Iowa Football Opponent Preview: Minnesota Golden Gophers
For nearly a year, Hawkeye fans have been waiting for this one. A chance to get the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy back in Iowa City where it has spent the bulk of the past two decades.
Minnesota leads the all-time series 63-52-2, but Iowa has won 10 of the last 12 meetings. Last season, the matchup came down to the wire, with Cooper DeJean returning a punt for seemingly the game-winning touchdown. We all know the officiating decision that followed and that’s why Floyd currently resides in Minneapolis.
The Gophers come into the week with a 2-1 record, including a heartbreaking 19-17 loss to North Carolina in the opener. They have responded with two emphatic wins, outscoring Rhode Island and Nevada by a combined 75-0 score.
GOLDEN GOPHERS OFFENSE
2024 Numbers: 30.7 PPG (66th), 130.0 RUSH (96th), 220.7 PASS (76th), 350.7 TOTAL (97th)
The Gophers offense is led by New Hampshire transfer quarterback Max Brosmer. Over five years at UNH, Brosmer accumulated over 8,000 passing yards and threw for 68 touchdowns. He’s been very efficient, so far, completing 53 of 77 (68.8%) for 627 yards and three touchdowns. Brosmer will test the Hawkeye defense more than the numbers (10/25, 126 yds) that Athan Kaliakmanis put up last season.
In the backfield, Minnesota has split carries with sophomore Darius Taylor and Oklahoma transfer Marcus Major. Taylor rushed for nearly 800 yards a year ago and missed the opener against UNC, but put up 124 vs Nevada and is averaging 7.5 yards per carry (3 TD’s). The former Sooner, Major, has totaled 138 yards on 35 carries (3.7 ypc) and has two touchdowns. Michigan State transfer Jaren Mangham has been RB3 (7 car, 43 yds).
At wide receiver, Daniel Jackson is one of the top pass catchers in the Big Ten. He was fourth in the conference in catches and yards last season, while he has totaled 12 receptions and 156 yards through three games. Former Charlotte transfer Elijah Spencer has emerged as WR2 in his second year with the program, totaling ten catches for 134 yards. Jermari Harris against Daniel Jackson will pit one of the best corners in the Big Ten up against one of the best wide receivers.
Junior Le’Meke Brockington is WR3, with four receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. The Gophers have used their backs a lot in the passing game, with Darius Taylor (9), Marcus Major (5) and Jordan Nubin (3) combining for 30% of the teams’ receptions and 24.9% of the receiving yards.
Offensive line play has been a strength of the Minnesota offense over the past few years. Per PFF, the Gophers rank 35th in pass blocking (74.8) and 53rd in run blocking (72.8). Starting RT Quinn Carroll is the top-rated lineman on the team, ranking as the 11th-best tackle in the Big Ten (76.3). Meanwhile, LT Aireontae Ersery was a First Team All-Big Ten selection last season.
GOLDEN GOPHERS DEFENSE
2024 Numbers: 6.3 PPG (5th), 74.3 RUSH (20th), 112.0 PASS (8th), 186.3 TOTAL (5th)
Defensively, Minnesota has gotten off to a fantastic start logging back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1982. Some of that has to do with the opponents they’ve faced (Rhode Island, Nevada), but the Gophers defense is looking good under first-year DC Corey Hetherman.
Starting on the defensive line, Minnesota is led by Danny Striggow and Jah Joyner. They combined for 13.5 sacks last season, while they have totaled 21 tackles, 3.5 tfls and six QB hurries through three games. Joyner has been particularly solid against the run, grading (84.0) as the third-best defensive lineman in the Big Ten. Jalen Logan-Redding (111 snaps, 6 tkls) and Deven Eastern (93 snaps, 5 tkls, 1.5 tfl) are other names to know on the Gophers front.
The top two tacklers on the Gophers defense come at linebacker, with Maverick Baranowski (17 tkls) and Cody Lindenberg (16 tkls) combining for 33 tackles. Baranowski (77.5) is graded as the third-best linebacker in the Big Ten. Devon Williams is LB3, totaling 57 snaps and eight tackles.
In the secondary, Minnesota has several players that have been productive early in the year. Nickelback Jack Henderson has eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception. He’s rated as the 11th-best defensive back (80.7), while his 84.6 coverage grade is fourth amongst Big Ten safeties. Henderson led the team with 59 tackles last season.
The ‘surprise’ standouts have been Bucknell transfer Ethan Robinson and redshirt freshman Kerry Brown. The two have combined for 25 tackles, while Brown has picked off two passes. Robinson is graded as the sixth-best defensive back against the run (80.7) in the conference.
GOLDEN GOPHERS SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Dragan Kesich: 5/9 FG, LNG 53, 11/11 PAT
Punter Mark Crawford: 9 punts, 44.7 AVG, 2 In20, LNG 58
Punter Returner Koi Perich: 3 returns, 16.7 AVG, LNG 28
Kick Returner Le’Meke Brockington: 2 returns, 20.5 AVG, LNG 27
FINAL THOUGHT
This is a critical game that could determine the course of the rest of the season for the Hawkeyes. A win would settle some of the nerves within the fanbase after the loss to Iowa State, while a loss would make Iowa 0-2 in rivalry games. A 2-2 record going into Columbus would also be less than ideal. On paper, the Hawkeyes are the better team, but I think Minnesota is a tougher team than they get credit for. I expect this to be a four-quarter battle.
