October 4, 2018 Game Day Preview

Thursday, October 4, 2018

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Game Day Preview Fall 2018

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Daily Breakdown: Iowa favored in battle for Floyd Depth Charts for Minnesota and Iowa

Questions from the Other Side: Interview with Cedar Rapids Gazette’s Jeff Johnson Rashod Bateman: Another receiving threat?

Jacob Huff filling defensive gaps

Thursday, October 4, 2018

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JACK RODGERS, DAILY

Running back Rodney Smith carries the ball at TCF Bank Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 30. The Gophers defeated the New Mexico State Aggies 48-10.

the Daily

BREAKDOWN

IOWA FAVORED IN BATTLE FOR FLOYD Iowa favored in battle for Floyd, as a six-point favorite to start out the week.

BY JACK WARRICK jwarrick@mndaily.com

Minnesota will take the field this Saturday for its homecoming game against Iowa to fight for the historic Floyd of Rosedale trophy, which has been with the Hawkeyes since the 2015 season. Both teams go into the game 3-1 fresh off of a bye week. The Gophers look understaffed due to injuries and the Hawkeyes are coming off their first loss to the ranked Badgers.

Minnesota will play its homecoming without arguably its best player on defense — defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. — and its highest-producing player on offense — running back Rodney Smith.

Iowa was winning 17-14 with a minute left in the Wisconsin game but fell short after a last-minute collapse.

When Minnesota runs the ball: The Gophers’ running attack was limited to 94 total yards last game in its loss to Maryland. The Iowa rush defense has allowed

just 84 yards per game this year but, against Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes’ defense allowed 210 rushing yards.

The newly-appointed starting running backs, freshmen Bryce Williams and Mohamed Ibrahim, average 3.8 and 5.6 yards per game rushing respectively.

Matchup to watch: RB Mohamed Ibrahim vs. LB Jack Hockaday Advantage: Iowa When Iowa runs the ball: Iowa’s running game this year ranks just above Minnesota’s at No. 10 out of the Big Ten’s 14 teams. The Hawkeyes average 167.3 yards per game on the ground. Toren Young is the team’s most productive back, averaging 5.5 yards per carry with two touchdowns this year.

Mekhi Sargent also gets a considerable amount of carries and has run for three touchdowns this year. This is the first year the two are getting more snaps at Iowa.

After Minnesota’s defense allowed under 100 rushing yards in each of the first three games, the defense faltered in it’s first Big Ten matchup. The Gophers allowed 315 rushing yards to Maryland — more than they had allowed in the last three games combined.

Matchup to watch: RB Toren Young vs LB Thomas Barber Advantage: Iowa When Minnesota passes the ball: The Gophers’ system for getting yards by air has improved from last year with a new quarterback in Zack Annexstad, new receivers in Rashod Bateman and Chris Autman-Bell and veteran receiver Tyler Johnson. Minnesota currently averages 187 passing yards per game. Annexstad threw one touchdown and his first two interceptions of the season against Maryland.

The Hawkeyes have averaged 176.5 passing yards per game, good for fifth in the Big Ten. Their main threat in the backfield is safety Amani Hooker. He has the third most tackles on the team with 25 and an interception this year.

Matchup to watch: WR Chris Autman-Bell vs DB Amani Hooker Advantage: Iowa When Iowa passes the ball: Iowa had 256 passing yards and two passing touchdowns last week against No. 16 Wisconsin.

Almost half of the yards on the receiving end

came from tight end T.J. Hockenson, though the touchdowns were scored by tight end Noah Fant.

The Gophers rank third in the Big Ten, allowing 167.5 passing yards per game. They allowed 117 receiving yards to Maryland, but lost their top playmaking safety in Winfield Jr. due to an injury during the game.

Matchup to watch: TE T.J. Hockenson vs.

DB Jacob Huff Advantage: Iowa Prediction: Iowa 31, Minnesota 17 The Gophers are coming off their first loss, an unexpectedly lopsided one. Though they had a bye week to help correct issues seen in the first Big Ten game, the loss of Smith in the offense and Winfield Jr. in the defense is difficult to bounce back from.

Iowa was one minute away from a victory over Wisconsin, and has not lost to Minnesota in three years.

