STrib: Gophers' defense must go all-in for four quarters vs. talent-rich Ohio State

BleedGopher

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per Joe:

The Gophers have a defense that could give Ohio State’s prolific offense fits Saturday. But if the defense’s alter-ego shows up again, things could get ugly fast.

If the Gophers blow assignments the way they did when Purdue scored 31 first-half points, or when Illinois put up 14 in the first quarter, Ohio State could have a cold-weather picnic.

But if Minnesota brings the discipline and tenacity it showed in holding Michigan, Northwestern and Iowa to an average of 15 points, the TCF Bank Stadium crowd could be in for a treat.

Iowa entered last Saturday’s game averaging 41.3 points in its previous three games and had dominated the Gophers the past two seasons. But after giving up an opening drive touchdown, Minnesota held the Hawkeyes to 60 yards combined on their next 11 drives.

“I think our kids played with a great deal of confidence and discipline, and we tackled well, created some turnovers,” said coach Jerry Kill, whose Gophers debuted in the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday at No. 25. “Against Ohio State, with the athletes they have, we’re going to be in some one-on-one situations, and we’re going to have to tackle very well.”Ohio State and Oregon are tied for fourth in the nation in scoring offense, at 46 points per game. Freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett’s prowess was on full display in last week’s 49-37 victory over Michigan State.

“It’s an exotic attack,” Gophers senior Cameron Botticelli said. “They’ll do some stuff with their quarterback. They’ve got a dynamic running back [Ezekiel Elliott]. They’ll put a wide receiver back there and run the wildcat. It’s kind of the mirror opposite of Iowa.

“We knew what Iowa was going to do. They were going to run the full zone. They were going to try to run the ball. If you stopped them doing that, they were going to try to throw. Ohio State has a few more cards in their deck.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/282357941.html

Go Gophers!!
 




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