Gophers rank 4th nationally in touchbacks 19/25 this season

[BleedGopher]

per STrib:

The Gophers knew redshirt freshman Ryan Santoso had a big leg. Last Saturday at Michigan, they learned he could be cool under pressure.

Santoso was 1-for-3 on his field goal attempts heading into that game. But he went 3-for-3 against the Wolverines, hitting from 24, 48 and 25 yards. The 24-yarder from the right hash as time expired on the first half gave the Gophers a 10-7 lead. The 48-yarder made it 13-7. Those were two critical kicks.

“It helps a lot, just getting that 100 percent in that one game,” Santoso said. “But you’ve just got to move on and go to the next game.”

Santoso has 19 of his 25 kickoffs (76 percent) into touchbacks. With that percentage, the Gophers rank fourth in the nation.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/278026841.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!

 

[BarnBurner]

Touchbacks.

Thing of beauty.

No return.

No chance of a quick TD or great field position.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Touchbacks.

Thing of beauty.

No return.

No chance of a quick TD or great field position.

Yep, if Santoso can show the consistency on Field Goals that he showed at Michigan we could be set at the kicker position for the next few years. Eliminating the possibility of a game changing kickoff return is awesome, especially when the defense has shown a real ability to contain teams when they are not starting on a short field.

 

[Nokomis]

I've said it since the NE win last year, our special teams are our secret weapon.

 

[BarnBoy]

Make them go 80, err 75 yards, every time, all the time.

 

[goldenboy]

I remember playing Ohio State one year when Mason was still here. We thought we had a chance at home, but it sucked all the air out of the dome when, after every score, we didn't even get a chance for a big return... Touchback after touchback. It's a great defensive weapon.

 

[husker70]

And when Mortell drops punts inside the 10 yard line. The field is tilted. This combined with touchbacks, helps the defense. And they are taking full advantage.

 

[Gopherdrummer]

#legcannon

 

[beavergopher]

The Michigan fan I sat next to last week muttered under his breath, "that guy can kick."