The Minnesota Golden Gophers have seen a significant increase in their running game production over the last two weeks. Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan didn’t hesitate when explaining to reporters why on Tuesday.

“It starts with the guys out front,” Morgan said. “They were blocking at an elite level.”

The sophomore signal caller also said the pocket has been cleaner the last couple weeks as well.

This past Saturday against Nebraska, Minnesota rushed for 322 yards, reaching that total for the second straight week. The Golden Gophers carved up the Illinois defense for 332 rushing yards the previous week.

Overall, Minnesota has 654 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns in its last two games. The offense is averaging almost 6.5 yards per carry and outscoring opponents 74-24 during that stretch.

Minnesota had plenty of rushing attempts in its first four games, but the Golden Gophers averaged just 2.6 rushing yards per attempt in September. Minnesota’s new extremely efficient running game could have the team undefeated when Penn State comes to the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” on Nov. 9.

Prior to that matchup, Minnesota will visit Rutgers this Saturday and then host Maryland before another bye week.