Purdue opponent early outlook: Minnesota
As the 2023 football season nears closer, GoldandBlack.com will provide a mid-summer outlook of each of Purdue’s opponents. Today, it’s Minnesota, who enters year seven of the PJ Fleck Era.
2022 RECORD: 9-4 (5-4 Big Ten)
HEAD COACH: PJ Fleck (44-27 entering seventh year at Minnesota, 74-49 overall)
KEY PLAYERS: QB Athan Kaliakmanis, TE Brevyn Spann-Ford,
HISTORY VS. PURDUE: Minnesota leads the all-time series 41-34 after winning eight of the last 10 matchups. The two programs engaged in some heated battles when Jeff Brohm and Fleck squared off both on and off the field, with Fleck walking away victorious in four out of six meetings. Purdue last earned a home win over the Gophers in 2017, when Ja’Whaun Bentley‘s pick-six sealed the deal following a weather delay in the second half.
ABOUT THE GOPHERS: It’s time for Minnesota to turn the page on a successful run led by quarterback Tanner Morgan and running back Mohamed Ibrahim. After starting a few games down the stretch last season, Athan Kaliakmanis assumes the reigns of the Golden Gopher offense. He’s considered to possess a strong arm with deep ball potential, and the returns of receiver Chris Autman-Bell and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford should help him settle into the pass game.
Ibrahim departed as Minnesota’s all-time leading rusher, but even without him, expect the run game to get plenty of use. Fleck brought in Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler to lead the backfield, but talented freshmen will push him for reps. They’ll need the offensive line to develop quickly, as well, after losing three starters.
Minnesota posted a top-10 defense nationally a season ago, but it needs to replace some key pieces to replicate that performance this year. Safety Tyler Nubin will lead the defense after earning second-team all-conference honors a season ago, and Justin Walley will cover the opponent’s top receiver.
The front seven presents more questions, especially considering that the pass rush has lacked in recent seasons. Just three starters return to the front seven, where linebacker Cody Lindenberg should take a big step this season.
Fleck’s run continues to bring success to Minnesota following his third nine-win (or more) season in the last four years. While winning nine seems like a stretch this season, if Kaliakmanis becomes a star, the Gophers could compete in the West.
More: Athlon on Minnesota
Previous previews: Fresno State, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska, Michigan
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