Minnesota searches for cracks in No. 1 Ohio State’s rock-solid protection

Drake Lindsey did not play like a redshirt freshman quarterback when he led Minnesota on the game-winning drive towards Rutgers final weekend.

His 324 passing yards and three touchdowns by way of the air earned him Massive Ten freshman of the week honors, however coach P.J. Fleck is aware of the Golden Gophers (3-1, 1-0) must play at a a lot greater degree once they go to No. 1 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0) on Saturday evening in a convention recreation in Columbus, Ohio.

It would not assist that Fleck’s younger signal-caller is not going to solely face among the finest defenses within the nation, but additionally an intimidating ambiance at Ohio Stadium.

“That place is 107,000 followers, and it is deafening, and that is for a midday kickoff, or an 11 a.m. (Central), not to mention all of them doing what they do, tailgating all day and being prepared for the evening recreation that the followers have requested for,” Fleck mentioned. “So we all know we’re strolling into a very hostile surroundings.”

The Buckeyes are coming off a 24-6 win at Washington by which the 2 area objectives by the Huskies truly raised (barely) Ohio State’s factors allowed to a median of 5.5 — nonetheless ok to steer the nation. The Huskies had been averaging 55.5 factors.

Opponents have scored simply two touchdowns towards Ohio State: Texas within the opener and Ohio within the third recreation.

The Buckeyes protection is led by the law-office-sounding tandem of Caden and Kayden. Caden Curry totaled 11 tackles with 5 tackles for loss — tying the Ohio State report for a recreation — and three sacks at Washington. Kayden McDonald made seven tackles with three TFLs and two sacks.

“Caden is any person who has performed a whole lot of soccer right here, particular teams-wise and has made a whole lot of performs. Now he is a key contributor,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day mentioned.

The Golden Gophers is likely to be with out operating again Darius Taylor, who has missed the previous two video games due to an harm. He’s 54 yards shy of changing into the 18th participant in program historical past to run for two,000 yards.

Fleck on Monday was evasive on Taylor’s standing, who has been listed as “uncertain” for earlier video games.

“I am certain there will be one other report this week,” the coach mentioned. “No matter adjective you need to describe him this week, be at liberty. However two hours earlier than kickoff, we’ll know. There’s one Darius Taylor, and when Darius Taylor goes down, I feel that does impression your offense.”

Whereas the Ohio State protection has been very good, the offense with first-year starter Julian Sayin remains to be evolving. Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline took a conservative strategy for Sayin in his first street final weekend however count on extra aggression in entrance of the house followers.

Sayin threw for 208 yards and two TDs towards the Huskies, however his longest completion was simply 19 yards to Jeremiah Smith with 1:52 left within the recreation.

Day nonetheless likes the best way his workforce is progressing.

“You are seeing maturity,” he mentioned. “There isn’t any technique to see it aside from that. … To play the best way that we have performed up up to now reveals maturity, and that was an enormous emphasis level for us this summer time.”

–Subject Degree Media