Take a bow, Golden Gophers!
PJ Fleck and Minnesota had the luxury of a bye week to reflect on 3 thrilling victories in a 3-0 start that could easily have been 0-3.
Minnesota needed a late stop to hold off the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in its opener. In week 2, the Gophers travelled to Fresno and converted a 4th and long in the final minute of regulation en route to the tying touchdown in the final minute of regulations. In OT, Fresno State’s Jorge Reyna threw a pass into the end zone that momentarily looked to be the game winner. Except stellar safety, Antoine Winfield Junior, swooped in out of nowhere and snagged the game-ending interception.
Two weeks ago, the Gophers looked not to have a nail biter in the 4th quarter of their game against Georgia Southern, leading 28-18. All of a sudden, Southern gets two non-offensive touchdowns courtesy of a blocked field goal and a fumble recovery. Suddenly, the Golden Gophers needed a last ditch drive to stay undefeated. Helped again by its stellar receiving corps, Minnesota successfully overcame a 3rd and 30 and a 4th and 8 to score a last-gasp touchown. 35-32, Gophers!
To stay undefeated, Minnesota will need to win at Purdue this Saturday. Will Minnesota have the good fortune of facing a backup QB for a second straight game? Purdue’s Elijah Sindelar did not play against TCU, two weeks ago, Jeff Brohm was mum on his availability for Saturday. If Sindelar’s absence was strictly due to concussion protocol, it seems that a 3-week hiatus would be sufficient.
We will see if PJ Fleck has any more lucky horseshoes in his boat.