This year at LGHL, the day before Ohio State games we are trying something a little different. “3 & Out” is going to inform you on the upcoming opponent for the Buckeyes. By the name, you probably could tell we are going to handle things in threes.
Along with highlighting three key players from Ohio State’s opponents, we will shed some light on three things the Buckeyes have to be wary of, and close things out by having a little fun by mentioning three notable alumni or facts from the school that’ll
be matching up with Ohio State
First down
Players to watch for Minnesota
1) Koi Perich
Minnesota’s outstanding safety will see plenty of work on Saturday night trying to slow down Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and the rest of the Ohio State receivers. Last season Perich burst onto the scene by nabbing five interceptions, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors.
Along with his role on defense, Perich also makes appearances in other facets of the game. Not only does Perich return kicks and punts for the Golden Gophers, he makes cameos on offense as well. Last season Perich was the only freshman since 1976 to record 100 punt return yards, 100 kick return yards, and pick off five passes.
In a way, Perich is Minnesota’s version of Caleb Downs. After the Ohio State safety leaves for the NFL, expect Perich to take the crown as the best safety in the Big Ten.
2) Drake Lindsey
Despite having just a few starts under his belt, Lindsey has shown the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference down the road. Lindsey has had to take on even more over the last two games because of the injuries to running backs Darius Taylor and A.J. Turner.
Last week Lindsey responded in a big way, throwing for 324 yards and three touchdowns in the comeback victory over Rutgers. Even though the lights will be the brightest he has ever seen on Saturday night at Ohio Stadium, Lindsey has shown he has the moxie to deliver in tough spots.
As long as Lindsey is able to keep his cool under the relentless pressure he’ll face from Ohio State, he has the tools to keep the Golden Gophers within shouting distance of the Buckeyes.
3) Anthony Smith
Minnesota’s defensive end has been a beast this year, recording 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Last week in the victory of Rutgers, Smith had a sack and a half as the Golden Gophers rudely welcomed Athan Kaliakmanis back to Minneapolis.
The redshirt junior has already nearly matched his sack total from last season, when he was credited with six sacks. The Pennsylvania native also led the team with 11.5 tackles for loss despite only starting three games.
The Ohio State offensive line has been tough to crack this season, only allowing two sacks and a handful of stops behind the line of scrimmage this year. While the Buckeyes haven’t shown many holes when it comes to keeping Julian Sayin clean, if there was one defender from the Golden Gophers to put pressure on Sayin, it would be Smith.
Second down
What Ohio State has to be wary of
1) Avoid looking ahead
Following their first road game of the season, along with playing their next two games on the road after Saturday night, Ohio State can’t fall into the trap of looking ahead with Illinois waiting to welcome the Buckeyes to Champaign next week.
With a date with the Fighting Illini looming, as well Ohio State having won 13 straight against Minnesota, Ryan Day can’t take it for granted that they are going to send the Golden Gophers home with a loss. P.J. Fleck’s team might not be quite as talented or deep as the Buckeyes, but they are well-coached and play tough football.
The college football season is longer than it has ever been, which makes it harder for teams to focus for every game. We have seen around the country games where big favorites have let teams hang around. Ohio State needs to hand their business and then they can turn their attention to Illinois.
2) Can’t slow Bo
Over the last three games, Bo Jackson has already seen a lot of love from Buckeye Nation. After rushing for 100 yards against Grambling State and Ohio, Jackson didn’t quite make it to the century mark last week. Despite falling 20 yards short of triple digits, Jackson still was important to the offense.
C.J. Donaldson runs with a lot of power, but what sets Jackson apart from the West Virginia running back is he is also explosive. On any carry, Jackson is capable of taking it to the house. Even on runs where he looks to be bottled up, Jackson finds a way to squeeze out a few extra yards.
With Illinois on deck, it might be easy to limit Bo’s carries this week to keep him fresher for the Fighting Illini. Ryan Day can’t do that, since they need to keep the positive momentum with Jackson rolling. Running back is so tough to manage with how long the season is now.
Featuring Donaldson and James Peoples more this week in trying to plan for the future could set Jackson back.
3) Don’t rest easy because of injuries
The status for running back Darius Taylor is still up in the air, while A.J. Turner has already been ruled out the rest of the season. Facing a team down two running backs could lead to a defense relaxing when it comes to that aspect of the game.
Minnesota seems to have a conveyor belt of quality running backs. Since 2021, the Golden Gophers have had eight different running backs crack 100 yards in a game. During that span, Minnesota has had 34 games where a running back has eclipsed 100 yards.
One back to watch if Taylor isn’t able to play is Cam Davis. After spending six years at Washington, Davis is closing out his college career with the Golden Gophers. During his time at Washington, Davis ran for nearly 1,100 yards and 15 scores. Davis has the experience and talent to make some noise if his role is expanded on Saturday night.
Third down
Minnesota/Ohio State connections
1) Glen Mason
The former Minnesota head coach was not only a letterman at Ohio State, he also was a Buckeye assistant for eight years before becoming head coach at Kent State in 1986. Following two years at Kent State, Mason would move on to Kansas, and then to Minnesota in 1997.
Mason’s most treasured win came in 2000 when he returned to Columbus and led the Golden Gophers to a 29-17 win over the Buckeyes. The victory is currently the last Minnesota has recorded over Ohio State, with the Buckeyes winning the last 13 meetings.
2) P.J. Fleck
Despite not being an alum of either school, both universities have played major roles in the coaching career for Fleck. After his time at Northern Illinois, followed by a cup of coffee in the NFL, Fleck started his coaching career as a graduate assistant on Jim Tressel’s staff in 2006.
Fleck spent a year in Columbus before returning to his alma mater as wide receivers coach. Eventually Fleck would accept the head coaching position at Western Michigan, putting together a team that would go 13-1 in 2016, resulting in the Broncos making a New Year’s Six bowl.
The head coach parlayed his work in Kalamazoo into the Minnesota job, which he would accept following the tremendous 2016 season. Now in his ninth season in Minneapolis, Fleck enters this week with a 61-40 record with the program.
3) Jamison Battle
There hasn’t been many positives recently for the Ohio State men’s basketball program. One player who was exciting to watch was Jamison Battle. The forward played at Minnesota from 2021 to 2023 before transferring to Ohio State for the final season of his college basketball career.
As a Buckeye, Battle averaged 15 points per game during the 2023-24 season. Ohio State would go 22-14 but missed out on the NCAA Tournament, instead making the NIT where they would make the quarterfinals. Last season, Battle appeared in 59 games for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA.
& out
Prediction: 38-10, Ohio State
Go Bucks!
