Gophers stop the bleeding

Gophers 31
Rutgers 0

Finally got out to a Gophers game on Saturday. Honestly the perfect fall weather was more of a draw than the team. Mid 60s, not a cloud in the sky....and cheap tickets on Stubhub.

They were cheap cause this team had lost 3 straight, pretty much incinerating any chance that this could be any kind of special season. No Big Ten West title. No major bowls. We'll see about the 2 big trophy games, but there is no cause to be optimistic.

But on Saturday the Gophers at least reverted back to their early season dominance, smothering the poor Scarlet Knights, notching their first shutout of a conference opponent since 2004. That was so long ago the Twins won a playoff game the same year. 

Rutgers best player was their punter. And after he pinned the Gophers at the 1 for their first drive, they set about a 99 yard, over 10 minute drive to go up 7-0. Their 2nd drive was also a fairly long TD march. And that was it.

The game became an incredible bore to be honest. Other than Vikings preseason games, this had to have been the most boring football game I have ever attended. Rutgers was hapless offensively (I believe they didn't hit 100 total yards until the 4th quarter). The Gophers offense did nothing after those first two drives. Tanner Morgan was back, but has clearly lost the confidence of the coaches cause they didn't call any plays for him outside of quick slants. 

The 4th quarter at least had some splash plays. Mo Ibrahim broke a long TD. Trey Potts had a long run. We got a couple picks. 31-0 was the final. 

The win was both inconsequential and essential. It won't get them back in the west race, but they do still have to get bowl eligible. 

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