Our Minnesota Gophers traveled to Boulder, CO, clearly ticked off from Week 1 & Week 2, and proceeded to dominate every aspect of the game. The Gophers won on offense, defense, special teams, coaching, and even decided to rock cooler chrome gold helmets than the home team Buffaloes. The 30-0 score didn't tell the whole story of dominance that it should have as the Gophers kicker, who is very good, had an off day missing 2 field goals and 1 extra point as well as the refs screwing up and starting the clock right before halftime preventing the Gophers from attempting a makable field goal before the half. The Gophers theoretically could have won 40-0.
The Colorado Buffaloes are going to have to reevaluate their offensive game plan after only scoring 7 total points in their last 2 games, both at home. They were against 2 solid Power 5 teams (#5 Texas A&M and Minnesota) but that should be no excuse for not being able to move the ball into scoring position more than once and haven't scored any points in the last 6 quarters.
The Gophers defense played a perfect game led by edge rusher Thomas Rush who had 3 tackles and 2 huge sacks on the day. The Gophers hadn't beaten Colorado in the 3 previous meetings in the history of the matchup and this was the first time since 1979 that a non-conference team has come into Boulder, CO and shut out the Buffaloes. It also marked the first shutout of a Power 5 team on the road for Minnesota since 1977. The Gophers defense shined as they sacked Colorado's QB Brendan Lewis 4 times, allowed no passing plays of more than 15 yards and no rushing plays of more than 10 yards. Colorado had just 7 total offensive yards in the first half, finished with -19 yards rushing on the day and 63 total yards on the day.
Minnesota's nation leading non conference win streak was extended to 21 games after the win. The offense played lights out all day. Running Back Treyson Potts controlled the ground with 26 rushes for 121 yards and 3 TDs, only 1 week after rushing for 178 yards and 3 TDs against Miami (OH). The Gophers decided to leave RBs Cam Wiley and Bryce Williams on the bench after their weak performances last week and instead turn to the younger RBs in Markeise Irving and Ky Thomas. Irving added 15 rushes for 89 yards and Thomas went for 7 rushes 66 yards and 1 TD. Tanner Morgan and the trio of Wide Receivers (Chris Autman-Bell, Dylan Wright & Daniel Jackson) also had a commanding day as Tanner passed 11/17 for 164 yards. All of these stats led to an unbelievable 441-63 total yards advantage on the day.
If anyone was concerned after the Gophers second half performance against Miami (OH) in Week 2, should now feel a little more comfortable where the team is at after the convincing win over this PAC-12 opponent. The Gophers still easily look like a Top-25 team, but don't expect them to be ranked after this week as I am sure the committee still wants to see them prove it as the season continues. The Gophers have arguably a top 5 offensive line in the nation as all 5 lineman are redshirt Seniors and giant human beings. Tanner Morgan was the second highest rated QB in all of college football in 2019, only behind Ohio State's Justin Fields, and is becoming more acclimated with his new Wide Receivers as well as Chris Autman-Bell returning from injury after missing the first 2 games of the season.
Tanner Morgan has received unfair criticism about his play in 2020 and 2021 as he played all of last season without his top 2 receivers from 2019 and 4 of his 5 offensive lineman (who are all back this season) had opted out of the COVID-19 season. The bigger story that isn't covered enough is the fact that for the last year and a half, Ted Morgan (Tanner's father) had been fighting a brain tumor and devastatingly lost the battle and passed away only 2 months ago in July of 2021. The guts that Tanner Morgan shows in his game is remarkable and none of these facts should be overlooked. I know that Ted will be watching over Tanner and the Gophers in what could end up being another magical season under PJ Fleck.
The Gophers will return home to host Bowling Green, the 3rd team from OH that they will be facing at home this season, in Week 4 as they try to improve to 3-1 before Big Ten plays resumes. The Gophers should win fairly easily in front of the home fans. #RowTheBoat #SkiUMah #GoGophers
The Gophers have moved up to 41st in the national rankings. This weekend they need to show consistency and they should move up further.
Gophers looked very solid, great game!!