GAME DAY PREVIEW
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Thursday, October 3, 2019
Game Day Preview Fall 2019
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GAME DAY
PREVIEW TABLE OF CONTENTS
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EDITORIAL BOARD
Ariana Wilson Editorials & Opinions Editor awilson@mndaily.com BUSINESS Jacob Kenyon Sales Manager jkenyon@mndaily.com David Keane Controller dkeane@mndaily.com =
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Notes from the last time Minnesota went up against Illinois Depth charts for the Golden Gophers and Fighting Illini
Daily Breakdown: Minnesota Gophers significant favorites against Illinois Illini
Questions from the Other Side: The Daily Illini reporter Miles Powers-Huang Quick Hitters: Gophers undefeated after first week of Big Ten play
Thursday, October 3, 2019
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Last Time...
Notes from the previous game between Minnesota and Illinois The Illini ran wild over the Gophers at their last game. BY NICK JUNGHEIM njungheim@mndaily.com
Final: Illinois 55, Minnesota 31 The Gophers defense had no answers for Illinois’ rushing attack last season as Minnesota failed to build off its first Big Ten victory of the season the previous week against Indiana. Combining to average 12.3 yards per rush, quarterback AJ Bush Jr. and running backs Reggie Corbin and Dre Brown torched Minnesota for 430 yards, dropping Minnesota to last place in the Big Ten West standings. The 55 points Illinois scored was the most Minnesota allowed in a game since 2011, but the second time in three weeks the Gophers conceded over 50 to an opponent. Big plays doomed Minnesota as Corbin rushed for a 72-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. After a touchdown from Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim tied the score, Brown matched Corbin with a 72-yard rush of his own to put Illinois ahead 14-7 on the ensuing possession. Trailing 17-7 in the second quarter, Ibrahim cut Minnesota’s deficit to three points with another score. But lightning soon struck again for the Illini as Bush connected with senior Ricky Smalling for a 67-yard touchdown pass. Senior kicker Emmit Carpenter brought the Gophers back within a touchdown with a short field goal just before the half, but Illinois would score the game’s next 24 points, including another 77-yard touchdown run from Corbin. Defensive backs Jordan Howden, Coney Durr and Chris Williamson were three of Minnesota’s top four tacklers on the afternoon, illustrating just how often Illinois’ running backs were able to get to the second level. The Gophers parted ways
Gophers football players run off the field after winning against Illinois 24-17 for their homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium. (Minnesota Daily File Photo)
with defensive coordinator Robb Smith the following day. After that defeat, Minnesota’s defense saw a resurgence under new defensive coordinator Joe Rossi, allowing only 59 points in their next four games. Since falling to the Illini last year, the Gophers have gone 7-1. Conversely, Illinois has lost its last two games but was idle last week, giving them extra time to prepare. Illinois no longer has Bush at quarterback. Instead their signal caller is now junior Brandon Peters who doesn’t offer as much in the running game as Bush.
However, the Illini still have Corbin and Brown, who are both seeing productive seasons. For the Gophers offense, sophomore receiver Rashod Bateman will hope to duplicate the success he had last year in this matchup. Bateman had his best game of 2018 against Illinois, catching seven passes for 175 yards and touchdowns of 61 and 86 yards. Quotables from the game: “This is a very, very disappointing loss ... one of the most disappointing losses I’ve
been around,” head coach P.J. Fleck told the media. “Execution and tackling has been a problem we’ve been dealing with all year defensively ... it turned out to be a disaster, that’s probably the nicest way I can put it,” linebacker Blake Cashman told the media. “We didn’t tackle anybody tonight, [we] had people in a lot of holes just diving at the ankles instead of biting the ball,” Fleck told the media. “I think some of the speed on our defense was exposed in a lot of areas where they were able to run away from us and we couldn’t catch them.”
