Terrapins run wild over Gophers in 34-27 win

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MINNEAPOLIS – The University of the Minnesota football program has finally reached its first road bump in the P.J. Fleck era.

It may have also been a wake-up call to one of the FBS’s top defensive unit.

In Saturday’s 31-24 loss to the Maryland Terrapins in the Big Ten opener, the Gophers simply didn’t appear to be the squad that seemingly was in control of their previous three contests.

“We didn’t to win the football game. Simple,” commented Fleck in his postgame press conference. “When you look at how and why we win football games that was flipped over on us.”

There were glaring issues in all three phases of the game for the Gophers, from the offense to the special teams, the performance was not indicative of a 3-0 football team.

Offensive woes

The offense sputtered for much of the contest. In fact, in the two drives that occurred in the first quarter, outside of Brandon Lingen’s 24 catch on the team’s second possession, the Gophers amassed just 16 yards of offense. The running game that was established with ease in the team’s first three non-conference games this season was a non-factor in Saturday’s contest. There were few occasions were the Gophers actually ran the ball from a formation under center, opting to operate out of the shot gun and show Fleck’s zone read look.

However, it didn’t take long for the Terrapins to find out that it was essentially a hand out. Prior to Saturday’s contest, quarterback Conor Rhoda never pulled the ball on those “gun read” runs, handing the ball to either of the three capable backs the Gophers have utilized. That tendency carried over to Saturday as Rhoda pulled the ball once for six yards. The senior signal caller noted that it’s all about feel.

“Like I’ve said in the past, there may be opportunities, but it’s all about feel,” he added. “I’m gonna make them show me a read because a lot of the time its 50-50.”

Despite recording a pair of touchdowns on the ground, running backs Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith combined for 2.4 yards a carry on a combine 30 carries. Fleck noted that the offensive line wasn’t good enough up front Saturday to be successful.

However, the struggles in the run game could have been due to the offense being one dimensional for much of the first half. In ten attempts in the first half, Rhoda completed went 4-of-10 for 72 yards, 24 of which coming on Lingen’s 24-yard reception. He still displayed good pocket presence and was able to avoid some of the pressure that was barreling down on him, but he just wasn’t able to connect. Late in the first quarter, Rhoda threw an interception after placing it just behind Tyler Johnson.

Rhoda was able to get into a bit of a rhythm in the second half, connecting on nine attempts for 229 yards. Late in the fourth quarter, Rhoda was also able to display his arm strength on 35-yard pass to Eric Carter.

Rhoda goes long to Carter, who lays out just short of TD! Watch @GopherFootball now on @FS1, #FOXSportsGO: https://t.co/peKxyacKBo pic.twitter.com/tNECBGolJ0

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) September 30, 2017

However, late in the contest Rhoda forced throw into a tight window that ultimately ended the contest.

Defensive wake-up call

While the offense has displayed some signs of early season growing pains through three games, the defense was dominant. Saturday’s contest was a wakeup call.

As noted in my pregame notes, the factor in the running game was going to be whether or not Maryland Head Coach D.J. Durkin opted to have third string quarterback Max Bortenschlager be a part of the running game. In three games, the Terrapins running game were predicated off of the design quarterback runs. It didn’t long to see that not only was Durkin willing to risk his third quarterback to blows he would take in the run game, he was confident to ride him.

Bortenschlager ran the ball four times for 19 yards and a touchdown. With their quarterback a part of the run game, the true explosive capability of the offense was on display. Tyler Johnson and Lorenzo Harrison III gashed the Gophers defense for 205 yards in a 262 performance. Johnson was the true slasher, rushing for 130 yards and a late 34-yard touchdown that put the game to the crucial 31-24 lead.

TY JOHNSON IN WINNING TIME!!!#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/UHCdL5xbWc

— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) September 30, 2017

Johnson averaged 7.1 yards a carry. While a lot of it had to do with the ability to quickly get to the edge, the Gophers defense just couldn’t tackle. Rushing attempts that would normally record a yard or two managed to be stretched to four or five yards a carry.

However, the biggest surprise of the afternoon was the fact that the Gophers defense simply didn’t dial up pressure to try and rattle the young quarterback. Instead, Defensive Coordinator Robb Smith opted to drop into coverage and rush four. Despite that it was a “catch and fire” attack; there are certain pressures the Gophers could have dialed up. The sophomore quarterback wasn’t fazed by the bright lights of Big Ten action, going 18-for-28 for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Injuries make for a long season

After losing Zo Craighton to a season-ending knee injury, the Gophers were without safety Duke McGhee and lost star sophomore Antoine Winfield Jr. to an undisclosed injury. Fleck noted that there is no time table for a return. Offensively, Demetrius Douglas appears to be lost for a significant amount of team according to Fleck, leaving the door open for the staff utilize some freshman that were planned to be redshirted.

In his postgame presser, Fleck noted that the team will have a week to get everyone, to include freshman up to speed.

“We’re going to get them ready to play and they’re going to go out there and give it everything they have every single play,” he added.

The Gophers will look to rebound Saturday against Purdue.