Ever ything else you need to know: Start time: 2:30 p.m. CT Network: BTN Radio: KFAN 100.3 Line: Iowa by 6

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GOPHERS’ DEPTH CHART OFFENSE QB 5 2 TB 24 21 28 8 42 80 85 WR 13 17 89 WR 82 25 18 WR 6 3 27 TE

Zack Annexstad (6-3, 215, Fr.) Tanner Morgan (6-2, 210, R-Fr.) Mohamed Ibrahim (5-10, R-Fr.) OR Bryce Williams (6-0, 200, Fr.) Jonathan Femi-Cole (6-0, 225, R-Jr.) OR Nolan Edmonds (5-11, 200, Fr.) Ko Kieft (6-4, 250, R-Fr.) Jake Paulson (6-4, 260, R-Fr.) OR Bryce Witham (6-4, 255, R-Jr.) Rashod Bateman (6-2, 200, Fr.) Seth Green (6-4, 240, R-So.) OR Matt Morse (6-1, 195, R-Jr.) Demetrius Douglas (6-0, 190, R-Fr.) Phillip Howard (5-11, 195, R-So.) OR Clay Geary (5-10, 190, R-So. Tyler Johnson (6-2, 200, Jr.) Chris Autman-Bell (6-1, 200, R-Fr. OR Paul Gossage (6-3, 185, R-Jr.)

DEFENSE

LT 73 58 75 LG 64 61 75 C 62 60 66 RG 77 51 RT 70 78 76

Donnell Greene (6-7, 320, R-Sr.) Quinn Oseland (6-6, 305, R-Jr.) OR Kyle Sassack (6-7, 290, R-Fr.) Connor Olson (6-5, 300, R-So.) Bronson Dovich (6-5, 300, R-Jr.) OR Austin Beier (6-4, 285, Fr.) Jared Weyler (6-4, 296, R-Jr.) John Michael Schmitz (6-4, 300, R-Fr.) OR Nathan Boe (6-4, 285, Fr.) Blaise Andries (6-5, 315, R-Fr.) Curtis Dunlap Jr. (6-5, 370, Fr.) Sam Schlueter (6-6, 298, R-Fr.) Daniel Faalele (6-9, 400, Fr.) OR Jack York (6-6, 210, R-Fr.)

DE 46 9 DT 19 90 DT 99 97 52 DE 45 12 69 LB 21 55 LB 41 8 14 LB 36 20

Winston DeLattiboudere (6-3, 250, R-Jr.) Esezi Otomewo (6-6, 260, R-Fr.) Gary Moore (6-4, 300, R-Sr.) Sam Renner (6-4, 270, R-Jr.) O.J. Smith (6-2, 320, R-Sr.) Royal Silver (6-3, 300, R-Jr.) OR Jamaal Teague (6-3, 305, Fr.) Carter Coughlin (6-4, 245, Jr.) Tai’yon Devers (6-4, 240, Jr.) OR Boye Mafe (6-4, 250, R-Fr.) Kamal Martin (6-3, 235, Jr.) Mariano Sori-Marin (6-3, 240, Fr.) Thomas Barber (6-1, 235, Jr.) Thomas Rush (6-3, 230, Fr.) OR Braelen Oliver (6-0, 225, Fr.) Blake Cashman (6-2, 235, Sr.) Julian Huff (6-0, 225, Sr.)

DB 31 16 7 DB 11 23 22 49 DB 2 27 6 DB 4 15 DB 34 26

Kiondre Thomas (6-0, 190, R-So.) Coney Durr (5-10, 190, Jr.) OR Rey Estes (6-0, 175, R-Fr.) Antoine Winfield Jr. (5-10, 204, R-So.) Jordan Howden (5-11, 185, Fr.) OR Benny Sapp III (6-1, 195, Fr.) OR Josh Aune Jacob Huff (5-11, 207, Jr.) Calvin Swenson (6-1, 210, R-So.) OR Chris Williamson (6-0, 200, R-Jr.) Terell Smith (6-1, 195, Fr.) C.J. Smith (6-1, 185, Fr.) Antonio Shenault (5-11, 190, Sr.) Justus Harris (5-10, 180, So.)

IOWA’S DEPTH CHART DEFENSE

OFFENSE 12 92 TE 87 42 LT 77 71 LG 59 68 69 C 67 RG 61 66 RT 74 76 TE 38 39 WR 84 6 SE

Brandon Smith (6-3, 219, So.) Kyle Groeneweg (5-10, 186, Sr.) Noah Fant (6-5, 241, Jr.) Shaun Beyer (6-5, 240, So.) Alaric Jackson (6-7, 320, So.) Mark Kallenberger (6-6, 282, R-Fr.) Ross Reynolds (6-4, 295, Sr.) Landan Paulsen (6-5, 305, Jr.) Keegan Render (6-4, 307, Sr.) Levi Duwa (6-3, 270, R-Fr.) Cole Banwart (6-4, 296, So.) Levi Paulsen (6-5, 305, Jr.) Tristan Wirfs (6-5, 320, So.) Dalton Ferguson (6-4, 308, Sr.) T.J. Hockenson (6-5, 250, So.) Nate Wieting (6-4, 250, Jr.) Nick Easley (5-11, 205, Sr.) Ihmir Smith-Marsette (6-1, 175, So.)

