What an impressive performance by the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in Wednesday’s Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit. Underdogs to Georgia Tech, the Gophers scored first and dominated the Yellow Jackets with their improved defense. Minnesota was in control all the way in earning a commanding and decisive 34-10 victory.
The Gophers finished the season with three strong wins, posting one-sided victories over Purdue (41-10 at TCF Bank Stadium on November 10), Wisconsin (37-15 at Camp Randall in Madison on November 24) and Georgia Tech (34-10) in last week’s Quick Lane Bowl. Only a 24-14 loss to Big 10 West Champion Northwestern (at home on November 17) kept PJ Fleck’s squad from finishing the year with four straight wins.
But by winning three of the last four, the Gophers changed a 4-5 season into a 7-6 campaign and certainly caught the attention of many followers of college football. They may indeed become a team to be reckoned with in the near future.
Freshman running back Mohamed Ibrahim, a 5-10 205-pound bulldozer, rushed for 224 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in the December 26 triumph over Georgia Tech. He gained 155 yards in the U’s big win over Purdue and had 121 yards rushing in the victory over the Badgers in Wisconsin. His punishing, tackle-breaking runs were a big reason for the team’s success and he will be well worth watching as the Gophers continue to “row the boat.”
I will admit, I was not a believer in PJ and the Gophers following lop-sided losses at Nebraska (53-28) on October 20 and at Illinois (55-31) on November 3. I listened to the Illinois game while driving home from the state cross country meet in Northfield. The Gophers were so bad on defense in both of those games.
It has been amazing how much change has happened since PJ switched defensive coordinators. After being promoted from a quality control assistant (not sure what that is?) to defensive line coach this year, Joe Rossi took charge of the whole defense following the loss at Illinois. In his four games as the defensive coordinator, the Gophers have allowed a mere 61 points (10, 24, 17, 10) an average of just over 15 points per game. That’s impressive. During those same four games, the Gophers scored 126 points (41, 14, 37, 34), averaging 31.5 points per contest. That’s a strong way to finish a season, outscoring four top-notch opponents 126-61.
Rossi apparently simplified the system and emphasized playing fast. The new system has sure worked out very well.
Senior defensive linebacker Blake Cashman, a walk-on from Eden Prairie, had several sensational games for the Gophers during that late-season surge, recording an incredible number of tackles. But Cashman did not make the trip to Detroit, deciding not to risk injury as he awaits his possibilities in the NFL draft. That scenario, unfortunately, is happening way too often — again a case of forgotten loyalty to the team and program which helped you develop into a pro prospect.
The Gophers dressed a nation-high 52 freshmen this year, including quarterbacks Zach Annexstad and Tanner Morgan, along with gifted wide receiver Rashod Bateman. Then there’s huge offensive linemen Blaise Andries (6-5, 315) from Marshall and Daniel Faalele (6-9, 400) from Melbourne, Australia. Those two mammoths may be able to help open up holes for Ibrahim for the next three seasons??
That’s a lot of “ink” about the Gophers. But, you got to admit (I finally am) that they finished the season in impressive fashion. The Gophers open the 2019 season at home against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on August 29. That much anticipated game should be sold out and jam-packed with fans from both teams.
How about the way the Los Angeles Lakers — even after LeBron James left with a groin injury — dominated the Golden State Warriors down the stretch in NBA action on Christmas night? The final score was 127-101 in favor of the Lakers. We will see what happens if and when the two teams tangle in a best-of-seven series in May?
Speaking of May, the Twins reportedly have signed slugger Nelson Cruz to a one-year deal. Cruz is 38 years old, but has a strong workout ethic and is a great teammate. Many hope that Cruz will be an example for Miguel Sano, as they are both from the Dominican Republic. Let’s hope that happens and the Twins have an exciting season in this new age of “analytics.” Are they keeping Jake Cave? I sure hope so. He played very well last season.
Happy New Year!
