The Gophers produced 17 points and 341 net yards in their opening game loss to No. 2 ranked TCU last week. Since then head coach Jerry Kill has told the offense he needs over 400 yards and 31 points a game.
That assignment starts today in Fort Collins against Colorado State in another nonconference game. The 1-0 Rams don’t have the quality defense of TCU and this could be a confidence building game for Minnesota’s offense.
Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner and the offense were inconsistent against the Horned Frogs. Kill said Leidner missed on a couple of “critical” throws a week ago Thursday night. Offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said Leidner and the offense had “ups and downs” but he liked the maturity his quarterback showed in postgame self-evaluation.
“I think the important thing was that more than any other time he was proactive in being self-critical,” Limegrover said. “Before we ever got together, he had already watched the film on his own and came in prepared.”
Leidner is a redshirt junior and in his second season of being the full-time starter. The expectation is he will be a better quarterback this season.
Darrell Thompson saw improvement in the TCU game, specifically in Leidner’s decision-making, poise and self-trust. Thompson, the Gophers all-time leading career rusher and radio game analyst, is predicting more improvement from Leidner in today’s game. “I would expect that Mitch will step up and play better, and I also think that the offensive line is going to play better,” Thompson told Sports Headliners.
Against the Horned Frogs the Gophers were without starting left tackle Josh Campion (concussion) and first turned to Ben Lauer who was recovering from minor knee surgery and not expected to play. Kill said the coaches made a mistake with that decision and eventually settled on switching Jonah Pirsig from right tackle to the critical pass protecting position of left tackle.
Leidner’s protection was inconsistent and on one play he was hit and fumbled the ball, leading to a TCU drive from the Minnesota 15-yard line that ended up as a touchdown. Limegrover said it’s imperative for any quarterback to feel comfortable in passing situations.
“I think once Ben Lauer gives up the sack early, that causes the turnover, (and) that’s going to play on anybody’s mind,” Limegrover said. “Then moving Jonah over there… in Mitch’s mind, he’s wondering, okay, we’re actually on our third left tackle over there. It’s hard to block that out. I thought he did a good job with that, but occasionally I think that does play into a guy’s thinking.”
The expectation is Pirsig, a redshirt junior with the talent to one day play in the NFL, will start at left tackle today with Campion at right tackle. Campion is a redshirt senior who entered this season having made 39 consecutive starts on the offensive line. Limegrover said Pirsig did a “great job” against TCU playing in his new spot and Kill said it’s “huge” having Campion recovered from his concussion.
Leidner’s best moments in the TCU game included the closing minutes when the Gophers, trailing 23-10, had a 91-yard drive ending with a 22-yard touchdown pass to KJ Maye. Leidner’s passing and leadership in that situation is part of why Thompson gives the quarterback a B letter grade for his overall performance last week.
“I think he (Leidner) gained some confidence,” Thompson said. “At the end of the game I thought he played really well. The last drive (for a touchdown) was really phenomenal.
“There was a lot of pressure on him early in the game. When quarterbacks get hit, especially when they get knocked down and hit right after they throw the ball, it’s just like when you go through an intersection, and you almost get in an accident. You’re like looking for an accident for probably like two or three days, and it’s a little bit similar…situation. I am encouraged where Mitch is at and I hope he grows with it.”
The Gophers must have more than an improving Leidner and better offensive line performance to achieve Kill’s goals of over 400 yards and 31 points per game. They will need consistent production from running backs and receivers.
Redshirt freshman running back Rodney Smith is likely to play major minutes today after not starting in the TCU game but gaining a team-best 88 yards rushing and turning in a perfect performance. “He’s the only back I’ve had in a long time that played 46 plays and he graded out perfect,” Kill said. “Never made a mistake. Not in pass protection, not running the ball, no mental errors…so I’d say he needs to play more.”
Thompson, who played in the NFL after his Gophers career, said Smith’s perfect grade is unusual. Thompson couldn’t recall a game he graded out perfect.
“That’s a great compliment (to Smith),” Thompson said. “Pass-pro (protection) is one of the most difficult things to pick up as a running back. In high school you usually don’t have to block very much, or it’s not very challenging. In college it is challenging. In pro it is challenging. He picked up the blitzes. He ran the right routes. He did everything he was supposed to do.”
Among receivers the Gophers will continue to look for leadership from is Maye, the redshirt senior who led the team with 73 yards and an 18.2 reception average against TCU. Kill is high on redshirt freshman receiver Isaiah Gentry but he won’t play today because of an ongoing hamstring problem.
Gophers Notes
The Gophers were impressive defensively against TCU, a team with 10 of 11 starters back on offense that averaged 46.5 points per game in 2014. Holding the Horned Frogs to 23 points, including six on a 15-yard scoring drive, gave the Gophers a chance to win in the closing minute.
Part of Minnesota’s success was because of controlling Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Trevone Boykin. “I think that’s probably one of the best offenses in the country for what they do,” said Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys. “The quarterback puts you in several conflicts as far as playing the pass or playing the run, and they work at such a high speed. I was disappointed we lost, but overall I thought our kids gave us a chance to win.”
Colorado State’s offense scored 65 points in a victory last week against Savannah State, an opponent that had lost 23 consecutive games. The Rams offense is probably the team’s strength. Wide receiver Rashard Higgins is a likely All-American who is being given a lot of hype by his school including a “Hollywood Higgins” page on the Rams’ website.
New Rams coach Mike Bobo was the offensive coordinator at Georgia for 14 seasons. Claeys said the Gophers have studied “an awful lot” of Georgia film during the offseason to gain knowledge as to what the Rams may do today.
Fort Collins is located about one hour from Denver and the elevation is nearly 5,000 feet. Claeys didn’t sound concerned about the altitude negatively affecting the Gophers’ endurance.
“No, I think that’s overrated, myself,” he said. “I think that’s all mental B.S. We ain’t there long enough for it to bother us. It won’t be a factor.”
What does Kill think? “We don’t have the budget to go out there and stay for a week. That’s what they tell you to do. We’ll go out there…play some ball, 1:30 (kickoff), be done at 4:30. Be back home at 9:30 (and) get ready for the next one.”
The Gophers flew to Fort Collins yesterday for today’s game starting at 2:30 p.m. Central Daylight time.