Sept. 1, 2022: The Gophers showed up and handled business, in an impressive 38-0 win over New Mexico State in Jerry Kill’s return to the University of Minnesota campus.
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Full Game Recap:
First Half:
- First-Quarter: After winning the coin toss and opting to defer, the Gophers’ defense was clinical forcing a very quick three and out. The offense responded 3:05 TD drive. Mohammed Ibrahim scored his first touchdown of the season, putting Minnesota up 7-0. After allowing only one first down, the Maroon & Gold got the ball back, drove all the way down the field, and set the offense up at the one-yard line.
- Second-Quarter: Ibrahim opened quarter number two with a bang, adding his second TD of the season, as the Gophers took a 14-0 lead. After forcing another three and out, the Gophers offense answered with another long drive, this time ending in a 26-yard Matthew Trickett field goal, resulting in a 17-0 lead. After forcing New Mexico State’s fourth punt of the first half, the Gophers capped off their first half with a Tanner Morgan rushing touchdown, taking a 24-0 lead into the locker room.
Second Half:
- Third-Quarter: Kirk Ciarrocca and the Gophers’ offense opened half No. 2 with a clinical first drive. 13 plays, 77 yards 8:29 capped off by Tanner Morgan’s second TD of the game (first 2 TD game of his career). 31-0 Gophers. Thomas Rush got the Gophers’ first sack of the game forcing another punt from New Mexico State. Trey Potts closed the fourth quarter with his first TD of the season and Minnesota took a 38-0 lead into the final quarter of play.
- Fourth-Quarter: New Mexico State opened the final quarter with a long drive of its own, but Terell “T-Time” Smith picked off the Aggies to keep the Gophers’ shutout hypes alive. Backup QB Cole Kramer got some run before Athan Kaliakmanis, who combined to close the game out for the Gophers, picking up a 38-0 victory in week one.
Instant Reaction & Takeaways:
Half No. 2 was much of the same. The Gophers flexed their muscles, as the offensive line continued to dominate, and no mistakes were made. An injury from LG Axel Ruschmeyer could be the only negative of the game for the Gophers. There is no word on his long-term status, but the offensive line will need as much depth as it can get. There really shouldn’t be too much to take away from a win over New Mexico State, other than this Gophers team is loaded with talent. The defense is as complete as it gets and it will be the same run-heavy offensive attack for the Gophers will capable pass catchers and a veteran quarterback; something that most fans thought going into the season.
What is Next?:
Nevertheless, tonight was a dominant all-around performance for the Gophers. They did not punt a single time and the offense impossed its will on an inferior opponent. I think it would be a bit naive to take too much from a win over a New Mexico State team that will likely finish near the bottom of the FBS, but the Golden Gophers did what needed to be done. The Gophers put an emphatic stamp on their first win of the season. 11 more to go.