UW's next opponent: Minnesota scouting report

MADISON - Year 2 under P.J. Fleck began with so much promise.

Minnesota won its first three games – against New Mexico State, Fresno State and Miami (Ohio) – and it appeared on paper that the Gophers might be able to improve on their 2017 finish, 2-7 in the Big Ten and 5-7 overall. 

Then came the 2018 Big Ten opener at Maryland. 

The Terrapins shredded Minnesota’s defense in a 42-13 victory and the Gophers surrendered a combined 131 points in their next three games, all losses. 

A 38-31 victory over visiting Indiana provided a brief respite but surrendering 646 yards of offense in a 55-31 loss at Illinois was a reminder that the gap between the Gophers and the better teams in the West Division remains enormous. 

Fleck fired defensive coordinator Robb Smith after the debacle and promoted defensive line coach Joe Rossi to the interim coordinator. 

As they prepare to face rival Wisconsin (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) in the regular-season finale at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, the Gophers are 2-6 in the league, 5-6 overall and needing a victory to become bowl-eligible. 

That was the position Minnesota was in last season when UW rolled to a 31-0 victory in Minneapolis.

Here's a look at the Gophers, who are coming off a 24-14 loss to Northwestern:

OFFENSE

The Gophers run the system Fleck preferred at Western Michigan, featuring the quarterback in the shotgun with one back and several receivers. 

Redshirt freshman quarterback Tanner Morgan has started the last four games and has played in seven overall. He has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 163.6 yards per game, but has almost as many interceptions (six) as touchdowns (seven). 

When redshirt sophomore wide receiver Seth Green lines up in the wildcat formation, he is looking to run. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder has rushed 64 times for 229 yards and eight touchdowns. He has completed 4 of 5 passes for 36 yards and two touchdowns.

Tyler Johnson (70 catches, 1,036 yards, 10 TDs) and Rashod Bateman (47-648-6) are legitimate receiving threats.

Injuries have forced redshirt freshman tailback Mohamed Ibrahim into a starting role and he has responded with an average of 101.9 yards per game and six touchdowns. 

The line is young, however, and Minnesota quarterbacks have been sacked 26 times. UW has been able to ramp up its pressure in recent weeks and could get to Morgan.

MINNESOTA AT A GLANCE: Stats, roster, schedule

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Schedule, conference standings, statistics

DEFENSE

Minnesota’s defense was a sieve in six Big Ten games under Smith.

The Gophers allowed 31 touchdowns in those first six games, with an average distance of 35 yards per score. Illinois had touchdowns of 72, 72, 67 and 77 yards. 

Rossi has kept the overall scheme and tried to make sure the players know their assignments and can play fast. 

Minnesota limited Purdue to 233 yards in a 41-10 victory and allowed only 325 yards in the loss to Northwestern.

Two players to watch are senior linebacker Blake Cashman, who had 20 tackles against Northwestern, and junior end Carter Coughlin, who switched from linebacker last season.

Cashman, 6-2 and 235, has recorded 15 tackles for loss, with only 2½ of those sacks. He spends much of his time in the backfield on running plays and leads the team in total tackles with 101. 

Coughlin, 6-4 and 245, has recorded nine sacks, 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. 

SPECIAL TEAMS 

UW coach Paul Chryst noted he saw plenty of athletic ability on the Minnesota special teams.

Redshirt freshman Demetrius Douglas has a long kickoff return of 87 yards and is averaging 24.8 yards per return. Douglas also handles punt returns, though his average is 7.3 yards with a long return of 19 yards. 

Senior Emmit Carpenter, a graduate of Ashwaubenon High School, handles kickoffs and placements. He has only 26 touchbacks on 58 kickoffs and the Gophers are allowing 20.7 yards per return. Carpenter has made 12 of 16 field-goal attempts. He has kicks of 53 and 50 yards, though those were in Week 2 when the weather was more kicker-friendly. 

Punter Jacob Herbers is very good. His average is 41.4 yards and he has induced a fair catch on 29 of his 49 punts.