BTN's Tom Dienhart: Minnesota's win wasn't impressive; offense went in fits and start

[Blackhammer]

Hopefully they weren't practicing intentionally pushing the ball forward as that could result in a penalty giving the other team the ball back, 15 yards, and a first down.

You better call the Big Ten office. Give me a break. Why don't we all just agree the Gophers are awful and everything positive we did was just dumb luck. Oh and the officals gave us every call and Vegas was the worst team in the history of NCCA football. Unbelieveable !

 

[AO54]

You better call the Big Ten office. Give me a break. Why don't we all just agree the Gophers are awful and everything positive we did was just dumb luck. Oh and the officals gave us every call and Vegas was the worst team in the history of NCCA football. Unbelieveable !

My point was I highly doubt they practice batting fumbles forward. Shede got away with it, but you don't have to apologize for making a play when the ref misses the call.

 

[goldy93]

No, we didn't. At all. Only on GH can your team win by 28 and a group of posters say we got outplayed. One thing about all those defensive and special teams touchdowns is that they also keep our offense off the field. On a per play basis, we outgained UNLV by almost half a yard. We outplayed them. Not as much as we should have, and not as much as most fans would have liked. But we did. To say we got outplayed is utter hyperbole, and it's a ridiculous take on the game.

Not hyperbole, not ridiculous. Watch the Indiana game for offensive precision and compare it to what we did. This was UNLV we played, at home. A team that had lost 22 straight away games and you take solace in the fact that we outgained them .5 yds per play? Fine. We were dominant over an inferior team. We controlled the line of scrimmage and blew them off the ball. Just think what we will do against Iowa, WI and Northwestern this year. Indiana does not stand a chance with the way we played when we meet them for what likely will determine if we go to a bowl. We won, which is great. But anyone that thinks we continue to play the way we did and win consistently is fooling themselves, IMHO.

 

[Deleted_User]

No, we didn't. At all. Only on GH can your team win by 28 and a group of posters say we got outplayed. One thing about all those defensive and special teams touchdowns is that they also keep our offense off the field. On a per play basis, we outgained UNLV by almost half a yard. We outplayed them. Not as much as we should have, and not as much as most fans would have liked. But we did. To say we got outplayed is utter hyperbole, and it's a ridiculous take on the game.

This ^ is an accurate, reliable and nuanced point of view. If we are always kicking off, our total yards on offense potential goes down. There is no other way to look at it. If we had the ball more and did not score, our stats could very well look stellar and still be a loss. If we had the ball more, our defensive stats would have been better as well. You can't try to spin the stats since they are no longer dynamic. They are now static forever. The reason we didn't have more offensive production is because we had to turn the ball over to them each time we scored. It is as simple a fact as that. We whooped them and that is undeniable.

By the way, I now put everything in the first person because of the unintended influence of the survey. Really quite annoying.

 

[SonOfTheVarsity]

Not hyperbole, not ridiculous. Watch the Indiana game for offensive precision and compare it to what we did. This was UNLV we played, at home. A team that had lost 22 straight away games and you take solace in the fact that we outgained them .5 yds per play? Fine. We were dominant over an inferior team. We controlled the line of scrimmage and blew them off the ball. Just think what we will do against Iowa, WI and Northwestern this year. Indiana does not stand a chance with the way we played when we meet them for what likely will determine if we go to a bowl. We won, which is great. But anyone that thinks we continue to play the way we did and win consistently is fooling themselves, IMHO.

I'm not taking solace in anything, other than that we won the game by 28 points. And sorry, but to argue that a team that lost a game by 28 points outplayed their opponent is ridiculous, and it is hyperbole.

Watch what I'm going to do here:
The Gophers could and should have played better, and they'll need to improve to beat better opponents.

Look at that. I just summed up your (and the whole sky-is-falling crew's) entire argument without going on a longwinded and misinformed rant about how we got outplayed and were lucky to somehow scrape together a 28-POINT VICTORY. Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?

It was the first game. We're going to make mistakes. A lot of the mistakes were made by guys who likely won't be major contributors during the conference year. Heck, your vaunted Indiana offense turned the ball over three times. They made mistakes too. Luckily, we have a few more games to make improvements and get ready for the B1G schedule.

