Minnesota LB vows to 'finish the season the right way' after blowout loss to Illinois
Minnesota isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. After its second blowout loss in three weeks, the Gophers are using Saturday’s 55-31 defeat at the hands of Illinois as motivation.
A week after defeating Indiana to claim their first B1G win of the season, the Gophers were embarrassed by Illinois, surrendering over 600 yards in the 24-point loss. Two weeks ago, Minnesota’s defense was eviscerated by Nebraska’s offense in a 53-28 loss.
B1G play has been a struggle for the Gophers, who are just 1-5 in the league. But after Saturday’s loss, linebacker Carter Coughlin is pledging that Minnesota will learn from its mistakes and will finish the season strong.
“Row The Boat,” Coughlin said in a Twitter post. “Better believe we will respond from that game and fix our issues. We are going to finish this season the right way.”
Row The Boat. Better believe we will respond from that game and fix our issues. We are going to finish this season the right way.
— Carter Coughlin (@Cmoe34) November 4, 2018
Despite Minnesota’s struggles since starting conference play, Coughlin has been a diamond in the rough. He leads the B1G in tackles for loss (14) and sacks (9). He ranks seventh on his team in tackles with 32.
The Gophers started the season strong, going 3-0 in non-conference play. They posted wins over New Mexico State, Fresno State and Miami (OH). But it’s been a different story since entering the conference season.
In B1G play, Minnesota is allowing 43.2 points per game against B1G opponents. In the five losses to league opponents, the Gophers have lost all by at least two touchdowns.
It’s been tough sledding for the Gophers over the last seven weeks. And with Purdue, Northwestern and Wisconsin remaining on the schedule, life won’t get much easier. With a 4-5 record, P.J. Fleck and Co. would have to win two of the next three games.
But Coughlin vows that the Gophers will be a different team over the final three weeks. They’ll need to be during one of the roughest stretches of the season.