How many positions did Gophers' Koi Perich play in Week 2?

It was a short day, but Perich was still all over the field against Northwestern State.

Sep 6, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich (3) in action against the Northwestern State Demons during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

It wasn't a typical workload for the Gophers' starters in their historic blowout win over Northwestern State in Week 2, but we still saw star sophomore Koi Perich play six different positions. Let's take a deeper look at how he performed in his second week in a two-way role.

Defense (19 snaps)

Positional breakdown: via Pro Football Focus (PFF)

• FS: 10 snaps
• LB: 6 snaps
• Slot CB: 1 snap
• Outside CB: 1 snap
• SS: 1 snap

Defensive production

• 76.1 PFF grade
• 3 total tackles, 1 TFL

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It's hard to make a dramatic impact in only 19 defensive snaps, but Perich returned to his normal self with a PFF grade over 75.0 in Week 2, after he graded out at 64.9 on defense against Buffalo. He had a solid afternoon with three total tackles and one for loss.

Offense (4 snaps)

Positional breakdown

• Outside WR: 4 snaps

Offensive production

• 89.2 PFF grade
• 1 reception, 24 yards

You don't want to make any assumptions from a blowout like Saturday's game, but Perich's offensive role decreased from seven snaps in Week 1 to four snaps in Week 2. He ran only two routes, but reeled in the longest reception of his career for 24 yards.

Koi catch 😎 @GopherFootball

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/rOAIs2xqFE

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) September 6, 2025

It seemed like a perfect opportunity for Minnesota to work Perich into the offensive gameplan at a higher rate, but he will have to wait another week, as he looks for his first career touchdown.

Special teams (8 snaps)

Positional breakdown

• Punt returner: 8 snaps

Special teams production

• 4 returns, 33 yards (8.3 AVG)
• Long: 21 yards

You could tell that Northwestern State made it a focus to not kick the ball to Perich, but you could also notice the Esko, Minn. native was itching to break one loose. He had his longest return of the season for 21 yards, but he'll have to wait another week to take one to the house.