Oct. 15, 2022: The Gophers got dominated for 60 minutes as No. 24 ranked Illinois handed Minnesota its second-consecutive loss 26-14.
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Full-game Recap:
- First-Quarter: Illinois came to play. A methodical opening drive was capped off by a 40-yard TD reception from star running back Chase Brown, quickly grabbing a 7-0 lead. Tanner Morgan threw a costly INT on the Gophers’ first drive, but the defense responded forcing a pivotal three and out. After punting the ball back to the Fighting Illini, P.J. Fleck opted to burn two timeouts hoping to force Illinois into a tricky kick into the wind.
- Second-Quarter: Bret Bielema made a ballsy call on a 4th down conversion, but Illinois still was able to get three points onto the board. With their backs against the wall down 10-0, Mohamed Ibrahim led Minnesota down the field and a beautiful pump fake and rushing TD, cut the lead to 10-7. Illinois closed the half with a very long drive, resulting in a field goal, leading 13-7 heading into the half.
- Third-Quarter: Walk-on redshirt freshman Quentin Redding opened the second half with an electric kick return, setting up a much-needed Mohamed Ibrahim touchdown and Minnesota took a 14-13 lead. Illinois quickly responded with a TD of its own regaining a 20-14 lead, before exchanging punts to close the quarter.
- Fourth-Quarter: After another long five-minute Illinois drive, the Fighting Illini added a field goal to their 23-14 lead. Minnesota looked to respond, but after Tanner Morgan took a big shot to the head, Athan Kaliakmanis and the Gophers punted the ball back to Illinois. Nothing really went well for the Gophers the rest of the day, ultimately falling 26-14.
Instant Reaction & Takeaways:
The Gophers got out-played and out-coached. Illinois is a better football team than Minnesota. This loss was on a lot more than just Tanner Morgan. He certainly did not play his best football; his 21 passing yards are the fewest in a game that he started. The offensive and defensive lines for Minnesota were dominated for 60 minutes and that is why they lost this football game. The biggest question marks heading into the season were likely both of those units, and they did not show up today. The wide receivers did not show up, the defense didn’t show up, really Mohamed Ibrahim, John Michael Schmitz and Brevyn Spann-Ford were the only two players that played well today.
There really isn’t much more to add to this game. P.J. Fleck, Joe Rossi and Kirk Ciarrocca failed to make any adjustments in this game. Illinois and Bret Bielema dominated them for 60 minutes. This game is not on Tanner Morgan, Michael Brown-Stephens, or the defense, it is on the entire team and the entire coaching staff. This is an incredibly frustrating loss for P.J. Fleck and this program there is no way around it.
What is next?:
Life does not get easier for the Gophers. They now travel to Penn State for a “white out” prime-time matchup in one of college football’s toughest atmospheres. Taking a step back on the season, Minnesota beat four really really bad teams, and it has now lost two good football teams. Illinois and Purdue are good football teams, but teams that the Gophers should be beating in year 6 of the P.J. Fleck era.
I believe Minnesota is the third-best team in the Big Ten West. They should be able to compete in every game left on the schedule, but that doesn’t excuse the last two losses. I really don’t know how good this team is, I believe they still have the talent to be a 9-3 football team this season, but they’re not playing like it right now.
If P.J. Fleck is the Gophers football coach of the future he has to show why right now. This team has the talent and experience to compete as a Big Ten Championship level and they simply aren’t right now.