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Thursday, October 3, 2019
MINNESOTA’S DEPTH CHART MINNESOTA COACHES
OFFENSE
P.J. Fleck Matt Simon Kirk Ciarrocca
QB
Ed Warinner Jahmile Addae Joseph Rossi Robb Smith Kenni Burns Clay Patterson Rob Wenger Gerrit Chernoff
Head Coach Wide Receivers Coach Offensive Coordinator Quarterbacks Coach Offensive Line Coach Defensive Backs Coach Defensive Line Coach Defensive Coordinator Linebackers Coach Running Backs Coach Tight Ends Coach Special Teams Coordinator Outside Linebackers Coach General Manager
SPECIAL TEAMS K P LS KR PR H
38 34 47 46 37 39 1 24 82 11 47 46 14
Michael Lantz (5-11, 180, Fr.) Brock Walker (5-10, 200, R-Fr.) Jacob Herbers (6-2, 215, R-Sr.) Alex Melvin (6-4, 200, Grad) Brady Weeks (6-20, 215, Fr.) Michael Vojvodich (6-3, 220, R-Fr.) Rodney Smith (5-11, 210, R-Sr.) OR Mohamed Ibrahim (5-10, 210, R-So.) Demetrius Douglas (6-0, 190, R-Fr.) OR Antoine Winfield Jr. (5-10, 205, R-So.) Jacob Herbers (6-2, 215, R-Sr.) Alex Melvin (6-4, 200, Grad) Casey O’Brien (6-1, 175, R-So.)
TB
TE
WR WR
WR LT LG
C RG
RT
2 14 15 1 24 21 3 80 42 85 88 13 17 7 82 83 6 18 70 79 77 60 67 64 60 51 60 67 78 74
Tanner Morgan (6-2, 215, R-So.) Cole Kramer (6-1, 195, Fr.) OR Jacob Clark (6-5, 220, Fr.) Rodney Smith (5-11, 210, R-Sr.) OR Mohamed Ibahim (5-10, 210, R-So.) Bryce Williams (6-0, 205, So.) OR Cam Wiley (6-2, 205, Fr.) Jake Paulson (6-4, 260, R-So.) Ko Kieft (6-4, 255, R-Jr.) OR Bryce Witham (6-4, 255, R-Jr.) OR Breyvin Spann-Ford Rashod Bateman (6-2, 210, So.) Seth Green (6-4, 240, R-Jr.) OR Chris Autman-Bell (6-1, 215, R-So.) OR Demetrius Douglas (6-0, 195, R-So.) Harry Van Dyne (6-5, 215, R-So.) Tyler Johnson (6-2, 205, Sr.) Clay Geary (5-10, 190, R-So.) Sam Schlueter (6-6, 325, R-Jr.) Jason Dickson (6-6, 320, R-Jr.) Blaise Andries (6-6, 325, R-So.) John Michael Schmitz (6-4, 315, R-So.) Nate Umlor (6-5, 300, R-So.) Conner Olson (6-5, 305, R-Jr.) John Michael Schmitz (6-4, 300, R-Fr.) Curtis Dunlap Jr. (6-5, 370, Fr.) John Michael Schmitz (6-4, 300, R-Fr.) Nate Umlor (6-5, 300, R-So.) Daniel Faalele (6-9, 400, So.) Kyle Sassack (6-7, 315, R-So.)
