2. Too close to the vest
The Gophers went three-and-out on their first two possessions before mounting a 13-play, 52-yard drive that took up 7:08 of the first quarter. Problem is, that march resulted in no points when Kesich hit the right upright on a 27-yard field-goal attempt. Three points would have been nice; seven would have been even better. The Gophers played it close to the vest when they reached the North Carolina 9-yard line. After Brosmer’s first-down pass intended for Elijah Spencer was broken up, the Gophers called for runs by Jordan Nubin on second down and Marcus Major on third down. Nubin lost a yard, while Major gained one.
Fleck defended the calls.
“In a close game, points matter, and I’m going off what I feel we can do and what we’re not able to do, and what’s the best call in that particular situation,” he said.
3. Offensive line took its lumps
The Gophers offensive line returned four starters and was considered by many to be the strength of this team. That didn’t play out Thursday. Facing a veteran and mobile North Carolina defensive line, Minnesota averaged only 2.4 yards per rush, and Brosmer was sacked five times for 24 yards in losses. The Gophers finished with 78 rushing yards. Marcus Major, starting in place of the injured Darius Taylor, rushed 20 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. Fleck said Taylor was close to playing Thursday but was held out by the medical staff.
4. Hampton delivered body blows
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton put his stamp on the game in the second half, when he rushed 11 times for 74 yards. The Tar Heels had a 17-play, 70-yard drive that took 8:21 off the clock to start the third quarter, then had a 12-play, 49-yard march that took 5:13. “We couldn’t get off the field on defense,” Fleck said.
Rushing defense was an issue last year — the Gophers gave up 149.1 yards per game — so shoring up that facet will be important.