The Minnesota Gophers suffered their second consecutive loss of the season, losing 26-14 to #24 Illinois. Minnesota struggled for the entirety of the game only scoring once in the second quarter and right away in the third. Illinois’s offense gashed the Gophers defense for 472 yards and 26 points. Minnesota just couldn’t do anything, looking severely outmatched against a very good Illini team.
Minnesota’s loss hurt mostly in part to it taking them out of the running for the Big 10 west crown, especially after having such a great start to the year. Even worse sixth year senior Tanner Morgan left the game with what is being called an upper body injury. With that, let’s take a look at my takeaways from the Gophers week 7 loss to Illinois.
The Gophers Got Beat At Their Own Game…Badly
Illinois did to Minnesota what they’ve done to everyone else, just dominate. Minnesota’s defense struggled to slow down the Illini’s offense and the Gophers couldn’t move the ball themselves. Minnesota had 180 yards of total offense with only 12 first downs, possessing the ball for 19:56 minutes. They also had three turnovers, all interceptions (one by Tanner Morgan and two Athan Kaliakmanis).
On the defensive side of the ball Minnesota gave up 472 yards with 27 first downs and allowed Illinois to hold the ball for 40:04 minutes. Illinois also went 4-for-4 on fourth down. Minnesota allowed the Illini to throw for 252 yards and rush for 220, something that is just unacceptable. This was one of the most dominant teams early on, but it looks like the lack of competition really didn’t prepare them for back-to-back weeks of much tougher and better competition.
Mohamed Ibrahim Is The Offense
While you could have had this take a couple weeks ago, it wasn’t until today that it was definitively proven; Ibrahim is the offense. Today, Ibrahim rushed for 127 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, averaging 8.4 yards per carry. He did what he’s done all year long, but he is only one player, and the rest of the offense just wasn’t able to get anything going. He also continued his streak of consecutive games with 100 yards rushing with 14.
Minnesota had 180 yards of total offense; Ibrahim had 127 yards; meaning that the rest of the offense combined had 53 yards. Minnesota cannot become dependent on him, because it gives teams such an easy formula for your opponents to beat you.
Their Weak Non-Conference Schedule Is Really Starting To Show
Minnesota in their past two games haven’t just lost but have looked bad. Minnesota has lost by a combined score of 46-24 these past two weeks to Purdue and Illinois. In their first four games they won by a combined score of 183-24. Their weak non-conference schedule has done them no favors this year. While right away it looked like it wouldn’t be an issue, especially after their win over Michigan State, that isn’t the case now. After back-to-back losses where they haven’t looked good at all, it is really showing that a lack of even decent competition has hurt them.
The Season Is Still Salvageable
While many Gopher fans are saying the season is over (which in a sense it is) they aren’t entirely right. While a chance at making the playoffs is officially done and making the Big 10 championship and winning the west are also very slim, the Gophers still have a chance at having a really good season still. After next week’s matchup with Penn State, which I don’t see them winning, Minnesota shouldn’t lose again the rest of the regular season.
After Penn State the Gophers play Rutgers (home), Nebraska (road), Northwestern (home), Iowa (home), and Wisconsin (road). The way these teams have played it’s hard to see the Gophers losing any of these. They should end the year 9-3 and get a decent bowl game. The Gophers are talented enough to win, barring any injuries. This team is still primed for a good year, so don’t go bailing on them yet.
A Look Ahead
Minnesota won’t have an easy task as they travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State. The Nittany Lions are coming off a tough 41-17 loss to #5 Michigan. The game is also Penn State’s White Out game. It’ll not only be a tough game with a good team coming off of a hard loss, but also having to go and play in one of the most hostile (and awesome) college environments in the country.