DETROIT – To say the Gophers' defense was shorthanded in the Quick Lane Bowl against Bowling Green is an understatement. Minnesota was missing four starters and without a defensive coordinator Joe Rossiwho left the program to take the same position at Michigan State.
On Tuesday at Ford Field, the Gophers managed to piece together just enough on defense to pull out a 30-24 victory. According to the coach, the main cobbler PJ FleckWas Danny Collinsthe safeties coach who held the role of interim defensive coordinator.
“Danny stepped in and did a great job,” Fleck said. “…I knew he could do it.” On the other hand, he was definitely a different person [of the headphones]but he was really balanced.''
Collins had no starting safeties Tyler Nubinwho opted out to prepare for the NFL and the injured Darius Green. Injured linebackers were also out Outsider Baranovsky And Devon Williams.
Redshirt freshman Coleman Bryson and real newbie Kerry Brown filled in at safety while redshirt freshman Tyler Stolsky will fill in at the open linebacker spot opposite the junior Cody Lindenberg. Stolsky and Lindenberg tied for the lead with six tackles, with Stolsky adding a sack. Bryson and Brown each had five tackles.
The Gophers allowed 303 yards and 30 points, but the defense was strong in key moments, such as when Bowling Green intercepted a ball Cole Kramer Passed and had the ball at the Gophers' 15th line, but only came away with a 33-yard field goal Alan Anaya for a 10-9 lead late in the first half.
“You look at a lot of positions and, as you know, we play our twos and threes and that’s not disrespectful,” Fleck said. “Next year they’ll be our ones and twos.” … They had to grow up quickly and I thought Danny’s preparation with his staff was outstanding.”
Darius Taylor returns
The Gophers received good news about who wasn't listed on the availability report. True freshman running back Darius Taylor, the team's leading rusher, returned after missing the last five games with a leg injury. Taylor, a former standout at Walled Lake (Mich.) Western High School, ran 103 times for 591 yards and four touchdowns this season.
On Tuesday, he set a career-high 35 carries for 208 yards with a touchdown, setting the tone for a Gophers ground game that saw him rush for 255 yards on 44 attempts. He was named the game's most valuable player.
Preparing for the professionals
The absences of tight end Nubin Brevyn Spann Ford and wide receivers Chris Autman Bell This was the second straight year the Gophers had to sit out at least one prominent player, eliminating the risk of injury while they focused on the NFL Draft. All-America Center John Michael Schmitz Did not play in the Pinstripe Bowl last year and was selected in the second round by the New York Giants.
Both Nubin and Spann-Ford were invited to play in the Senior Bowl on February 3 in Mobile, Alabama. This is the fifth consecutive year the Gophers have invited at least one player to the Senior Bowl.
Etc.
• Bowling Green's leading rusher, Terion StewartHe missed the game due to a leg injury. The Falcons' second-leading rusher, Ta'ron Keithentered the transfer portal after the regular season.
• The Gophers improved to 12-12 all-time in bowl games and are on a seven-bowl game winning streak. Fleck is 5-0 in bowls as Gophers coach, the most bowl wins in Minnesota history. His five appearances are just behind him Glen Mason's Seven.