Yesterday on the radio I heard Gopher football coach P.J. Fleck say that today's game against Penn State would be the biggest in the history of TCF Bank Stadium, which opened in 2009. For once I think the ebullient Fleck was understating the case: it's probably the biggest home football game the Gophers have had in more than 50 years. I guess it's the first time since 1903—or was it 1904?—that we have, this late on the calendar, played an undefeated team while being undefeated ourselves. Enthusiasm and apprehension are at war in the souls of long-suffering fans—or maybe I should just speak for myself. Our schedule till today has been soft. I have to think Penn State is better. But what if the turnover differential were +2 in our favor, and we bust a couple long ones for touchdowns, and they miss a field goal and we don't? What if we're just better than I think? Here I go, getting set up to be crushed.
Let's go Minnesota!
UPDATE: Half time, 24-13 Minnesota. I see neighbors out raking leaves and such. Martians. Who would have predicted we'd shred their defense like this? On that last set of downs before the half, wasn't it a mistake for Penn State to spike the ball on first down? They had a timeout and, if they'd used it, they would have had three downs to pass into the end zone. Instead, they had to settle for a field goal after we kept them from scoring on two plays. Ahead by 11 instead of 7: huge.
UPDATE 2: Didn't know a stadium full of people dressed in maroon and gold could look so good. That third down conversion at the end of the third quarter was as good for us as the fumble was bad. Penn State has 4th-and-goal, trailing 31-19. If we hold . . . we held! Now if we can get a couple of first downs . . .
UPDATE 3: Okay, we got two first downs. Now let's cover this punt. No big plays for them.
I hate to see guys get hurt. Worst thing about football.
Keep their guys in front of us and tackle them!
UPDATE 4: Doesn't look like they got that touchdown play off in time. Big break for them. Will they kick it deep? Yes. We need a first down. Pass on 1st-and-10? No, 2nd-and-11. And now a sack. Disastrous sequence for us. It's going to be on our defense.
UPDATE 5: God this is nerve wracking. My mom, mystified, used to advise, "It's just a game, Eric." A sack might finish them, and their quarterback is a little nicked up, maybe not able to escape and throw as well as usual. Intercepted! We're gonna win!
Iowa is next! Prolly qualifies as the biggest road game in more than 50 years. Ski-u-mah!
Comments