 

[Maximus]

But anyone that thinks we continue to play the way we did and win consistently is fooling themselves, IMHO.

Could you provide one quote from one person remotely implying that? Thanks in advance.

 

[goldy93]

I'm not taking solace in anything, other than that we won the game by 28 points. And sorry, but to argue that a team that lost a game by 28 points outplayed their opponent is ridiculous, and it is hyperbole.

Watch what I'm going to do here:
The Gophers could and should have played better, and they'll need to improve to beat better opponents.

Look at that. I just summed up your (and the whole sky-is-falling crew's) entire argument without going on a longwinded and misinformed rant about how we got outplayed and were lucky to somehow scrape together a 28-POINT VICTORY. Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?

It was the first game. We're going to make mistakes. A lot of the mistakes were made by guys who likely won't be major contributors during the conference year. Heck, your vaunted Indiana offense turned the ball over three times. They made mistakes too. Luckily, we have a few more games to make improvements and get ready for the B1G schedule.

Watch the Indiana game and get back to me on this, because it will show you how far we are behind on offense. Sure, they had turnovers, but look what they did despite the turnovers. Is Indiana great? Not saying that, but it concerns me that they are way ahead of us offensively. Watch the game.

If you told me that we would have 21 pts from special teams and defense, I say we should win that game by a minimum of 42 points as bad as UNLV is. They are terrible, which concerns me, because I thought we were further ahead than we are. Take away those 21 points and we win by 7. Yikes. I am looking past this game to the rest of the season and I see some big problems. I guess I could ignore what I watched and gaze at the score and pretend that Nelson had 300 yards of passing and Kirkwood churned out 150 rushing yards in a dominating performance over UNLV, but it would be a lie and gloss over what I actually saw. BTW, if we rely on Nelson to rush as much as he did in this game, he may not last long. The last thing I think we want to see is our QB be the leading rusher with 12 carries for 83 yards, compared to Kirkwood's 11 carries for 30 yards. Our Oline is a work in progress. Again, not what I expected with so much experience returning playing UNLV.

 

[goldy93]

Could you provide one quote from one person remotely implying that? Thanks in advance.

That is a bit of an oxymoron. That being said, if someone is saying we clearly outplayed UNLV, then I would say they are implying that we can continue to play the way we did and win consistently, because we would outplay future opponents. To which I would say, anyone that thinks we continue to play the way we did and win consistently is fooling themselves, IMHO. Why? Because, we got outplayed by UNLV on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for most of the game. Kirkwood with 30 yards on 11 carries? Nelson with 99 yards passing? We got some good breaks, made some plays. However, our offense was painful to watch.

 

[SonOfTheVarsity]

That is a bit of an oxymoron. That being said, if someone is saying we clearly outplayed UNLV, then I would say they are implying that we can continue to play the way we did and win consistently, because we would outplay future opponents. To which I would say, anyone that thinks we continue to play the way we did and win consistently is fooling themselves, IMHO. Why? Because, we got outplayed by UNLV on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for most of the game. Kirkwood with 30 yards on 11 carries? Nelson with 99 yards passing? We got some good breaks, made some plays. However, our offense was painful to watch.

Nice logic there, Sherlock.

 

[goofinSF]

Watch the Indiana game and get back to me on this, because it will show you how far we are behind on offense. Sure, they had turnovers, but look what they did despite the turnovers. Is Indiana great? Not saying that, but it concerns me that they are way ahead of us offensively. Watch the game.

If you told me that we would have 21 pts from special teams and defense, I say we should win that game by a minimum of 42 points as bad as UNLV is. They are terrible, which concerns me, because I thought we were further ahead than we are. Take away those 21 points and we win by 7. Yikes. I am looking past this game to the rest of the season and I see some big problems. I guess I could ignore what I watched and gaze at the score and pretend that Nelson had 300 yards of passing and Kirkwood churned out 150 rushing yards in a dominating performance over UNLV, but it would be a lie and gloss over what I actually saw. BTW, if we rely on Nelson to rush as much as he did in this game, he may not last long. The last thing I think we want to see is our QB be the leading rusher with 12 carries for 83 yards, compared to Kirkwood's 11 carries for 30 yards. Our Oline is a work in progress. Again, not what I expected with so much experience returning playing UNLV.

