Gopher Running Back Darius Taylor - David Banks USA TODAY Sports
In their game last Saturday, the Minnesota Gophers Football team appeared to be on their way to a comfortable win against the Northwestern Wildcats (Cats). They led 21-10 at halftime and late in the third quarter, they had expanded that lead to 31-10. That’s when the bottom dropped out on the Maroon and Gold in an ending no one expected.
When the smoke cleared, the Wildcats walked off with an astonishing 37-34 victory that had to be seen to be believed. For as dominant as the Gophers looked during the first three quarters of the game, they could find no answers for the Wildcats offense, defense, and special teams in the chaotic fourth quarter.
Game Started Well for the Gophers
In the beginning, it started so promising for the Gophers. The first possessions for each team yielded nothing. However, on the Wildcats second possession, Minnesota created an opportunity.
On third and 20 from the Northwestern 21-yard line, Cats quarterback Ben Bryant found wide receiver A.J. Henning over the middle for a six-yard gain. He was immediately hit by Gophers defensive lineman Kyler Baugh. This forced a fumble which Baugh scooped up and returned to the Wildcats nine-yard line.
On the next play, Gophers’ quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis hit receiver Lemeke Brockington in the end zone for a touchdown. After a rough game against North Carolina the previous week, Kaliakmanis looked much more poised and confident in the pocket. The first quarter would end with the Gophers leading by seven.
Grooms Makes a Sportscenter Grab
On Minnesota’s first possession of the second quarter, they commenced on a long drive that would widen their lead. The highlight of the drive was a spectacular one-handed catch by receiver Corey Grooms. And with the Minnesota offensive line creating gaping holes in the running attack, Darius Taylor scored on a hard earned one-yard run that put the Gophers up by two touchdowns.
After a change of possession, the Gophers embarked on a six play, 70-yard drive that would culminate in a Kaliakmanis to Daniel Jackson 18-yard touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone. The play was very reminiscent of the game winner against Nebraska two weeks prior. Taylor would contribute 45 yards on the ground in this drive including a slippery 28-yard run that would set up the touchdown.
The Wildcats would strike next when Bryant hit receiver Bryce Kirtz on an 80-yard bomb against a stunned Gophers secondary. The Gophers would come charging back fueled by a 41-yard run by Taylor. This would set up a Dragan Kesich 50-yard field goal and Minnesota would go into the locker room with a commanding 24-7 halftime lead.
The Cats Claw Back
Northwestern struck first in the second half. With some short completions and some determined runs by running back Cam Porter, the Cats would advance the ball all of the way to the Gophers 19-yard line. The drive would stall, and Northwestern brought on their kicker to attempt a 37-yard field goal. Jack Olsen converted the kick and the Gophers led by 14.
Two Minnesota possessions later, the Gophers would take advantage of a short Wildcats punt. Starting at their own 48-yard line, the Gopher were faced with a fourth and one from the Cats 43-yard line. Electing to go for it, Minnesota ran Taylor off tackle where it appeared that Northwestern had stopped him short of the first down. But he bounced off the hit and sprinted down the left sideline for a touchdown and a 21-point Gophers’ lead.
Gophers Look to Stem the Tide
The Gophers looked in control of the game, but Northwestern had other ideas. The Wildcats put together an 11 play 75-yard drive that ended with a one-yard Porter touchdown plunge with 12:01 left in the game.
On the next series, Minnesota failed on its third down attempt and punted the ball away to the Wildcats. That’s when the Ben Bryant to Bryce Kirtz show went to center stage. Bryant completed two passes to Kirtz, one of 41 yards, that brought the ball down to the Gophers 17-yard line. Then Bryant threaded a perfect pass to Kirtz down the middle for a Northwestern score. Minnesota’s lead had shrunk to seven.
The teams would then exchange possessions and the Gophers would get the ball back on their own 32-yard line with 4:49 left in the game. Kaliakmanis led his team down the field in what he hoped would be the final score of the game. But despite a 19-yard scramble by the Gophers quarterback, Minnesota was faced with fourth and three from the Cats 37-yard line.
Gophers Punt the Ball
With the wind blowing in their face, Gophers’ coach P.J. Fleck decided not to try a field goal. He elected to send his punter Mark Crawford in an attempt to pin Northwestern down deep in their own territory. And Crawford nailed a clutch punt. Gophers punt returner Quentin Redding was in perfect position to down the ball at the Northwestern 1-yard line. Instead, he lost his place on the field and downed the ball in the end zone. Touchback.
Getting the ball back at their own 20-yard line with 2:07 left in the game, Bryant led his team down the field in an effort to knot the game. Completing 9-13 passes on the drive, Bryant drove them the eighty yards and sealed it with a 11-yard touchdown pass to Henning to tie the game.
When the overtime period started, the Gophers hoped to regain the lead and come away with a dramatic road win. With ball at the two-yard line on third down, Kaliakmanis attempted to hit tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford for the go-ahead touchdown. The Gophers quarterback was hurried on the play and threw an incomplete pass bringing up fourth down. Opting for the sure points, Kesich was sent in to convert a 20-yard field goal. The kick was good, and Minnesota led by three.
The End and the Road Ahead
Then in a flash, it was over. On first down, Bryant rolled right, threw back to his left and found a wide open Charlie Mangieri for the winning score. Ouch!!!
Th Gophers now set their sights on their homecoming game this weekend against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. The Gophers will try to get back in the winner’s circle in front of the home fans. A big part of that effort will be the play of Darius Taylor who for the third consecutive week was the Big Ten Freshman Player of the Week. Of note, Kirtz for Northwestern was named Big Ten Player of the Week.
Let’s hope that a little home cookin’ will lead to a Minnesota victory.
