The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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134 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY RYAN TICE Tracy Claeys was former Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill's right-hand man and rou- tinely served in an interim capacity when the latter was unable to coach due to health reasons. Claeys then became the Gophers' head coach when Kill retired in 2015, and in his first full year at the helm he led the Gophers to a 9-4 finish. However, he was fired in January after the football program and administration publicly feuded over the suspension of 10 players in connection with a sexual assault allegation. Claeys' 11-8 mark in one and a half seasons made him just the second Minnesota coach to finish with a winning record since the re- tirement of Murray Warmath in 1971. Meanwhile, P.J. Fleck was one of the hottest coaches in the nation after leading Western Michigan — which went 1-11 in his first year in 2013 — to an undefeated regular season and top-20 finish in both national polls. The ener- getic former Northern Illinois wide receiver, who will turn 37 in November, was the fan favorite at several openings and probably could have had his pick, but accepted the Minnesota job on Jan. 6, 2017. Athlon ranked Fleck the second best hire nationally, grading it an "A." It's easy to see why Fleck found the gig appealing. The Gophers were coming off a season featuring its second most victories since 1905, thanks to a stout defense and powerful run game. Only one foe gained more than 180 yards on the ground, while redshirt junior Rodney Smith and junior Shannon Brooks combined for 2,072 yards and 23 touchdowns from scrimmage last year. Smith led the way with 1,158 yards and 16 scores on the ground. However, Fleck has his work cut out for him to get the passing game in gear. It ranked 111th nationally last year with an average of 173.6 yards per game, but quarterback Mitch Leidner, a 41-game starter, is gone. So is go- to wideout Drew Wolitarsky (66 catches for 860 yards and five touchdowns), which means 6-5 junior Rashan Still is the top returner after hauling in 18 passes for 349 yards. The offensive line lost a pair of start- ers, but still returns four who started at least seven games last year due to mass shuffling up front. The hope is Fleck can work his magic with who- ever emerges under center — former walk-on Conor Rhoda, now a fifth-year senior, and Demry Croft, a redshirt sophomore, are considered the top candi- dates. Both boast 17 career passing attempts. Technically, the defense returns just four starters — but it was strong last year, ranking among the top 20 nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (117.8, 14th), total defense (348.8 yards per game, 21st), scoring defense (22.1 points per game, 21st) and turnover margin (+0.62 per game, 18th). Four others who started at least five games in 2016 return. Senior Jonathan Celestin is the only re- turning full-time starter at linebacker after finishing second on the team with 80 tackles (seven for loss). However, that is considered the deepest group on the defense, with the return of fifth-year senior Cody Poock, who missed six games due to injury. In 2015, Poock earned All-Big Ten honorable men- tion status after finishing second on the team with 99 stops. Additionally, junior Blake Cashman emerged as a pass-rushing playmaker last year, leading the team with 7.5 sacks and ranking second with 10.5 tackles for loss. Class- mate Julian Huff has not missed a game in his first two years, while notching 52 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. The roster could dictate that coordinator Robb Smith utilizes more four-linebacker looks than his preferred 4-3 attack. Senior defensive tackle Steven Richardson clogs the middle at 300 pounds, but is also a proven pass rusher who totaled 11 tack- les for loss and seven sacks a year ago. Sophomore Tai'yon Devers could be ready to break out after posting three sacks and three forced fumbles. On the back line, sophomore Antoine Winfield Jr. — son of the Ohio State and longtime NFL standout of the same name — and fifth-year senior Duke McGhee lead the way from their safety spots, although Winfield might move to cornerback this fall. Minnesota must replace a few key players, so a step back isn't out of the question — but Fleck must have liked what he saw to take this job. Western Michigan went from 4-8 to 1-11 in year one under the coach before achieving unprecedented heights, and the Gophers could follow a similar formula. Notes Redshirt junior Emmitt Carpenter is the defending Big Ten Kicker of the Year after making 22 of 24 field goals, includ- ing all 10 from 40 yards or more, while fifth-year senior Ryan Santoso averaged 40.9 yards per attempt and landed 29 of his 77 punts inside the 20. ❑ Up-And-Comer P.J. Fleck Inherits A Solid Foundation With Gophers 2017 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2016 Result Aug. 31 Buffalo — Sept. 9 at Oregon State W, 30-23 Sept. 16 Middle Tennessee State — Sept. 30 Maryland W, 31-10 Oct. 7 at Purdue W, 44-31 Oct. 14 Michigan State — Oct. 21 Illinois W, 40-17 Oct. 28 at Iowa L, 14-7 Nov. 4 at Michigan — Nov. 11 Nebraska L, 24-17 Nov. 18 at Northwestern W, 29-12 Nov. 25 Wisconsin L, 31-17 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Garrison Wright, 5th-Sr., OT — The 6-4, 320-pounder came from Butler Community College and debuted by starting all 13 games … He opened games at every position except center … Was one of three starting offensive linemen that missed this spring while recover - ing from surgery … Likely to line up at right tackle. Defense: Steven Richardson, Sr., DT — The 6-0, 300-pounder led the team with 11 tackles for loss, while he ranked second with seven sacks and two forced fum - bles in 2016 … Has 25 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in his career … Preseason second-team All-Big Ten pick by Athlon. In his first two years, redshirt junior running back Rodney Smith rushed for 1,828 yards and 18 touchdowns. PHOTO COURTESY MINNESOTA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS GAME 9 • MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS • NOV. 4 QUICK FACTS A l l -Ti m e S e r i e s : U - M l e a d s 74-25-3 First Meeting: Minnesota 14, U-M 6 (Oct. 17, 1892, at Minneapolis) Last Meeting: U-M 29, Minnesota 26 (Oct. 31, 2015, at Minneapolis) Head Coach: P.J. Fleck, first year at Minnesota and 30-22 overall (fifth year) 2016 In Review: 9-4 overall, 5-4 Big Ten (t-4th West) Final 2016 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 13 (7 offense, 4 defense, 2 spe - cialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2016 (National Funding Holiday, vs. Washington State, W 17-12) Big Ten Conference Championships (last): 18 (1967) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Conor Rhoda (88 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT) Rushing: Rodney Smith (1,158 yards, 16 TD) Receiving: Rashad Still (349 yards) Tackles: Jonathan Celestin (80) Sacks: Blake Cashman (7.5) Interceptions: 4 players tied with 1