You can't play with final stats like that without thinking about the context. IF, for some reason, you take away the 21 points. Time of offensive possession changes, play calling and personal might be different etc...cause and effect.

 

[RodentRampage]

That is a bit of an oxymoron. That being said, if someone is saying we clearly outplayed UNLV, then I would say they are implying that we can continue to play the way we did and win consistently, because we would outplay future opponents.

That doesn't make sense. To say we outplayed UNLV doesn't imply that we could win consistently playing that way - outplaying one opponent doesn't imply that we would outplay more difficult opponents, or even that we would continue to outplay similar opponents.

 

[goldy93]

Nice logic there, Sherlock.

I know, it was a stretch. However, I guess people are really happy with the way we played and are confident. Good for them. I have been to way too many Gopher games that I think I suffer from PTSD. I was at the Dome in 2003 when we tanked against Michigan. Watched us set a record in 2006 against Texas Tech for losing a bowl game with the largest lead. Watched Iowa come in and stomp us 55-0. Watched NDSU come here twice and beat us. Watched New Mexico State win here. Suffered thru the 2007 season. So, I was excited for this season and really hoped that we had turned the corner, but when I saw the team perform it brought back bad, bad memories. This was a very, very crappy UNLV team we played and other than special teams they played us fairly evenly. I saw a scoreboard that did not really reflect what I saw on the field. Good, we won. I will still watch my Gophers and cheer for them, but I am going to set my expectations lower and hope they surprise me in the end.

Oh well, New Mexico State is up next. Wait, more bad memories...

 

[cncmin]

Nice logic there, Sherlock.

I know, it was a stretch. However, I guess people are really happy with the way we played and are confident. Good for them. I have been to way too many Gopher games that I think I suffer from PTSD. I was at the Dome in 2003 when we tanked against Michigan. Watched us set a record in 2006 against Texas Tech for losing a bowl game with the largest lead. Watched Iowa come in and stomp us 55-0. Watched NDSU come here twice and beat us. Watched New Mexico State win here. Suffered thru the 2007 season. So, I was excited for this season and really hoped that we had turned the corner, but when I saw the team perform it brought back bad, bad memories. This was a very, very crappy UNLV team we played and other than special teams they played us fairly evenly. I saw a scoreboard that did not really reflect what I saw on the field. Good, we won. I will still watch my Gophers and cheer for them, but I am going to set my expectations lower and hope they surprise me in the end.

Oh well, New Mexico State is up next. Wait, more bad memories...

Goldy93 - you're being realistic. The hyped-up loonies are running the show around here. Remember you aren't a true Gopher fan unless you think everything the team does is great.

I'm not sure whether I'm more disappointed in the team for such a low-quality showing on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, or disappointed in our fan base for going crazy over such utter mediocrity.

 

[stocker08]

Watch the Indiana game and get back to me on this, because it will show you how far we are behind on offense. Sure, they had turnovers, but look what they did despite the turnovers. Is Indiana great? Not saying that, but it concerns me that they are way ahead of us offensively. Watch the game.

If you told me that we would have 21 pts from special teams and defense, I say we should win that game by a minimum of 42 points as bad as UNLV is. They are terrible, which concerns me, because I thought we were further ahead than we are. Take away those 21 points and we win by 7. Yikes. I am looking past this game to the rest of the season and I see some big problems. I guess I could ignore what I watched and gaze at the score and pretend that Nelson had 300 yards of passing and Kirkwood churned out 150 rushing yards in a dominating performance over UNLV, but it would be a lie and gloss over what I actually saw. BTW, if we rely on Nelson to rush as much as he did in this game, he may not last long. The last thing I think we want to see is our QB be the leading rusher with 12 carries for 83 yards, compared to Kirkwood's 11 carries for 30 yards. Our Oline is a work in progress. Again, not what I expected with so much experience returning playing UNLV.

You can't play with final stats like that without thinking about the context. IF, for some reason, you take away the 21 points. Time of offensive possession changes, play calling and personal might be different etc...cause and effect.

You are rambling, goldy. Three offensive possessions negated by good plays. Yet, you cannot figure out why our stats are under inflated?

 

[cncmin]

You are rambling, goldy. Three offensive possessions negated by good plays. Yet, you cannot figure out why our stats are under inflated?

You can't just say "well we lost 3 offensive possessions, so throw everything else out the window, they were great!"

