Observations on the First Half with Minnesota, 14-7

Michigan converted two red zones for 14 points while the Gophers gained 7 points in one red zone; the Wolverines scored 7 points off one Minnesota turnover.

Offense gained 124 net yards, but only 42 on the ground. Devin Gardner was 7 of 9 for 82 yards and a TD. Fitzgerald Touissaint gained 30 yards on 7 carries for a TD. Devin Funchess grabbed 4 passes for 62 yards and a TD. Offense had 7 first downs and was 4 of 6 on 3rd down conversions. Cedric Thompson leads the Gophers with 6 tackles.

Defense got a turnover, but overall didn't look very good in the first half. Mitch Leidner gained 44 yards in 10 carries while the Gophers held an 8 minute time of possession advantage in the first half which gave them 10 more offensive plays. Leidner is 5 of 6 for 30 yards in the air for a TD. Minnesota gained 113 yards, 83 on the ground, and were 7 of 10 in 3rd down conversions for 7 first downs. James Ross led the defense with 7 tackles, and Jibreel Black forced the fumble on the first drive. Desmond Morgan and Brennan Beyer have 4 tackles each. They don't respect us up the middle, and they are exploiting our weak safety play (like most teams). We continue to have no "push" or pass rush on the defensive line.

Special Teams looked bad. Matt Wile kicked the opening kickoff out of bounds. Punt team gave up a 18 yard return. On the bright side, Wile got a lucky bounce on his last punt to the one foot line that resulted in giving the offense great field position at the 38 yard line after Drew Dileo's 9 yard punt return. Both teams have punted twice.

Second Half will continue to be tight unless we can stop their offense, and gain time of possession advantage. I hope Gardner doesn't start turning the ball over as he's know to do.