RECAP: Gophers’ road woes continue in 38-35 loss to Northwestern

This is going to be a game that is going to create a ton of debate heading into the regular season finale, postseason, and offseason. The Golden Gophers offense gets good field position off a strong return from Koi Perich, get a big play on their first play of the drive but mismanage the clock and are forced to attempt a 40-yard field goal at the end of regulation. Brady Denaburg’s kick goes wide left and Northwestern wins 38-35.

This shootout continues as Northwestern takes a 38-35 lead thanks to Jack Olsen’s third field goal of the day, this time from 33-yards. The Wildcats go 60 yards on 14 plays, eating up 7:27 of clock time. The Wildcats are up to 525 yards of total offense including 305 passing yards from Preston Stone who is 25-for-30.

Minnesota’s offense is hoping to bail out the Gophers defense as they tie the game with another long impressive scoring drive of 75 yards on six plays in just two miuntes. Drake Lindsey’s fourth touchdown pass of the day is an eight yard pass to Le’Meke Brockington.

Allowed 450+ yards in five of their last seven games. The only two games they have not allowed 450 yards is against Iowa and Nebraska.

Minnesota’s defense is having just a truly horrific performance. Northwestern has over 450 yards of total offense and continues to move the ball easily up-and-down the field. The Wildcats have completely evaporated the Gophers’ once 15 point lead and have scored 22-points unanswered to retake the lead with 10:20 remaining.

Preston Stone is 21-for-26 today for 273 yards and two touchdowns. His two yard touchdown pass to Caleb Komolafe puts the Wildcats ahead.

The Wildcats don’t waste much time and tie the game after Denabrug’s miss thanks to a 20-yard touchdown run from Joseph Himon.

The Gophers drive into Northwestern territory but P.J. Fleck refuses to go for it on 4th and 5 and instead sends out Brady Denaburg for the 48-yard attempt. Denaburg shanks the kick, missing poorly.

Northwestern desperate for an answer offensviely gets just what they need driving 86 yards on nine plays before Preston Stone hits Griffin Wilde for a four yard touchdown. Northwestern cuts the lead to 28-21. Preston Stone was 5-for-5 on that drive for 85 yards and the touchdown. He’s now 15-for-20 in the game for 216 yards and one touchdown.

The Golden Gophers first offensive drive of the second half appeared to result in a three-and-out but Northwestern would muff the ensuing punt and the Gophers recovered in prime scoring position. One play later, Drake Lindsey hits Javon Tracy with a perfect pass as the Gophers extend their lead to 28-13.

After trailing 10-0 early, the Gophers now lead 21-13 heading into the break.
Drake Lindsey: 13-for-16, 130 yds, 2 TD
Gophers with 139 yards of offense and averaged 6.3 yards per play in the second quarter

The Gophers have found an offensive groove that we haven’t seen in quite a while. They put together another fantastic drive, going 62 yards on eight plays in less than 2 minutes to extend their lead to 21-13. Drake Lindsey was fantastic on the drive with seven straight completions for 62 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown to Javon Tracy.

Minnesota, with its best drive of the day so far, goes 75 yards on 11 plays to take a 14-13 lead. The drive is finished off with a nice concentration catch from Javon Tracy as the ball bounces off his helmet. Drake Lindsey was 4-for-6 on that drive for 49 yards. Gophers were bailed out late in the drive on a defensive holding call on Northwestern.

The Wildcats get on the board again with a 35-yard field goal from Jack Olsen. Wildcats up to 218 yards so far on three drivers. Averaging 7.5 yards per play and 13.1 yards per completion.

Northwestern is currently in the midst of its third drive. They’re moving the ball with ease once again, notably, Koi Perich did leave banged up, but unsure of the seriousness.

Nonetheless,

Northwestern’s offense ranked 107th in the nation in total yards per game (340.7) coming into today.

It’s their third drive of the game — they have 210 yards.

There are still nine minutes left in the second quarter.

Minnesota takes advantage of a strong kickoff return by Koi Perich, but needed all four downs to score after starting at their own 5-yard line. Darius Taylor scores on a one-yard pitch to the right.

The Wildcats’ second offensive drive is another strong run as they drive deep into Minnesota territory, but an offensive pass interference penalty kills the drive. The Gophers keep the Wildcats to a short field.

Northwestern, through two drives, has 150 yards of total offense, including 83 passing yards. Preston Stone is 6-for-8 to start the game. Griffin Wilde has four receptions for 51 yards.

Northwestern scores on its first drive of the game as Caleb Komolafe gets a huge hole on the left side of the offensive line and takes it 46 yards for the score. Wildcats needed just six plays and less than three minutes to score after starting at their own 35. Also lost 10 yards on a false start penalty from former Gopher Martes Lewis.

The Wildcats will start their first drive at their own 35. WR Hayden Eligon was hurt on Northwestern’s first snap of the game.

Out for the Gophers on Saturday include linebacker Devon Williams and cornerback John Nestor.

This will be the first missed game of the season for Williams, who has 73 tackles, including 28 solo tackles, through 10 games. He also has 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Nestor will miss his second game of the season. Through 10 games, he appeared in nine, recording 38 tackles, four tackles for loss, three interceptions, and six pass deflections.

Where: Chicago, Illinois

Stadium: Wrigley Field

Time:11:00 a.m. CT

Odds: Minnesota is a 3.5-point underdog for Saturday’s game with a total of 40.5 points according to BetMGM.

Saturday’s game will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Jack Kizer will be handling the play-by-play, Matt Millen will serve as the analyst, and Sydney Supple will be the sideline reporter. Fans can also listen to the game on KFAN 100.3 with Mike Grimm, Darrell Thompson, and Justin Gaard on the call.