Here's a more realistic interpretation:

Minnesota's drives:
1st half
1. 4 plays, 11 yards
2. 9 plays, 32 yards (FG)
3. 2 plays, 69 yards (TD)
4. 8 plays, 31 yards
5. 3 plays, 7 yards
6. 10 plays, 39 yards (TD; TD should have been negated by false start)

2nd half
a. KO return (TD)
1. 3 plays, -4 yards
b. Blocked FG (TD)
2. 10 plays, 22 yards
c. INT return (TD)
3. 8 plays, 37 yards (TD)
4. 6 plays, 86 yards (TD; began at 4:12 on the game clock)


Now, if you want to play the game that they missed out on some possessions due to returns, that's a legitimate argument, so let's play that out. If they had had other possessions in between, then time would have run out on the last (garbage time) drive of the game, which constituted 86 yards. So, the other 9 possessions accounted for a total of (320-86) = 234 yards, or 26 yards per possession.

Let's further say that UNLV doesn't have time for their last possession (1 drive, -1 yard), and we'll give the Gophers not only 1, but generously 2 more offensive possessions.
Extrapolating that data, the Gophers would have gained approximately (234 + 2x26) = 286 offensive yards. UNLV would have gained (193 + 226 -(-1)) = 420 yards. Under your scenario, we'd have been outgained approximately 286 to 420 yards for the game.

Well, you say, what if they had gotten the ball at the 1 yard line and scored for a 99 yard drive?!! (yeah right) OK, well then they don't have time enough for the second 26-yard possession, and they gain another 73 yards, leaving the total deficiency approximately 360 to 420 yards; which is still not even breaking even against an atrocious UNLV team.

Well, you say, what if time ran out and UNLV didn't get their garbage-time score? OK, let's subtract 75 yards from UNLV, leaving the total deficiency approximately 286 to 345 yards; which is still getting your ass kicked on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball against an atrocious UNLV team.

Tell me why, again, I should be excited about what I saw on the O and D sides of the ball?!

 

[imthewalrus]

You are rambling, goldy. Three offensive possessions negated by good plays. Yet, you cannot figure out why our stats are under inflated?

You are right on the money! The Gophers scored at the end of the first half to take the lead. They ran the opening kick-off back to start the 2nd half. They wouldn't have done any worse than a 3 and out had they received the ball at the 25. Who knows, they might have had a 15 play drive complete with five or more first downs. Then, the blocked field goal for the score. If UNLV had kicked the field goal and kicked off to us, once again, we probably would have had between 4 and 15 offensive plays. Finally, with the pick-6 60 yard score, had we just intercepted and run offensive plays, we would have had between 4 and 15 offensive plays. So, the way I see it, the Gophers could easily have had between 12 and 45 more offensive plays in the 2nd half in scoring up to the same 21 points or less than the 21 points their scored on defense and special teams plays in the second half. That would have TOTALLY changed the time of possession...the rushing AND passing yardages and stats for the entire offensive unit. It's just that the Gophers were so damned efficient with their 2 special teams and 1 defensive team scores in the 2nd half. AND: the UNLV Defense would have been ON THE FIELD much more in the 2nd half and would have worn down at the same rate that the Gopher Defense wore down by playing SO MUCH in the 2nd half. (the heat and humidity caused MANY more substitutions of 2nd and 3rd string players...great for experience building but probably affected the quality of play and intensity of play on the field.) The heat and humidity DID take it's tole. At the same time, the UNLV defenders would have been gassed during that 2nd half, and our offense would have probably become more efficient as the game wore on into the latter part of the 3rd and 4th quarters. Mother Natue was a real BEAST in TCF BANK STADIUM that evening...

Win UGLY and win EFFICIENTLY Gophers. ANY Gopher fan who can't appreciate ANY style of win is a fool. We are NOT one of the elete teams or programs. Our Gophers have to EARN any and every win they get. That's the way it is right now...and Iwill NEVER whine about a win. We are a program that HAS to find ways to win ANY kind of way to win a football game is a GREAT way to win a football game for MY Golden Gopher Football Team!

; 0 )

 

[FanSinceTheFifties]

So I see the drumbeat of criticism of Nelson is underway. Reminds me of the anti Adam Weber bandwagon chorus of yesterday. Much like what Hoffarber suffered in basketball.

