It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t pretty, but the Gophers pulled out a 10-7 win over Kent State on Saturday. Minnesota averaged just 2.4 yards per carry and scored just one touchdown but was picked up by their outstanding defense.
“The bottom line is we won the game,” said Jerry Kill. “We found a way to do it. We’re 2-1. We’ve got to work and get ready for the next one.”
Shutdown Defense
What the offense didn’t provide in scoring, the defense provided in a stifling attack. The Gophers D looked incredible, holding Kent State to 79 yards on the ground and 63 yards passing for just 142 total and zero points.
“We were ‘confidence on 100’ out there,” said Alex Keith of the defense. “We were flying around, making plays. We played a really good game.”
The lone Golden Flashes score came on a fumble return for a touchdown in the third quarter. Despite the close contest, the Minnesota defense continually shut down Kent State, preserving the slim lead. Even when the Golden Flashes had the ball and a chance to win late in the game, the Minnesota defense forced three bad throws and a sack to secure the victory.
“They’re just playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said Kill. “Right now we’ve got a defensive unit that believes and they’re confident in what they do and they’re playing very well right now.”
The Gophers hardly let Kent State cross the 50, much less threaten to score.
“Our defense continues to play outstanding,” said Kill. “They did a great job. I don’t think [Kent State] crossed the 50-yard line except for one time and that was an interference call.”
Offensive Struggles
The Minnesota offense didn’t have the performance they wanted on Saturday. With seven punts, three turnovers, and just one touchdown, there’s no question the Gophers found it difficult to move the ball.
“We did what we had to do down the stretch to win the game and get the clock out but we struggled,” said Kill about his offense. “I’m responsible, I’m the head coach.”
A big reason for the lack of production came from the offensive line which is battling a number of injuries. The movers up front haven’t had a chance to work together as a group and it showed against Kent State where the Gophers only rushed for 104 yards on 44 attempts.
“We haven’t had the same offensive line from one week to the next,” said Kill. “You’ve got to build continuity there.”
On a couple occasions, fans booed the offense off the field. When asked about the boos, Kill got a little fired up at the postgame press conference.
“Again, we won the game,” said Kill. “There’s a lot of people in the country that would like to be 2-1. They were probably booing at me. Last time they booed at somebody they fired him, so maybe I need to get fired tomorrow. I don’t know. We don’t have an AD so I can’t get fired tomorrow but, they’re probably booing me. They probably deserve to boo me. I probably deserve to be fired today. …I’ll get 105 emails when I walk out of here that I should be fired.”
Quarterback Questions
After throwing for just 184 yards, two interceptions, and one touchdown, some asked if the Gophers were looking into a change at quarterback. Kill declined to take any questions related to the team’s quarterback situation.
“I’m not going to make any comments on the quarterback,” said Kill. “I’m not being disrespectful…I’m just not going to make any comment and I’ll talk to [the media] Tuesday after I watch the film.”
Kill continued to deflect questions about his team’s quarterback situation.
“I’m not going to comment on the quarterback,” Kill said succinctly.
Monday Dominates
Two interceptions in one game is a rare feat for a cornerback. Combine that with a fumble recovery for 80 yards and a touchdown and you have yourself quite a special day. That’s exactly what Kent State’s Demetrius Monday did to the Gophers’ offense on Saturday.
“They’ve got some good players,” said Kill. “[Monday] had a heck of a game against us.”
By the Numbers
269 Rushing yards through three games for Rodney Smith after he ran for 73 yards, on a career-high 30 carries, against Kent State.
157 Consecutive passes thrown without an interception by Mitch Leidner; before he was picked off. It had been the third-longest active streak in the nation.
17.6 Percentage on third down for the Golden Flashes; just 3 for 17.
3 Total number of plays Kent State ran in Minnesota territory.
0 Points allowed by the Gopher defense. “We set a goal earlier in the week to get a shutout and we did that,” safety Antonio Johnson said following the game. “There aren’t many shutouts in college football.”