DEFENSE DE DT DT
DE
LB LB
DB
DB DB DB DB
46 9 90 19 18 52 91 45 12 34 41 55 21 8 14 16 4 2 31 20 6 26 11 1 23 27 22
Winston DeLattiboudere (6-3, 250, R-Sr.) Esezi Otomewo (6-6, 275, R-So.) Sam Renner (6-4, 270, R-Jr.) Keonte Schad (6-3, 295, Jr.) Micah Dew-Treadway (6-4, 315, Grad.) Jamaal Teague (6-3, 305, Fr.) OR Noah Hickcox (6-4, 295, R-So.) Carter Coughlin (6-4, 245, Sr.) Tai’yon Devers (6-4, 245, Jr.) OR Boye Mafe (6-4, 260, R-So.) Thomas Barber (6-1, 235, Jr.) Mariano Sori-Marin (6-3, 245, So.) Kamal Martin (6-3, 245, Sr.) Thomas Rush (6-3, 230, Fr.) OR Braelen Oliver (6-0, 225, Fr.) Coney Durr (5-10, 200, R-Jr.) OR Terell Smith (6-1, 200, So.) Phillip Howard (5-11, 195, R-Jr.) Kiondre Thomas (6-0, 190, R-Jr.) OR Benjamin St-Juste (6-3, 200, Grad.) Chris Williamson (6-0, 205, R-Sr.) Justus Harris (5-10, 180, So.) Antoine Winfield Jr. (5-10, 205, R-So.) OR Calvin Swenson (6-1, 215, R-Jr.) Jordan Howden (5-11, 200, So.) Tyler Nubin (6-2, 205, Fr.) OR Benny Sapp III (6-1, 205, So.)
*Depth chart accurate as of October 2 Courtesy of Gophers Athletics
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Thursday, October 3, 2019
ILLINOIS’S DEPTH CHART GEORGIA SOUTHERN COACHES
OFFENSE
Lovie Smith
QB
Rod Smith Gill Byrd Bob Ligashesky Mike Bellamy Austin Clark Andrew Hayes-Stoker Keynodo Hudson Bob McClain Cory Patterson Miles Smith
Head Coach Defensive Coordinator Offensive Coordinator Quarterbacks Coach Passing Game Coordinator Safeties Coach Special Teams Coordinator Running Backs Coach Defensive Line Coach Wide Receivers Coach Cornerbacks Coach Offensive Line Coach Tight Ends Coach Linebackers Coach
RB
SLOTWR Z-WR
X-WR
TE
LT
LG
C
RG
RT
PK
18 12 1 2 25 3 5 6 20 9 13 80 9 8 84 87 10 81 79 73 66 53 75 59 65 68 58 74 52 72 63 54 57 11 17
DEFENSE Brandon Peters (Jr.) Matt Robinson (R-Fr.) Isaiah Williams (Fr.) Reggie Corbin (Sr.) Dre Brown (Sr.) Jakari Norwood (So.) Trevon Sidney (Jr.) Dominic Stampley (Jr.) Kyron Cumby (Fr.) Josh Imatorbhebhe (Jr.) Caleb Reams (Sr.) Edwin Carter (R-Fr.) Ricky Smalling (R-Jr.) Casey Washington (Fr.) Jordan Holmes (So.) Daniel Barker (So.) Justice Williams (Sr.) Griffin Palmer (Jr.) Vederian Lowe (Jr.) Jake Cerney (Jr.) Jordan Slaughter (R-Fr.) Kendrick Green (So.) Kurt Gavin (Jr.) Josh Plohr (Fr.) Doug Kramer (Jr.) Jake Stover (So.) Preston Engel (R-Fr.) Richie Petitbon (Sr.) Verdis Brown (R-Fr.) Kievan Myers (R-Fr.) Alex Palczewski (Jr.) Julian Pearl (R-Fr.) Evan Kirts (Fr.) Caleb Griffin (R-Fr.) James McCourt (Jr.)
