DanielHouse
Active member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2017
- Messages
- 594
- Reaction score
- 249
- Points
- 43
MINNNEAPOLIS – Excitement was high as Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck rowed into TCF Bank Stadium for the first time. A dual quarterback rotation highlighted a night where the Minnesota offense was forced to overcome consistency issues in the running game. Wide receiver Tyler Johnson carved up the Buffalo Bulls for 141 yards and a touchdown, lifting the Gophers to a 17-7 win.
The game served as a reminder that inexperience will impact key positon groups such as quarterback, cornerback, and the offensive line. Some of those can be fixed over time, others will need to be filled through future recruiting. The glaring takeaway is the fact a quarterback still hasn’t separated himself by performing better than the other. P.J. Fleck has preached how experience is important at the quarterback position. Thursday night’s game proved there may be growing pains as each of them evolve.
The dual-quarterback rotation
P.J. Fleck promised quarterbacks Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft would rotate as co-starters. He didn’t disappoint Thursday night, with Rhoda taking nine series (two kneels) and Croft handling five. Rhoda found wide receiver Tyler Johnson for a long 61-yard touchdown in the first quarter. His other three first half drives fizzled with two punts and a poorly thrown interception in the front corner of the end zone. In the second half, Rhoda’s offense had less rhythm, notching two punts and a missed field goal.
On the other hand, the offense showed slightly more flow when Demry Croft was on the field. Buffalo’s defense appeared to respect his legs, which opened up more rushing lanes. Croft led the team on a 10-play, 64-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a great 23-yard touch throw to Eric Carter off a corner route. On his second series, Croft showed great pre-snap recognition to set the protection and slide out of the pocket to find Tyler Johnson near the sideline. The drive ended with a missed 50-yard field goal by Emmit Carpenter, but Croft pushed the team forward. In the second half, the sophomore quarterback led two drives that resulted in punts, one of which was plagued by three holding penalties. However, in the fourth quarter, Croft got the team into field goal range and the running game showed signs of life down the stretch.
Read more: http://www.1500espn.com/gophers-2/2017/08/winfield-jr-shows-versatility-gophers-17-7-win-buffalo/
The game served as a reminder that inexperience will impact key positon groups such as quarterback, cornerback, and the offensive line. Some of those can be fixed over time, others will need to be filled through future recruiting. The glaring takeaway is the fact a quarterback still hasn’t separated himself by performing better than the other. P.J. Fleck has preached how experience is important at the quarterback position. Thursday night’s game proved there may be growing pains as each of them evolve.
The dual-quarterback rotation
P.J. Fleck promised quarterbacks Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft would rotate as co-starters. He didn’t disappoint Thursday night, with Rhoda taking nine series (two kneels) and Croft handling five. Rhoda found wide receiver Tyler Johnson for a long 61-yard touchdown in the first quarter. His other three first half drives fizzled with two punts and a poorly thrown interception in the front corner of the end zone. In the second half, Rhoda’s offense had less rhythm, notching two punts and a missed field goal.
On the other hand, the offense showed slightly more flow when Demry Croft was on the field. Buffalo’s defense appeared to respect his legs, which opened up more rushing lanes. Croft led the team on a 10-play, 64-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a great 23-yard touch throw to Eric Carter off a corner route. On his second series, Croft showed great pre-snap recognition to set the protection and slide out of the pocket to find Tyler Johnson near the sideline. The drive ended with a missed 50-yard field goal by Emmit Carpenter, but Croft pushed the team forward. In the second half, the sophomore quarterback led two drives that resulted in punts, one of which was plagued by three holding penalties. However, in the fourth quarter, Croft got the team into field goal range and the running game showed signs of life down the stretch.
Read more: http://www.1500espn.com/gophers-2/2017/08/winfield-jr-shows-versatility-gophers-17-7-win-buffalo/
