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Outside of about eight minutes, Gophers’ head coach P.J. Fleck thought his team played their most complete game of the season in all three phases. Despite a late Indiana comeback fueled by explosive plays, the Minnesota offense managed to make the critical play when they needed it most. Quarterback Tanner Morgan found freshman Rashod Bateman for the eventual 67-yard game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Gophers made things interesting, but managed to claim a wild 38-31 win. Fleck was proud of his team for finding a way to come out on top.
“I give them a lot of credit, that was a really good football game,” head coach P.J. Fleck said. “We had a chance to be able to finish, we did not finish it, but then we ended up finishing it. I’m really proud of our guys’ resolve.”
Minnesota led 31-9 in the fourth quarter, but four big passing plays helped Indiana score 22 unanswered points. The defense managed to bend, but not break for most of the night. The third quarter was an example of a key area the Gophers must improve defensively. Minnesota mixed coverages throughout and played more man techniques in the first half. However, he said it started to not work later in the game.
“Even though we had the lead for the majority of the game and then they tied it up late, we still had to find a way to win the game and they did,” Fleck said. “All those things in between there we’ve gotta continue to fix.”
Running Back Shannon Brooks’ status
Veteran running back Shannon Brooks made his return during last week’s game. His dynamic running style helped add another key dimension to the Gophers’ offense. Brooks rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown, but left in the second half with a leg injury. Head coach P.J. Fleck said Brooks is not expected to play this week, but didn’t have information regarding his status for the remainder of the season.
“I want to make sure when I say it, it’s 100 percent final. I don’t want to say it and then something comes back and another test or something like that, that is not accurate….that’s evolving,” Fleck said. “It’s getting close to getting done. I pretty much know he probably won’t play this week, but we’ll get Mohamed back.”
Redshirt freshman Mohamed Ibrahim (undisclosed) will return this week, according to Fleck.
Morgan to start this week at Illinois
After leading the Gophers offense to strong performances over the past two weeks, quarterback Tanner Morgan will start Saturday’s game at Illinois. Morgan completed 17 of his 24 passes for 302 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. His ability to extend plays and move outside the pocket is something his head coach has noticed.
“Part of what I thought we were struggling with was getting out of the pocket, moving, being able to escape, create plays on the run. And that element was erased when Zack started getting hurt,” Fleck said.
With Annexstad battling injuries, Fleck noted how Morgan earned the chance to start through his performance. However, he is pleased with the progress of both players as the team pushes forward into the final portion of 2018. Fleck wouldn’t rule out playing both Morgan and Annexstad during future games either.
“That’s a possibility down the stretch, absolutely. I don’t know if that’s what we’ll do, it just depends, but Tanner has earned the right as of today to be able to make sure he gets the opportunity to lead this football team. I wouldn’t do it any other way.”
No matter what, Fleck is pleased with the way each of them have handled the competition every day in practice. He specifically noted the growth Morgan has made over the past few weeks both mentally and physically.
“I think Zack was more ready to play at the beginning of the year than Tanner,” Fleck said. “I think Tanner’s gotten better over eight weeks, nine weeks, but I think as you kind of look at both of them, I have confidence in both of them to be able to play….Zack’s still banged up a little bit and I think Tanner being healthy – he’s earned an opportunity to play. He’s earned the right to play.”
Outside of the growth at quarterback, Fleck has watched the scheme evolve with more capable wide receivers in the fold. Rashod Bateman, Chris Autman-Bell and Demetrius Douglas are making big contributions as young players. The trio has already tallied a combined 60 receptions for 799 yards and five touchdowns. Fleck attributes this success to the system growing every week.
“I think it’s just the evolution of the offense,” Fleck said. “It’s not just some guy proving himself or not……when you have your top target Ty Johnson, you want to continue to get him the football early, but then people start taking him away, so then they look at Rashod, then people start doing things for him and Rashod. Well then all the sudden there’s Chris Autman-Bell, now there’s Demetrius Douglas and now people don’t get tendencies on you.”
Fleck said last year they often had to disguise different plays or formations when they were really running the same set. It’s why fans noticed so much jet motion, speed option and many other looks the team was running. Now, the offensive staff doesn’t have to force things anymore. With many capable pass catchers in the fold, the entire system has opened up for offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca.
