Post Game Thread: Gophers win 3rd in a row, CRUSH Maryland!

[Dakota2]

Exactly this! You have to take what the defense gives you.

Can't disagree they concentrated on stopping the run. They spent a lot of time on our side of the LOS. But, did Locksley and staff get the 2023 Gopher first seven game film package for review instead of this year's?

You watch our film and two things stand out on offense:

1) Due to offensive line run blocking inadequacies, we are rushing below traditional levels.

2) Our short and intermediate passing offense is pretty sharp with a good QB at the helm.

So what kind of coaching genius decides to load up against something we don't do well anyway and further expose their quite bad pass defense to our strengh? Doesn't make any sense.

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Two guys who don't care jackschiff about Bret's Curse are Brosmer and Perich. That's a good start.

How would you like the job of trying to convince Koi that Minnesota can't beat Bret?

I'm with you. I'd add Kerry Brown. Go Gophers!

 

[Dakota2]

Best game since Auburn, but NC and the second half of Iowa did just happen not long ago. The most important stretch of games is ahead of us and it appears bright, but while the past three games weren’t against the little sisters of the poor, those teams kinda suck and there isn’t reason yet to get too big for your britches.

The boys are filling out their britches just fine, thank you. Coaching staff and players know very well that three of the last four opponents will be defensively much, much stouter than Maryland.

 

[Dakota2]

Our receivers were great. Max was great. Pass protection was awesome against a supposedly very good pass rush team. Their QB, 8th rated in nation, was not good. Our pass rush was very good. It was really fun to watch.

Can't really say if Edwards is good or not based on yesterday. He faced relentless pressure. It never let up. While he was not actually sacked much -- once? -- he very seldom could plant and make a throw. It was a clinic.

 

[RememberMurray]

Can't really say if Edwards is good or not based on yesterday. He faced relentless pressure. It never let up. While he was not actually sacked much -- once? -- he very seldom could plant and make a throw. It was a clinic.

You're right; he faced a lot of pressure. He was never able to get comfortable. And he got hit pretty frequently, and that takes a toll on a QB. It looked like he was getting more and more jumpy back there as the game wore on.

Max, on the other hand, was the beneficiary of superb protection.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Yep, been an up and down year, like most years. But the early season stupidity around here where some posters were legit calling for Fleck's head has proven to be the foolishness that many of us clearly called it out as.

The alt take is PJ heard the criticism/input coming from all quarters, national and local. Running constant PR interference here is just as odd as some of the more outlandish takes. We’re all pleased (I think?) the team looks exponentially better than last year or early in the season or really since 2019. Can’t fans just enjoy the resurgence without the tiresome Spanish Inquisition loyalty test every week.

 

[MNVCGUY]

One thing that has not gotten a lot of attention is the improvement in the WR/TE group over the past few games. They have really cut down on the drops.

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

Maybe Brosmer is the guy who breaks the Bert Curse for PJ and the Gophs? I can dream!

The team was poised to break the Burt curse until the last 46 seconds of the game last season when they hit a long bomb. If we're in that situation again, I trust this defense to avoid that outcome.

 

[BTChamp]

When you have a quarterback who can throw, everything looks like a pass.

[/QUOTE]
Vs everything looking like a punt.

 

[BTChamp]

Get back to me when I’m averaging more than 5-6 hours of sleep per day…

Sleep shmeep! We need wins!!!
Joking. Congrats on the rookie Gopher.

 

[PMWinSTP]

You're right; he faced a lot of pressure. He was never able to get comfortable. And he got hit pretty frequently, and that takes a toll on a QB. It looked like he was getting more and more jumpy back there as the game wore on.

Max, on the other hand, was the beneficiary of superb protection.

Yeah, he got throws off but usually not without some sort of punishment. Never really had a clean pocket. Max on the other hand...

 

[PMWinSTP]

The alt take is PJ heard the criticism/input coming from all quarters, national and local. Running constant PR interference here is just as odd as some of the more outlandish takes. We’re all pleased (I think?) the team looks exponentially better than last year or early in the season or really since 2019. Can’t fans just enjoy the resurgence without the tiresome Spanish Inquisition loyalty test every week.

I see no reason why most folks wouldn't think they can go 3-1 to finish out. Should garner a very good bowl. If they can pull off a 4-0 run, it will be fun to see where they land for a bowl.

 

[Dakota2]

You're right; he faced a lot of pressure. He was never able to get comfortable. And he got hit pretty frequently, and that takes a toll on a QB. It looked like he was getting more and more jumpy back there as the game wore on.

Max, on the other hand, was the beneficiary of superb protection.

