Minnesota Gophers Assess First Half of Season and Await UCLA

The Minnesota Gophers Football team starts the second half of their regular season with a 3-3 record and a mixed bag of conclusions. The woulda-shoulda-coulda of potentially being 5-1 has given way to a detailed plan for playing 60 minutes of football. The good news is, that's exactly what they did last week in their stunning upset of then-11th-ranked USC. The bad news is that prize has alluded them in their three losses.

So, before we look at this evening's game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl, let's reflect on the good and not-so-good elements of the previous six Gophers games. The road map to the future is a thorough analysis and understanding of your past.

Positive Elements of the Gophers' Season

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First and foremost, they have found a quarterback. After getting off to a rocky start, transfer quarterback Max Brosmer has shown he has the arm, moxie, and brains to run this offense effectively. His three rushing touchdowns last week are a testament to his ability to move the ball through the air and on the ground. In his final drive against USC last Saturday, he looked like a leader and played like one.

And running back Darius Taylor broke out of an early season funk to rush for 144 yards against the Trojans, including two exciting long runs. He and Marcus Major comprise a dynamic one-two punch in the Minnesota backfield.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Gophers' pass defense has been stingy and opportunistic. They've allowed just 114.0 passing yards per game, which is the best in the FBS. They are led by their veteran cornerbacks, Justin Walley and Ethan Robinson. The pair played an outstanding game last week against USC, both defending the pass and in run support.

As of late, defensive end Jah Joyner has been bringing the heat to opposing quarterbacks. And a couple of super freshman safeties have opened people's eyes. Kerry Brown had two interceptions against Nevada and is an athletic and speedy defender.

But Koi Perich is the real star this year. The native of Esko, Minnesota, already has two interceptions in 2024, including the game-sealer against the Trojans last Saturday. And he has reignited the Gophers' once-dormant return game. One of the highlights of this renaissance is an electrifying 60-yard punt return against Michigan that led to a touchdown that brought Minnesota back in the game.

And the Other Shoe

On offense, the Gophers have been their own worst enemy. 15 offensive line penalties and 10 dropped passes have stymied the offense and shut down promising drives. Until last week, the veteran offensive line could not open rushing lanes for Taylor and Major. And Groza Award candidate kicker Dragan Kesich has been less of a consistent offensive weapon compared to last year.

Defensively, they have yet to shut down an elite running back this season. North Carolina's Omarion Hampton, Iowa's Kaleb Johnson, and Michigan's Kalel Mullings have steamrolled the Gophers' defense for chunks of yardage and multiple scores.

A major part of the problem has been a Minnesota defense that simply misses too many tackles. They have missed double-digit tackles in multiple games that have led to extended drives by their opponents and numerous scoring opportunities.

Gophers vs. the Bruins

Gophers coach P.J. Fleck leads his team into tonight's game with a great chance to win their first road victory of the season. UCLA has struggled to score this season, whether led by quarterback Ethan Farbers or his backup, Justyn Martin.

And their running attack is almost non-existent as they have only crossed the goal line once on the ground this year. This is a good week for the Minnesota rush defense to be a dominant force, and the secondary could exploit multiple turnover chances.

Defensively, the Bruins have the 25-ranked run defense in the nation. They are led by their dynamic duo of linebackers, Carson Schwesinger and Kain Medrano, two staunch defenders who could make life difficult for Gopher running backs.

Unfortunately for UCLA, their secondary is sieve-like, allowing an average of 280.2 passing yards per game. And they have a subpar pass rush, which has only netted six sacks in 2024. Look for Brosmer and his favorite receivers, Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer, to exploit this opportunity.

Finally

The Gophers look to get above the .500 mark for the second time this season. A decisive victory here will continue the momentum they need as they enter the heart of their Big Ten season.

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Article originally written by Greg Simbeck