Minnesota Football: Can Gophers build on 2018 bowl berth?
By Zach Bigalke
Defense continues to be a strength
After their first six Big Ten games last season, Minnesota had given up an average of more than 43 points per game. That led to the termination of second-year defensive coordinator Robb Smith and the promotion of defensive line coach Joe Rossi to interim coordinator.
With the switch, the Gophers went from one of the worst defenses in the country against Power Five opponents to one of the best. In their last three Big Ten contests plus the Quick Lane Bowl against Georgia Tech, Minnesota conceded fewer than 15 points per outing. The turnaround was dramatic, immediate, and could bode well for the Gophers in 2019.
What makes things especially exciting for Rossi and company is the fact that seven starters return from last year’s unit. The biggest losses to the group are linebacker Blake Cashman and safety Jacob Huff, who combined for 197 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions over the course of the 2018 season. But there is plenty of returning talent for Rossi to work with on this year’s roster.
Focusing on the defensive line
For the Golden Gophers, everything is going to key off getting more pressure up front this season. The 2018 Minnesota defense ranked 94th nationally in team sacks generated and 85th in the FBS in tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Ramping up their ability to push through in the trenches will be critical for the Gophers if they hope to improve on last year’s seven wins.
The key to the unit is Carter Coughlin, the senior pass rusher who led the team last season with 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. When it came to disruptors on the defensive line, Coughlin was one of the 20 best in the nation last season. He anchors a unit that has the experience to improve on last year’s marks.
Micah Dew-Treadway, a Notre Dame graduate transfer with two years of eligibility left at the college level, offers a solid option at defensive tackle. With last year’s starters OJ Smith and Gary Moore gone, Dew-Treadway is going to need to get up to speed on his new team quickly to ameliorate what could otherwise be a major hole in the defensive front.