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College Football

Minnesota claims victory over Illinois, but quarterback play is still an issue

Garrett Kroeger

By Garrett Kroeger

Published:

It took the Minnesota Golden Gophers three and half quarters to put away the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday.

The game was tied for majority of it until Minnesota running back Kobe McCrary punched in a four yard touchdown. Then several plays later defender Jonathan Celestin picked off Illinois quarterback Cam Thomas for a 31 yard pick six to put the Golden Gophers up 24-10.  They went onto win 24-17.

The two main reasons why Minnesota won against Illinois was because of its running game and its defense. On the day, the Golden Gophers ran for 292 yards, behind McCrary’s 153 yard performance. Then on defense, they held the Illini to 282 total yards. While Minnesota did claim the victory, it showed that it need to find a consistent quarterback fast if the Golden Gophers want to compete in the B1G.

On the year, Minnesota has utilized two quarterbacks: Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft.

Last week against Michigan State, Rhoda was replaced by Croft due to him going 5-of-12 for 51 yards and not generating any points. When Croft came into the game versus the Spartans, the redshirt sophomore signal caller almost led the Golden Gophers back for a win. However, Minnesota lost 30-27.

Although Croft was crafty in a situational spot last week, he struggled against Illinois.

Croft was a pitiful 5-of-15 for 47 yards, a score and two interceptions. Both picks came on consecutive drives and both were terribly thrown balls. The gunslinger’s first pick was a ball he just threw up downfield on a third and long and the other was one he threw late across his body. Both throws are ones you are taught not to pass when growing up. After Croft’s last interception, Minnesota just relied on McCrary and Rodney Smith to power the offense.

On that one-dimensional drive in the fourth quarter, Smith and McCrary combined for 11 carries for 71 yards. Tucked in between that force-fed power running was a relatively exotic jet sweep to receiver Phillip Howard for four yards.

While the Golden Gophers were able to generate a win with relying on their running game, that type of offensive mentality will not work against other teams in the B1G. Just running the ball against Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern or Wisconsin (who are all left on Minnesota’s schedule) will not generate wins.

In the Golden Gophers’ three losses this season (Maryland, Purdue, and Michigan State), the highest passing total was Rhoda’s 229 yards against the Terrapins. In the Purdue and Michigan State L’s, Minnesota couldn’t get anywhere near 200 yards passing.

It is not like the Golden Gophers don’t have guys to pass too. Minnesota has wide receiver Tyler Johnson, who can make an argument that he is one of the B1G’s bests pass catchers. It is just that neither Rhoda and Croft have proven that they can be consistent.

So far this season, Rhoda has only completed 54.1 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and four interceptions. Now, for Croft, he has only completed 48.9 percent for four scores and three picks.

 

Not great, Bob!

So whoever is Minnesota’s signal caller going forward, they will undoubtedly need more consistent and limit mistakes.

Even though Croft threw back-to-back picks, coach P.J. Fleck kept him in the game. BTN commentators were wondering why Rhoda didn’t make an appearance. Maybe it is a sign that Fleck has full confidence in Croft to lead them to victories.

Fleck and Minnesota didn’t earn any style points in this win. However, it did end a three-game losing streak and it gave Fleck his first B1G win in the State of 10,000 Lakes. But one thing is abundantly clear, the Golden Gophers need to find a consistent quarterback and fast. If they don’t, Minnesota might miss a bowl game.

Garrett Kroeger