MINNESOTA vs. NEVADA
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: KFXN-FM 100.3
Weather: Cloudy, 75 degrees, 8 mph north wind
Betting spread: Minnesota minus-17.5
Records: Gophers improved to 1-1 with a 48-0 win over FCS-level Rhode Island last Saturday. The Wolf Pack fell to 1-2 with a 20-17 loss to Georgia Southern on Saturday. Nevada’s three games have been decided by a combined 10 points.
History: This is the first matchup between the two programs. Minnesota is 14-3 against current teams in the Mountain West Conference, with 11 straight wins since a 17-3 loss to Hawaii in 1997.
Big question: Will the Gophers establish a stronger running game in the season’s final nonconference game? Minnesota got top tailback Darius Taylor back vs. Rhode Island but are 118th in the nation at 2.75 yards per carry through two games. Nevada is 72nd at 3.7 yards allowed per rush.
Key matchup: Nevada, which is picked to finish last in the Mountain West, runs the ball better than they do anything else. QB Brendon Lewis, who played against the U with Colorado, has rushed for over 200 yards this season. Facing an option attack, the Gophers defense must stay disciplined.
Who has the edge?
Gophers offense vs. Nevada defense: The Gophers’ 27 total completions vs. Rhode Island (Max Brosmer’s 24 and Drake Lindsey’s three) combined for a single-game high across head coach P.J. Fleck’s 86 total games. … RB Darius Taylor made his season debut last week and had 112 all-purpose yards (64 rushing and 48 receiving). … Ashton Beers replaced Martes Lewis at right guard midway through Rhode Island game as the U searches for its best five O-linemen, especially on the right side. …. Nevada head coach Jeff Choate helped Texas return to prominence in three years as Longhorns defensive coordinator before taking over in Reno. He has work to do with only four defensive starters returning from a program that went 4-20 over the last two years. … Nevada is the third-worst tackling team in the country, but is considered the 19th-best in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus grades. … SAF Aidan Sieuli appears to be an exploitable target in the passing game; he has allowed 166 yards and two touchdowns so far this season, per PFF. The U might desire matchup with WR Daniel Jackson, who is only 83 receiving yards away from reaching 2,000 in his career. … Wolf Pack DE Kaden Johnson, a St. Paul native and Minnehaha Academy alum, dislocated his elbow against Georgia Southern. The Wisconsin transfer is expected to be out. … Gophers OC Greg Harbaugh said added attention will be paid to two D-ends: Cal transfer Henry Ikahihifo and Texas transfer Kris Ross. But neither has more than 10 total pressures across three games, per PFF. EDGE: Gophers
Gophers defense vs. Nevada offense: After missing a stunning 22 tackles against North Carolina, Minnesota only missed six versus Rhode Island, per defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. Missed tackles against option teams can readily lead to explosive plays. … The U limited the Rams to only 18 yards rushing, the third-lowest total of the Fleck tenure. But Nevada will be a more multi-faceted challenging on the ground. RB Savion Red, a Texas transfer, has averaged 7.5 yards per carry this season, underscoring the Gophers need to stop the run first and foremost. … Minnesota forced four turnovers against Rhode Island, while Red had a gut-wrenching fumble late against Georgia Southern. … Nevada’s receivers are considered a thin position group, but Cortez Braham and Jaden Smith are both over 200 yards so far this season. … SAF Darius Green was not on the injury report last week, but he still didn’t make his season debut. NB Jai’Onte’ McMillan (ankle) was out last week after exiting early vs. North Carolina. … The Gophers will need to be ready for the spectrum of five-receiver and three-running back formations. “We haven’t seen (that variety) yet this year,” Hetherman said. … Both QBs — Lewis and Brosmer — are among 25 throwers without an interception yet this season. They have a combined seven TDs passes. EDGE: Gophers
Special teams: Kitan Crawford, a Texas transfer, could have turned pro as a returner, but has not yet been a threat for the Wolf Pack. … PR Quintin Redding was injured on his first punt return vs. Rhode Island and didn’t return. Daniel Jackson and true freshman Koi Perich replaced him. Perich’s 28-yard return was the U’s longest since 2018. … Dragan Kesich bounced back from missing the game-winning kick against North Carolina to make two of three against Rams, including a 53-yarder. EDGE: Gophers
Prediction: With the rivalry game with Iowa looming next week, Minnesota’s offensive line and running game take a step forward. But how the close the score is Saturday brings some nervousness going into Floyd of Rosedale game. Gophers, 28-20
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