Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[Soapy]

I would be a threat to everyone's safety if Emory Williams is our starter

[redsox907]

I would be a threat to everyone's safety if Emory Williams is our starter

at the very least he's got a short memory, positive trait in a QB

[ShireNiner]

Minnesota survives Ball State scare, but questions loom for AJ Brand and O-line


AJ Brand felt pressure all day, being sacked 7 times in the win (ShireNiner PS5 images)

By: Bill Connelly | September 18, 2027
Writer, CFB/NFL

Minneapolis — No. 6 Minnesota is 3-0, but for much of Saturday afternoon at Huntington Bank Stadium, it felt like the Gophers were the underdogs.

In a game defined by a brutal defensive slugfest and a staggering 14 combined sacks, the Golden Gophers escaped with a 28-19 victory over Ball State. However, the win came at a high physical price for quarterback AJ Brand, who spent the better part of four quarters running for his life.

The Gophers’ offensive line, a unit that had been largely reliable through the first two weeks, collapsed under the pressure of the Cardinals' blitz-heavy scheme. Brand was sacked seven times and hit on nearly every drop-back. His final stat line reflected the pressure: 15-of-33 passing for 192 yards and two touchdowns, but three costly interceptions that kept Ball State within striking distance.

"We won the game, but we didn't win the battle up front," head coach Mick Smith said. "AJ is tough, but we can't expect him to take seven sacks and keep getting up. We have to be better at protecting him and the ball."

Minnesota established an early lead behind junior back Fame Ijeboi, who continues to be a red-zone machine. Ijeboi found the end zone twice in the first half on runs of 2 and 8 yards, finishing the day with 49 yards on just seven carries. An effort by Smith to limit Ijeboi's usage early in the season.

Ball State stayed alive through big plays of its own. In the second quarter, Landyn Locke connected with Peyton Lewis for a monstrous 91-yard touchdown pass that silenced the home crowd and cut the lead to 14-10. Lewis was the primary engine for the Cardinals, adding a rushing touchdown in the third quarter to pull Ball State within two points, 21-19, after a failed 2-point conversion.

When the offense sputtered, the Minnesota defense, led by sophomore Mitch Horan, answered the bell. While the Gophers surrendered 358 yards through the air, they completely shut down the Cardinals' run game, holding them to -6 rushing yards.

The secondary provided the insurance. Vernon Woodward III was the MVP of the game, snagging two interceptions to halt potential go-ahead drives. In total, the Gophers matched Ball State’s havoc with seven sacks of their own and three interceptions.

Leading by just two in the fourth quarter, Brand finally found a rhythm. He orchestrated a drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown toss to 5-star freshman Connor Malik. It was Malik’s only touchdown of the day, but it was the one that finally broke the Cardinals' spirit.

The Gophers escape with a win and stay undefeated, but the confidence in the offense took a hit, and with Ohio State in a week, there are plenty of questions for Mick Smith to answer on the front line.

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Scoring Summary
1st quarter
Fame Ijeboi, 2 Yd run, 8:42
Jack Stevens, 36 Yd FG, 1:56

2nd quarter
Fame Ijeboi, 8 Yd run, 9:40
Peyton Lewis 91 Yd pass from Landyn Locke, 7:08
Kenric Lanier II 23 Yd pass from AJ Brand, 2:54
Jack Stevens, 36 Yd FG, 1:22

3rd quarter
Peyton Lewis, 1 Yd run, (failed 2-pt conversion) 7:05

4th quarter
Connor Malik, 3 Yd pass from AJ Brand, 12:52

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Soapys' Box Score

Passing
AJ Brand, SO, QB - 15/33, 45%, 192 yds, 2 TDs, 3 INTs, 36 rush yards
Landyn Locke, SO, QB - 25/44, 56%, 358 yds, 1 TD, 3 INTs

Rushing
Fame Ijeboi, JR, RB - 7 atts, 49 yds, 7.0 avg, 2 TDs
Peyton Lewis, SR, RB - 8 atts, 23 yds, 2.9 avg, 1 TD, 2 rec, 108 yds, 1 rec TD

Receiving
Connor Malik, FR, WR - 4 rec, 49 yds, 1 TD
Donovan Hamiliton, JR, WR - 7 rec, 102 yds

Defense
Mitch Horan, SO, MIKE - 7 tlks, 2 TFL
Vernon Woodward III, JR, CB - 2 tlks, 2 INTs, 1 DEFL
Stephen Madise, SO, WILL - 10 tlks, 5 TFL, 3 sacks
Russell Peterson, JR, SAM - 12 tlks, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT

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Bill Connelly is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering post-game news for College Football and Premier League Soccer. He previously worked at ESPN covering College Football, Tennis, and Soccer.

