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Gophers Game Preview: Stingy, Disciplined Wildcats Await Minnesota in Evanston
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/559463?referrer_id=388419
Minnesota (3-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten) at No. 16 Northwestern (4-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Evanston, Ill.
Stadium: Ryan Field (47,130)
TV/Radio: Big Ten Network, KFAN 100.3
Series: Minnesota leads the series 52-33-5
Last Meeting: October 11, 2014; Minnesota won 24-17 at TCF Bank Stadium
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (10th season, 64-53)
National Championships: Minnesota (7); Northwestern (0)
INSIDE THE GAME
Winning the Turnover Battle
The Wildcats have a solid defense, ranking first in the conference by allowing just 8.8 points per game. Northwestern can also take the ball away, something they’ve done eight times this year. The Gophers will need to improve their ball security before kickoff.
“They're just good at getting the football,” said Jerry Kill. “They do a great job of ripping the ball out. Just overall they're just very solid, disciplined, and don't make mistakes.”
Containing Jackson
Running back Justin Jackson is off to a solid start, racking up 516 yards on the ground through four games. The Gophers actually recruited Jackson out of high school.
“Yeah, we did, but he was going to go to Northwestern,” said Kill. “It was a good fit for him.”
The injury-plagued Gopher defense will have their work cut out for them when Jackson has the ball.
“He's got great vision, great speed,” said Kill. “You know, if you don't get him wrapped up, he's going to bounce off of you, and you don't want to give him any creases. But [he’s] a very good back.”
Injury Bug
The Gophers haven’t caught many breaks regarding injuries this season, especially on defense. It’s bad, but is it a coach’s worst nightmare?
“No, no, my worst nightmare would be to be 0-4,” said Tracy Claeys. “So no. Like I say, injuries are part of the game.”
Minnesota will look to youngsters to fill the void.
“Our kids are capable enough to get it done,” said Claeys. “It's a matter of just coaches just putting them in the right places and finding out what they do best.”
Matchup to Watch
Minnesota offense vs. Northwestern defense — NU boasts a stingy, disciplined defense that is one of the best in the nation. The Wildcats rank third in the country in scoring defense and 11th in total defense at 266 yards per game. Northwestern also tops the nation on third-down—stopping opponents 81.4 percent of the time.
Conversely, Minnesota’s unreliable offense ranks in the bottom half of the conference in almost every offensive statistic—including last in scoring offense (19.2 ppg) and rushing offense (158 ypg). Coordinator Matt Limegrover knows the Gophers need to be far more consistent on Saturday to come away from Evanston with a win.
“It's getting there,” Limegrover said of the offense. “It's definitely on its way, but to be honest with you, looking back on it, the way we played Saturday, you know, we won't beat Northwestern if we have the exact same production and execution. We've got to execute better because at the end of the day, there were too many drives that needed to become touchdowns that ended up in field goals.”
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune looks at redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson. Thorson has shown some ability this season but has struggled with turnovers, throwing three interceptions and fumbling twice in the last two games.
Are the Wildcats the real deal? Sure, Northwestern is ranked in the top 20 but what can we expect going forward? Josh Moyer of ESPN looks at the Wildcat (and Indiana Hoosier) chances at being a factor in the Big Ten race.
Like the Gophers, Northwestern is battling a number of key injuries. Although Minnesota may be in worse shape heading into Saturday, the Wildcats certainly are not at full strength, either. Zach Pereles of InsideNU ranks Northwestern’s injuries in order of importance.
Joe Christensen gives a quick rundown of Minnesota’s injury report. It’s not pretty so you may want to avert your eyes, Gopher fans.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…Their defensive depth can overcome the loss of multiple starters. Cody Poock, Damarius Travis, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, and Antonio Johnson are all banged up, stressing the Gopher defense. The ability of Minnesota’s second and third team defenders to come in and slow down the quick Northwestern offense will be essential on Saturday.
“More so our emphasis this week will be we're going back to a no-huddle team that plays like four or five different personnel groups,” said Claeys. “That's hard to get prepared for and how fast they switch them out. So that'll be our emphasis in practices, being able to get switched out to their personnel groups, how fast, rather than any individual guy that they have.”
The Wildcats Win If…
Thorson makes the clutch plays. The redshirt freshman hasn’t been great this year, throwing four touchdowns with three interceptions. He’s averaging under 150 yards passing per game, yet the Wildcats are 4-0 heading into Saturday. Thorson has an ability to make plays when his team needs him.
“You know, very productive in the times that he's gotten there when he's needed to be there, kind of a lot like Mitch has done,” said Claeys of Thorson. “When they needed to make plays, they've made the plays they've needed to make in order to win the ballgame. That's the objective each week is who wins, and he's done a good job of doing that for them.”
