BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 61,741
- Reaction score
- 17,653
- Points
- 113
per the Lincoln Journal Star:
Why you may need Rolaids
1. Minnesota's running game has been gaining steam, thanks to Rodney Smith (1). The 5-foot-11, 205-pound sophomore ranks second in the Big Ten in rushing (106 yards per game), and he has rushed for at least 100 yards in five of the Gophers' six league games. The Huskers should expect a heavy dose of Smith, who has carried the ball 18, 22, 20 and 24 times in his last four contests and has 13 total touchdowns (though he did injure his ankle against Purdue). Quarterback Mitch Leidner (7) can run, too. Second-leading rusher Shannon Brooks (23) did not play against Purdue.
2. Not surprisingly, that Gopher ground game has eaten a lot of clock. Only one opponent (Iowa) has held the ball longer than Minnesota this season, and the Gophers have 19 drives of 3 minutes, 30 seconds or longer in league play. They also have scored on 88 percent of their trips to the red zone (29 TDs, eight field goals). Though the Gophers have focused on running the ball, Nebraska will need to watch for wideout Drew Wolitarsky (82). The 6-3, 220-pounder is Leidner's favorite target (45 catches for 579 yards).
3. Turnovers have been working in the Gophers' favor this season. They're third in the nation in turnover margin (plus-12) and first nationally in fumble recoveries (13). Not only is Minnesota creating turnovers, they're turning them into points. The Gophers have scored 90 points off interceptions and fumbles. Damarius Travis (7, and probably the Gophers' best defender) and KiAnte Hardin (3) each have a pair of interceptions this year.
http://journalstar.com/sports/huske...cle_a8e2f73e-632d-5087-8aa1-71eb4d566da0.html
Go Gophers!!
Why you may need Rolaids
1. Minnesota's running game has been gaining steam, thanks to Rodney Smith (1). The 5-foot-11, 205-pound sophomore ranks second in the Big Ten in rushing (106 yards per game), and he has rushed for at least 100 yards in five of the Gophers' six league games. The Huskers should expect a heavy dose of Smith, who has carried the ball 18, 22, 20 and 24 times in his last four contests and has 13 total touchdowns (though he did injure his ankle against Purdue). Quarterback Mitch Leidner (7) can run, too. Second-leading rusher Shannon Brooks (23) did not play against Purdue.
2. Not surprisingly, that Gopher ground game has eaten a lot of clock. Only one opponent (Iowa) has held the ball longer than Minnesota this season, and the Gophers have 19 drives of 3 minutes, 30 seconds or longer in league play. They also have scored on 88 percent of their trips to the red zone (29 TDs, eight field goals). Though the Gophers have focused on running the ball, Nebraska will need to watch for wideout Drew Wolitarsky (82). The 6-3, 220-pounder is Leidner's favorite target (45 catches for 579 yards).
3. Turnovers have been working in the Gophers' favor this season. They're third in the nation in turnover margin (plus-12) and first nationally in fumble recoveries (13). Not only is Minnesota creating turnovers, they're turning them into points. The Gophers have scored 90 points off interceptions and fumbles. Damarius Travis (7, and probably the Gophers' best defender) and KiAnte Hardin (3) each have a pair of interceptions this year.
http://journalstar.com/sports/huske...cle_a8e2f73e-632d-5087-8aa1-71eb4d566da0.html
Go Gophers!!