The Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-1) will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they close out their non-conference schedule against the Akron Zips (1-1) at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sep. 19.
Can they score on offense?
Last week, as part of the Zips’ home opener, 46-year-old Akron alumnus and season ticket holder Marty Whims II was named “Offensive Coordinator of the Game.” Selected as the winner of the raffle, Whims attended coaches meetings during the week and helped head coach Joe Moorhead develop the game script for the opening drive.
The result: Four plays, 21 yards of offense, and a fumble.
Whims’ opening drive may have been thwarted by a turnover, but the Zips went on to score 45 points in their first win of the season, a week after being held to 16 points in a loss to Wake Forest that saw two touchdowns in garbage time after the Demon Deacons had a comfortable 38-3 fourth quarter lead.
The Gophers will have to prepare for another dual-threat quarterback, as redshirt freshman signal caller Cibastian Broughton leads the team in both passing yards and rushing yards. The Zips like to get the ball out of Broughton’s hand quickly with high-percentage throws, hence his 83% completion percentage through the first two games. He is 44-of-53 for 338 passing yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Broughton has also carried the ball 27 times for 153 rushing yards but has yet to find the end zone on the ground.
Much like Mississippi State, Akron runs a no-huddle offense, so the key for Danny Collins’ defense will be getting the Zips off schedule on first and second downs and avoid allowing any chunk plays.
Broughton will spread the ball around between his wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs. A dozen players have already recorded at least two receptions through the first two weeks of the season. Top running backs Sean Patrick and Jordan Gant are both threats out of the backfield, and 6’4” tight end Elijah Alexander is a popular target in the red zone with a team-leading three touchdown catches.
The Zips aren’t as bad as Eastern Illinois and not nearly as talented as Mississippi State, but Minnesota will certainly need to be more disciplined on defense than they were last week against the Bulldogs.
Please tell me the Gophers will be able to score
The Zips were not great defensively a season ago, ranking 77th nationally in run defense (155.3 rushing yards allowed per game), 87th in pass defense (229.2 passing yards allowed per game), and 86th in scoring defense (27.4 points allowed per game). It was more of the same in the season opener, as Wake Forest tore through their defense to the tune of 356 passing yards, 203 rushing yards, and 38 points. The Demon Deacons averaged 10.2 yards per pass and 6.2 yards per carry, and scored twice on touchdown passes of 70+ yards.
Drake Lindsey, you better be licking your chops.
This defense did not return much starting experience, with nose tackle Ronald Hull (12 games), safeties Rodrick Hunter and Mekhi Flowers (four starts each), nickel back Aamii Branch (three starts), and cornerback Catrell White (one start) the only returners who started games for the Zips last season.
All eight of their top tacklers from last season are gone, so fifth year defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar essentially had to rebuild this defense from the ground up during the offseason.
Through the first two games, fifth-year linebacker Donelius Johnson has been the Zips’ leading tackler with 15 total tackles, and fifth-year defensive end Omari Abor is tied for a team-high two tackles for loss, has the defense’s only sack, and leads the Zips with three quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.
I’m expecting great success, Greg Harbaugh Jr.
But who will score more points on Saturday?
Take care of business and turn your attention to Washington. Minnesota 34, Akron 17.