 

[RockinRanger]

You are rambling, goldy. Three offensive possessions negated by good plays. Yet, you cannot figure out why our stats are under inflated?

Struggling to run the ball most of the game and having a passing game that went 10/22 and 4.5 yards per attempt had a lot to do with it too.

 

[GreasyGopher]

You can't just say "well we lost 3 offensive possessions, so throw everything else out the window, they were great!"

Here's a more realistic interpretation:

Minnesota's drives:
1st half
1. 4 plays, 11 yards
2. 9 plays, 32 yards (FG)
3. 2 plays, 69 yards (TD)
4. 8 plays, 31 yards
5. 3 plays, 7 yards
6. 10 plays, 39 yards (TD; TD should have been negated by false start)

2nd half
a. KO return (TD)
1. 3 plays, -4 yards
b. Blocked FG (TD)
2. 10 plays, 22 yards
c. INT return (TD)
3. 8 plays, 37 yards (TD)
4. 6 plays, 86 yards (TD; began at 4:12 on the game clock)


Now, if you want to play the game that they missed out on some possessions due to returns, that's a legitimate argument, so let's play that out. If they had had other possessions in between, then time would have run out on the last (garbage time) drive of the game, which constituted 86 yards. So, the other 9 possessions accounted for a total of (320-86) = 234 yards, or 26 yards per possession.

Let's further say that UNLV doesn't have time for their last possession (1 drive, -1 yard), and we'll give the Gophers not only 1, but generously 2 more offensive possessions.
Extrapolating that data, the Gophers would have gained approximately (234 + 2x26) = 286 offensive yards. UNLV would have gained (193 + 226 -(-1)) = 420 yards. Under your scenario, we'd have been outgained approximately 286 to 420 yards for the game.

Well, you say, what if they had gotten the ball at the 1 yard line and scored for a 99 yard drive?!! (yeah right) OK, well then they don't have time enough for the second 26-yard possession, and they gain another 73 yards, leaving the total deficiency approximately 360 to 420 yards; which is still not even breaking even against an atrocious UNLV team.

Well, you say, what if time ran out and UNLV didn't get their garbage-time score? OK, let's subtract 75 yards from UNLV, leaving the total deficiency approximately 286 to 345 yards; which is still getting your ass kicked on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball against an atrocious UNLV team.

Tell me why, again, I should be excited about what I saw on the O and D sides of the ball?!

Can you go away? Did the Gophers win the game? YES! Was it pretty? NO!

This game has ZERO effect on the rest of the season except with people, like you, that are trying to blow results out of proportion. How the Gophers played tonight has zero effect on the result of the Iowa game, the Michigan game, the Wisconsin game. The only thing that truly matters that came out of this game is the W.

 

[cncmin]

Can you go away? Did the Gophers win the game? YES! Was it pretty? NO!

This game has ZERO effect on the rest of the season except with people, like you, that are trying to blow results out of proportion. How the Gophers played tonight has zero effect on the result of the Iowa game, the Michigan game, the Wisconsin game. The only thing that truly matters that came out of this game is the W.

you keep telling yourself that if that's what makes you feel better.

 

[tundra]

I think we should just forfeit the season. Clearly we need to avoid the bloodshed.

 

[Unregistered User]

you keep telling yourself that if that's what makes you feel better.

And you keep acting like games are played in a vacuum.

 

[SonOfTheVarsity]

You can't just say "well we lost 3 offensive possessions, so throw everything else out the window, they were great!"

Here's a more realistic interpretation:

Minnesota's drives:
1st half
1. 4 plays, 11 yards
2. 9 plays, 32 yards (FG)
3. 2 plays, 69 yards (TD)
4. 8 plays, 31 yards
5. 3 plays, 7 yards
6. 10 plays, 39 yards (TD; TD should have been negated by false start)

2nd half
a. KO return (TD)
1. 3 plays, -4 yards
b. Blocked FG (TD)
2. 10 plays, 22 yards
c. INT return (TD)
3. 8 plays, 37 yards (TD)
4. 6 plays, 86 yards (TD; began at 4:12 on the game clock)


Now, if you want to play the game that they missed out on some possessions due to returns, that's a legitimate argument, so let's play that out. If they had had other possessions in between, then time would have run out on the last (garbage time) drive of the game, which constituted 86 yards. So, the other 9 possessions accounted for a total of (320-86) = 234 yards, or 26 yards per possession.