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Comments

[Captain Canada]

Appreciate the shout out in your recent update

So, that's what you meant by "trap game". Connor Malik is looking like a stud, but gotta limit the turnovers. They wouldn't have even had a chance if they didn't get the extra possessions.

[redsox907]

Big Ten play doesn't look promising if Ball State beating your walls down

[ShireNiner]

Appreciate the shout out in your recent update

So, that's what you meant by "trap game". Connor Malik is looking like a stud, but gotta limit the turnovers. They wouldn't have even had a chance if they didn't get the extra possessions.

Of course.

Yea, it was uglier than I thought it would be. Some was my fault, other issues were because I pulled some starters.

Big Ten play doesn't look promising if Ball State beating your walls down

Yea, it might be rough at times. We looked good the first two games then the oline gave up this last game.

[ShireNiner]

[ShireNiner]

Gophers take a blow as top receiver, Smith, is out 5 weeks (ShireNiner PS5 images.)


Minnesota WR Jalen Smith out 5 weeks with dislocated knee

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler | September 20, 2027
Minnesota Golden Gopher Reporter

Minneapolis— Minnesota’s offense just lost its primary deep threat for the most grueling stretch of the season.

Sophomore wide receiver Jalen Smith is expected to miss at least five weeks after suffering a dislocated knee in Saturday’s 28-19 win over Ball State, head coach Mick Smith confirmed Monday. The injury to the Blaine, Minnesota, native leaves a massive hole in a Gophers offense that was starting to find its vertical identity.

The timing could not be worse for the Gophers. The five-week recovery timeline means Minnesota will be without their top speedster for a four-game stretch that will likely define their season:

vs. No. 10 Ohio State
at Iowa
at USC
vs. Indiana

The Gophers have a bye week following the Indiana game, making the home matchup against Nebraska in late October the target date for Smith’s return.

Smith has been the quintessential "home-run hitter" for quarterback AJ Brand. Through three games, he has recorded 14 catches for 144 yards. Last season, Smith was a breakout star as a true freshman, appearing in 16 games and racking up 526 yards and three touchdowns. His impact was felt nationally, as he finished third for the Jet Award, given to the country’s top return specialist.

With Smith sidelined, the opportunity for others to step up is presented.

Connor Malik, the 5-star freshman sensation, is now the undisputed WR1. Malik currently leads the team in every major category (19 catches, 202 yards, 3 TDs) and will likely face a barrage of double-teams starting this Saturday against the Buckeyes. Senior Kenric Lanier II (8 catches, 114 yards, 2 TDs) will also see his role expanded as the primary veteran presence.

However, filling the "speed" role vacated by Smith will likely fall to two unproven options; Donielle Hayes has been a special team player for the last two seasons. Hayes has 4 catches over the last two years, but has the speed Minnesota will be missing without Smith.

The other option is a senior transfer from New Mexico State. James Long has yet to see the field for the Gophers this season, but was a productive starter for the Aggies in 2026, tallying 440 yards and 5 TDs.

"Losing Jalen is a hit to our explosive play potential," coach Mick Smith said. "He’s a local kid who plays with a lot of heart. But this is why we hit the portal for guys like James Long and why we recruited the depth we have. We expect the standard to remain the same."

The Gophers were already underdogs against a hungry Ohio State team; this loss just makes the hill that much harder to climb on Saturday.

What did you think of this story?

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Aiden “AJ” Wexler is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Minnesota Gophers Football. He previously covered local high schools in the Minneapolis area. He is based in Minneapolis, MN. Follow AJ on Twitter @AidensFake.

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