47 99 88 91 DT 95 55 DT 96 93 WDE 52 92 54 WLB 35 45 MLB 9 44 SAM 5 40 21 CB 20 22 30 SS 7 15 25 FS 42 17 8 CB 31 23 14 P 17 SDE
Oluwole Betiku (Jr.) Owen Carney (Jr.) Keith Randolph (Fr.) Jamal Woods (So.) Kenyon Jackson (Sr.) Jamal Milan (Sr.) Tymir Oliver (Sr.) Calvin Avery (So.) Ayo Shogbonyo (Jr.) Isiah Gay (Jr.) Marc Mondesir (Jr.) Jake Hansen (Jr.) Kahlan Tolson (So.) Dele Harding (Sr.) Tarique Barnes (Fr.) Milo Eifler (Jr.) Shammond Cooper (Fr.) Jartavius Martin (So.) Nick Walker (Jr.) Dylan Wyatt (So.) Sydney Brown (So.) Stanley Green (Sr.) Delano Ware (So.) Kerby Joseph (So.) Michael Marchese (Jr.) Kendall Smith (Jr.) Nate Hobbs (Jr.) Devon Witherspoon (Fr.) Joseph Thompson (Fr.) Blake Hayes (Jr.) James McCourt (Jr.)
*Depth chart accurate as of October 2 Courtesy of University of Illinois
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Thursday, October 3, 2019
the Daily
BREAKDOWN
Minnesota Gophers significant favorites against Illinois Illini
Minnesota is going for 5-0 against a team coming off two consecutive losses. BY NICK JUNGHEIM njungheim@mndaily.com
Off to its first 4-0 start since 2013, Minnesota will look to improve on that record this weekend in its homecoming showdown. The Gophers will square off against an Illinois team that is 2-2, coming off back-toback losses against Eastern Michigan and Nebraska. However, the Illini’s offense has been potent this season, scoring 35.5 points per game. Coming off a bye week, they will attempt to replicate the success they had in a 55-31 victory over Minnesota a season ago. When Minnesota runs the ball: The Gophers’ rushing attack is off to a slow start, averaging 115.8 yards per game. Last week against Purdue, redshirt senior Rodney Smith totaled 115 yards on 22 carries. Redshirt senior Shannon Brooks returned last week after missing the first three games of the season with an injury, running for five yards on as many attempts. However, he’s expected to see an increase in carries this week. Illinois’ rushing defense currently ranks No. 61 in the nation, around the middle of the pack for Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), allowing 146 rush yards per game but only 3.42 yards per carry. However, they allowed 316 yards on the ground in their Big Ten opener against Nebraska. Advantage: Minnesota Matchup to watch: RB Rodney Smith vs. LB Dele Harding When Illinois runs the ball: Last season, Illinois had their way against Minnesota when running the ball, racking up 430 yards. Senior running back Reggie Corbin is a shifty ball carrier the
Gophers will focus on trying to contain. Corbin currently ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 7.1 yards per attempt. Minnesota has shown significant improvement against the run from the meeting between these teams a year ago. The Gophers are currently ranked No. 37 in rushing defense. However, they face a tough task against Corbin and fellow senior Dre Brown. In order to slow them down, the front seven will have to tackle well and prevent the backs from breaking into the second level. Advantage: Illinois Matchup to watch: RB Reggie Corbin vs. LB Kamal Martin When Minnesota passes the ball: Quarterback Tanner Morgan is having a breakout season with the help of receivers Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman. Against Purdue last week, Morgan set a Big Ten pass completion percentage record, completing 21 of 22 passes. For his performance, he earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors. Johnson is having a productive year in his senior season with 25 receptions for 312 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Bateman is experiencing similar success with 21 catches for 466 yards and 4 scores of his own. Illinois’ defensive backs figure to have their hands full defending Minnesota’s receivers. The Fighting Illini rank No. 102 in pass defense, allowing 13.4 yards per reception and 261.8 yards per game. Advantage: Minnesota Matchup to watch: WR Tyler Johnson vs DB Jartavius Martin When Illinois passes the ball: Junior quarterback Brandon Peters leads the Illinois passing attack. In his first season with the team after transferring from Michigan, Peters is putting together a solid campaign with 765 yards and 10 touchdowns to just three interceptions. His favorite target
has been junior Ricky Smalling, who has 21 receptions. Junior Josh Imatorbhebhe is another weapon, having scored four touchdowns on the season and averaging 17.55 yards per catch. In the secondary, the Gophers feature a trio of experienced corner backs and redshirt sophomore Antoine Winfield Jr. who is one of the best players in the Big Ten at the safety position. While Minnesota isn’t an elite pass defense, ranked No. 53 in FBS, they will still be the toughest matchup Illinois has faced thus far this season. Advantage: Minnesota Matchup to watch: WR Josh Imatorbhebhe vs. DB Kiondre Thomas Prediction: Minnesota 35, Illinois 27 The Gophers have played close games but found ways to win all season long as favorites. Saturday’s forecast calls for a
