Thanks for resurrecting this thread. I started it back in 2022 to post out a weird fact: that the Gophers under PJ (first 5-1/2 years then) had never come back to win a game in which they had fallen behind by more than 7 points. Never once. Since there were many games in which the Gophers, notorious slow starters, often we down by 10 points early, I was merely pointing out that, no matter what happened in the ensuing quarters, the Gophers would lose. My thought was simple: stop starting out so slow; stop ceding early points to other teams while we "feel out" the environment. Also, when behind, stop trying to catch up with slow, grinding run-only drives that take 12 plays to score (and offer 12 opportunities for drive-stopping penalties, fumbles, etc.).
Not long after the thread was started the hex was broken. I believe in a game against Nebraska in which the Gophers came back from a 10 point deficit. I'll have to check.
Something interesting has happened this year. The Gopher started out the game against Rutgers down 14-0 at 10:45 in the 2nd Q. Historically, this meant the game was over (100% likelihood of a loss) given PJ's often hyper-conservative offensive style. But the Gophers, under Drake's leadership and arm, came back to win the Rutgers game. Two weeks alter, Purdue was up on the Gophers 10-0 at 11:09 of the 2nd Q. Again, a virtual guaranteed loss under "old" PJ. But Drake, Koi, Darius, etc., pulled out a comeback win in that one also.
This years Gopher team has a lot of weak spots--young and/or inexperienced players trying to replace the substantial number of starters who left for the NFL. The Gophers don't have the NIL to "reload"--but they do have the culture to "re-develop." Can they redevelop quickly enough to make this a satisfying year? I remain optimistic that they can. Why? Because this is, as PJ likes to say, a resilient team. They have already bounced back from two deficits in B1G games that in prior years normally meant a loss. And they are doing it not with coaching (sorry guys) but with developing leadership on the field. Drake, Koi, Darius (when healthy!), Kerry, Fame, Jameson, etc. If we get a little more high quality play at key positions--DL, DB and WR would be nice--this young team still could flash.
Will sufficient development happen in time for the Nebraska challenge this Friday? Who knows. But it could if our leaders on the field continue to grow. Go Gophers!