QB 4 2 RB 28 21 FB 36 46 PK 91 1

Nate Stanley (6-4, 242, Jr.) Peyton Mansell (6-2, 210, R-Fr.) Toren Young (5-11, 221, So.) Ivory Kelly-Martin (5-10, 200, So.) Brady Ross (6-0, 245, Jr.) Austin Kelly (5-11, 245, Sr.) Miguel Recinos (6-1, 193, Sr.) Keith Duncan (5-11, 180, So.)

98 90 LT 95 57 RT 96 91 RE 40 94 OLD 49 35 MLB 52 48 WLB 34 32 LC 8 3 SS 27 9 LE

Anthony Nelson (6-7, 271, Jr.) Sam Brincks (6-5, 275, Sr.) Cedrick Lattimore (6-3, 295, Jr.) Chauncey Golston (6-5, 265, So.) Matt Nelson (6-8, 295, Sr.) Brady Reiff (6-3, 272, Jr.) Parker Hesse (6-3, 261, Sr.) A.J. Epenesa (6-5, 277, So.) Nick Niemann (6-4, 232, So.) Barrington Wade (6-1, 233, So.) Amani Jones (6-0, 238, Jr.) Jack Hockaday (6-1, 235, Sr.) Kristian Welch (6-3, 238, Jr.) Djimon Colbert (6-1, 234, R-Fr.) Matt Hankins (6-1, 185, So.) Trey Creamer (6-0, 190, R-Fr.) Amani Hooker (6-0, 210, Jr.) Gene Stone (5-11, 209, So.)

FS 30 9 RC 11 4 PT 2 OR 7

Jake Gervase (6-1, 212, Sr.) Geno Stone (5-11, 209, So.) Michael Ojemudia (6-1, 199, Jr.) Josh Turner (5-11, 188, R-Fr.) Ryan Gersonde (6-4, 198, So.) Colten Rastetter (6-1, 213, Jr.)

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MN CTD. SPECIAL TEAMS K P LS KR PR H

38 37 47 46 25 39 82 3 34 82 47 46 14

Emmit Carpenter (6-0, 200, R-Sr.) John Mack (6-0, 195, R-So.) Jacob Herbers (6-2, 215, R-Jr.) Alex Melvin (6-4, 205, R-Jr.) Payton Jordahl (6-2, 230, R-Sr.) Michael Vojvodich (6-3, 210, Fr.) Demetrius Douglas (6-0, 190, R-Fr.) Chris Autman-Bell (6-1, 200, R-Fr.) Antonio Shenault (5-11, 190, Sr.) Demetrius Douglas (6-0, 190, R-Fr.) Jacob Herbers (6-2, 215, R-Jr.) Alex Melvin (6-4, 205, R-Jr.) Casey O’Brien (6-1, 175, R-Fr.)

Thursday, October 4, 2018

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QUESTIONS from the OTHER SIDE

Q&A with Cedar Rapids Gazette’s Jeff Johnson Johnson gives insight into this week’s Minnesota vs.

Iowa matchup.

BY PAUL HODOWANIC phodowanic@mndaily.com

For this weekly column, the Daily interviews someone knowledgeable on the Gophers next opponent. For this week’s game against Iowa, we interviewed Cedar Rapids Gazette’s Jeff Johnson. Johnson is a football beat reporter for the Gazette.

COURTNEY DEUTZ, DAILY FILE PHOTO

Members of the Gophers football team cheer after scoring a touchdown on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

What are the big stor ylines going into the Minnesota game?

First, how Iowa responds from losing a tight game against Wisconsin two weeks ago. Then having a full bye week last week to chew on it, that’s the biggest one to me. The other thing is this is Iowa’s first road game, even though we are in October. Especially for the younger players that haven’t had a lot of playing time prior,

how will they respond by going on the road and being in a hostile environment?

How has the Iowa defense looked this year after losing key players such as Josh Jackson and Josey Jewell?

