5 things that stood out in Gophers’ blowout loss to Michigan

The Gophers threw for zero yards in the second half.

Author:
Joe Nelson
Publish date:
Oct 7, 2023 10:49 PM EDT

The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines overpowered Minnesota 52-10 and it was ugly from start to finish for the now 3-3 Golden Gophers. Here are five things that stood out, from the struggles of Athan Kaliakmanis to questions about game management, urgency and some history of the Gophers giving up 50+ points. Let's dive in....

1. Athan Kaliakmanis struggles again

USATSI_21599417_168397563_lowres — Oct 7, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) lines up for a play against the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The redshirt sophomore quarterback flashed big-time potential in Minnesota's Week 1 win over Nebraska, but since then he's been below average to flat out bad at times, including the second play of the game against Michigan when he threw a pick-six to Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.

Kaliakmanis threw another pick-six late in the third quarter and finished 5 of 15 for 52 yards. He had zero passing yards in the second half and 35 of his 52 yards were on his touchdown pass to Daniel Jackson before halftime.

2. Big play bails out game management disaster?

Trailing 24-3 with with 1 minute left in the first half, the Gophers faced 4th-and-2 and head coach P.J. Fleck decided to let the clock run all the way down to 22 seconds before calling a timeout. It had everyone, including the NBC announcers, baffled.

The Gophers then ran for a first down on 4th-and-2 and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 13 seconds left. Kaliakmanis then lobbed a deep ball to Daniel Jackson for a 35-yard touchdown.

If that touchdown doesn't connect, it would've appeared that Fleck was content settling for a field goal attempt despite being down by 21 points at home to a national championship contender. If the Gophers don't hit on that touchdown, the decision to bleed clock would've been a much bigger talking point after the game.

3. Jim Harbaugh joins the touchdown celebration

After Will Johnson's pick-six on the second play of the game the Michigan defense celebrated in the end zone and head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to join them for the photo-op.

4. Where’s the urgency?

Down 38-10 late in the third quarter, the Gophers got the ball and ran it for three yards on first down and then for no gain on second down. On third down, Kaliakmanis threw his second pick-six of the game.

After the pick-six, Minnesota came back and ran the ball for one yard on first down and they ran it for another yard on second down. On 3rd-and-8, Kaliakmanis overthrew Brevyn Spann-Ford and on came the punting unit.

Minnesotan fans are left to wonder why there wasn’t a more aggressive approach when trailing by 28-35 points in the second half.

5. Third time a Fleck team has allowed 50+

It’s the first time the Gophers have allowed 50+ points since doing it twice in 2018 in losses to Illinois (55 points) and Nebraska (53). Both of those games in 2018 were coached by Fleck, meaning he's had three games in his seven seasons giving up at least 50 points.

Going back to 1997, which was Glen Mason's first season coaching at Minnesota, the Gophers have surrendered 50+ points 11 times, including the last three coach by Fleck. It happened to Jerry Kill once, to Tim Brewster twice and to Mason five times.