Week #3 - Minnesota Preview & Game Thread

[catdaddyp]

QB:

Junior Jake Lindsey has thrown for 543 yards with a 69% completion rate and no interceptions. Surprisingly, he’s only thrown for a single touchdown over a two-game span. Lindsey isn’t much of a threat to run and rarely has to when playing behind Minnesota’s massive offensive line.

 

RB:

Senior Darius Taylor hasn’t had a ton of opportunities thus far, but he’s still a bigger back that can do some damage. Taylor has 71 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns to go along with 36 receiving yards.

 

WR:

Former Miami of Ohio transfer Javon Tracy leads the team in receptions and yards, collecting 12 catches for 149 yards. He is also the punt returner and has taken two back for touchdowns. Cincinnati transfer Noah Jennings is second on the team with 10 receptions for 145 yards.  

 

TE:

The Gophers don’t target their tight ends much in the passing game but senior Pierce Walsh does have four receptions.

 

OL:

The offensive line rarely allows pressure on the quarterback and has given up only two sacks this season, both against Mississippi State.

LT - Nathan Roy (6’5 305)

LG - Greg Johnson (6’6 325)

C - Ashton Beers (6’6 320)

RG - Tony Nelson (6’6 325)

RT - Daniel Shipp (6’5 295)

 

DL:

The Gopher pass rush has been about as anemic as the Zips’, however, that doesn’t mean Minnesota is lacking in talent. Senior Anthony Smith plays both inside and out.  Former Cal transfer TJ Bush has one of the defense’s two sacks. Against MSU, junior Jaylon Hicks started on the interior, as did senior Karter Menz on the edge.

 

LB:

Seniors Maverick Baranowski and Matt Kingsbury start at linebacker. The duo have combined for 22 total tackles.

 

DB:

Michigan State transfer Aydan West and former Iowa transfer John Nestor start at the cornerback positions. Seniors Kerry Brown and Aidan Gousby, along with sophomore Zack Harden, are the starters at safety and nickel. 

 

ST:

Tom Weston is the main punter and averages 38.3 yards per punt with a long of 45. Minnesota has used two different kickers on field goals, and they have gone 3 for 3. Beckham Sunderland has put 11 of his 13 kickoffs in the endzone.

 

Keys on Offense:

Find a way to keep drives moving and take care of the football. MSU’s mobile quarterback really hurt the Minnesota defense, and it would not be a surprise if CB came out of this game as Akron’s leading rusher. I’m not sure if the Zips OL will be able to consistently get push on the Gophers defensive front, so CB’s legs may have to make up for that.

 

Keys on Defense:

Force turnovers and keep the ball in front. Stopping Minnesota’s run game should be the main priority as I’m not sure the Zips defense will be able to get much pressure on Lindsey. In essence, force the Gophers into long, multi-play drives in the hopes they goof up. 

 

Final Thoughts:

I don’t like this matchup, and there aren’t many areas where the Zips will have the advantage. As a comparison, Minnesota is bigger and more physical than Wake Forest. Akron will need to play at a very high level and have some help from Minnesota to pull out a win.

 

[catdaddyp]

 

[ZippyRulz]

Big Ten Network - no single game streaming option. Uff da..

 

Edited Tuesday at 02:09 PM by ZippyRulz

[Blue & Gold]

1 hour ago, ZippyRulz said:

Big Ten Network - no single game streaming option. Uff da..

 

I think you've got to download the FOX One app. The 'view' link on GoZips.com takes you there. Looks like there's a free 3-day trial period, so I'm going to wait till Friday to fool w/ it.

[Zips1991]

27 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

I think you've got to download the FOX One app. The 'view' link on GoZips.com takes you there. Looks like there's a free 3-day trial period, so I'm going to wait till Friday to fool w/ it.

I have YouTube TV and it's listed on the secondary Big Ten Network channel. The main channel has Buffalo at Penn State.

[blueandgold]

17 hours ago, catdaddyp said:

QB:

Junior Jake Lindsey has thrown for 543 yards with a 69% completion rate and no interceptions. Surprisingly, he’s only thrown for a single touchdown over a two-game span. Lindsey isn’t much of a threat to run and rarely has to when playing behind Minnesota’s massive offensive line.

 

RB:

Senior Darius Taylor hasn’t had a ton of opportunities thus far, but he’s still a bigger back that can do some damage. Taylor has 71 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns to go along with 36 receiving yards.

 

WR:

Former Miami of Ohio transfer Javon Tracy leads the team in receptions and yards, collecting 12 catches for 149 yards. He is also the punt returner and has taken two back for touchdowns. Cincinnati transfer Noah Jennings is second on the team with 10 receptions for 145 yards.  

 

TE:

The Gophers don’t target their tight ends much in the passing game but senior Pierce Walsh does have four receptions.

 

OL:

The offensive line rarely allows pressure on the quarterback and has given up only two sacks this season, both against Mississippi State.