Certainly well, they go into this week second in the Big Ten in scoring defense. The defensive line in particular has been the main part of that success. I mean, when you look at guys like A.J. Epenesa, who is turning himself into a potentially great player, Parker Hesse up front, Anthony Nelson, Matt Nelson — they’ve got a really good defensive line which has helped with the three inexperienced linebackers. It’s crazy because Iowa is starting, like, their fourth different linebacker combination because of injury. That position has been unsettled but I think because of how good the defensive line has been, the adjustment for the inexperienced linebackers have probably gone smoother than what a lot of people would’ve thought.

Tell me about the Wisconsin game.

How did the Hawkeyes play? What did

they do well and what do they need to improve on?

There was not anything really that separated Iowa from Wisconsin, except they had 3 turnovers. A couple of those were on punt returns, and those were crucial. Wisconsin does what Wisconsin always does, and they made plays at the end of the game, scored the winning touchdown with under a minute left and added another one after an interception. It was a very even game, I think in many ways Iowa may have outplayed Wisconsin. But again, the three turnovers — two on special teams — turned out to be the difference.

What will Iowa need to do against Minnesota to win?

Iowa needs to continue to progress offensively, they have had their fits and starts.

There has been a little bit of upheaval in injuries and suspensions on the offensive line and that doesn’t necessarily help things. Is Iowa u See OTHER SIDE Page 7

Thursday, October 4, 2018

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Other side

COURTNEY DEUTZ, DAILY

Freshman Rashod Bateman attempts to catch the ball on Saturday, Sept. 15 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

u from Page 6

going to be able to run the football? That’s key to me. Defensively, is the defense going to be able to get after a pretty inexperienced quarterback in [Zack] Annexstad? Are they going to be able to cover Minnesota’s two really good receivers? One of their cornerbacks, [Matt] Hankins, is a game time decision going into Saturday. If he doesn’t play you have a true freshman replacing him.

Tell me about the offense this year.

With Akrum Wadley moving on to the NFL, who is the focal point of the offense? Is this team built like usual Iowa teams through the Offensive Line and the running game?

Yeah primarily, and it’s weird because instead of having just one dominant running back like Wadley, it’s been three guys that have rotated: Ivory Kelly-Martin, Toren Young, Mekhi Sargent. They all give Iowa different looks: Sargent is a small quick guy, Toren Young is more of a power runner who is going to run over you and Kelly-Martin is a combination of those two. Iowa’s tight ends, obviously, that’s a huge part of this offense for Iowa with Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson. That’s where the QB Nate Stanley has looked, much more than to his receivers.

How has Nate Stanley progressed since Gophers fans saw him last year?

He had a good junior year. I think there were a lot of expectations for him coming into the season. His first two or three games he was not great, he was missing some throws and had timing issues all around. He just wasn’t making plays. I thought he was good against Wisconsin and he was really good against Northern Iowa the week before. He seems to have gotten his footing back under him. He can make all the throws, there’s no question about that. I think Iowa’s weakness is [their] wide receivers, they don’t have dominant receivers and I think that always plays a part in [what] a quarterback does.

Best player on offense?

Noah Fant Best player on defense?

A.J. Epenesa Most ‘under-the-radar’ player?

T.J. Hockenson Hawkeyes season record prediction?

10-2 Score prediction?

Iowa 24-17

RASHOD BATEMAN: ANOTHER RECEIVING THREAT?

The freshman is coming into his own and taking pressure off of Tyler Johnson.

BY PAUL HODOWANIC phodowanic@mndaily.com

A season ago the Gophers leading receiver was Tyler Johnson, who caught 35 passes for 677 yards and seven touchdowns. The next closest receiver, Philip Carter, had 11 catches all year.

This season, head coach P.J Fleck and the Gophers know if they want to improve on a 2-7 Big Ten record, they must find a No. 2 option opposite Tyler Johnson. The team believes they have found that guy: true freshman Rashod Bateman.

“We brought him here to play,” Fleck said.

“He’s almost our leading receiver by now so he’s becoming the second option very quickly, if not a first option.”

Bateman was a 4-star recruit coming out of high school and was noted as one of Fleck’s best recruits to come to Minnesota since his arrival.

Bateman was recruited by the likes of Texas A&M, South Carolina and National Champion runner-up Georgia. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart even traveled to Bateman to try and flip his commitment from Minnesota to Georgia.

However, Bateman stayed committed to the Gophers and is beginning to show that talent

that was coveted by so many. In the Gophers last game against Maryland, Bateman reeled in seven receptions for 68 yards and his first career touchdown.

