MINNESOTA vs. RHODE ISLAND
When: 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium
TV: Peacock
Radio: KFXN-FM, 100.3 FM
Weather: Sunny, 61 degrees, 4 mph south wind
Records: Minnesota (0-1) had a slew of errors — including a missed last-second field goal — result in 19-17 home loss to North Carolina on Aug. 29. Lower-level FCS program Rhode Island (1-0) produced a go-ahead touchdown with 19 seconds left for a 20-17 home win over Holy Cross last Saturday.
History: This is the first matchup between the two programs. The Gophers are 61-4 all-time against FCS schools, including six in a row after a 37-24 loss to North Dakota State in Jerry Kill’s first year in 2011.
Big question: Can the Gophers eliminate the multitude of mistakes that tripped them up in season opener? Minnesota had three defensive penalties erase their own drive-altering plays and result in 10 UNC points; special teams had two missed field goals; and the offensive line had five sacks allowed. If the Gophers don’t clean up those errors, it could be recipe for an upset.
Key matchup: Rhode Island quarterback Devin Farrell vs. Gophers defense. The athletic dual-threat Virginia Tech transfer totaled 341 yards (career-best 287 passing and team-high 54 rushing) in the comeback win in Week 1. Minnesota’s defense had a stunning 22 missed tackles against UNC. Rams run an option offense that will necessitate U defenders to make tackles in space.
Who has the edge?
Gophers offense vs. Rhode Island defense: At New Hampshire last season, QB Max Brosmer went 41 of 60 for 430 yards and two touchdowns against Rhode Island. He and offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh have been working on incorporating some things he did versus Rams a year ago into how they can be successful on Saturday. In his first FBS game, Brosmer settled in after a slow start and competed 62 percent of passes (13 of 21) for 165 yards. He added a rushing touchdown, but lost a fumble on a carry. … WR Daniel Jackson (undisclosed injury) played in the opener after missing extended time in preseason camp. The fifth-year player, who had a team-high four receptions for 55 yards, said he felt good on the field: “I feel great. … Getting out there gave my body more of a spark back.” … RB Darius Taylor (hamstring) was sidelined in the first game. Head coach P.J. Fleck said Taylor is close to returning but it’s unclear if that will be Saturday. Marcus Major filled in with a career-high 20 carries for 73 yards. … While Minnesota’s offensive line gave up five sacks, Rhode Island’s defense didn’t register one in Week 1, so the U needs to bring this number down around zero in Week 2. EDGE: Gophers
Gophers defense vs. Rhode Island offense: New CB Ethan Robinson, who transferred in from FCS-level Bucknell, knows how hungry Rhode Island will be on Saturday. “The opportunity. It’s not really going to be pressure for them, but they are definitely going to want to make a statement.” … Rhode Island had six fumbles and lost three last week, including Farrell putting four on ground and losing one. The Gophers nearly had a two fumble recoveries a week ago, but a penalty and a lucky bounce didn’t result in takeaways. DC Corey Hetherman mentioned this as an area to exploit this week. CB Justin Walley’s interception return vs. the Tar Heels went 70 yards and matched Coleman Bryson’s 70-yarder in the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl. Walley mentioned postgame how he played running back in high school in Mississippi. … The Rams were 8 for 11 on third downs and 3 for 3 on fourth downs last week, while the Gophers allowed North Carolina to go 8 for 17 on conversions. … NB Jai’Onte’ McMillan played eight snaps vs. UNC before exiting with an apparent ankle injury. … One Gophers talking point this week was how the Rams have speed at skill positions. EDGE: Gophers
Special teams: After making 85 percent of his field goals last season, Dragan Kesich missed two of three in the opener, including a 47-yarder as time expired. … Mark Crawford averaged 45 yards on six punts, including two inside the 20. … Minnesota continued to be non-threatening on returns vs. UNC. … Rhode Island kicker Ty Groff made both field goals, each within 27 yards, in opener. The Rams also didn’t muster many return yards against Holy Cross. EDGE: Gophers
Prediction: The Big Ten went 6-0 against FCS schools by an average margin of 39-4 in Week 1. Minnesota gets in on the gravy train against the lower level teams this week. But more importantly, the U cleans up mistakes that hurt all three units in opener. Gophers, 30-10
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