Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[ShireNiner]

Ohio State might be a bit of a hard one there. Let's just try and keep it competitive

#NoFear

I would love to back you on this one, but this reeks of a let down. Blue chip opponent struggling out the gate, you struggled against Ball State. Without your top receiver. I think AJ gonna be running for his life

I am going to be smarter this time and call plays to get him moving out of the pocket. Maybe that will help the oline issue.

[ShireNiner]

A Game of Inches, a Night of Misses: Ohio State Capitalizes on Gopher Gaffes


Parker had 130 yards and a touchdown, showing his unstoppable potential (ShireNiner PS5 images)

By: Bill Connelly | September 25, 2027
Writer, CFB/NFL

Minneapolis — In football, many call it a game of inches; others say it is all about seizing opportunities. On Saturday at the Huffington Bank stadium, it was Ohio State seizing the opportunities that continued to slip through Minnesota's fingers.

No. 20 Ohio State weathered a hostile environment and a flurry of their own mistakes to dismantle No. 6 Minnesota 38-20 on Saturday night. For Ryan Day, it was a much-needed reprieve from the hot-seat chatter. For Mick Smith, it was a haunting case of "what if," as the Gophers coach fell to 0-4 all-time against the Buckeyes.

The final score suggests a comfortable margin, but for three quarters, Minnesota was a play away from turning the game on its head. The Gophers' defense forced three Ohio State fumbles but failed to recover on any of them (picture below). The consequences were devastating. Following one unrecovered fumble, Julian Sayin immediately connected on a touchdown pass. After another, the Buckeyes marched down the field for a score.

To make matters worse, Minnesota defenders dropped two "gimme" interceptions (pictured below); both drives resulted in Ohio State touchdowns.

"In games like this, the ball has to bounce your way, and you have to catch the ones they throw to you," Mick Smith said. "We didn't do either tonight."

While the defense failed to catch the ball, Minnesota’s Connor Malik was a vacuum, hauling in 13 catches for 127 yards as AJ Brand’s primary option. However, Ohio State’s own freshman George Parker(pictured below) provided the knockout blow. With the Gophers trying to mount a fourth-quarter comeback, Parker burned the secondary for a 77-yard touchdown reception that iced the game. Parker finished with 130 yards, reaffirming his status as the most dangerous young deep threat in the country.

AJ Brand put up massive numbers, throwing for 356 yards and rushing for another 67. But without the vertical gravity of the injured Jalen Smith, the windows in the red zone were tight. Trailing in the fourth quarter, Brand overthrew his targets in the end zone twice,(pictured below), resulting in two interceptions that extinguished Minnesota's hopes.

"AJ's been playing with some issues. He has taken a beating this year and is battling through it. We will reevaluate him this week and make sure we are putting him in a position to succeed next week. Throwing him back out there when he's not 100% is going to continue hurting the team and himself." Smith said after the game, when asked about the interceptions, Brand is now up to 10 interceptions on the season.

Next week, Minnesota will face another physical Big Ten opponent in Iowa before traveling West to face USC.

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Scoring Summary
1st quarter
Bodpegn Miller 12 Yd pass from Julian Sayin, 5:04
Manuel Valles, 32 Yd FG, 1:25

2nd quarter
Quincy Porter, 17 yd run, 7:02
Donielle Hayes, 1 Yd pass from AJ Brand
Manuel Valles, 37 Yd FG, 0:44
James Peoples, 55 Yd run, 0:32

3rd quarter
Quincy Porter, 56 Yd pass from Julian Sayin, 9:37
Jackson Courville, 29 Yd FG, 3:34
Fame Ijeboi, 31 Yd pass from AJ Brand, 1:32

4th quarter
George Parker, 77 Yd pass from Julian Sayin, 6:56

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Soapys' Box Score

Passing
AJ Brand, SO, QB - 39/62, 62%, 356 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 67 rush yards
Julian Saying, SR, QB - 19/27, 70%, 348 yds, 3 TDs

Rushing
Fame Ijeboi, JR, RB - 18 atts, 109 yds, 6.0 avg, 1 TD
James Peoples, SR, RB - 8 atts, 90 yds, 11.2 avg, 1 TD

