What We Learned About the Minnesota Gophers in Dominant Win Over Maryland

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Max Brosmer, Minnesota Gophers
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Gophers came into Saturday’s matchup vs the Maryland Terrapins at a crossroads. PJ Fleck’s 2024 squad is coming off two-straight wins (one vs No. 11 ranked USC) and a bye week. which brought their Big Ten record to an even 2-2. A win vs the Terps would mean possible votes in the various Top 25 rankings.

Max Brosmer & Co came out of the gates smoldering hot. A 24-point halftime lead was only the beginning. With Gophers greats like Laurence Maroney and Blake Cashman back, the show was an impressive one. The rout ended in a 48-23 drubbing, and Minnesota made a statement with the victory in front of a packed Huntington Bank Stadium crowd.

Max Brosmer balls out for Minnesota Gophers

The first half against Maryland on homecoming took a whopping two hours. That’s largely because the Gophers couldn’t stop finding the end zone. Max Brosmer completed 18-of-23 passes for 208 yards and a trio of touchdowns. He hooked up twice with Daniel Jackson, and there were more absolute dimes than you could count.

Maryland’s offense was supposed to be the calling card of the opposition, but Minnesota having none of that. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. completed only 11-of-26 passes in the first half, and he threw a pair of interceptions. Brosmer has taken some time to acclimate at the Division 1 level, but Saturday’s contests was easily the best of his Gophers career.

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Jackson’s 102 yards on eight first half receptions were a large factor as to how the Gophers built such a commanding lead. Fleck felt the momentum and opted to push for points before the half closed after Maryland’s kickoff went out of bounds with just 28 seconds left.

A dominant drive to open the second half saw Brosmer throw for 57 yards on 3-of-4 passing to punch in his fourth touchdown of the day. Darius Taylor ended the first half with just 11 yards on nine attempts. The Gophers running game was non-existent despite Brosmer picking apart the secondary.

There was no keeping Taylor under wraps the whole game though. His 10th carry of the day went for 15 yards, and his 12th was housed in the form of a 51-yard touchdown. The talented back made his mark on the game in a big way, and the Gophers flirted with 400 total yards just 11 seconds into the fourth quarter. Taylor finished the contest with 81 yards on 15 carries.

Brosmer finished with 320 yards through the air while completing nearly 80% of his passes. Elijah Spencer came up just a single yard short of being Minnesota’s second 100-yard wideout on the day. He added a pair of touchdowns.

Koi Perich is probably underrated for Minnesota

Of course Koi Perich was among the most highly anticipated players to step on campus. The four-star recruit from Esko, Minnesota turned down a late push from Ohio State. It turns out that he should have probably been even more sought after. Now having forced his way into the starting lineup on defense, Perich once again showed off his ballhawking abilities.

The safety reelead in an errant throw from Edwards Jr. and had a path to take it for six. Instead he ripped off a 45 yard return and set Minnesota up for more points. His interception came just minutes after teammate Justin Walley read Edwards Jr. like a book and returned it to the house for a 32-yard pick-six.

Related: PFF Grades Confirm: Gophers’ Koi Perich is a True Freshman Phenom

Perich not only has return duties at this point, but he is a focal point on defense. With four interceptions, he has four games left to track down the single-season record of seven. The defense as a whole was lights out, and the late points were more a reflection of Maryland trying to generate some respect. Cody Lindenberg was back healthy and put up 10 tackles while Walley had seven of his own.

Minnesota Gophers path forward gets intriguing

Maryland was not going to be a cakewalk by any means, but it was a must-win for the Gophers. Now at 5-3, they have already hit the over on their preseason win projection. A team that could realistically be 7-1 is of interest to potential bowl committees as well. Representatives for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl (played December 31st in Orlando) were in attendance on Saturday, and they’ll want to see how Minnesota handles their remaining schedule.

Going to Champaign makes a battle with the Illini less straightforward, but Illinois will be licking their wounds after being boatraced by the Oregon Ducks. Minnesota is certainly capable of picking up a big road win there, and the momentum from Maryland should be used.

Related: What are the Minnesota Gophers College Football Playoff Odds?

Penn State is the best remaining team on the schedule, but forcing them to play at Huntington Bank Stadium just before Thanksgiving brings a benefit to that matchup. There is a real path to eight or nine wins if P.J. Fleck can keep his team locked in.

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