Bateman now has 20 receptions on the year for 192 yards and one touchdown. The freshman trails Johnson by only 2 receptions for the most on the team.

The balance between the two will become pivotal in upcoming weeks as the Gophers see the toughest test of the year so far as they take on Iowa and Ohio State on the road.

In 2017 with Johnson as the only true receiving threat, the Gophers offense struggled with the increased talent once they got into Big Ten play. This year, the coaches hope that Bateman, along with fellow freshman wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell, can take some pressure off of Johnson and open the offense up.

“We need him to play at an extremely high level and he is,” said Fleck.

Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca credits Bateman’s rapid growth to his natural talent and the knowledge he brings to the football field.

When asked about Bateman’s ability to learn, Ciarrocca noted that some of the things that had tripped him up earlier in the season were not a problem in the Maryland game.

“Being able to apply his knowledge in his route running... [The] things that can happen to him in between point A and point B. That’s the

key for a wide receiver, you have to get from point A to point B, but there’s a lot of stuff that can happen to you [in] between,” Ciarrocca said.

“He’s still a kid, but its really encouraging to see him learn at a faster pace than a normal really good football player.”

Bateman’s route running ability will be imperative against an Iowa team that has a strong pass rush and gets to the quarterback regularly. Bateman’s ability to get off the line of scrimmage and run clean routes will be crucial to beating the Iowa defense and it will give quarterback Zack Annexstad another outlet to throw the ball.

“The relationship between him and Zack [Annexstad] is becoming very strong,” Fleck said.

That connection was on full display as Bateman saw a career high in targets and receptions against Maryland. The Gophers will need that to continue as they go into this week as seven point underdogs at home against Iowa.

The signs shown by Bateman in their first conference game offer a glimmer of hope on what is to come. If the Gophers are to improve on last year’s record, the development of Bateman as a go-to receiver will be essential and Fleck had zero doubts Bateman could be come that and more.

“Rashod Bateman is a tremendous player, he’s a wonderful person and he’s going to have a bright future,” Fleck said.

Thursday, October 4, 2018

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FILLING DEFENSIVE GAPS Jacob Huff led the Gophers with eight tackles against Maryland.

BY JACK WARRICK jwarrick@mndaily.com

The news of a season-ending injury, again for safety Antoine Winfield Jr. sent shockwaves throughout the Gophers team. One of the players that was most affected is the one who started alongside him: Jacob Huff.

Huff, a senior, has started every game this season after working his way up the depth chart over the last three years with the Gophers. He now faces the challenge of being the No. 1 safety, with freshman Jordan Howden filling in for the injured Winfield.

“Jacob Huff is really important for us back there,” head coach P.J. Fleck said. “He’s the guy in the secondary who’s played a ton of football. Him and Antonio Shenault.”

Howden filled in for Winfield Jr. after he exited the Maryland game, there are now two freshmen starting in the backfield— the other being Terell Smith at cornerback. “[Huff’s] done an unbelievable job,” linebacker Thomas Barber said. “Our second team is younger, but Jacob’s done a great job of building their confidence, because that’s really what we want.”

Huff had a breakout year last year as a junior when he recorded the most interceptions on the team with three. He tallied 65 total tackles a year after recording six as a sophomore.

Huff saw an increased role after Winfield left the game, tallying a team-leading eight tackles.

“He’s got to assume even more of a

leadership role,” defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. “He’s got to get us right. He’s got to make all the right calls, all the correct calls, and get us in a proper position to be successful.”

Winfield had 16 tackles through the first three games and an interception in the end zone to help seal the victory in the game against Fresno State. He was known as an explosive player on special teams, earning Big Ten special teams player of the week honors after a 75-yard punt return where he broke multiple tackles to score a touchdown against New Mexico State.

Winfield suffered a season-ending foot injury against Maryland and will apply for an extra year of eligibility. He suffered a season-ending injury against Maryland last year

as well.

“It’s tough to replace him, he’s a talented kid,” Shenault said. “It’s not easy, but it’s a ‘next man up’ mentality, and we’re really excited, you know, we had two weeks to prepare. We got some guys that can do some special things back there.”

Huff, Shenault and the rest of Minnesota (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) will play the homecoming game on Saturday against Iowa (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten). Both teams are coming off their first losses, and each has had a bye week to prepare for Saturday.

Minnesota has lost its last three match ups with Iowa.

“Yes it is a rivalry, but still you got to take it as its a next game, next opportunity,” Barber said.