It is high time we take Minnesota seriously. The Minnesota team entered Saturday’s game ranked No. 17 in the College Football Playoff Ranking, notwithstanding holding off to their 8-0 start since 1941.
Penn State VS Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers won against Penn State in a 31-26 final score.
What had happened
P State had the chance to win from the M Gophers, whose offense dominated most of the match, but Jordan Howden intercepted Sean Clifford pass in the end zone to seal the victory. Sean Clifford had a stressful day, and it was the last of the three-interception for him.
And I quote, “I think I could have played much better,” said Clifford, who went 23-for-43 for 340 yards. “This week, it hurts us.”
The penalty also cost P State 23 yards and led to the 3rd-and-24 play of desperation. Howden made the interception behind Hamler, who still blames himself.
“I thought that I beat him, and I just did not make the play on the ball,” Hamler said.
Listen, we were one of many who were skeptical about Minnesota’s 8-0 start. It’s not that we did not think that the Gophers were right – there is no such point as an Average 8-0 team.
Game Play – Penn State VS Minnesota
There was 4:39 left in the first quarter, on 3rd-and-3, Tanner Morgan tossed a quick screen to 6-foot-1 Outman Bell – who then cut the middle of the field, bounced left, tackled and avoided 3 other tacklers. That play gave Minnesota the 14-7 advantage, one they would not relinquish.
Bell made the entire Penn State defense look awkward. It was an uncharacteristic play for the Lions – and an impressive one for Bell.
Play Call – Controversial
Penn State should have called a timeout, at the end of the first half. We kind of feel that James Franklin was guilty of some clock mismanagement. An incompletion and a 4-yard run then st up fourth-and-3, and Penn State settled for the field goal. The Nittany Lions went into half-time with 24-13.
In these situations, most coaches would call timeout first and simply throw it in the end zone. A touchdown would have given Penn State more momentum heading into the half; instead, they came away 3 points instead of 7.
What’s Next
Penn State will now take on the Indiana Hoosiers (7-2) at 12-PM next Saturday at Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley.
According to Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings, Indiana boasts the nation’s No. 16 offense, No. 36 defense, and No. 8 special teams. The favor is with Penn State but we do not deny that Hoosiers are no push-overs.
Indiana lost twice this season and came in 51-10 defeat to Ohio and a 40-31 shootout to Michigan State.
