The Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1) failed their first real test of the season in a 27-14 loss to the California Golden Bears (3-0), making clear there is plenty that needs to be corrected in the bye week to come.
The Elite
Le’Meke Brockington. The fifth-year senior hauled in a career-high eight receptions for 106 receiving yards, becoming quarterback Drake Lindsey’s go-to target in the passing game.
The Meh
Drake Lindsey. Of all the issues that were on display Saturday night in Berkeley, the Gophers’ redshirt freshman
quarterback was the least of my concerns. Of course, he made some freshman mistakes, but for the most part I thought he acquitted himself well in his first career road start. Lindsey finished 19-of-32 for 205 passing yards with one passing touchdown and one interception.
Fame Ijeboi. Of the running backs who were called upon to carry the load in the absence of Darius Taylor, Ijeboi stood out the most, leading the team with 85 rushing yards on 16 carries.
The Ugly
Koi Perich. I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say he cost his team the game, but Perich certainly made a compelling case for himself. His first mistake came in the first quarter when he called for a fair catch on a punt return at his own 3-yard line, pinning his offense deep inside their own territory. The offense proceeded to go three-and-out, setting up the Golden Bears’ first scoring drive, during which Perich was late to the ball on a 22-yard reception by Trond Grizzell that gave Cal 1st & Goal at the 3-yard line. All night, Perich seemed to be a step late on too many plays. On offense in the second quarter, Minnesota was marching down the field when offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. dialed up a double pass to Perich, but the play was blown up by linebacker Aaron Hampton. Instead of throwing the ball away, Perich took a sack, lost nine yards, and the drive never recovered.
Finally, Perich saved his worst mistake for last. Trailing 17-14 with 8 minutes left in the game, the Gopher defense forced a punt, which Perich then muffed and lost to Cal at the Minnesota 8-yard line. The Golden Bears scored three plays, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Golden Gophers.
Danny Collins. I thought he got flat-out outcoached by Cal offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin. The secondary looked lost at times against the Golden Bears’ receiving corps, as quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele picked them apart for a season-high 278 passing yards and three touchdowns. It became clear that Sagapolutele was struggling when pressured and Collins responded by dialing up more blitzes, but he took his foot off the pedal, especially in the second half. The worst play came on Cal’s final touchdown pass, when no one on the defense bothered to cover wide receiver Jordan King, leaving him alone in the end zone without a defender in sight.
Conservative offensive play-calling. Minnesota was without star running back Darius Taylor and lost second-string running back A.J. Turner to injury in the second quarter, yet Harbaugh and head coach P.J. Fleck lived and died by the ground game. The most egregious play-call came on 3rd & 7 at the Cal 30-yard line in the fourth quarter. Cam Davis was dropped in the backfield for a loss of three yards, setting up a 51-yard field goal attempt by Brady Denaburg — who was 3-of-9 in his career on attempts of 40 yards or more.
He is now 3-of-10.
Penalties. Eight penalties on the night for Minnesota. Unacceptable.
