RECAP: Special Teams gaffs, questionable play calling cost Gophers in 27-14 loss to California

After moving the ball from their own 21 to Cal’s 33-yard line, the Gophers chose to go conservative on 2nd and 10 and 3rd and 7, with back-to-back runs. The second of the two runs resulted in a three-yard loss. Gophers are forced to attempt a 51-yard field goal with Brady Denaburg, who misses the attempt. Denabrug is now 3-for-10 in his career on kicks over 40 yards.

Minnesota’s 14-10 lead only lasted four minutes and 16 seconds as the Bears drove 76 yards on just nine plays. The Golden Bears had plays of 18, 13, and 12 yards on the drive. The touchdown came on a Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele pass to tight end Mason Mini, who broke two Gophers tackles for a 9-yard touchdown.

Sagapolutele up to 23-for-34, 277, and two touchdowns.

After Minnesota’s best defensive drive of the game, in which they forced a Cal three-and-out which included an Anthony Smith 16-yard sack, the Gophers offense goes on a nine play, 64-yard drive to take the lead.

The touchdown comes on a Drake Lindsey floater to Jameson Geers for a 3-yard touchdown. Lindsey is now 12-for-20 in the game for 138 yards and one touchdown with one interception. Le’Meke Brockington has five receptions for 78 yards. Fame Ijeboi up to 12 carries for 68 yards.

The Gophers’ first drive of the second half started off well, with the Gophers moving the ball to midfield, but Drake Lindsey telegraphs a throw to Le’Meke Brockington, and Zeke Masses picks off an ill-advised pass to give Cal possession.

Despite being just left with 45 seconds and having to start from their own 20-yard line, the Cal offense works its way into field goal range. Kicker Abram Murray makes a 45-yard attempt to give the Golden Bears a 10-7 lead heading into the break.

Minnesota is finally able to get an extensive drive, going 69 yards on 16 plays across 6:34. Cam Davis punches it in from the one-yard line to tie the game. Drake Lindsey was tremendous on the drive, completing 5-of-7 passing attempts.

The Golden Gophers have had their best drive of the day so far, moving the ball 57 yards across 10 plays. Drake Lindsey is beginning to find a rhythm, Le’Meke Brockington has been strong on the drive with three receptions for 43 yards. Gophers will come out of the break with the ball on the Cal 12.

After giving up a 51-yard reception on the first play of Cal’s drive, the Golden Gophers recover and eventually force a turnover on downs. On the first play of their ensuing drive, running back A.J. Turner left the game with a leg injury; he did not walk off under his own power.

After forcing a Cal punt, the Gophers were once again backed up in their own territory, starting at their own 2-yard line. They would get out of their own endzone immediately as Fame Ijeboi picked up 27 on a rush up the middle. The Gophers would continue to drive to the Cal 39, but a trick play on 2nd and 4 resulted in a loss of nine, and the Gophers were unable to pick up the first down on third and long.

California is averaging 6.7 yards per first down so far tonight and is 6-for-8 when passing on first down. Danny Collins and the Gophers’ defense have had no answers early on.

California: 7
Minnesota: 0

Gophers have given up 131 yards of total offense already, including 126 passing yards. Only have 33 yards of their own.

JKS has completed six straight passes and 11 of his last 14 for Cal.

The Golden Gophers’ drive following Cal’s touchdown is another three-and-out for -12 yards after a 15-yard pass interference call on Frank Bierman results in a 2nd and long for the Gophers. The entire Minnesota offense is out of rhythm. After getting 23 yards on their first drive, the Gophers have just seven yards and -12 on their last two.

The Golden Bears’ strike force as Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele picks apart the Gophers’ defense with passing plays of 16, 18, and 22 yards. He also had a three-yard keeper before finding Jacob De Jesus coming out of the backfield for a touchdown. Sagapolutele is 9-for-14 early for 100-yards and one touchdown.

After Perich’s miscue, the Gophers manage to get just seven yards on their drive before being forced to punt. Tom Weston has a quality 42-yard punt. Cal takes over at their own 48.

Cal’s second drive of the game saw the Bears go from their own 9 to midfield, including Sagapolutele at one point completing five straight passes. After Sagapolutele missed wide receiver Trond Grizzel on a deep ball, the Gophers forced a punt as Anthony Smith and Matt Kingsbury brought him down for a sack. However, on the punt, Koi Perich would fair catch the ball on the Gophers’ own 3-yard line. A rare miscue from the star safety and return man.

The Golden Gophers’ first offensive drive of the game fizzled out at the Minnesota 43. The Gophers saw A.J. Turner, Cam Davis, and Fame Ijeboi all see snaps on the first drive. The drive included a Drake Lindsey 17-yard pass to Drew Biber for a first down. Gophers’ rushing attack on he series was three carries for six yards.

The Gophers’ defense gets off the field after just six plays on their first drive. They gave up a first down on the drive via a John Nestor defensive pass interference. After a Cal punt, they’ll start their first drive at the Cal 20.

California won the toss and has elected to receive.

Much smaller availability report for the Gophers tonight.

OUT:
RB Darius Taylor
LB Drew Wilson
DT Mo OMonode

QUES:
DT Jalen Logan-Redding

Game / Broadcast Details
Where: Berkley, California
Stadium: California Memorial Stadium (52,428)
Time: 9:30 p.m. CT
Television: ESPN
Radio: KFAN 100.3 | Mike Grimm, Darrell Thompson, Justin Gaard
Odds: Minnesota is a 2.5-point favorite over California with the total currently set at 41.5 points according to BetMGM.