The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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126 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Minnesota has won nearly 60 per- cent of its games in seven seasons under head coach P.J. Fleck, posting nine-plus victories in three campaigns. However, the Gophers have yet to make a Big Ten championship game appearance, even in years in which the West Division was down. Now, divisions have been thrown out and more competition has entered the conference, meaning middling pro- grams like the Golden Gophers are row- ing vigorously while attempting to stay afloat. Minnesota finished 6-7 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten last season, losing two games by a combined four points and dropping four of its five road outings. Fleck and Co. made their third consecu- tive bowl game despite concluding the regular season below .500 and beat Bowl- ing Green in the Quick Lane Bowl, 30-24. Most of the team's issues were on of- fense, where quarterback Athan Kaliak- manis, who's since transferred to Rutgers, struggled. Kaliakmanis completed only 53.1 percent of his passes, averaged 6.3 yards per attempt and tossed 14 touch- downs versus 9 interceptions. The quar- terback position will look completely dif- ferent this fall, though, with the Gophers adding second-team FCS All-American Max Brosmer from New Hampshire. The graduate transfer led the FCS in passing yards (3,464), passing yards per game (313.6) and total offense per game (325 yards) last season. There's no question there will be an adjustment for Brosmer in moving up a level to the FBS and Power Four, but he has some tools around him that will help, starting up front. The Gophers bring back four starting offensive linemen, includ- ing second-team All-Big Ten performer Aireontae Ersery, a 6-foot-6, 325-pound graduate left tackle. Ersery ranked fifth in the country among tackles (minimum 500 snaps) with an 84.0 overall rating from Pro Football Focus. While the offense struggled overall, the ground attack was adequate, producing 157.5 yards per game. Sophomore run- ning back Darius Taylor — a Detroit na- tive — generated 799 rushing yards (the fifth-most by a freshman in school his- tory) and 5 touchdowns in only six games but missed the rest with injury. Graduate wide receiver Daniel Jackson also is back after earning second-team All-Big Ten honors a year ago. He led the team in catches (59), receiving yards (831) and touchdown receptions (8). Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi de- parted for the same position at Michigan State, and Fleck hired Corey Hetherman, who was previously the linebackers coach at Rutgers (2022-23) and defensive coor- dinator at James Madison (2019-21), to lead the unit. Minnesota ranked in the top six in the country in scoring defense in 2021 (tied sixth) and 2022 (fourth), before slipping to 66th last season. Nine starters from that group are back, though, including the leading tackler (senior defensive back Jack Henderson, 59) and most effective pass rusher (senior defensive end Jah Joyner, 7.5 sacks). A huge key will be to replace safety Tyler Nubin, a second-round NFL Draft pick to the New York Giants who picked off 5 passes last season. The Gophers figure to be strong on special teams again. Graduate Dragan Kesich was named Big Ten Kicker of the Year after making 23 of his 27 field goal attempts, including 3 kicks from 50-plus yards. Meanwhile, graduate punter Mark Crawford was tabbed as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection and aver- aged 42.5 yards per attempt. ❑ QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 77-25-3 First Meeting: Minnesota 14, U-M 6 (Oct. 17, 1892 in Minneapolis) Last Meeting: U-M 52, Minnesota 10 (Oct. 7, 2023 in Minneapolis) Head Coach: P.J. Fleck, 50-34 (eighth year) at Minnesota, 80-56 overall (12th year) 2023 In Review: 6-7, 3-6 Big Ten (T-4th West) Final 2023 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 16 (5 offense, 9 defense, 2 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2023 (Quick Lane Bowl vs. Bowling Green, W 30-24) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: None Rushing: Darius Taylor (799 yards, 5 TD) Receiving: Daniel Jackson (831 yards, 8 TD) Tackles: Jack Henderson (59) Sacks: Jah Joyner (7.5) Interceptions: Jack Henderson (2) Minnesota Will Lean On Its Offensive Line And Rushing Attack In 2024 Minnesota sophomore running back Darius Taylor averaged 133.2 rushing yards per game in 2023, although he played in only six games, missing the rest with injury. PHOTO BY BRAD REMPEL/MINNESOTA ATHLETICS REASONS FOR OPTIMISM • Offensive line leads the way • Clear identity with run game • Experience on defense Minnesota has what a lot of teams are looking for: an identity. The Gophers should have a good ground game behind a strong offensive line. The defense also has a lot of pieces. REASONS FOR CONCERN • Adjustment for QB Max Brosmer • Brutal schedule • Replacing S Tyler Nubin Minnesota lost what was perhaps its only game-changer on defense in Nubin, even if there's a lot back on defense. Brosmer, mean- while, will have a learning curve going from the FCS to a daunting Big Ten schedule. 2024 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2023 Result Aug. 29 North Carolina L, 31-13 Sept. 7 Rhode Island — Sept. 14 Nevada — Sept. 21 Iowa W, 12-10 Sept. 28 at Michigan L, 52-10 Oct. 5 USC — Oct. 12 at UCLA — Oct. 26 Maryland— Nov. 2 at Illinois L, 27-26 Nov. 9 at Rutgers — Nov. 23 Penn State — Nov. 29 at Wisconsin L, 28-14 GAME 5 • MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS • SEPT. 28