The Minnesota Golden Gophers wrapped up spring practices with the first spring game under new head coach P.J. Fleck. With a well-attended crowd on hand, the game ended with a 42-40 score. The game featured frequent breaks to rest the five offensive lineman, but the group held up for the duration of the game. Quarterback Demry Croft led the Gophers on two touchdown drives, while Conor Rhoda’s drives stalled. Running back Jonathan Femi-Cole had two rushing touchdowns, while Rodney Smith added a 17-yard touchdown in the first half.
Here are some of my surface observations. I’m going to take a dive through the BTN broadcast for a second look as well:
Croft wins the day
Quarterback Demry Croft performed well in the spring game, completing 8 of his 13 passes for 109 yards. He connected with wide receiver Rashad Still on a long fade to open the game. Croft had command of the offense and excelled throwing the ball deep down the field with superb touch. The main flaw in his game comes when throwing across the middle. He has a tendency to drop his elbow and it leads to sailing throws on crossing routes. It appears to be a flaw in his mechanics that leads to this trouble.
Conor Rhoda completed 8 of his 12 passes for 70 yards. He did not lead the offense on a scoring drive and doesn’t display much arm talent. Rhoda had trouble when the pocket collapsed and struggled to keep his eyes up the field. However, he was much more accurate than Demry Croft on throws across the middle. Rhoda doesn’t provide as much flexibility in the read option looks the Gophers run, while Croft maximizes it. The Gophers ran a buck sweep often out of the RPO sets and it was tough to stop. Rodney Smith got downhill and scored a 17-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game. The offense moved the ball on a four-play drive and Croft delivered the throws with zip and accuracy vertically.
The quarterback battle was won by Demry Croft during the spring game, but we will see how each of them continue to progress as fall ball approaches.
Femi-Cole scores two touchdowns
Rodney Smith ran well out of the run-pass option look and slithered through defenders for a 17-yard touchdown. He should flourish in the power blocking scheme the Gophers run out of their offense. Despite being held out this week, Shannon Brooks played in the spring game, but saw limited reps.
The star at the running back position in this game was Jonathan Femi-Cole. He had two rushing touchdowns from 21 and 12 yards out. He ran with power and flourishes when he gets a head of steam going north and south. He shook tackles and displayed strong vision in the second level. Femi-Cole had 8 carries for 75 and two touchdowns, leading the Gophers’ rushing attack.
Johnson’s route running has improved, Hmielewski sees extended time
Wide receiver Tyler Johnson flashed his improved route running and play-making ability. He gets separation at the top of his route and can settle into the soft spots in coverage. Johnson had several catches and will be lined up all over the field. I particularly want to see him out of jet sweep looks in the run/pass options of the offense. He has been one of the most improved players this spring
Wide receiver Drew Hmielewski saw extended action during the spring game and built off a strong close to spring practices. He broke off his routes and tracked the ball well. Hmielewski made a contested catch off an out route on cornerback Antonio Shenault. He managed to win the battle by having better body position. He also had two more grabs during the game and is a player who quietly runs good routes and gets separation off his first step. Fleck called him one of the most improved players on the field.
Finally, Rashad Still opened the game with a long grab on a fade up the sideline. He had one drop across the middle and still struggles when he is forced to make a contested grab. Still did have one contested catch and shows flashes where he can go up and win battles with the defensive back. He worked in the slot a little and continues to see work in a variety of different spots as the coaches try to garner his skill-set. P.J. Fleck said he is trying to get through to him mentally to take advantage of his abilities.
Five lineman play the whole game
The offensive line combination of Donnell Greene, Brandon Dovich, Conner Olson, Sam Schlueter, and Nick Connelly should receive an award for making it through spring ball. These guys battled through the depth issues up front and played the entire spring game. They had frequent breaks, but it’s still a daunting task. The offensive line started strong, but progressively weakened as the game went on and they got more tired. Coach Fleck said after the game that if any group is ready for spring ball to be over, it’s the offensive line.
I was impressed with center Conner Olson. Olson played with a strong base and low pad level. He drove through defenders and got to the second level when opening up holes. The running backs ran well on the left side behind Donnell Greene and Brandon Dovich. Greene is developing into the player I thought he could be with his frame and natural abilities. Now, he needs to be consistent. It was hard to evaluate this group with the amount of reps they were receiving, but the offensive line play will be the biggest question mark heading into the regular season.
Coughlin and Devers flourish in stand-up role
The transition for Carter Coughlin and Tai’yon Devers as edge rushers appears to be going as planned. Coughlin had two sacks and Devers added two pressures and a tackle for loss. Coughlin uses his footwork and strong hand technique to finesse the player up front. He then sets the blocker up with speed and a strong pass rushing move. He has responded well to the coaching from Bryce Paup and may have a chance to be a difference-maker on defense this year.
Similarly, Tai-yon Devers appears to be playing with more strength and physicality up front. He pulled off a block and notched a tackle for loss late in the game. Devers needed to become more physical and I see flashes of it. He needs to be consistent and I’m excited to see him in more meaningful live action. The duo of Coughlin and Devers is going to be a strong force in the pass rushing aspect of the game.
In the interior, I thought Andrew Stetler played a little stiff and his pad level had a tendency to be high. This wasn’t something I saw during spring ball, but it crept into his game today. Steven Richardson is such a talented player and his quick agility, paired with a hint of strength makes him a tough player.
Secondary is up-and-down
The secondary showed a little more growing pains today in team action. Antonio Shenault struggled at times and didn’t display the most impressive ball skills. He didn’t win physical battles and the cornerback group looked a little inexperienced in terms of depth. As the wide receivers ran more route combinations and concepts, the defensive backs struggled to make plays on the ball. Kiondre Thomas has shown potential and Antoine Winfield Jr. is the best player on the defensive side of the ball. It will be important for two of the freshman cornerbacks coming in to step up as depth or contributors.
However, the defensive backs have shown an ability to make plays on the ball. Calvin Swenson had two pass breakups and Antoine Winfield Jr. added another. In addition, Duke McGhee and Kunle Ayinde had interceptions off a tipped pass thrown by quarterback Seth Green and a telegraphed pass by Tanner Morgan. The defensive backs are making the plays when the opportunity arises, but I want to see them create pass breakups.