BleedGopher
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per ESPN:
Here are three stats that help explain the 2016 season for each Big Ten team. Next up is Minnesota, which finished 9-4 and defeated Washington State in the National Funding Holiday Bowl.
29.3: Before the season, few people might have guessed Minnesota would lead the Big Ten West in scoring offense. But offensive coordinator Jay Johnson helped the Gophers increase their scoring average from one year earlier by a full touchdown, from 22.5 points to 29.3 points. It was due in large part to an improved rushing attack rather than a big boost through the air from quarterback Mitch Leidner. Though Leidner's passing numbers decreased, Minnesota's rushing touchdown number doubled from 17 to 34. Running back Rodney Smith made a substantial leap and finished with 16 rushing touchdowns -- second in the Big Ten behind Penn State's Saquon Barkley. Leidner added 10 rushing touchdowns and Shannon Brooks five. Minnesota also increased its rushing average from 144.1 yards per game to 183.6.
117.8: Minnesota's run defense was one of the best in the league, ranking second behind Wisconsin. The Gophers allowed only 117.8 rushing yards per game and produced some stellar outings this season. Five times this season, opponents failed to gain 90 yards rushing, including four games against Big Ten teams. Purdue gained only 23 yards on 28 carries, and Northwestern gained 63 yards on 33 carries. Minnesota saved one of its better performances for last, as Washington State gained 39 yards on 23 carries in the Holiday Bowl.
Nine: How big of a deal was it that Minnesota won nine games in 2016? It marked only the second time since 1906 that the Gophers won at least nine games. Minnesota won 10 games in 2003. The Gophers have been one of the more underrated, solid Big Ten teams of late. Over the past five seasons, Minnesota is 37-28 with five consecutive bowl appearances. The next step is for the Gophers to consistently compete for Big Ten West championships, and new coach P.J. Fleck gives the team a great opportunity to do so. Don't forget that Minnesota came within one game of winning the West back in 2014 before it lost at Wisconsin in the regular-season finale. Though the East division is loaded, the West could be friendlier for a team like Minnesota to rise up from the middle of the pack and produce a special season.
http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/140863/stats-that-defined-2016-minnesota-gophers
Go Gophers!!
Here are three stats that help explain the 2016 season for each Big Ten team. Next up is Minnesota, which finished 9-4 and defeated Washington State in the National Funding Holiday Bowl.
29.3: Before the season, few people might have guessed Minnesota would lead the Big Ten West in scoring offense. But offensive coordinator Jay Johnson helped the Gophers increase their scoring average from one year earlier by a full touchdown, from 22.5 points to 29.3 points. It was due in large part to an improved rushing attack rather than a big boost through the air from quarterback Mitch Leidner. Though Leidner's passing numbers decreased, Minnesota's rushing touchdown number doubled from 17 to 34. Running back Rodney Smith made a substantial leap and finished with 16 rushing touchdowns -- second in the Big Ten behind Penn State's Saquon Barkley. Leidner added 10 rushing touchdowns and Shannon Brooks five. Minnesota also increased its rushing average from 144.1 yards per game to 183.6.
117.8: Minnesota's run defense was one of the best in the league, ranking second behind Wisconsin. The Gophers allowed only 117.8 rushing yards per game and produced some stellar outings this season. Five times this season, opponents failed to gain 90 yards rushing, including four games against Big Ten teams. Purdue gained only 23 yards on 28 carries, and Northwestern gained 63 yards on 33 carries. Minnesota saved one of its better performances for last, as Washington State gained 39 yards on 23 carries in the Holiday Bowl.
Nine: How big of a deal was it that Minnesota won nine games in 2016? It marked only the second time since 1906 that the Gophers won at least nine games. Minnesota won 10 games in 2003. The Gophers have been one of the more underrated, solid Big Ten teams of late. Over the past five seasons, Minnesota is 37-28 with five consecutive bowl appearances. The next step is for the Gophers to consistently compete for Big Ten West championships, and new coach P.J. Fleck gives the team a great opportunity to do so. Don't forget that Minnesota came within one game of winning the West back in 2014 before it lost at Wisconsin in the regular-season finale. Though the East division is loaded, the West could be friendlier for a team like Minnesota to rise up from the middle of the pack and produce a special season.
http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/140863/stats-that-defined-2016-minnesota-gophers
Go Gophers!!