Gold Rush
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2008
- Messages
- 1,857
- Reaction score
- 1,193
- Points
- 113
Very fun game to watch yesterday as the Gophers avenged their worst game last year by dismantling Illinois. Illinois scored 55 points on us last year - this year 17 but that came on two defensive TD's and one can argue if PJ Fleck hadn't called that time out on the missed FG, our defense would have not let them score ANY points! We have had good starts before only to get into the Big Ten and look incredibly mediocre. We have all seen our share of this team melting down at the worst possible time.
This team to me just seems much more poised, which is odd considering they are a fairly young team. They have already had to battle back from adversity and QB Morgan has had to save this team with a few come from behind wins just to get this far. Coming back from a 3rd and 30 on your own 5 down by 4 is nothing short of miraculous, and the games against SDSU and Fresno St. also could have been easily lost. This game vs. Illinois started with a defensive pick for TD but the team didn't panic and just shifted it into another gear and blew them out.
In years past - I don't think that would have been the case. I asked Ryan Burns on the radio today, "How does such a young team show this kind of poise?" and I think he gave a pretty good answer. This team kind of grew together last year and they are building on that this year. Some of this certainly has to go to coaching. I am not saying we are going to go 12-0 and run the table but here's something to think about. If the Gophers duplicate their effort they showed vs. Wisconsin last year, there isn't a single team they can not beat on their schedule.
One thing is for certain - they will face a lot more adversity each game they play the rest of the year. A lot of people still do not know it yet, but the true Gopher fans on here know they do have a very good shot at having a very special season here. One game at a time, stay hungry and focused with the task at hand and stay humble. This season just got a lot more fun and I hope we can keep it up!!
This team to me just seems much more poised, which is odd considering they are a fairly young team. They have already had to battle back from adversity and QB Morgan has had to save this team with a few come from behind wins just to get this far. Coming back from a 3rd and 30 on your own 5 down by 4 is nothing short of miraculous, and the games against SDSU and Fresno St. also could have been easily lost. This game vs. Illinois started with a defensive pick for TD but the team didn't panic and just shifted it into another gear and blew them out.
In years past - I don't think that would have been the case. I asked Ryan Burns on the radio today, "How does such a young team show this kind of poise?" and I think he gave a pretty good answer. This team kind of grew together last year and they are building on that this year. Some of this certainly has to go to coaching. I am not saying we are going to go 12-0 and run the table but here's something to think about. If the Gophers duplicate their effort they showed vs. Wisconsin last year, there isn't a single team they can not beat on their schedule.
One thing is for certain - they will face a lot more adversity each game they play the rest of the year. A lot of people still do not know it yet, but the true Gopher fans on here know they do have a very good shot at having a very special season here. One game at a time, stay hungry and focused with the task at hand and stay humble. This season just got a lot more fun and I hope we can keep it up!!
Last edited: