The high-powered offense of Oregon overwhelmed Minnesota, racking up 510 yards and cruising to a 42-13 win. Dante Moore was nearly perfect for the Ducks, completing 27 of 30 passes for 306 yards and two
touchdowns.
Despite being the expected result, this was another frustrating performance for Minnesota as they appeared to be unprepared for the road environment on both sides of the ball. Oregon cruised to a 14-point lead on their first two possessions and never looked back.
They scored quickly on their first possession, going 75 yards in nine plays with back-to-back chunk plays of 38 and 23 yards, setting up first and goal at the one before Jordon Davison eventually plunged into the endzone.
Minnesota answered with a false start penalty on their first offensive play of the game and a very quick three-and-out to give the ball back to the Ducks. And the explosive Duck offense needed just four plays to go 66 yards for another touchdown. This one was Davison again, from 39 yards.
Minneota’s answer this time was at least four plays before punting, but on 4th and 20, they punted again. As the first quarter ended with a score of 14-0, the Ducks had outgained the Gophers 184 to 23 and at one point in the second quarter, they had three individual players with more yards than the Gopher offense.
The defense was also overmatched and underprepared. On the one hand, the Ducks are an offense with more speed and elite talent than the Gopher defense has. That is not breaking news. But they also continued their habits of missed tackles and giving up big plays by being out of position.
The Gopher defense did provide a small spark when the Ducks tried to get cute on offense but ended up pitching the ball behind the intended runner and Karter Menz fell on the fumble. This gave the ball to the Gopher offense at the Oregon 42. A chance to close the gap to a one-score game, despite being totally dominated by Oregon up to that point.
On 2nd and 10, Drake Lindsey hit Fame Ojeboi for a 9-yard gain, Darius Taylor converted the first down with a 5-yard run and it looked like the Gopher offense had a little momentum. And two plays later, Lindsey hit Jameson Geers on a seam route to the 1-yard line that was reviewed and ruled incomplete. A missed opportunity for a touchdown that ended up being a 46-yard field goal by Brady Denaburg and the score was 14-3.
The Oregon offense quickly answered again with consecutive plays of 15 yards, 7 yards, 13 yards and then 40-yard touchdown run by Noah Wittington. The Wittington touchdown had at least six Gophers surrounding him but nobody wrapped him up and he broke free for the touchdown.
A fantastic effort from Wittington, but unacceptable for the Gopher defense.
Following that touchdown, Minnesota did put together their best drive of the game, going 13 plays over 7 minutes and getting to the Oregon eight-yard line, before stalling and settling for another field goal. But again, Oregon went 75 yards in eight plays to score right before the half and took a 28-6 lead into the locker room.
Minnesota scored their lone touchdown of the game to open the second half. The drive was highlighted by a Darius Taylor 23-yard run and was capped by a Javon Tracy 10-yard touchdown reception.
But at this point, you can guess what happened after the ensuing kickoff. Oregon went 75 yards in 10 plays, four of them going for 13 yards or more, and scored another easy touchdown. They scored one more in the 4th quarter and it was time for the second string to play.
A frustrating game for Minnesota, not because of the result, but there are a number of correctable mistakes that plague this team on both side of the ball. These missed tackles, confusing play-calling, dropped passes and mental-mistake-penalties become apparent on the road. There were opportunities in this game to keep it reasonably close. Opportunities to show the national TV audience that despite not being at the same level as Oregon, we aren’t that far away.
Up next, the Gophers have a semi-road game as they will play Northwestern at Wrigley Field next Saturday. A critical game for the Gophers’ bowl picture, as the Wildcats have been improving and Minnesota’s struggles away from home have been covered.