Max was the picture of a stroll in the park. I find it so interesting our line pass blocks well and run blocks poorly, more or less opposite of past history.

Is it personnel? Emphasis in practice? Change in Callahan's philosophy?

 

[Dakota2]

One thing that has not gotten a lot of attention is the improvement in the WR/TE group over the past few games. They have really cut down on the drops.

Essentially they are getting thrown catchable balls. If you noticed yesterday, Brosmer didn't throw any low balls requiring sliding catches. He has had to throw a lot of them in the past games.

When he throws that ball down below the knees, those are not bad throws or misfires. If the receiver is closely covered the sliding catch is the only place where a close defender can't get to the ball.

Yesterday, most of the balls were up at eye level or above the head for tight ends. That is because our receivers were getting a step of separation. It was the best consistent separation I have seen this year.

So yes, drops are gone. That's probably because receivers are getting the ball in a better place. And that is because receivers are getting more open.

Max can put it wherever is available.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

I see no reason why most folks wouldn't think they can go 3-1 to finish out. Should garner a very good bowl. If they can pull off a 4-0 run, it will be fun to see where they land for a bowl.

Absolutely possible to win out given how they’re playing right now, and looking at the schedule. Could also go 0-4. Penn State has a banged up Allar, really struggled versus USC. Very good defense but it feels like Brosmer could make PSU pay if they aren’t careful. The MN defense has been solid, opportunistic.

Brosmer is the ultimate X factor going forward, and I think he and the new look Gophs can deliver.

 

[Word]

Absolutely possible to win out given how they’re playing right now, and looking at the schedule. Could also go 0-4. Penn State has a banged up Allar, really struggled versus USC. Very good defense but it feels like Brosmer could make PSU pay if they aren’t careful. The MN defense has been solid, opportunistic.

Brosmer is the ultimate X factor going forward, and I think he and the new look Gophs can deliver.

I feel like Brosmer will be solid. To me the X factor is can we get some sort of running game going if we play a team that has more success defending the pass or if we need to salt away a game by running the clock out.

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

Penn State has a banged up Allar

Yes, but his backup, Pribula, played very well down the stretch against Wisconsin. Once he got a few reps, he was a true dual threat.

 

[Dakota2]

Absolutely possible to win out given how they’re playing right now, and looking at the schedule. Could also go 0-4. Penn State has a banged up Allar, really struggled versus USC. Very good defense but it feels like Brosmer could make PSU pay if they aren’t careful. The MN defense has been solid, opportunistic.

Brosmer is the ultimate X factor going forward, and I think he and the new look Gophs can deliver.

Don't know if Allar is going to be out for awhile but, based on the short sample from Saturday, the backup looks pretty good. He actually outperformed Allar in that game.

 

[Igor95]

Another beautiful weather day yesterday. After the last few weeks it was nice to not have to pace and chew on fingernails during a game. The Gophers played so well that I can’t get Purple Lamborghini out of my head today! D was on fire. Brossmer was cold bloooded. Jackson and Spencer were elite. Hopefully Jah will be able to play Saturday against Illinois. This is fun! Let’s keep rowing!

 

[Dakota2]

I feel like Brosmer will be solid. To me the X factor is can we get some sort of running game going if we play a team that has more success defending the pass or if we need to salt away a game by running the clock out.

This is definitely the key question with at least three of the four remaining opponents are very solid in all aspects of defense.

We need to be balanced, not just in numbers of runs/passes but in effectiveness too. If base defenses can stop our run game it will be hard to rely primarily on the pass for gains.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Yes, but his backup, Pribula, played very well down the stretch against Wisconsin. Once he got a few reps, he was a true dual threat.

Don't know if Allar is going to be out for awhile but, based on the short sample from Saturday, the backup looks pretty good. He actually outperformed Allar in that game.

Yes, but it was a one score game until late, and Wisconsin isn’t the old Wisconsin on D. Agree Pribula looked good but had never really played entire series AFAIK. Could be beginners luck versus tired, unprepared D. PSU will be tough either way, and is a huge opportunity for a statement win.

 

[DelawareGopher]

Do you have a gopher onesie he wears on gameday?

I do! He couldn’t wear it the first couple games (in the NICU) but I’m breaking it out now.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Anyone remember back when there were fans here ready to fire Fleck....good times.....

Yeah, I'll admit that I was "done" with the program after Iowa, but it's fair to say this is a different program. If I had known Fleck would change up and start using a modern passing offense and not be extremely conservative with every possession, I wouldn't have been so upset after Iowa.

Fleck offenses from the past would probably have us with a losing record right now.

That being said, it's GREAT watching this new offense.