Minnesota

Minnesota Golden Gophers Bested By Ohio State Buckeyes

Kevin Sweeney

The Minnesota Golden Gophers came into this game 3-1, but were outclassed by a superior Ohio State Buckeyes football team. Minnesota has a good quarterback in redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey. Plus, Minnesota got its starting running back, who had been injured, Darius Taylor, back. On the first drive of the game, Minnesota went right down the field and got a field goal. Lindsey looked unfazed by the large crowd at Ohio State. Do you think Minnesota had a chance against Ohio State?

The Minnesota Golden Gophers Visit Ohio State

Minnesota was clearly not intimidated by Ohio State as they jumped out to a 3-0 lead. When you factor in a missed 53-yard field goal for Ohio State and poor field position on their second drive, it meant Minnesota was winning the game 3-0 after the first quarter. It was a far cry from the 40-point victory many expected. Lindsey was deadly accurate at the beginning of the game.

Carnell Tate Has a Big Game

People, rightly, focus their attention on Ohio State Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith, but the second wide receiver for the Buckeyes, Carnell Tate, is great too. He may be the second-best wide receiver in the country. He also might be a first-round draft selection talent. Tate had almost 200 yards receiving in the first half with a touchdown. He finished with 9 catches for 183 yards.

Freshmen Sensations

Freshman Running Back Bo Jackson started his first game for Ohio State. The Buckeyes started the game in a 4-3 defense, and freshman Linebacker Payton Pierce started the game as well. Many people were upset with Ohio State’s relatively poor recruiting class. People thought that winning a national title would result in a top recruiting class for Ohio State. However, there are several freshman stars for the Buckeyes. Given the outstanding number of freshmen for the Buckeyes, the Buckeyes’ recruiting class was very good.

Who Will Get Picked First?

For the longest time, it has been assumed that Caleb Downs would leave school early after this season and be the first pick in the National Football League Draft. Nothing has changed there. He is still likely to leave school early and get drafted high in the first round. Though he might not be the first Buckeye drafted this spring. Linebacker Arvell Reese has emerged, and several talent evaluators think he might be the first player drafted from Ohio State.

News and Notes

  • The game against Minnesota at home was homecoming for Ohio State.
  • The pregame featured the 13th annual Eleven Warriors Dubgate tailgate. The party, hosted by the Ohio State sports website, had a suggested donation of $20. The profits of the Dubgate benefited the Olentangy Special Olympics.
  • Brutus Buckeye, the Ohio State mascot, turned 60 today.
  • This is Ohio State’s 14th win in a row over Minnesota.
  • Buckeye basketball great Michael Redd was the pregame Victory Bell ringer.
  • 102,780 people attended the game. A sell-out crowd.
  • Minnesota had a dream start to this game, kicking a field goal while Ohio State missed a 53-yarder.

Scoring

In the first quarter, Minnesota kicked a field goal by Brady Denaburg. The Golden Gophers led 3-0. At the end of the first quarter, Donaldson scored and Ohio State took a 7-3 lead. In the second quarter, Smith caught a touchdown pass, and it was 14-3, Ohio State. Then, Tate had a 44-yard touchdown pass, and it was 21-3, Ohio State.

In the third quarter, Jackson scored a touchdown. It was 28-3 Ohio State. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Smith caught another touchdown pass. It was 35-3 Buckeyes. Then, Lincoln Keinholz scored a touchdown. It was 42-3 Buckeyes.

Conclusion

Minnesota was a fairly skilled opponent for Ohio State. Several players on that roster could play for Ohio State. The next two weeks, they are in Illinois and Wisconsin before being off. They host a struggling Penn State team on November 1.

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