Gophers nipped in OT 32-31

The debut game for Tim Brewster as the Gopher head coach provided plenty of drama and in the end disappointment. Bowling Green owned the first half, building a 21-0 lead at the break. Minnesota responded in the second half with the game’s next 24 points. The Falcons forced the overtime with a field goal just before time expired. It was a 2-point conversion by Bowling Green that won the game for them.

The Gopher defense wilted early, as Bowling Green scored a touchdown less than two minutes into the game. The Falcons made it 14-0 on their next possession. An inconsistent offense and two turnovers in the first half prevented the Gophers from getting on the board.

Minnesota finally scored a TD on an Amir Pinnix run. Ernie Wheelwright caught a TD pass to open the 4th quarter. Pinnix then scored the game tying TD on a short pass play.

The Gophers scored first in the overtime to go ahead for just the second time in the game, 31-24. However, it took just two pass plays for Bowling Green to score and another pass that was narrowly completed for the 2-point conversion and the win.

Yes, the Gopher pass defense was about as weak as ever. The really disappointing aspect of this was their inability to do much when the game was on the line. There were the OT breakdowns and there were many opportunities to end it on Bowling Green’s last drive for a field goal. The Gophers had them in a 4th down and long only to let the Falcons slip free. There were also many errant passes on the last drive that could have been intercepted. As we have seen many times before, the Gopher defense couldn’t finish the job.

The statistics show the damage. Falcons quarterback Tyler Sheehan had 34 completions for 388 yards. Five of his receivers had at least four receptions for 52 yards and up. The Minnesota defense recorded no interceptions and only one sack. There really weren’t any huge plays by the defense. Even when Bowling Green slumbered on offense in the second half it was largely a result of their own self destruction, especially from penalties with the holding variety being a prime contributor.

As for the Gopher offense, it responded well in the second half. Adam Weber, in his first start at quarterback, got on track as the game progressed. And the running game was as solid as ever. Weber contributed to that with 72 yards. Pinnix rushed for 168 yards.

No doubt, there is a lot of work to do for this team to be ready for the Big Ten season. The pass defense is Job No. 1 right now. It still is no time to panic. Bowling Green is no pushover. An early setback like this can be overcome if the team responds to the challenge, as the weaknesses are exposed. Still the job will not be easy. Next week’s game against Miami (Ohio) could be just as difficult and the Big Ten season will be long if the team doesn’t take some big strides forward from here.