Without any preseason contests, the Gophers took the field for the first time in real game action. Despite a myriad of miscues, injuries, and ejections, Minnesota battled to a 30-23 victory over the Oregon State Beavers. There’s plenty to improve upon, but an opening week win helps in a longer preparation for the Gophers’ next game on September 10.
4 True freshmen saw playing time for the Gophers. Antoine Winfield Jr., Tyler Johnson, Kamal Martin, and Tai’yon Devers all saw the field against the Beavers.
100 Percent of the time Devers sacks the quarterback, he forces a fumble. The freshman rocked OSU’s Darell Garretson twice and forced a fumble each time, both of which the Gophers recovered.
6 Punts from former place kicker Ryan Santoso. After punting only once last season, Santoso looked at home. He averaged 41.2 yards and downed his first on the Beavers’ one-yard line. In a disjointed game, Santoso was a bright spot.
25 Rushing touchdowns for Mitch Leidner on his career, passing Rickey Foggie for most all-time by a Gophers’ quarterback. Leidner punched two runs into the end zone on the evening to set the record. After the game, he expressed his admiration for Foggie as a player and somewhat of a mentor during his time at the U.
45-yard field goal by Emmit Carpenter gave the Gophers a 17-14 lead as time ticked off to end the first half. The field goal was the first of his career in the Maroon and Gold. He also successfully made all three PAT’s.
3 Gophers ejected for targeting calls. Cody Poock, Jonathan Celestin, and Tai’yon Devers got tossed, in what must be some kind of record, at least at the U. Tracy Claeys was surprised to see three in one game, but supportive of the rule.
“The rule hasn’t changed any and we haven’t had a targeting penalty in the last four years,” said Claeys. “It’s something that we will go back and emphasize that you got to stay low on the hits. It’s a fast game and a full speed break sometimes you can’t control some of those but I am for the rule. We will look at it and go back to work on it.”
70 Penalty yards on eight calls for the Gophers. Correctable mistakes like false starts, two awful snaps, and a botched punt plagued Minnesota throughout the contest.
“We just can’t shoot ourselves in the foot with the bad snaps,” said Claeys. “We lost a punt. We gave up a couple big plays on defense. But in the end, we didn’t quit and the kids hung in there together and played hard. Most of the time when you do that you’re going to win the ball game.”
125 Rushing yards for Rodney Smith, who also added two touchdowns. With Shannon Brooks out with an injury, Smith knew he’d be the workhorse back for the opener.
“I knew heading in that Shannon was banged up and he was going to be out, so I just had to do my best and keep the team on my back as much as I could and I think I did an okay job with it,” said Smith.
31 Receiving yards by true freshman Tyler Johnson. The Minneapolis native snagged three passes and earned the praise of his coach and his quarterback after the game.
1 Win and no losses on the young season for the Maroon and Gold. Really, it wasn’t a pretty game, but you can’t be upset about a win to start to the season. On to Indiana State!