Game Balls: Minnesota's top performers in 24-6 win over No. 25 Nebraska
The Minnesota Golden Gophers picked up their biggest win of the season on Friday at Huntington Bank Stadium, defeating No. 25 Nebraska 24-6. The Gophers’ defense played phenomenally despite missing multiple key members of the secondary, while the offense had its most efficient game of the season.
Below, Gophers Nation hands out game balls to five Golden Gophers who had major impacts in the Gophers’ upset win of the Huskers.
QB Drake Lindsey: On a national stage against a top-25 team in the Cornhuskers, Drake Lindsey delivered. The redshirt freshman made a name for himself, completing 16-of-20 passing attempts for 153 yards and one touchdown. Seven of his 16 completions went for 10 or more yards in the win.
RB Darius Taylor: For the first time this season, Darius Taylor had a Darius Taylor-level game. The junior running back was tremendous with 24 carries for 148 yards and one touchdown. He also had four receptions for 16 yards. His highlight of the game was a 71-yard run that he almost took to the house before being tackled at the one-yard line.
WR Jalen Smith: The redshirt freshman wide receiver remains a playmaker. In the fourth quarter, Smith turned a screen pass into a 35-yard play that put the Gophers at the Nebraska one-yard line, allowing Darius Taylor to punch it in and extend their lead from 17-6 to 24-6.
Offensive Line: The entire Minnesota offensive line deserves credit for its performance, as it opened up holes for the rushing attack to the tune of 186 yards and 5.3 yards per carry. They also only allowed one sack in the game.
DC Danny Collins: The Gophers’ defense has been a hot point of conversation the last few weeks, but on Friday night, shorthanded, missing three key pieces in their secondary, the Gophers’ defense was outstanding. Behind Danny Collins’s playcalling, Minnesota kept Nebraska to just 213 yards of total offense, including a mere 36 rushing yards on 29 carries. Dylan Raiola finished the game 17-for-25 for 177 yards.
RUSH Karter Menz: Menz was spectacular against Nebraska with a season-high seven tackles, including 2.5 sacks and one additional quarterback hit.
RUSH Jaxon Howard: Howard also had a great night from the Rush end position with three tackles and two sacks.
DE Anthony Smith: The Gophers’ star defensive linemen was quiet the last few weeks but had his best game of the season with five tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss.
CB ZaQuan Bryan: The Gophers needed Bryan to have a big game with multiple members of the secondary out, including cornerbacks Mike Gerald and John Nestor, and Bryan delivered. He only allowed two receptions in the game while also recording eight tackles
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