Scott, Spartans run through Gophers in 30-27 thriller

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MINNEAPOLIS – Despite a rain delay that lasted nearly 40 minutes, the University of Minnesota couldn’t overcome early mistakes.

More importantly, it couldn’t contain Michigan’s methodical rushing attack.

Rushing for 277 yards, the No. 21-ranked Spartans were able to fend off a late rally for a 30-27 win Saturday night over the Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. The loss drops the Gophers to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten.

“I thought it was a tale of two halves, split on offense and defense,” Head Coach P.J. Fleck noted in his postgame press conference. “Offensively we struggled in the first half. Defensively I thought we played pretty good; we held them to field goals.”

Wacky first quarter

With rain pounding the area for most of the afternoon, it was only fitting that there were some turnovers. The only surprise was just the number. The Spartans and Gophers combined for four total turnovers in the first quarter.

After the Gophers were forced to punt on their opening possession of the contest, the Spartans first possession ended in a 28-yard loss after Jake Hartbarger bobbled the snap. Just when it looked like the Gophers could strike early, Gophers quarterback Conor Rhoda bobbled the snap for a loss of four yards. The drive would ultimately end in a 25-yard chip shot from Emmit Carpenter to give the Gophers 3-0 lead just minutes into the contest.

In fact, the first points for each team came off of turnovers. However, the Gophers second turnover seemingly gave the Spartans all the momentum. The Spartans took a 10-3 lead from a Madre London 3-yard touchdown run which was set up by a Shannon Brooks fumbled on the Gophers first play of their third possession.

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On the first play of the Spartans’ fourth possession of the game, Gophers safety Duke McGhee made a diving interception to record the Gophers’ first takeaway of the game. The ensuing Minnesota drive would also end in a Carpenter field goal, cutting the lead to 10-6. For the game, the Gophers and Spartans combined for a total of five turnovers. Minnesota recovered a pair of fumbles to go with the interception. The Spartans had both a fumbled and an interception.

Who is the quarterback?

After struggling for the third-straight Big Ten Conference game, senior quarterback Conor Rhoda was replaced midway through the second quarter by sophomore Demry Croft. Croft, who was announced back with the team Oct. 3, has not seen action since Week 2 in the Gophers 48-14 win over Oregon State.

After Saturday’s performance, it’s pretty clear that Croft will more than likely be the starter going forward for Coach Fleck. Facing a 17-6 deficit when he entered, the sophomore’s first series was one that he would quickly forget; throwing an interception to Spartans’ cornerback Khari Willis with three minutes left in the first half. Fleck noted that he kept an eye on the flow of the game, which led to the decision to play Croft out of the half.

“I always keep track of how the game is going,” he added. “With his legs, I thought we would be able to create more.”

Fleck also added that it was already established during a meeting with his staff that Croft was going to be eased back into the system.

The woes of the early turnover quickly dissipated as the offense with Croft at the helm was able to slowly chip away at the lead. After just one possession in the third quarter that lasted just three plays, Croft was a completely different player in the final quarter of play.

In the Gophers final three possessions of the game, Croft led three scoring drives, all of which were capped by touchdowns passes to fellow sophomore Tyler Johnson. Johnson caught touchdowns of 28, 17 and nine yards with the final touchdown grab coming with 1:06 left in the game. However, it was Johnson’s first touchdown catch that provided the drama.

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The key to the revitalization of the offense was simply due to Croft’s ability to effectively run the offense. With Fleck’s offense containing numerous plays that are considered RPO’s (run-pass option), it’s critical for the quarterback to provide a threat as a runner.

Croft was able to do that.

Croft had seven carries for 31 yards, but he was dynamite as a passer. On 20 dropbacks, he completed 11 passes for 163 yards and the three scores. His favorite targets on the night were a pair of underclassmen in freshman Mark Williams and Johnson. While Johnson recorded three scores, it was Williams who was able to keep drives alive with key receptions on third down.

As for the future, Fleck noted that it will be evaluated throughout the week.

“It’s something I have to think about as a head football coach,” he noted. “I have to do what’s best for those guys in the locker room a chance to win.”

Spartans running wild

After shutting down opposes rushing attacks the first three games, the Gophers have since struggled to contain opposing offenses’ rushing attack. Facing a traditional, under-center rushing attack that is dependent on getting their blockers in space, the Gophers didn’t have any answers.

The Spartans’ two-back attack of London and LJ Scott were able to methodical pick their rush lanes before exploding into the second level.

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In a third quarter that featured only two Michigan State drives, the Spartans were able to run 25 plays, chewing up nearly 13:28 off the clock in the process. Fleck noted that a lot of it had to do with safeties not rallying in for run support.

“We got to have guys in the secondary fly down and contain, sacrifice their bodies and some guys are put in a situation where they haven’t done that just yet,” he added.

The Spartans rushed for 277 yards with Scott leading the way with 194 yards on 25 touches and two scores.

Noticing that Michigan State was getting much of their yardage by attacking the backside with a blend of guard and tackles counters; tosses and simply outside the zone, Fleck stated that they adjusted at the half to account for the weak side rush only to start getting gashed front side.

The Gophers will look to rebound and get into the win column Saturday when they host Illinois.