UW’S NEXT OPPONENT: MINNESOTA

OFFENSE

The Gophers returned the majority of their play-makers from the team that went 11-2 last season, including quarterback Tanner Morgan, wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Chris Autman-Bell and tailback Mohamed Ibrahim. However, P.J. Fleck had to make a change at offensive coordinator after Kirk Ciarrocca left for Penn State, and the transition to Mike Sanford Jr. has been uneven. Ibriahim has been fabulous this season. He finished the regular season No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing yards (154.2 per game) and rushing touchdowns (15) but has been battling an apparent shoulder injury.

Morgan completed 66.0% of his passes for 250.2 yards per game last season, with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He averaged one interception every 45.4 attempts.

Morgan has completed 58.9% of his passes for 202.3 yards per game this season, with five touchdowns and four interceptions. He is averaging one interception every 39.5 attempts. Bateman opted out before the season started, changed his mind and returned but then opted back out to prepare for the 2021 NFL

He still leads the team in receiving with 36 catches, far ahead of Autman-Bell with 19.

Playing without Bateman for the first time this season Saturday at Nebraska, Morgan completed passes to seven receivers. Autman-Bell led the way with five catches or 82 yards.

“A bunch of guys were able to make plays,” Morgan said. “We have a lot of trust in everybody out there on the field.”

DEFENSE

Joe Rossi returned as defensive coordinator but the personnel losses were significant as the Gophers had to replace contributors on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary. Four starters were taken in the 2020 NFL draft.

The results through this season have been underwhelming. Minnesota finished ninth in the Big Ten in points allowed (31.8 per game), 12th in rushing (212.5 ypg) and sixth in passing (219.0 ypg).

Opposing quarterbacks have completed 64.1% of their passes, with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. Injuries and COVID-19 issues have wreaked havoc with the unit at times this season but there is some individual talent.

Linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin leads the team in tackles (47); safety Tyler Nubin leads the team in solo tackles (26) and is second in total tackles (36); and end Boye Mafe has 41⁄2 of the team’s seven sacks.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Injuries and COVID-19 have caused issues for the specialists throughout the season.

Mark Crawford, a 26-year-old freshman from Australia, is again handling punts after missing the first two games. His average is only 38.3 yards but he has placed six of his 13 punts inside the opponent’s 20.

Brock Walker was the only kicker to attempt a field goal for the Gophers this season until the Nebraska game. Walker is 2 of 2 between 20 and 29 yards and missed his only other kick, from 39 yards. Redshirt senior Anders Gelecinskyj made his Minnesota debut. He played in 2016 at Minnesota State, transferred to Minnesota in 2017 but did not join the team. He was on the team in 2018 and ’19 but did not play. He made a 31-yard fieldgoal attempt and all three of his extrapoint attempts against Nebraska.

The Gophers have not been dynamic on kickoff returns. Cam Wiley is averaging just 16.0 yards on 11 returns, with a long return of 25 yards.