Linebacker Bailey Schoenfelder raises his fist in support of his team at Ross Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28. The Gophers defeated Purdue 38-31. (Jasmin Kemp / Minnesota Daily)
chance of rain during the game, which could favor Illinois’ run game and add an element of unpredictability. This has the potential to be another closer-than-expected result for Minnesota, but ultimately Morgan and the receivers should be too much for the Fighting Illini’s secondary to handle. Ever ything else you need to know Starting time: 2:30 p.m. CST, Saturday, Oct. 5 TV Network: BTN Radio: KFAN 100.3 FM Line: Minnesota by 14
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Thursday, October 3, 2019
QUESTIONS from the OTHER SIDE
An interview with University of Illinois sports reporter Miles Powers-Huang from The Daily Illini
The Gophers will host Illinois on Saturday in their second Big Ten matchup. BY JOHN MILLER jmiller@mndaily.com
The Minnesota Daily called up Kaitlin Sells, managing sports editor for the GeorgeAnne, the student newspaper of Georgia Southern, to preview the upcoming Saturday game against the Georgia Southern Eagles at TCF Bank Stadium. With a loss to LSU and a victor y against Maine, what are your takeaways from the Eagles season so far? I think so far there’s still a lot of work to be done. The team is still getting used to each other, still getting used to playing with each other. Honestly, I think it’s going to be a good season. They’ve shown a lot of promise on the field. Obviously against LSU it was a little more disappointing, considering they didn’t have the ball much on offensive side, but coming out against Maine there were still some weaknesses on the field. But, they have shown obvious growth from one week to the next. Last year, Geor gia Souther n improved a lot, going 10-3. What does the team have to do to keep improving and compete for a conference championship? They can never be satisfied, never think that what they’re doing is good enough. Never get complacent, keep working. Their big motto this year is, ‘From good to great,’ and they’re just continuing to work towards it. Keeping things moving game to game, not letting past games get in the way of the future. Shai Werts was the starting quarterback going into the season. He got hurt against LSU, and then Justin Tomlin came in and started last week. Has there been any indication as to who will start Saturday, and how do you compare those two? On Saturday, we can most likely expect to see Tomlin. There’s been a lot of talk about
Werts. At the current moment, they’re all just considering his safety. If he’s ready to go, they’ll play him. If he’s not, and he’s hesitant, they won’t. But, I have complete faith in Tomlin if he ends up on the field. I wouldn’t be worried. He shows a lot of promise, and for a redshirt freshman, he really seems to know how to control the offense. A lot of things you don’t really see in younger players is he wasn’t that hesitant on the ball, he wasn’t too hesitant to call plays, to make plays, and that’s something that’s really important, especially in the triple option. That’s saying nothing against Shai Werts’s play. He’s also an amazing quarterback, and he’s also grown into the position of a leader on the team. Georgia Southern gives a lot of exotic looks running the triple option out of the pistol formation. What problems does that cause for opposing defenses? With the triple option it’s hard to defend. They’re good at it, and they stick to it. A lot of questions I get are about why we still run the triple option, and it’s because it’s something that works for us. Obviously, as you can see in the past, they’re not really a passing offense. They’re starting to change that a little bit, but for the most part they stick to what they’re best at with the running because they have really strong running backs. The quarterbacks are really fast, really quick on their feet. Defending against the running game is what makes it so difficult. What do the Eagles need to do to upset Minnesota? They just have to play their football. They’ve struggled a little bit. The last game was tough to watch because they made it to the red zone a good amount of times but only converted two touchdowns. Watching four field goals have to be kicked because they couldn’t convert in the red zone was tough. Controlling the ball a little bit more, ball safety being a big thing, the boys can’t get inside their heads. They have to keep moving forward. Mentality is a big thing for them. Best offensive player? Quarterback Shai Werts Best defensive player? Either cornerback Kindle Vildor or
linebacker Rashad Byrd Under-the-radar player? Safety Kenderick Duncan Jr. End of season record prediction? 8-4 Score prediction against Minnesota? 35-21, Minnesota This interview has been edited for style and length.
