True freshman Koi Perich’s performance in the Gophers’ 48-0 win over Rhode Island last week — an interception and a 28-yard punt return — brought a lot of attention. So did one post-game quote.
“I got to take it to the crib,” Perich said on feeling a need to score a touchdown after finding an opening on his first career return. “But it’s fun. … I like the ball in my hands, but obviously I’m grateful for the opportunity any time I get the chance to go back there. It’s a dangerous spot. You are the only man back there.”
But Perich wasn’t the only highly touted true freshman to play in the rout at Huntington Bank Stadium. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Drake Lindsey replaced starter Max Brosmer. The Fayetteville, Ark., native was 3 for 4 passing for 35 yards across two drives and capped his performance by completing his first collegiate touchdown pass, a 7-yard connection with redshirt freshman transfer Tyler Williams.
Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck told the Pioneer Press he saw Lindsey as “cool, calm and precise” in his debut. Lindsey is the next man up, if Brosmer goes down this season. Fleck needs to have confidence in Lindsey; and Lindsey needs it in himself.
“It’s just the management of the game, functioning,” Fleck said. “Not that I didn’t expect that he would, it’s we have to get him as much experience as we possibly can.”
Brosmer called it a “big brother moment” for both him and Lindsey to throw their first touchdown passes. Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh saw Lindsey execute the offense against an FCS opponent, but felt the best learning moment was Lindsey breaking the huddle too soon and an offensive lineman being flagged for a false start.
If the Gophers would have had another offensive drive last Saturday, the plan was to put third-stringer Dylan Wittke, a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gophers-football-p-j-fleck-195600571.html
Author : Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
Publish date : 2024-09-11 19:56:00
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