Optimism was running rampant in the Twin Cities in August. Coming off a 9-4 campaign, the administration hired the most hyper-caffeinated coach in America, PJ Fleck, fresh off a monster season at Western Michigan.
The schedule cooperated as well. The Gophers opened the season with two mediocre teams in Buffalo and Oregon State. Their third game against Middle Tennessee State looked dangerous but the Gophers received a pass. Neither of MTSU’s best two players, QB Brent Stockstill or All-Conference USA wide receiver Richie James, were healthy enough to play. Stockstill’s backup, John Urzua, has been a turnover machine. The result was an easy 34-3 win for Minnesota.
The Gophers contemplated more good luck. They had a bye week prior to Maryland’s arrival. The Terrapins would be coming to town missing two quality QBs in Kasim Hill and Tyrell Pigrome. 3rd stringer, Max Bortenschlager, would get the nod for the Terps. The 3rd stringer was far from awesome the previous Saturday when Maryland did a 38-10 face plant against Central Florida.
Perhaps Minnesota watched the UCF game film and became complacent. The Gophers, despite being 13-point favorites, fell to the earth with a resounding thud. Surprisingly, Minnesota allowed Maryland to run for 262 yards. Shockingly, the normally stout Gopher rushing attack was limited to 80 yards. 31-24 Maryland. Kudos to the Terps as one would be hard pressed to find teams, this side of Clemson and TCU, with two higher quality road wins (Maryland upset Texas, 51-41, in their opener in Austin).
The Gophers have yet more positive luck heading into this Saturday’s game at Purdue. On September 23rd, two of Purdue’s best defensive players, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jacob Thieneman, were guilty of targeting infractions in the second half of their loss to Michigan. All targeters must sit out the next half of their next game.
Yet more Golden Gopher good fortune ensued as Purdue had a bye last week. Thus, the Gophers will play a short-handed Boilermaker defense in the first half. Had PJ Fleck become the 21st Century version of Joe Hardy and made a deal with the devil? If so, it is a capricious devil as the Gophers received their first bit of truly bad luck. Their depleted secondary will be quite short-handed against Purdue’s pass happy offense.
Will the Gophers be able to take advantage of what has been offered? Stay tuned.