Minnesota 31, Colorado State 24

The Gophers improved to 3-0 on the season today with a 31-24 win over Colorado State in Minneapolis.  The Gophers led for most of this game and were definitely the more physical team, but they just couldn't put Colorado State away, it was much too close for comfort at the end.  The Gophers defense is really young and inexperienced and it really showed today on all of the screens and misdirection plays that Colorado State used.  A win is a win though, those young guys are gaining experience and will be better players down the road, I'll take it, keep it going Gophers!

Observations:

• The Gophers offense is much improved under Jay Johnson. 
• Gophers DT Steven Richardson is still a beast. 
• How do opposing defenses not watch for a Mitch Leidner run near the goal line? 
• The Gophers were playing a lot of 3-4 defense today, it's a work in progress. 
• Holy smokes has DE Tai'yon Devers been a find for the Gophers.  
• The Gophers defense struggled with all of the CSU misdirection plays.  
• Lots of true freshman playing with the Gophers defense today. 
• Turnovers:  Colorado State 2, Minnesota 1
• Rushing Yards:  Minnesota 243, Colorado State 158
• The Gophers three headed monster at RB pays dividends late in the game.
• Lots of tackles for loss today for the Gophers defense, could have been even more too. 
• Damarius Travis has had himself a nice Gopher career. 
• It was nice to see Eric Carter & Shannon Brooks back on the field. 
• Minnesota had 9 penalties today, that's way too many. 
• The Gophers kick/punt return teams have to improve.  
• It would be nice to have those suspended players back.  
• Emmit Carpenter is still perfect on the season. 
• Ryan Santoso looks like he could be punting on Sundays.  
• That fake punt by Colorado State was a thing of beauty. 
• Up next?  Next Saturday @ Penn State to kick off Big 10 play.