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/559463?referrer_id=388419
Minnesota (3-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten) at No. 16 Northwestern (4-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Evanston, Ill.
Stadium: Ryan Field (47,130)
TV/Radio: Big Ten Network, KFAN 100.3
Series: Minnesota leads the series 52-33-5
Last Meeting: October 11, 2014; Minnesota won 24-17 at TCF Bank Stadium
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (10th season, 64-53)
National Championships: Minnesota (7); Northwestern (0)
INSIDE THE GAME
Winning the Turnover Battle
The Wildcats have a solid defense, ranking first in the conference by allowing just 8.8 points per game. Northwestern can also take the ball away, something they’ve done eight times this year. The Gophers will need to improve their ball security before kickoff.
“They're just good at getting the football,” said Jerry Kill. “They do a great job of ripping the ball out. Just overall they're just very solid, disciplined, and don't make mistakes.”
Containing Jackson
Running back Justin Jackson is off to a solid start, racking up 516 yards on the ground through four games. The Gophers actually recruited Jackson out of high school.
“Yeah, we did, but he was going to go to Northwestern,” said Kill. “It was a good fit for him.”
The injury-plagued Gopher defense will have their work cut out for them when Jackson has the ball.
“He's got great vision, great speed,” said Kill. “You know, if you don't get him wrapped up, he's going to bounce off of you, and you don't want to give him any creases. But [he’s] a very good back.”
Injury Bug
The Gophers haven’t caught many breaks regarding injuries this season, especially on defense. It’s bad, but is it a coach’s worst nightmare?
“No, no, my worst nightmare would be to be 0-4,” said Tracy Claeys. “So no. Like I say, injuries are part of the game.”
Minnesota will look to youngsters to fill the void.
“Our kids are capable enough to get it done,” said Claeys. “It's a matter of just coaches just putting them in the right places and finding out what they do best.”
Matchup to Watch
Minnesota offense vs. Northwestern defense — NU boasts a stingy, disciplined defense that is one of the best in the nation. The Wildcats rank third in the country in scoring defense and 11th in total defense at 266 yards per game. Northwestern also tops the nation on third-down—stopping opponents 81.4 percent of the time.
Conversely, Minnesota’s unreliable offense ranks in the bottom half of the conference in almost every offensive statistic—including last in scoring offense (19.2 ppg) and rushing offense (158 ypg). Coordinator Matt Limegrover knows the Gophers need to be far more consistent on Saturday to come away from Evanston with a win.
“It's getting there,” Limegrover said of the offense. “It's definitely on its way, but to be honest with you, looking back on it, the way we played Saturday, you know, we won't beat Northwestern if we have the exact same production and execution. We've got to execute better because at the end of the day, there were too many drives that needed to become touchdowns that ended up in field goals.”
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune looks at redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson. Thorson has shown some ability this season but has struggled with turnovers, throwing three interceptions and fumbling twice in the last two games.
Are the Wildcats the real deal? Sure, Northwestern is ranked in the top 20 but what can we expect going forward? Josh Moyer of ESPN looks at the Wildcat (and Indiana Hoosier) chances at being a factor in the Big Ten race.
Like the Gophers, Northwestern is battling a number of key injuries. Although Minnesota may be in worse shape heading into Saturday, the Wildcats certainly are not at full strength, either. Zach Pereles of InsideNU ranks Northwestern’s injuries in order of importance.
Joe Christensen gives a quick rundown of Minnesota’s injury report. It’s not pretty so you may want to avert your eyes, Gopher fans.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…Their defensive depth can overcome the loss of multiple starters. Cody Poock, Damarius Travis, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, and Antonio Johnson are all banged up, stressing the Gopher defense. The ability of Minnesota’s second and third team defenders to come in and slow down the quick Northwestern offense will be essential on Saturday.
“More so our emphasis this week will be we're going back to a no-huddle team that plays like four or five different personnel groups,” said Claeys. “That's hard to get prepared for and how fast they switch them out. So that'll be our emphasis in practices, being able to get switched out to their personnel groups, how fast, rather than any individual guy that they have.”
The Wildcats Win If…
Thorson makes the clutch plays. The redshirt freshman hasn’t been great this year, throwing four touchdowns with three interceptions. He’s averaging under 150 yards passing per game, yet the Wildcats are 4-0 heading into Saturday. Thorson has an ability to make plays when his team needs him.
“You know, very productive in the times that he's gotten there when he's needed to be there, kind of a lot like Mitch has done,” said Claeys of Thorson. “When they needed to make plays, they've made the plays they've needed to make in order to win the ballgame. That's the objective each week is who wins, and he's done a good job of doing that for them.”
