’s season opener. Trailing 13-10, quarterback Philip Nelson found tight end Maxx Williams for a score late in the first half to give the Gophers a 16-13 advantage at the break.
Minnesota was able to extend their lead in the second half thanks to a 98-yard kickoff return by Marcus Jones to open the third. The Gophers poured it on with a field goal block returned for a touchdown by Martez Shabazz and an 89-yard pick-six by Briean Boddy-Calhoun. When the dust settled, Minnesota won decisively, 51-23 over the visiting Rebels. The Gophers’ 51 points were the most scored in TCF Bank Stadium history.
Game-Changing Play
Clinging to just a three-point lead at the end of two quarters, the Gophers were looking for a spark to start the second half. They got one when junior Marcus Jones broke through defenders on the opening kickoff and didn’t stop running until he crossed the goal line, 98 yards later, for a touchdown.
“When we left the locker room [after halftime], I said, ‘someone’s got to step up and make a play, we’ve got to make some big plays,” head coach Jerry Kill said. “We’re capable of that—just loosen up and go play.’ Then shoot, boom, the opening kickoff of the second half. …It helped jolt us.”
Jones’ score was the Gophers’ first kickoff return for a touchdown since the 2011 season when Duane Bennett brought a kick back 96 yards against Wisconsin.
Minnesota outscored UNLV 28-10 following Jones’ touchdown.
Newcomers Impress
In the first game of the year, Gopher fans were able to get a glimpse of some top players that they have been waiting for this offseason. Redshirt freshman quarterback Mitch Leidner saw his first action in the Maroon and Gold. Although he didn’t attempt a pass, Leidner rushed the ball three times, for 25 yards and his first career touchdown.
“Mitch Leidner came in there, which was important at the end of the game, and did a nice job running the zone-read option,” said Kill.
Redshirt freshman Maxx Williams was one of Jerry Kill’s top recruits in the 2012 class. In his first collegiate game, Williams showed why he was so highly coveted by the Gophers’ staff. The 6-foot-4, 254-pounder made a few punishing blocks early in the game, sealing the edge for Donnell Kirkwood. Williams also proved to be a receiving-threat by hauling in his first career reception, a 10-yard touchdown pass from Philip Nelson.
“First catch in college and it’s a touchdown, I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Williams said following the game. “It’s been a dream to play college football here. My parents played here. I give credit to Philip Nelson. He waited until I was open and we knew we had to convert in the red zone. It felt amazing to have my first catch be a touchdown.”
“He’s a huge weapon,” starting quarterback Philip Nelson said of Williams, “and I think we learned that in fall camp. I played against him, I think, three time in high school and that kid makes plays. …He played just exactly how I expected him to play.”
Four linebackers made their Golden Gopher debuts against UNLV: redshirt freshmen Nick Rallis, Jack Lynn and junior college transfers Damien Wilson and De’Vondre Campbell. Each player showed up on the stat sheet. Both Rallis and Campbell recorded three tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage. Wilson was second on the team with seven tackles while Lynn finished with two stops.
Murray Steps Up
With Derrick Wells out of Thursday’s contest, sophomore cornerback Eric Murray was thrust into the spotlight against the Rebels. The Wisconsin native played very well, recording five tackles and a game-high four pass breakups.
Room for Improvement
One of the areas where the Gophers struggled throughout the contest was in the passing game, especially early in the first half. The timing issues between quarterback and receiver is something that Minnesota will work on this week in practice.
“We definitely have some things to clean up,” The Gophers’ starting quarterback said. “We knew that they had a new defensive coordinator and they mixed things up on us this year. …We need to complete more plays and move the ball better. We have to execute better on offense.”
What’s Next?
The Gophers head on the road to Las Cruces, New Mexico to take on the New Mexico State Aggies. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT as the Maroon and Gold look to avenge their 2011 loss at TCF Bank Stadium.