Chip Scoggins: Gophers defense can hang with the best, offense has work to do

[BleedGopher]

per Chip:

The Gophers defense heard so many glowing tributes of TCU’s vaunted offense in advance of their season opener that you could hardly blame them if they shouted in unison, “Enough already!”

Of course, nobody would have faulted them for sharing that same message with their own stumbling, bumbling offense at halftime on a steamy Thursday night.

For all the hype about TCU’s offense — all deserved by the way — the prime-time opener also revealed a salient counterpoint.

The Gophers defense is pretty darn good, too.

Maybe even better than advertised. They just didn’t get enough help in a 23-17 loss.

“We’ve got a good defense. I’ve said that all along,” coach Jerry Kill said.

http://www.startribune.com/gophers-season-kicks-off-with-the-perfect-storm/324282611/

Go Gophers!!

 

[BleedGopher]

Omaha World Herald: Minnesota's offense still lacks firepower to hang with top foes

Brick by brick.

That’s been coach Jerry Kill’s motto since he took over Minnesota’s woebegone football program five years ago. It’s symbolic of the one-step-at-time hard work that the college game’s Mr. Fix-It knew was required to give the Gophers life.

It’s working ... but still not quite at the rate necessary to knock off a national-title contender.

That was proven again Thursday night when Minnesota lost to No. 2 TCU 23-17; which was somewhat like how the Gophers lost last September to TCU 30-7; which was similar to how they fell to eventual national champion Ohio State 31-24 last November.

The common denominator?

Minnesota remains too many bricks shy of the offensive load required to handle the Big Boys — especially when it loses a fumble at its 15-yard line and loses another through the end zone on a potential touchdown run.

That’s a shame because the Gophers have an elite, playmaking defense.

“We played well enough on defense to win,’’ Minnesota coach Jerry Kill said. “Our defense did a tremendous job against a tremendous offense.’’

http://www.omaha.com/huskers/barfke...cle_f56147d6-52c9-11e5-ba1f-270d91e8ef4a.html

Go Gophers!!