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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Wrap Up Non-Conference Play Saturday
9/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota Football Notes - Game 4
GOPHERS HOST FLORIDA ATLANTIC TO WRAP UP NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 3-0 for the first time since the 2005 season. The Gophers are receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25, also for the first time since Nov. 6, 2005. Minnesota will look to finish non-conference play undefeated Saturday, when Florida Atlantic comes calling. Kickoff is slated for 11:03 a.m.
True freshman DeLeon Eskridge scored three touchdowns in the Gophers’ win over the Bobcats. Meanwhile, Eric Decker racked up 157 yards receving on nine catches, including a score. Florida Atlantic, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, dropped a 17-0 decision at Michigan State Saturday. The Owls lost their opener to Texas, before returning home to defeat UAB 49-34, accounting for their 1-2 record.
The Big Ten Network will televise this week’s game. Mike Crispino will call the play-by-play with Anthony Herron as the analyst in the booth. Jenean Ford will report from the sideline.
QUICK HITTERS
> Minnesota is the No. 3 team in the nation in turnover margin, averaging +2.67.
> The Gophers are one of 10 teams in the nation that have committed one or zero turnovers through the first three weeks of the season.
> Last week’s victory tripled Minnesota’s win total from last year.
> Minnesota is 3-0 for the first time since 2005.
> The Gophers 2008 recruiting class was ranked as high as No. 14 in the nation and was a consensus Top 25 class. Numerous members of that class are on the depth chart.
> Minnesota has won the toss in all three games this season.
> The Gophers rank No. 15 in the nation in pass efficiency (164.32).
THE FLORIDA ATLANTIC SERIES
Saturday’s game will be the third gridiron meeting between the University of Minnesota and Florida Atlantic University.
Minnesota won the first-ever meeting between the Gophers and Owls by a count of 46-7 at the Metrodome on Sept. 17, 2005. Florida Atlantic squeaked out a 42-39 win last season on Sept. 15 in Miami.
KEEP ON THE SUNNY SIDE
The Sun Belt Conference is a 13-member NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision league, with nine of its members playing football.
The Sun Belt Conference consists of Arkansas State, Arkansas-Little Rock*, Denver*, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Middle Tennessee State, New Orleans*, North Texas, South Alabama*, Troy and Western Kentucky. (* indicates non-football playing member).
Minnesota has faced five current members of the Sun Belt Conference on the gridiron and holds a 10-1 record against members of the conference. The lone victory for a Sun Belt team against Minnesota was Florida Atlantic’s three-point win in Miami last season.
The Gophers have faced both the Louisiana schools (Lafayette and Monroe) three times each. Minnesota has faced Arkansas State and Florida Atlantic twice, with one matchup against Troy accounting for the other contest. The Sun Belt Conference is based in New Orleans.
GO BIG RED
There are currently 18 teams in the nation with a perfect 100-percent scoring record in the red zone. Minnesota is the only one of those 18 teams that has a perfect record of scoring touchdowns from the red zone. The other 17 teams on that list have all had to settle for at least one field goal while in the red zone. The Gophers are 11-of-11 in the red zone with 11 TDs. Only Oklahoma (17) and Arizona (15) have more touchdowns in the red zone. Oklahoma (18), Arizona (17) and Northwestern (13) are the only teams in the nation with more scores from inside the 20-yard line.
BAKING TURNOVERS
Minnesota was plus-three in turnover margin last week in its 35-23 victory over Montana State. Put together with its plus-five effort the week before at Bowling Green, Minnesota is now plus-eight for the season and ranks No. 3 in the nation in average turnover margin (+2.67 per game).
The Gophers are one of just 10 teams in the nation to have committed one or no turnovers. Minnesota has taken the ball away from its opponents nine times this season. Of those nine takeaways, the Gophers have converted seven into points. Six of those scores have been touchdowns. Minnesota scored 41 points off turnovers during the entire 2007 campaign. The Gophers already have 45 points off takeaways in three games this season.
POUNCE DeLEON
True freshman running back DeLeon Eskridge jumped on his opportunity to shine in last week’s victory over Montana State. Eskridge came off the bench late in the first quarter Saturday. He rarely came off the field afterward. Eskridge proved to have the hot hand vs. the Bobcats, rushing for 114 yards and three scores on 24 carries. He became the first freshman in exactly 22 years to score three rushing TDs in a single-game.
TAKE YOUR PICK
Through the first three games of the season, every starting member of Minnesota’s secondary has an interception. Junior S Tramaine Brock got the party started two weeks ago at Bowling Green. Junior CB Traye Simmons, junior CB Marcus Sherels and sophomore S Kyle Theret each recorded an INT last week against Montana State.
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