Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Golden Gophers put up a fierce fight against the eighth-ranked Clemson Tigers, but costly turnovers and a relentless Tiger rushing attack proved too much to overcome as they fell 45-35 in a hard-fought battle.
Despite the loss, Coach Allen remained proud of his team’s effort:
“We knew this was going to be a heavyweight fight. Our guys played with heart, they battled for four quarters, but against a team like Clemson, you can’t afford to make mistakes. We’re going to learn from this and get better. This team ain’t backing down from anyone.”
Explosive Offense, But Turnovers Prove Costly
Minnesota’s passing attack was electric, with Max Brosmer throwing for 335 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-25 passing. He spread the ball around effectively, leading the Gophers to 446 total yards of offense. Backup quarterback D. Taylor also connected on a 33-yard touchdown pass, adding another score through the air.
However, turnovers and missed opportunities slowed Minnesota’s momentum. The Gophers’ mistakes allowed Clemson to capitalize on short fields, putting the defense in tough positions throughout the game.
Clemson’s Ground Game Wears Down Gophers
The Tigers leaned on a dominant rushing attack, racking up 288 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 46 attempts. Their ability to control the clock and wear down the Minnesota defense proved to be the difference late in the game.
Defensively, the Gophers had bright spots, forcing stops in key moments, but ultimately couldn’t contain Clemson’s balanced attack.
Looking Ahead
Coach Allen and the Gophers will take the lessons from this game and look to clean up mistakes as they prepare for their next challenge. With an offense capable of striking fast and a defense that has shown flashes of dominance, Minnesota remains a dangerous team moving forward.
Final Words from Coach Allen:
“We aren’t satisfied with just playing close. We’re here to win. Back to work tomorrow. This team is going to be special.”
Clemsons Ground Game and Opportunistic Defense Power Win Over Minnesota
Clemson traveled to Minnesota and secured an impressive victory in a game defined by explosive plays, dominant rushing, and timely defense. The Tigers wasted no time setting the tone as Kieth Adams Jr. took the opening play 75 yards to the house, giving Clemson an early lead. Minnesota answered immediately, silencing the crowd with a 75-yard touchdown pass up the middle to Daniel Jackson, knotting the score at 7-7 in the opening minutes.
From there, Clemson leaned heavily on its ground game, racking up 46 rushing attempts compared to just 18 passes. Phil Mafah led the charge with 161 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown, while also adding a receiving score. Adams Jr. continued his early-game brilliance, finishing with 12 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns. The relentless rushing attack kept Minnesotas defense on its heels throughout the contest.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik played a steady hand, completing 13 of 18 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. However, he flirted with danger, throwing two interceptions that could have shifted the games momentum. Clemsons defense came to the rescue both times, responding immediately with interceptions of Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer on the very next plays, ensuring those turnovers didnt result in any damage.
The Tigers defense delivered the games exclamation point in the second half when Drew Woodaz intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, sealing the victory. Clemsons opportunistic play on defense and a dominant ground attack proved too much for Minnesota to overcome.
With the win, Clemson showcased a balanced and resilient team effort, using explosive plays and opportunistic defense to leave Minnesota with a hard-fought victory.
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE:
WHOS ONLINE:
oldmanwobbles and 12 Guests in the last 5 minutes Legend: NDL Admin | Conference Commish | Media Team | NDL Coaches
NDL Hall of Fame:
664 Coaches Newest Member: OracleHCR
HOME
Live
Discord