Minnesota 31, Oregon State 23

The Gophers started their 2016 season off with a 31-23 win over Oregon State last night in Minneapolis to start the season 1-0.  5 wins from bowl eligibility!  It was a sloppy game from the Gophers, they have a lot to clean up moving forward, but I guess you take a P5 win any way you can get one.  There were a lot of positives too, Mitch Leidner looked good, Rodney Smith had a nice game, they were generating a pass rush and Ryan Santoso looks like a fabulous punter.  Once they iron some of the wrinkles, they will be fine.

Observations:

• Gophers true freshman DE Tai'yon Devers was a terror. 
• Ballsy call by Tracy Claeys to go for 2 late in the game. 
• It doesn't appear that the Gophers will miss Peter Mortell. 
• Rodney Smith had a nice game running the ball for the Gophers. 
• Gopher center Tyler Moore needs lots of work on his snapping. 
• Oregon State killed the Gophers with screen passes. 
• Not a smart decision by Gopher LB Cody Poock early in the game.
• Gophers true freshman WR Tyler Johnson is going to be great one. 
• I'm not feeling too good about this new targeting rule. 
• Gophers Kicker Emmit Carpenter did a very nice job on kickoffs. 
• The Gophers true freshman really rose to the occasion in this game. 
• Mitch Leidner still has a nose for the end zone.  
• Turnovers:  Oregon State 2, Minnesota 1 
• That was definitely a missed pass interference on OSU in the 3rd quarter. 
• The Gophers will need to clean up on the penalties.  
• Oregon State RB Ryan Nall is a load to bring down. 
• Darrell Garretson is a quality QB for Oregon State. 
• That was a very questionable call by Gary Anderson to end the first half. 
• It was nice to see David Plummer get some recognition. 
• Up next?  Indiana State in Minneapolis next Saturday.