Freshman Darius Taylor, dominant defense lead Gophers over Eastern Michigan
Darius Taylor, the true freshman running back from Michigan. rushed for more than 180 yards and a touchdown to lead the Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0) to a 25-6 victory over Eastern Michigan (1-1) Saturday night at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Taylor and Sean Tyler, the first-year Gopher who transferred from Western Michigan, combined for 286 yards. Taylor finished with 193 yards on 33 carries and Tyler racked up 93 yards on 19 carries, though he also fumbled twice. As a team, Minnesota rushed for 296 yards.
"He earned the right to play," head coach P.J. Fleck said of Taylor after the game, noting that Tyler had trouble holding onto the football. "Thought he played pretty well. We'll watch the film and see where we are."
Taylor, who had just one carry for three yards in Week 1, was part of Minnesota's 2023 recruiting class after starring at Walled Lake Western High School. He chose the Gophers over offers fro the likes of Wisconsin and Michigan.
Athan Kaliakmanis, the redshirt sophomore quarterback, attempted just 15 passes all night. He completed 10 of them for 117 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Corey Crooms led the receivers with three catches for 45 yards and Daniel Jackson had two grabs for 42 yards.
Minnesota's defense was stifling, holding Eastern Michigan to six points after limiting Nebraska to 10 points in Week 1. Eastern Michigan did not pick up a first down in the entire second half and the Eagles had just 152 total yards.
"He's the best in the business," Fleck said of defensive coordinator Joe Rossi during the Big Ten Network on-field interview after the game.
The victory sets the stage for a big showdown next Saturday when the Gophers face 17th-ranked North Carolina. The Tar Heels, led by potential top-five pick, quarterback Drake Maye, improved to 2-0 with a 40-34 win in double overtime against Appalachian State on Saturday.
Maye threw for just 208 yards while the North Carolina rushing attack totaled 319 yards on 45 carries, including 234 yards from sophomore Omarion Hampton.