Top, Running back Bryce Williams carries the ball at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28. The Gophers earned a 38-31 victory over Purdue. Bottom, Running back Bryce Williams carries the ball at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28. The Gophers earned a 38-31 victory over Purdue. (Jasmin Kemp / Minnesota Daily)
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Thursday, October 3, 2019
Quick Hitters
Gophers undefeated after first week of Big Ten play BY JOHN MILLER jmiller@mndaily.com
The Gophers dominated in their first game of Big Ten conference play. The Gophers went into West Lafayette well prepared and took the steam out of the Boilermakers with a score of 38-31. It was a career day for redshirt sophomore quarterback Tanner Morgan. He completed 21 of 22 passes for 396 yards and four touchdowns, all career highs. His 95.5% completion percentage in the game broke the Big Ten record. The Boilermakers almost made an amazing comeback against the Gophers. After being down 21 points in the second half, the Boilermakers rallied back and had chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter. However, the Gophers were able to convert on offense and get key first downs to keep the clock running and their lead intact.
Tanner Morgan is coming into his own and ranks among the NCAA elite Last Saturday, Morgan produced one of the best games a Gophers’ quarterback has ever played. On the year, Morgan has completed 69 of 94 passes for 1,095 yards and 10 touchdowns. Morgan’s performance last week earned him Co-Big Ten player of the week honors. He is fourth in the NCAA in passing efficiency, trailing only Jalen Hurts (249.86), Joe Burrow (225.63) and Tua Tagovailoa (225.15), with a 202.10. Morgan has the tenth best completion percentage in the country. He has completed 73.4% of his passes so far this year. Morgan’s play has led the Gophers to their first 4-0 start since 2013. “His response mechanisms are different,” said head coach P.J. Fleck. “Whether it’s a good play or a bad play, it’s over. He can throw an interception, and the next
play you would think he just threw for 500 yards and 10 touchdowns, the amount of confidence he has in himself and that he gives to everybody else. He’s a giver.” Rodney Smith shines With the passing games success against the Purdue defense, Rodney Smith was able to get the run offense going. Despite Minnesota not gaining over three yards per carry, Smith shined last Saturday. He averaged 5.2 yards on 22 attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown. “I thought our pass game softened the run game a little bit today,” Fleck told the media after the game. “We need to be able to open it up a little bit. That was the whole plan over the bye week.” Smith made the most out of the opening running lanes. Minnesota relied on him to be the bell cow back. For the first game all season, Smith was the only running back
with double digit carries. Minnesota’s defense still has trouble against the run The run defense had trouble against Purdue last weekend. Boilermaker running back King Doerue averaged 4.7 yards on 20 carriers to finish with 94 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Gophers missed many tackles on Saturday, especially in big moments as Purdue was trying to complete their comeback from being down 38-17. “We had way too many missed tackles in this particular game, which was addressed in today’s practice,” said Fleck in his Tuesday press conference. It’s something to keep an eye on, as Reggie Corbin, the Illini starting running back, will make opposing defenses pay as he is averaging 7.1 yards per carry on the year.