Kent State (1-1 overall, MAC 0-0) at Minnesota (1-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (52,525)
TV/Radio: Big Ten Network, KFAN 100.3
Series: Minnesota leads the series 1-0
Last Meeting: August. 31, 2006; Minnesota won 44-0 in Kent, Ohio
Coach: Paul Haynes (3rd season, 7-18)
National Championships: KSU (0); Minnesota (7)
INSIDE THE GAME
MAC Opponent
After their tenure at Northern Illinois, the Gopher coaching staff is no stranger to the Mid-American Conference. Understanding the determined MAC mindset is an advantage for Minnesota’s coaches.
“[MAC teams] play with a chip on their shoulders and you’ve got to be ready to play or you’ll be in for a long day because you’ll see their best when you play in a MAC school and you’re in the Big Ten,” said Tracy Claeys.
Scoring Quick
It’s been awhile since the Gophers have scored on their opening drive. Minnesota last scored on their first possession against Iowa (Who hates Iowa?!) last November. Starting early and jumping out to a lead is a point of emphasis for the Gophers.
“I think the slow start is definitely something that is top on our mind and like I said, we put a lot of time into two things and we’re not very good at them right now, is the start of the game and third downs, and that’s something that we’ve got to continue to put a lot of emphasis on and emphasize it to the kids,” said Matt Limegrover.
Reading Mean Tweets
Similar to Jimmy Kimmel’s “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets,” the Gophers, specifically Mitch Leidner, had a laugh at Twitter reactions to last Saturday’s game.
“I pulled down the script and the kids had tweets and he had four or five tweets that tweeted out that Mitch Leidner can’t throw a ball more than that — that they kept and laughed about it,” said Kill.
Now, Gophers fans, that doesn’t mean your insulting tweets are funny so try and keep them to a minimum.
Matchup to Watch
Minnesota rushing attack vs. Kent State run defense — The Kent State defense has been stout against the run this season. KSU has allowed only 59 rushing yards per game—which ranks seventh nationally. The Golden Flashes held Illinois to 3.7 yards per carry and Delaware to a paltry 1.4-yard average. Unfortunately for Kent State, TCU couldn’t even slow Rodney Smith. The sensational redshirt freshman is averaging over five yards per carry and nearly 100 yards a game. Good luck, Kent State.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Mark Znidar of The Columbus Dispatch profiled Kent State linebacker DeVante’ Strickland. The fifth-year senior overcame a serious knee injury last season and is now a leader of the Golden Flashes defense.
Joe Christensen has a great take on Drew Wolitarsky who is receptive to the recent pass-happy Gopher offense. Against Colorado State, Wolitarksy racked up nine receptions, 114 yards, and a touchdown and is looking like a legitimate receiving threat for the Maroon and Gold.
Arguably the most historic moment of the young college season took place last weekend. Kicker April Goss of Kent State entered the game against Delaware State and kicked an extra point. With the boot, Goss became the second female player to score in a Division I game. Nicole Auerbach of USA Today Sports has a great feature on the Kent State kicker.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
Their defense keeps doing exactly what they’ve done for two games. Even without Damarius Travis and Ace Rogers against CSU, the Gophers defense kept Minnesota in the game and gave the offense a chance to win at the end. Tracy Claeys and the defense will have to remain disciplined against Kent State.
“They throw a lot of bubbles, and then they have the fakes off the bubbles and the play-action passes,” said Claeys. “So we’ll have to be on it with the run support, but at the same time is be good with our eyes and not let someone get behind us on the play-action passes.”
The Golden Flashes Win If…
They can get to Mitch Leidner and get to him early. Against Colorado State, Leidner struggled with his throws as the pocket collapsed. When he was able to get set, he was much more accurate. Kent State likes to change things up on defense and could presesnt problems for the Gophers.
“They are not just going to be sit at home and play base defense,” said Matt Limegrover. “They get in and out of a lot of coverages. They like to bring people.”
Protecting Leidner is key for the Maroon and Gold on Saturday.
“So that’s what we’ve been spending a lot of time on is make sure we don’t take anything for granted and cut someone loose in a protection or leave someone free that can come in and make a big play and turn the momentum or turn the game around,” said Limegrover.