PFF player grades: Several Gophers shine in upset of USC

The Minnesota Gophers football team nearly knocked off Michigan last week and didn’t let the opportunity slip away on Saturday night, toppling 11th-ranked USC 24-17.

The win is Minnesota’s first against a top-25 team since 2019.

The Maroon and Gold will try to maintain that momentum this week heading into a road matchup against UCLA.

Before we look ahead to that, here are the top Gophers performers on both offense and defense against the Trojans, according to Pro Football Focus. For reference, a grade of 60.0 is considered average while those in the 30s are very poor and those in the 90s are elite.

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Related: BREAKING: Gophers pull off the upset over No. 11 USC at home, 24-17

Offense

• RT Quinn Carroll — 79.1
• RB Darius Taylor — 77.0
• TE Nick Kallerup — 75.7
• RB Marcus Major — 75.2
• LT Aireontae Ersery — 75.0
• QB Max Brosmer — 69.8
• TE Frank Bierman — 68.7
• WR Daniel Jackson — 68.6
• WR Cristian Driver — 61.1
• TE Jameson Geers — 60.8

To take down a ranked team like USC, you need your best players to perform at a high level and the Gophers got that on Saturday.

Brosmer didn’t turn the ball over after having thrown an interception in the previous three games; Taylor and Major each averaged over 5 yards per carry and also were key contributors in the receiving game; and don’t overlook the run blocking of not only Minnesota’s offensive line but also the tight ends.

Defense

• S Aidan Gousby — 80.0
• S Koi Perich — 79.4
• CB Justin Walley — 77.5
• LB Eli Mau — 70.8
• DT Nate Becker — 70.5
• DE Lucas Finnessy — 68.7
• S Kerry Brown — 67.7
• LB Joey Gerlach — 67.3
• CB Ethan Robinson — 67.3
• DE Jah Joyner — 67.3
• S Coleman Bryson — 65.4

The Gophers held the top passing offense in the Big Ten to 5.3 yards per pass and intercepted Trojans quarterback Miller Moss twice, including Perich’s pick to seal the victory. Robinson also recovered a fumble, helping Minnesota win the turnover battle 3-1.

The secondary was fantastic, with eight pass deflections, and Minnesota also generated some timely pressures. Joyner had three and a sack and Anthony Smith also had three.

The defense has been so strong against the pass all season and will continue to be a key part of this team’s success moving forward this season.