Although Goldy’s costumes were wonderful (as always), the Gophers did not need one to scare Rutgers away from the endzone. Their 31-0 win on Saturday was the first shut out of a Big Ten opponent since 2004.
The defense restored their feared presence from earlier in the season and were a solution to snapping the team’s three-game losing streak. Safety Tyler Nubin was the defense’s biggest contributor of the day with two interceptions and three tackles.
“All the wins we’re going to get this season are hard,” Nubin said. “So whether it’s after three straight losses or three straight wins, we’re all going to celebrate the same way.”
Rutgers started the game with the ball on offense. They possessed enough momentum early to enter Minnesota territory. Once they arrived, Minnesota prevented them from advancing any further. Rutgers then punted from Minnesota’s 36-yard line and downed the ball at the one.
Quarterback Tanner Morgan returned to play after sustaining a head injury in week 7 versus Illinois. He, along with running back Mohammed Ibrahim, put on a methodical, masterclass performance on their first drive that dragged into the second quarter. On the drive’s 19th play, Ibrahim carried the ball into the endzone for the Gophers’ first touchdown of the day.
That touchdown was his 44th as a Gopher, good for the most in program history.
“I know how much it takes to get that type of record,” Ibrahim said. “And with my O-line, coach ‘Roc (offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca), and coach [Kenni] Burns believing in me…I feel honored to have the record.”
While Rutgers defense searched for tricks to stop the run, Minnesota’s go-to back treated himself to his go-to snack. He would end up putting in a considerable amount of work on offense, racking up 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 36 attempts.
When asked about the heavy workload, considering his injuries previously were a limiting-factor to his volume, Ibrahim said he no longer has a pitch count.
“I’m ready to go,” Ibrahim said. “I can get as many carries as I want.”
Minnesota’s defense came back and forced Rutgers into their first three-and-out of the game. The following punt went 77 yards and was downed at Minnesota’s 14 yard line.
Yet again, the long-distance proved to not be an issue for Morgan and Ibrahim. They marched their way down field for yet another Ibrahim touchdown, this time from one yard out.
Rutgers were now down 14 and could not overcome Minnesota’s stingy defense. Their offense started presenting an urgency to make a comeback, only for it to produce more confusion.
A Rutgers guard miss-timed a pull and collided with his teammate Gavin Wimsatt. Wimsatt fumbled the ball while Gophers defensive lineman Jah Joyner swooped in to scoop it up.
With the lead, Minnesota’s offense took a more conservative approach. The tactic halted offensive production and put them in four straight punting situations. These four drives spanned from the end of the second quarter until early in the fourth.
During this time, the defense prohibited Rutgers from crossing the middle of the field for four straight possessions. Two of those drives resulted in a Rutgers’ three-and-out.
The blowout had not ensued until Nubin caught his first interception with about 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter. His turnover placed the Gophers 33 yards away from the promised land.
Shortly after, Ibrahim bounced a run to the outside, followed the block made by receiver Daniel Jackson and scored from 28 yards out. It would be his final carry of the game.
Minnesota compensated for their lack of production throughout the final minutes of the game. The offense went on to score a field goal and touchdown in their last two drives while the defense forced two more turnovers.
The final score of 31-0 is not unexpected in a matchup between two defensive powerhouses. But the most staggering number to come from Saturday’s game was Minnesota’s total time of possession.
Their long stints on offense early on helped them dominate the clock; they possessed the ball for more than two thirds of the game. That time allowed them to dictate most of the game and earn their fifth win of the season.
The Gophers have four more games remaining and need to win them all to remain statistically-possible contenders for first place in the Big Ten West. Their next match will be their second-to-last away game against Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 5.