Receiving
Connor Malik, FR, WR - 13 rec, 127 yds
Kenric Lanier II, SR, WR - 7 rec, 62 yds
George Parker, FR, WR - 6 rec, 130 yds, 1 TD
Quincy Porter, JR, WR - 5 rec, 101yds, 1 TD

Defense
Mitch Horan, SO, MIKE - 6 tlks, 2 TFL
Vernon Woodward III, JR, CB - 5 tlks, 1 DEFL
Ethan Stendel, SO, SAM - 9 tlks, 3 TFL, 1 sack

DJ Walker, SR, SS - 21 tlks, 2 TFL
Jaiden Patterson, SR, SS - 8 tlks, 1 INT
Payton Pierce, SR, MIKE - 14 tlks, 1 TFL

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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

[ShireNiner]

[Soapy]

DON'T RUN!

[Captain Canada]

That's definitely gotta hurt. But you kept it competitive and just missed opportunities. Knowing your team is better than how they played has to be a silver lining.

[ShireNiner]

DON'T RUN!

My real life hate of Ohio State is starting to blend in rough my video game hate.

That's definitely gotta hurt. But you kept it competitive and just missed opportunities. Knowing your team is better than how they played has to be a silver lining.

They could have turned it over 5 times and we missed each one. But you’re right. If we get a few of those, it’s a new game and we were better for most of it.

[ShireNiner]

Wittke earns the chance to take his spot back on the depth chart

JUST ANNOUNCED: Dylan Wittke Named Starter as AJ Brand Sidelined for Iowa Clash

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler | September 27, 2027
Minnesota Gopher Report

MINNEAPOLIS— No. 13 Minnesota is heading to Kinnick Stadium with a different hand at the wheel.

Gophers head coach Mick Smith announced Monday that senior quarterback Dylan Wittke will start this Saturday’s rivalry game against Iowa. The move comes as star sophomore AJ Brand is set to be "rested" for the week, sidelined by lingering shoulder and rib injuries that have plagued him since a Week 2 victory over Texas A&M.

The decision marks a full-circle moment for Wittke. A seasoned senior, Wittke started 12 games for the Gophers in 2025, posting a stellar efficiency rating and leading the team to a bowl game. Ironically, his rise began under similar circumstances nearly two years ago to the day, when he stepped in for an injured Drake Lindsey and effectively took over the job, a move that led to Lindsey’s transfer.

However, the 2026 season saw a shift. After Wittke suffered his own injury and a brief dip in form, Brand seized the opportunity. Brand excelled in the role, leading Minnesota to a Big Ten Championship appearance and two playoff victories.

Now, with Brand physically limited, the veteran gets his chance to lead the offense once again.

“I credit both guys for battling,” Smith said. “A lot of times, you have a guy like Drake Lindsey who loses the starting spot and runs away right after. Transferring to a school where he's going to sit anyway. Dylan stuck it out, kept working and waiting for an opportunity, and now he has it on Saturday.”

The dips in Brand’s play became apparent during last week’s 38-20 loss to Ohio State. Known for his elite accuracy and dual-threat mobility, Brand looked uncharacteristically wild, missing open receivers and throwing two costly red-zone interceptions.

“Those are throws he has made for his entire career here,” Smith admitted. “Clean pocket, no pressure, guys were open, and he overthrew them. That is not how AJ plays when healthy. It was obvious then that his shoulder was worse than we knew.”

By sitting Brand now, the Gophers hope to preserve their quarterback for the November stretch run.

By the numbers (career stats at Minnesota)

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AJ Brand, SO - 20 GP, 3,632 yards, 25 TDs, 20 INTs, 114.9 QPR
Dylan Wittke, SR - 19 GP, 2,517 yards, 21 TDs, 6 INTs, 157.63 QPR

While their career stats are balanced, the two quarterbacks offer different styles to the Gophers’ offense.

Brand is the explosive playmaker, utilizing his legs and elite agility to extend plays and break open defenses.

Wittke is the traditional field general. He boasts a higher career completion percentage and a reputation for staying calm in a collapsing pocket, making him a safer bet against an Iowa defense that thrives on forcing mistakes.

