Minnesota 42, E. Illinois 20

The Gophers kicked off their 2014 season tonight with a 42-20 win over Eastern Illinois at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.  It was a nice win for the Gophers, 2 late E. Illinois TD's made it look closer than it appears.  They've still got some work to do though, their passing game still needs to get better, and their depth will be tested but all in all you have to be happy with this win.  1-0!!!

Observations:

• The Gophers secondary is very impressive, they go pretty deep too. 
• Depth along the interior DL may be tested this season.  
• The Gophers RB depth is very impressive, they go at least 4 deep.  
• Berkley Edwards looks like he can really provide a different look to the Gophers offense.
• The Gophers passing game is still a work in progress.  
• Back up QB Chris Streveler looked solid in his first college game action.
• The Gophers special teams looked like they could be a very special unit this season.
• LB Damien Wilson was in beast mode tonight.  
• Hitting someone in the groin is frowned upon in college football.  
• Tracy Claeys just may be the best Defensive Coordinator in college football.  
• Donovahn Jones is progressing nicely at WR.  
• Alex Keith looked very good starting for injured Michael Amaefula at DE. 
• Pete Mortell averaged 51.2 yards on 5 punts!  
• Turnovers:  Eastern Illinois 3, Minnesota 1.  
• The Gophers played a lot of true freshman tonight.  It looks like a good class!  
• Kicker Ryan Santoso has got one hell of a leg.  
• David Cobb continued right where he left off last year.  
• Eastern Illinois is a solid FCS team, I predict a good season for them. 
• It was nice seeing Peter Westerhaus leading the Gophers on to the field.
• Up next?  Middle Tennessee State @ home next Saturday.