“Last year, every time we had something, it was how can we ‘mickey mouse’ this thing to be able to make sure it doesn’t look the same," Fleck said. "‘Smoke and mirrors, but it’s the same play.’ Now we don’t have to worry about that, we trust our guys to able to make those plays.”
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“I give them a lot of credit, that was a really good football game,” head coach P.J. Fleck said. “We had a chance to be able to finish, we did not finish it, but then we ended up finishing it. I’m really proud of our guys’ resolve.”
Minnesota led 31-9 in the fourth quarter, but four big passing plays helped Indiana score 22 unanswered points. The defense managed to bend, but not break for most of the night. The third quarter was an example of a key area the Gophers must improve defensively. Minnesota mixed coverages throughout and played more man techniques in the first half. However, he said it started to not work later in the game.
“Even though we had the lead for the majority of the game and then they tied it up late, we still had to find a way to win the game and they did,” Fleck said. “All those things in between there we’ve gotta continue to fix.”
Running Back Shannon Brooks’ status
Veteran running back Shannon Brooks made his return during last week’s game. His dynamic running style helped add another key dimension to the Gophers’ offense. Brooks rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown, but left in the second half with a leg injury. Head coach P.J. Fleck said Brooks is not expected to play this week, but didn’t have information regarding his status for the remainder of the season.
“I want to make sure when I say it, it’s 100 percent final. I don’t want to say it and then something comes back and another test or something like that, that is not accurate….that’s evolving,” Fleck said. “It’s getting close to getting done. I pretty much know he probably won’t play this week, but we’ll get Mohamed back.”
Redshirt freshman Mohamed Ibrahim (undisclosed) will return this week, according to Fleck.
Morgan to start this week at Illinois
After leading the Gophers offense to strong performances over the past two weeks, quarterback Tanner Morgan will start Saturday’s game at Illinois. Morgan completed 17 of his 24 passes for 302 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. His ability to extend plays and move outside the pocket is something his head coach has noticed.
“Part of what I thought we were struggling with was getting out of the pocket, moving, being able to escape, create plays on the run. And that element was erased when Zack started getting hurt,” Fleck said.
With Annexstad battling injuries, Fleck noted how Morgan earned the chance to start through his performance. However, he is pleased with the progress of both players as the team pushes forward into the final portion of 2018. Fleck wouldn’t rule out playing both Morgan and Annexstad during future games either.
“That’s a possibility down the stretch, absolutely. I don’t know if that’s what we’ll do, it just depends, but Tanner has earned the right as of today to be able to make sure he gets the opportunity to lead this football team. I wouldn’t do it any other way.”
No matter what, Fleck is pleased with the way each of them have handled the competition every day in practice. He specifically noted the growth Morgan has made over the past few weeks both mentally and physically.
“I think Zack was more ready to play at the beginning of the year than Tanner,” Fleck said. “I think Tanner’s gotten better over eight weeks, nine weeks, but I think as you kind of look at both of them, I have confidence in both of them to be able to play….Zack’s still banged up a little bit and I think Tanner being healthy – he’s earned an opportunity to play. He’s earned the right to play.”
Outside of the growth at quarterback, Fleck has watched the scheme evolve with more capable wide receivers in the fold. Rashod Bateman, Chris Autman-Bell and Demetrius Douglas are making big contributions as young players. The trio has already tallied a combined 60 receptions for 799 yards and five touchdowns. Fleck attributes this success to the system growing every week.
“I think it’s just the evolution of the offense,” Fleck said. “It’s not just some guy proving himself or not……when you have your top target Ty Johnson, you want to continue to get him the football early, but then people start taking him away, so then they look at Rashod, then people start doing things for him and Rashod. Well then all the sudden there’s Chris Autman-Bell, now there’s Demetrius Douglas and now people don’t get tendencies on you.”
Fleck said last year they often had to disguise different plays or formations when they were really running the same set. It’s why fans noticed so much jet motion, speed option and many other looks the team was running. Now, the offensive staff doesn’t have to force things anymore. With many capable pass catchers in the fold, the entire system has opened up for offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca.
“Last year, every time we had something, it was how can we ‘mickey mouse’ this thing to be able to make sure it doesn’t look the same," Fleck said. "‘Smoke and mirrors, but it’s the same play.’ Now we don’t have to worry about that, we trust our guys to able to make those plays.”
VIDEO:
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