“We have confidence in both Dylan and AJ to get the job done when needed,” Smith added. “Right now, AJ is playing with some injuries that are affecting him, and we want him fully healthy down the road.”

The Gophers face an Iowa team that is 1-3, coming off a disappointing overtime loss to No 5 Oregon. Whether Wittke can reclaim his 2025 magic or if this is merely a temporary start until Brand is healthy remains to be seen. Smith declined to comment on the depth chart beyond this weekend, stating the team will re-evaluate Brand’s health next week.

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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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Comments

[ShireNiner]

Months after winning the National Championship, Lincoln Riley has entered the "hot seat" discussion (ShireNiner PS5 images)

Big Ten Week 4 Recap: Buckeyes Bounce Back, Ducks Dodge Disaster, and the Badgers Stun USC

By: Pat Forde | Sept 28, 2027
Big Ten Senior Writer

Week 4 of the Big Ten schedule was a reminder that in this super-conference, there are no "gimme" Saturdays. From a statement win in Minneapolis to a shocker in Los Angeles, the landscape of the conference shifted once again as we head into the October schedule.

Game of the Week: No. 5 Oregon 44, Iowa 42 (OT)
In a game that defied every "Iowa football" stereotype, the Hawkeyes and Ducks engaged in a high-octane shootout that needed overtime to decide. Oregon (4-0) remained perfect, but they had to claw back from the brink against Iowa. The Ducks' explosive offense met its match in an Iowa squad that found its rhythm late, but Oregon’s depth ultimately won out in the extra period. The Ducks escape a major trap game, while Iowa (1-3) continues to be the best sub-.500 team in the country.

The Statement: No. 20 Ohio State 38, No. 6 Minnesota 20
With Ryan Day’s seat reportedly warm, Ohio State (2-2) delivered a masterclass in opportunistic football. The Buckeyes silenced Huntington Bank Stadium by capitalizing on every Minnesota mistake. Despite the Gophers forcing three fumbles, they recovered none and the Buckeyes scored on the ensuing plays every single time.

Minnesota QB AJ Brand, clearly hindered by a lingering shoulder injury, threw two late interceptions, allowing the Buckeyes to pull away. The win moves Ohio State back into the conversation, while Minnesota (3-1) prepares for life with a backup QB next week.

The Upset: Wisconsin 21, No. 18 USC 7
The biggest shock of the weekend came from the Coliseum. A Wisconsin (2-2) team that had been embarrassed by Penn State a week prior suddenly found its defensive teeth. The Badgers completely neutralized Bear Bachmeier and the USC offense, forcing the Trojans' into three interceptions. It was a classic upset that nobody saw coming. USC, defending champions and looking like a real threat to repeat, against a Badgers team nobody expected to win two Big Ten games this season.

As quickly as Ryan Day came off the hot seat, Lincoly Riley sat his ass down onto it.

Around the Conference
UCLA stays hot: The Bruins (4-0) continued their dominant start with a 38-7 dismantling of Purdue. UCLA’s defense has now allowed just 41 points over four games, looking like a legitimate dark horse for the conference title.

Maryland survives: In a back-and-forth affair, No. 18 Maryland (4-0) stayed undefeated with a 38-20 win over Northwestern. The Terps continue to surprise everyone in Brent Key's first season but will now face an angry USC next week in California.

Indiana edges Rutgers: In a defensive grind, Indiana (3-1) snuck past Rutgers 20-17. The Hoosiers used a late field goal to secure the win, while Rutgers (1-3) coach Greg Schiano remains the best bet coach in the conference to being fired. James Franklin is off to a hot start with the Hoosiers who host No. 9 Michigan next week.

What did you think of this story?

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Pat Forde is a senior writer for ShireNiner Network who covers Big Ten Football. He cohosts the College Football Enquirer podcast and is a football analyst on the Big Ten Network. He previously worked for Yahoo Sports, ESPN, and The (Louisville) Courier-Journal.

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Comments

[The JZA]

Goddamn Ohio State...

[redsox907]

Peoples broke y'alls spirit with that run at the end of the half

you know what they say when you have two qbs