Let's further say that UNLV doesn't have time for their last possession (1 drive, -1 yard), and we'll give the Gophers not only 1, but generously 2 more offensive possessions.
Extrapolating that data, the Gophers would have gained approximately (234 + 2x26) = 286 offensive yards. UNLV would have gained (193 + 226 -(-1)) = 420 yards. Under your scenario, we'd have been outgained approximately 286 to 420 yards for the game.

Well, you say, what if they had gotten the ball at the 1 yard line and scored for a 99 yard drive?!! (yeah right) OK, well then they don't have time enough for the second 26-yard possession, and they gain another 73 yards, leaving the total deficiency approximately 360 to 420 yards; which is still not even breaking even against an atrocious UNLV team.

Well, you say, what if time ran out and UNLV didn't get their garbage-time score? OK, let's subtract 75 yards from UNLV, leaving the total deficiency approximately 286 to 345 yards; which is still getting your ass kicked on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball against an atrocious UNLV team.

Tell me why, again, I should be excited about what I saw on the O and D sides of the ball?!

Sorry, but this is just pathetic. You're saying we got outplayed based on your fabricated hypothetical situations. Cool. I know you put a lot of time and effort into this. Did, at any point of time during that great effort, you stop and think, "This is completely pointless and the worst possible brand of football analysis?"

 

[SonOfTheVarsity]

Goldy93 - you're being realistic. The hyped-up loonies are running the show around here. Remember you aren't a true Gopher fan unless you think everything the team does is great.

I'm not sure whether I'm more disappointed in the team for such a low-quality showing on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, or disappointed in our fan base for going crazy over such utter mediocrity.

Oh, the classic whiny "if you complain about anything, everybody says you're not a true fan" line. I was waiting for somebody to pull it out. Congrats for winning the race.

Get this: people can disagree with your opinion. Especially if your opinion is that we got outplayed en route to a 28-point victory. If people disagree, it's not because they're completely content with the way the team played or can't stand any criticism of the Gophers. It's because they actually disagree with your point of view.

But keep acting like the vanguard of this season's impending doom, if you like. Keep reminding yourself: You're the only realist. The only one who sees things as they really are, and anybody who disagrees is just blindly enthusiastic.

 

[GreasyGopher]

you keep telling yourself that if that's what makes you feel better.

Please inform me how a single play from this game has a DIRECT impact on any of those games I mentioned. That way it won't be a surprise when this missed XP comes back to bite the Gophers in the butt and costs them the axe.

 

[harrys ghost]

You can't just say "well we lost 3 offensive possessions, so throw everything else out the window, they were great!"

Here's a more realistic interpretation:

Minnesota's drives:
1st half
1. 4 plays, 11 yards
2. 9 plays, 32 yards (FG)
3. 2 plays, 69 yards (TD)
4. 8 plays, 31 yards
5. 3 plays, 7 yards
6. 10 plays, 39 yards (TD; TD should have been negated by false start)

2nd half
a. KO return (TD)
1. 3 plays, -4 yards
b. Blocked FG (TD)
2. 10 plays, 22 yards
c. INT return (TD)
3. 8 plays, 37 yards (TD)
4. 6 plays, 86 yards (TD; began at 4:12 on the game clock)


Now, if you want to play the game that they missed out on some possessions due to returns, that's a legitimate argument, so let's play that out. If they had had other possessions in between, then time would have run out on the last (garbage time) drive of the game, which constituted 86 yards. So, the other 9 possessions accounted for a total of (320-86) = 234 yards, or 26 yards per possession.

Let's further say that UNLV doesn't have time for their last possession (1 drive, -1 yard), and we'll give the Gophers not only 1, but generously 2 more offensive possessions.
Extrapolating that data, the Gophers would have gained approximately (234 + 2x26) = 286 offensive yards. UNLV would have gained (193 + 226 -(-1)) = 420 yards. Under your scenario, we'd have been outgained approximately 286 to 420 yards for the game.

