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When the Gophers start fast and control games, teams have trouble keeping up. Minnesota used a dynamic performance by wide receiver Rashod Bateman to fuel a 38-22 win over Northwestern. Bateman posted seven catches for 78 yards and three touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Tyler Johnson also finished the afternoon with seven catches, 125 yards and a 17-yard score. Quarterback Tanner Morgan was questionable with a concussion, but started Saturday’s game. He tossed four touchdowns passes and displayed tremendous downfield accuracy.
Entering Saturday’s game, Minnesota had won ten or more overall games just five times in program history (1900, 1903, 1904, 1905, 2003). The Gophers have only accomplished this milestone once since 1905. It’s also the first time Minnesota has won seven Big Ten games in a single-season.
The win sets the stage for a potential Big Ten West Championship game when the Wisconsin Badgers travel to TCF Bank Stadium next week.
Minnesota’s offense was grooving
The Gophers’ offense quickly established the intermediate passing game and got into an early rhythm. Minnesota showed a bubble screen look, but quarterback Tanner Morgan found wide receiver Tyler Johnson over the middle for a 14-yard completion. The Gophers pushed into the red zone through quick passing. In the red zone, Morgan found wide receiver Rashod Bateman for a 19-yard touchdown. Northwestern appeared to be in zone coverage and Bateman ran a corner route into the soft spot. Quarterback Tanner Morgan beautifully placed the pass and Bateman elevated over the defensive back for a red zone touchdown.
The Gophers’ offense continued to show this type of rhythm the entire day. Minnesota blended in the quick RPO and play-action game. They also mixed stretch and inside zone schemes to attack Northwestern’s defense. Rodney Smith had a pair of explosive runs, including several plays where he used his vision to bounce outside. Moments later, running back Shannon Brooks scored a nine-yard touchdown off a stretch play. The wide receivers blocked really well downfield and right tackle Daniel Faalele cleared the edge.
Morgan was firing passes all over and played confidently the entire day. In the second quarter, Tyler Johnson ran a fade out of the slot and torched man coverage. He tracked the ball and made a very difficult 26-yard grab. A few plays later, Minnesota’s quarterback again turned to one of his favorite targets. Rashod Bateman sold the inside release and popped off an out to the pylon. Morgan fired the pass and Bateman made a tip-toe grab in the front corner of the end zone. Bateman’s 21-yard touchdown helped the Gophers jump out to a quick 21-0 lead.
MORE: https://www.skornorth.com/gophers-2/2019/11/rashod-bateman-erupts-in-gophers-win-over-northwestern/
Senior wide receiver Tyler Johnson also finished the afternoon with seven catches, 125 yards and a 17-yard score. Quarterback Tanner Morgan was questionable with a concussion, but started Saturday’s game. He tossed four touchdowns passes and displayed tremendous downfield accuracy.
Entering Saturday’s game, Minnesota had won ten or more overall games just five times in program history (1900, 1903, 1904, 1905, 2003). The Gophers have only accomplished this milestone once since 1905. It’s also the first time Minnesota has won seven Big Ten games in a single-season.
The win sets the stage for a potential Big Ten West Championship game when the Wisconsin Badgers travel to TCF Bank Stadium next week.
Minnesota’s offense was grooving
The Gophers’ offense quickly established the intermediate passing game and got into an early rhythm. Minnesota showed a bubble screen look, but quarterback Tanner Morgan found wide receiver Tyler Johnson over the middle for a 14-yard completion. The Gophers pushed into the red zone through quick passing. In the red zone, Morgan found wide receiver Rashod Bateman for a 19-yard touchdown. Northwestern appeared to be in zone coverage and Bateman ran a corner route into the soft spot. Quarterback Tanner Morgan beautifully placed the pass and Bateman elevated over the defensive back for a red zone touchdown.
The Gophers’ offense continued to show this type of rhythm the entire day. Minnesota blended in the quick RPO and play-action game. They also mixed stretch and inside zone schemes to attack Northwestern’s defense. Rodney Smith had a pair of explosive runs, including several plays where he used his vision to bounce outside. Moments later, running back Shannon Brooks scored a nine-yard touchdown off a stretch play. The wide receivers blocked really well downfield and right tackle Daniel Faalele cleared the edge.
Morgan was firing passes all over and played confidently the entire day. In the second quarter, Tyler Johnson ran a fade out of the slot and torched man coverage. He tracked the ball and made a very difficult 26-yard grab. A few plays later, Minnesota’s quarterback again turned to one of his favorite targets. Rashod Bateman sold the inside release and popped off an out to the pylon. Morgan fired the pass and Bateman made a tip-toe grab in the front corner of the end zone. Bateman’s 21-yard touchdown helped the Gophers jump out to a quick 21-0 lead.
MORE: https://www.skornorth.com/gophers-2/2019/11/rashod-bateman-erupts-in-gophers-win-over-northwestern/