Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[ShireNiner]

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

you know what they say when you have two qbs

might be the most mad I have ever been in a football game. Literally running it up the middle to kill the couch and he goes untouched for a touchdown.

I thought Brand was our guy. His accuracy is down with his w&t so now we are back to looking for our guy.

[ShireNiner]

Last year Minnesota won the pig back, this season they look to keep it (ShireNiner PS5 images.)

Week 5 Preview: No. 13 Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) at Iowa Hawkeyes (1-3, 0-2 Big Ten)

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler | September 23, 2027
Minnesota Golden Gopher Reporter

When: Saturday, October 2, 2027
Time: 1:00 pm EST
Broadcast:
Where: Kinnick Stadium


IOWA CITY— It is the battle for the 98-pound bronze pig, but this year, the Floyd of Rosedale means much more than just bragging rights. For No. 12 Minnesota, it is a chance to bounce back to winning ways after the devastating loss to Ohio State last week. For Iowa (1-3), it is a desperate attempt to save a season that is slipping away despite a high-flying offensive performance last week.

Kinnick Stadium will be the backdrop for a classic Big Ten contrast: the conference’s most relentless pass rush meeting an Iowa offense that is statistically at the bottom of the league but just put 42 points on No. 5 Oregon.

While Iowa fans might see the upside in their road loss in overtime, Minnesota fans are filled with more questions than answers after a blowout loss at home and losing their starting quarterback.

While Minnesota has the better team on paper and the better record over the last two seasons, in a rival game, all records are tossed aside. Last time Minnesota came to Kinnick as the favorite, they limped away losing by double digits.

To avoid a similar fate this time, Minnesota will have to rely on their rushing attack, which ranks second in the Big Ten, against a surprisingly flimsy Hawkeye defense that ranks 14th against the run.

In an even bigger surprise, Iowa’s passing game is suddenly their best weapon. Ryan Browne is coming off a massive performance against Oregon, and targets like Nitro Tuggle and Reece Vander Zee will be licking their chops against a Minnesota secondary that currently ranks dead last in the Big Ten in pass defense (320 YPGA).

For once at Kinnick Stadium, the home fans will be afraid to watch the run and excited to see the ball in the air. Whichever team can set the tempo and impose their style will come out as the winner on Saturday.

Ryan Brown, SR, QB - 76/141, 53%, 891 yds, 8 TDs, 4 INTs
Corey Smith, JR, RB - 49 atts, 144 yds, 2.9 avg, 2 TDs
Nitro Tuggle, SR, WR - 29 rec, 386 yds, 1 TD
Reece Vander Zee, SR, WR - 15 rec, 229 yds, 2 TDs
Craig Simons, SO, Mike - 33 tlks, 2 TFL, 0.5 sacks
Teegan Davis, SR, CB - 26 tlks, 1 INT
Derek Weisskopf, JR, Sam - 14 tlks, 4 TFL, 3.5 sacks


Dylan Wittke, SR, QB - 4/6, 66%, 38 yds
Fame Ijeboi, JR, RB - 51 atts, 334 yds, 6.5 avg, 3 TDs
Xavier Ford, SO, RB - 20 atts, 126 yds, 6.3 avg
Connor Malik, FR, WR - 32 rec, 329 yds, 3 TDs
Kenric Lanier II, SR, WR - 15 rec, 176 yds, 2 TDs
Mitch Horan, SO, Mike - 36 tlks, 3 TFL
Ethan Stendel, SO, Sam - 34 tlks, 7 TFL, 1 INT, 1 sack
Vernon Woodward III, JR, CB - 20 tlks, 2 TFL, 2 INTs

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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Comments

[redsox907]

need to bounce back here. Gotta build the confidence in Wittke back up

[Agent]

Beat the brakes off of them

[The Hunted]

Good luck against Iowa, they always have a tough D and without AJ I hope your QB can get some quick passes away.

[djp73]

Best keep that trophy

[Soapy]

NITRO!

watch out for him, he's a burner

[ShireNiner]

need to bounce back here. Gotta build the confidence in Wittke back up

Yea..

Beat the brakes off of them

We're all brakes no gas

Good luck against Iowa, they always have a tough D and without AJ I hope your QB can get some quick passes away.

Against the cpu, Iowa is a throwing team. Against me, they go back to being a run heavy team. It makes them hard to prepare for.

[ShireNiner]

Best keep that trophy

We'll get it. The pig must stay.

NITRO!

watch out for him, he's a burner

With that name, he better be legit.

[ShireNiner]