Well, you say, what if they had gotten the ball at the 1 yard line and scored for a 99 yard drive?!! (yeah right) OK, well then they don't have time enough for the second 26-yard possession, and they gain another 73 yards, leaving the total deficiency approximately 360 to 420 yards; which is still not even breaking even against an atrocious UNLV team.

Well, you say, what if time ran out and UNLV didn't get their garbage-time score? OK, let's subtract 75 yards from UNLV, leaving the total deficiency approximately 286 to 345 yards; which is still getting your ass kicked on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball against an atrocious UNLV team.

Tell me why, again, I should be excited about what I saw on the O and D sides of the ball?!

You know what they always say, "statistics are for losers."

 

[tap]

If he calls sconnie's win over UMASS an excellent win, he is an idiot. UMASS is awful just like msu's opponent last night.

 

[stocker08]

You can't just say "well we lost 3 offensive possessions, so throw everything else out the window, they were great!"

Here's a more realistic interpretation:

Minnesota's drives:
1st half
1. 4 plays, 11 yards
2. 9 plays, 32 yards (FG)
3. 2 plays, 69 yards (TD)
4. 8 plays, 31 yards
5. 3 plays, 7 yards
6. 10 plays, 39 yards (TD; TD should have been negated by false start)

2nd half
a. KO return (TD)
1. 3 plays, -4 yards
b. Blocked FG (TD)
2. 10 plays, 22 yards
c. INT return (TD)
3. 8 plays, 37 yards (TD)
4. 6 plays, 86 yards (TD; began at 4:12 on the game clock)


Now, if you want to play the game that they missed out on some possessions due to returns, that's a legitimate argument, so let's play that out. If they had had other possessions in between, then time would have run out on the last (garbage time) drive of the game, which constituted 86 yards. So, the other 9 possessions accounted for a total of (320-86) = 234 yards, or 26 yards per possession.

Let's further say that UNLV doesn't have time for their last possession (1 drive, -1 yard), and we'll give the Gophers not only 1, but generously 2 more offensive possessions.
Extrapolating that data, the Gophers would have gained approximately (234 + 2x26) = 286 offensive yards. UNLV would have gained (193 + 226 -(-1)) = 420 yards. Under your scenario, we'd have been outgained approximately 286 to 420 yards for the game.

Well, you say, what if they had gotten the ball at the 1 yard line and scored for a 99 yard drive?!! (yeah right) OK, well then they don't have time enough for the second 26-yard possession, and they gain another 73 yards, leaving the total deficiency approximately 360 to 420 yards; which is still not even breaking even against an atrocious UNLV team.

Well, you say, what if time ran out and UNLV didn't get their garbage-time score? OK, let's subtract 75 yards from UNLV, leaving the total deficiency approximately 286 to 345 yards; which is still getting your ass kicked on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball against an atrocious UNLV team.

Tell me why, again, I should be excited about what I saw on the O and D sides of the ball?!

Struggling to run the ball most of the game and having a passing game that went 10/22 and 4.5 yards per attempt had a lot to do with it too.

We scored a TD on four drives and a FG on another. We had ten offensive drives. By my count, we scored on HALF of our possessions. That is good. Now consider the individual efforts on those three ST/Defensive TD's and this performance was not NEARLY as bad as either of you make it seem. Did the offense look a little mediocre? Yeah but they will improve with more game experience. The team looked far different in the second half.

Anyone who says that we were outplayed after a 28 point win needs to immediately check into the mental ward.

 

[Big Play]

I like how dienhart is pumping up these teams who beat fcs teams lol what a joke that guy is

 

[goldy93]

You are rambling, goldy. Three offensive possessions negated by good plays. Yet, you cannot figure out why our stats are under inflated?

Sure, but who says we score on those drives? The INT for a TD, that could have been a wash if UNLV puts in the end zone.

I guess what sticks in my mind is Nelson passing for 99 yards and less than 50% and Kirkwood rushing 11 times for 30 yards. I think Nelson is a good QB, but WR is a huge question mark right now. If we become 1 dimensional and cannot run the ball effectively, it is going to be a difficult season. I know Kill will work with the kids, but it is not like we struggled due to penalties or mental mistakes, things that could be corrected quickly. It just appeared that we could not hold the line of scrimmage or move the line of scrimmage down the field.

BTW, I know it is the first game. I know Kill will make some adjustments and I think we will get better.