Things started well for Minnesota as the Gophers scored on their opening drive against Nebraska. Not much went right after that as the Huskers offense dominated Minnesota en route to a 48-25 victory.
Defensive Struggles
Minnesota’s vaunted defense looked human on Saturday – allowing 464 yards to the Nebraska offense.
“Today we just didn’t make enough plays,” said Eric Murray. “We had a lot of people in position to make plays but the dime didn’t roll our way. We just have to continue to play better and work. When plays come around in the game that we have to make and when we don’t make them, we get put in positions like we were today.”
After being stout for much of the year, Nebraska’s offensive explosion came as a shock to Minnesota’s D.
“It definitely surprises you,” said Murray. “We prepared really hard all week to make those plays and when we don’t it is just frustrating, mainly because you search for an answer why and you just have to rethink your preparation. Have to keep doing the things you were doing but also have to modify the way you prepare and how you finish the plays.”
The Gophers defense is decimated by injury but Minnesota won’t use that as an excuse.
“[It’s a] ‘Next man up’ mentality,” said Antonio Johnson. “Whoever is behind them on the depth chart needs to step up and fill the role. They need to help the team out.”
Deflating Drive
Trailing 24-14, the Gophers punted with just over 10 minutes in the third quarter. Peter Mortell dropped a perfect punt to the Husker one-yard line. Nebraska proceeded to march 99 yards on ten plays for the touchdown.
“The percentages of scoring when you get the ball at your own one-yard line, it’s very hard to go down and score,” said Kill. “It certainly, from the defensive side of the ball, the kids get tired and you don’t have anyone else to go to. I think it took a lot out of us. There’s no question.”
The Huskers also knew how essential that drive was in putting the Gophers away.
“The 99-yard drive was important to us,” said Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. “The offensive line had the sense of urgency. We made plays when we needed to. We executed when we needed to. We kept our eyes on third down.”
Leidner Sets Records
The Gophers weren’t able to muster much of a rushing attack against Nebraska – just 65 yards – as the Huskers stacked the box on defense. Mitch Leidner made them pay, passing for 301 yards on 26 completions, both personal records.
“We had a good game plan for throwing the football this week and we knew it was going to be tough running the ball up the middle on these guys,” said Leidner. “They have some big guys up front defensively. The receivers did a good job of getting open and making plays and the O-line giving me enough time to get the balls out. It was good execution there.”
Leidner has taken a lot of heat in recent weeks and his coach came to his defense after the strong performance.
“He played very good; he played a heck of a ball game today,” said Kill. “Except for the two picks at the end but he’s just trying to make a play. He played well enough for us to win the game.”
A key to Leidner’s success was finding KJ Maye for 11 completions and 94 yards. The senior also ran for 21 yards and a touchdown.
“I think overall we did well,” said Maye. “We shot ourselves in the foot a couple times. Passing game went well. We had a good running game. We had a pretty good throwing game. But the game ended up turning into a shootout.”
By the Numbers
94 Completion percentage for Mitch Leidner in the first half when he completed 16-of-17 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. He finished with a career-high 301 passing yards.
20 Career rushing touchdowns for Leidner. He joins Ricky Foggie as the only Gopher quarterbacks to have more than 20 rushing and passing TDs.
14.5 Career sacks for senior Theiren Cockran, who notched a sack in the second quarter. His sacked moved him into seventh place on Minnesota’s all-time list. He moved past Mark Loski, who had 14 career sacks.
48 Points allowed by the Gophers; the most since a 58-0 loss to Michigan in 2011.