Oct. 1, 2022: Without their star RB, Minnesota’s offense struggled to get anything going against Purdue, dropping its first game of the season 20-10.
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Full-game Recap:
- First-Quarter: The first quarter really couldn’t have gone much worse for the Gophers. After a first drive three & out, Purdue responded with a touchdown the first one Minnesota has allowed all season. The following drive resulted in a Tanner Morgan INT, but the defense answered with a much-needed stop. After a questionable 4th down decision inside of their own 30, the Gophers allowed three more points closing the quarter down 10-0.
- Second-Quarter: After Daniel Jackson closed quarter No. 1 with a massive 66-yard catch, the Gophers were set up in a great scoring position, but a missed kick from Matthew Trickett piled onto a long list of things that did not go right. Jordan Howden picked off Purdue the following drive, leading to a 45-yard Trickett field goal, as Minnesota finally got on the board 3-10. After a few Gophers turnovers from their elite safety tandem and Tanner Morgan’s INT off the hands of Michael Brown-Stephens, the score remained 3-10 heading into the half.
- Third-Quarter: The Gophers’ offense came out of halftime with something to prove. After an impressive three and out forced by the defense, the Maroon & Gold drove 52 yards down the field in eight plays in 4:34. Bryce Williams found the endzone, evening the game at 10. After exchanging some punts, the game remained even heading into the final 15 minutes.
- Fourth-Quarter: A classic Big Ten punt fest rolled on in the final quarter until Purdue was able to get in scoring position, taking a 13-10 lead with five minutes to go. Drops continued to hinder Minnesota’s offense, after a late 3 & Out, Purdue added a long run to set up a fatal late TD, resulting in a 20-10 Purdue win.
Instant Reaction & Takeaways:
The Gophers really couldn’t have played much worse in the first half. Heishman hopeful Mohamed Ibrahim was a surprise inactive, and it seemed like nothing went right without him. After allowing a touchdown on the first drive of the game, Joe Rossi’s defense responded, allowing less than 100 yards for the rest of the half. Highlighted by three combined turnovers from elite safety duo Jordan Howden and Tyler Nubin, it was an impressive adjustment from that side of the ball. As for the offense, the boys upfront struggled mightily. Led by a questionable half from Quinn Caroll, Minnesota was not able to get anything going. With 15 carries for 17 total rushing yards, 4 catches for 105 yards by Daniel Jackson was about the only offense Minnesota found in the first half. With that being said, only trailing by 3, gave the Gophers a serious chance to improve upon Fleck’s 2-18 record when losing at the break.
The second half was much of the same story. The Gophers’ defense played well, but not great. If it wasn’t for a Michael Brown-Stephens dropped TD in the first half, I think we see a different football game. People will look at the box score and blame this loss on Tanner Morgan, but that should not be the case. A plethora of drops held him back from having a relatively solid game. This loss should be on the offensive line’s shoulders. There was zero room for Minnesota’s RBs to run on the day and Purdue’s defensive staff out-schemed Minnesota’s plain and simple.
What is next?:
This team now has a much-needed bye week. Hopefully, Ibrahim’s injury is just minor and 13+ days between games will give him an opportunity to rest and be healthy down the stretch of the season. After the bye week, Minnesota will have a tough test on the road against an Illinois team that just dominated Wisconsin on its home turf.
There is still a lot of season left. The Gophers can still win the Big Ten West and they can still go to the Rose Bowl. I said that I believed Purdue to be Minnesota’s toughest challenge to a Big Ten West throne and they proved it today. The Gophers lose to a better football team. I don’t this loss should really be pointed at any person except maybe the rushing attack. The Gophers got out-schemed and out-coached, plain and simple.