LT - Nathan Roy (6’5 305)

LG - Greg Johnson (6’6 325)

C - Ashton Beers (6’6 320)

RG - Tony Nelson (6’6 325)

RT - Daniel Shipp (6’5 295)

 

DL:

The Gopher pass rush has been about as anemic as the Zips’, however, that doesn’t mean Minnesota is lacking in talent. Senior Anthony Smith plays both inside and out.  Former Cal transfer TJ Bush has one of the defense’s two sacks. Against MSU, junior Jaylon Hicks started on the interior, as did senior Karter Menz on the edge.

 

LB:

Seniors Maverick Baranowski and Matt Kingsbury start at linebacker. The duo have combined for 22 total tackles.

 

DB:

Michigan State transfer Aydan West and former Iowa transfer John Nestor start at the cornerback positions. Seniors Kerry Brown and Aidan Gousby, along with sophomore Zack Harden, are the starters at safety and nickel. 

 

ST:

Tom Weston is the main punter and averages 38.3 yards per punt with a long of 45. Minnesota has used two different kickers on field goals, and they have gone 3 for 3. Beckham Sunderland has put 11 of his 13 kickoffs in the endzone.

 

Keys on Offense:

Find a way to keep drives moving and take care of the football. MSU’s mobile quarterback really hurt the Minnesota defense, and it would not be a surprise if CB came out of this game as Akron’s leading rusher. I’m not sure if the Zips OL will be able to consistently get push on the Gophers defensive front, so CB’s legs may have to make up for that.

 

Keys on Defense:

Force turnovers and keep the ball in front. Stopping Minnesota’s run game should be the main priority as I’m not sure the Zips defense will be able to get much pressure on Lindsey. In essence, force the Gophers into long, multi-play drives in the hopes they goof up. 

 

Final Thoughts:

I don’t like this matchup, and there aren’t many areas where the Zips will have the advantage. As a comparison, Minnesota is bigger and more physical than Wake Forest. Akron will need to play at a very high level and have some help from Minnesota to pull out a win.

 

So you're saying, don't expect the defense to get any sacks this week. 

[akzipper]

2 hours ago, Zips1991 said:

I have YouTube TV and it's listed on the secondary Big Ten Network channel. The main channel has Buffalo at Penn State.

 

Same. BTN Overflow at noon. 

[ZippyDoo]

as of today gophers -23.5. i think zips can cover this. i'm hoping the game is close and competitive to build some confidence for the guys going into unlv. 

 

the o line of minnesota is massive and makes me nervous though. especially with our line already banged up. 

 

this is definitely a very good test and personal chance for guys to step up and show what they got

[ZippyDoo]

 

this site has minnesota offensive line as #4 in all of D1. i knew there were good but didn't know they were ranked that high...

[Blue & Gold]

 

[roopride]

Game day. Go Zips!

[Captain Kangaroo]

The Gopher Hole

[ZippyDoo]

it's a drizzle here now and now they're calling for rain the entire game. I don't know if that's gonna help us or hurt us.

[ZippyDoo]

their qb does not run the ball. if it does rain here like the app says cb's legs could be a huge asset i think. 

 

this might be one of those games where it is just a run it down your throat from both teams...  from the minnesota forum their side is calling for them to start running the ball more which i am surprised they don't with that massive line ...

 

i like how teams have to worry about cb going outside and taking it which opens up those dump passes.  cb is so dangerous. i do wish he would throw it sometimes but he is being himself and that will come. 

 

come on zips keep it close make them sweat and doubt themselves and get that upset !!!!

[exit322]

I just hope Akron doesn't kick off the game already having lost like they always do in the money games under Moorhead.

[LZIp]

Hoskins, Waye, and Sivon out. Looks like we have Durham back.

Edited 17 hours ago by LZIp

[GP1]

On 9/15/2026 at 2:50 PM, akzipper said:

 

Same. BTN Overflow at noon. 

DTV 610-1

[exit322]

Minnesota right down the field for 6 to start.

[exit322]

Decent (got a first down anyways) opening drive for Akron ends with Jordan Gant losing the ball.  Can't be doing that.

Edited 16 hours ago by exit322

[Captain Kangaroo]

Give up a couple explosive plays on defense, fumble on offense. Not a great start.

[exit322]

Credit given - Akron did not enter this game already defeated.

[csims0917]

Broughton looks like he can handle this defense. Skill players need to help him out. 

[Captain Kangaroo]

I’d heard Mason had a bad camp, with a lot of drops. Seems to be true.

[GP1]

In Latin, there is a word spelled competere. It means to strive together. In English, it is spelled compete. To compete doesn't mean to win. 

 

Why am I saying this?  I really like this QB the Zips have. He's a scrappy kid striving to do well on the field. I'm hoping the Zips get it together this season to the point that the other players are striving as hard as he is. Stop fumbling! Catch easily catchable passes! Start to freaking compete!

[exit322]

Just now, GP1 said:

In Latin, there is a word spelled competere. It means to strive together. In English, it is spelled compete. To compete doesn't mean to win. 

 

Why am I saying this?  I really like this QB the Zips have. He's a scrappy kid striving to do well on the field. I'm hoping the Zips get it together this season to the point that the other players are striving as hard as he is. Stop fumbling! Catch easily catchable passes! Start to freaking compete!

 

Defense listened