When running backs Kobe McCrary and Rodney Smith share the backfield, a dominant rushing performance usually follows. For the second time this season, Smith and McCrary each rushed for more than 100 yards in a game. Despite a Minnesota offense that struggled throughout the day, a 75-yard touchdown drive, featuring 12 straight rushing plays, lifted the Gophers past Illinois, 24-17.
McCrary powers the Gophers’ ground game
Running back Kobe McCrary replaced Shannon Brooks, who missed Saturday’s game with an injury. He was running with powerful jumpcuts and balance to pick up yards after contact. For the third time in McCrary’s career, he rushed for more than 100 yards. During one drive, he sprinted for 63 yards on eight carries, but the offense stalled inside the five-yard-line.
Minnesota ran the ball effectively throughout the day, specifically with McCrary. The Gophers often used Rodney Smith as a decoy off a jet sweep look and ran with McCrary. Smith can be used more in this capacity, especially as a receiver in the flat. The Gophers abandoned the run on two second half drives and finally went back to it on a critical fourth quarter drive. Minnesota used 12 straight running plays to fuel a 75-yard scoring drive with 4:20 left. Kobe McCrary finished the day with 24 carries for 153 yards and a touchdown. Rodney Smith added another 19 carries for 103 yards as the Gophers took advantage of a poor Illinois rush defense.
Croft struggles in his first start
Quarterback Demry Croft was forcing passes into traffic and the passing offense lacked explosion throughout the game. They were unable to finish drives, and at times, couldn’t move the ball. It is clear to see the lack of playmakers the Gophers have at the wide receiver position, but Croft made poor decisions. He completed just 5 of his 15 passes for 47 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Minnesota was running the ball well, but didn’t use play-action to capitalize off their success on the ground. They finally did when Croft found Tyler Johnson for a 19-yard gain. The positive gain was erased after Croft threw into double coverage with pressure in his face. The pass was intercepted and halted a promising 8-play, 44-yard drive. Croft was nearly picked off twice and added another poor interception in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota opens the game with a scoring drive
The Gophers picked up 64 rushing yards on an 8-play, 72-yard touchdown drive, capped by an 8-yard Tyler Johnson touchdown reception. Minnesota ran the ball successfully with the duo of Rodney Smith and Kobe McCrary. Smith broke a tackle in space to pick up 11 yards and Kobe McCrary showed impressive balance to notch 26 yards. To close the drive, Croft found wide receiver Tyler Johnson for his fourth touchdown in two games. Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca took a page out of Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid’s playbook by running a “hi-low” concept to spark Johnson’s touchdown reception. However, on the five drives following the Johnson score, the Gophers had just 66 yards on 18 plays.
Minnesota has continually struggled to find playmakers through the air. Not only because of a limited passing game, but a lack of playmakers. The Gophers had just one true wide receiver catch a pass. Tyler Johnson had two catches for 27 yards and a score. Otherwise, the Gophers didn’t have a single wide receiver tally a reception. Minnesota prioritized running the ball late in the game, but they probably could have done this sooner. They settled for a field goal in the red zone and didn’t run the ball three times. It allowed the Fighting Illini to stay close throughout the game, despite Minnesota dominating on the ground.
MORE: http://www.1500espn.com/gophers-2/2017/10/rodney-smith-kobe-mccrary-propel-gophers-past-illinois/