.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Game Time with Grimm: New Mexico State Preview
9/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 7, 2011
Gopher Radio Network play-by-play man Mike Grimm gives us five things to watch (and listen) for in Saturday's game against New Mexico State at TCF Bank Stadium:
1. BIG MO: Momentum: After outscoring No. 25 USC 14-0 in the second half of last week's 19-17 loss in L.A., can the Gophers keep positive momentum rolling forward? Senior defensive back Kim Royson of Minneapolis seemed certain they would keep the positive vibe, asking after the game on Saturday in California, "How can you not?"
2. Eliminating Mistakes: The Gophers made a lot of mistakes in the season-opening loss at USC. The good news was even with the miscues, Minnesota had a chance to win the game. The bad news was there were more errors than should be expected. Yes, it was the season's first game, under a new coach, and with a lot of young players taking part in their first road game, but the Golden Gophers will have to clean up their game as the season moves on.
3. Home Cooking: It will be the season's first home game. The young Gophers should benefit from not having to hassle with long travel, an unfamiliar hotel room, a hostile road environment, and the other things that come with road trips to the west coast. They also should be helped by an excited, season-opening crowd decked out in maroon and gold.
4. Finding Rhythm/Gaining Confidence: Let's face it, this is a game Minnesota should win by multiple scores - no offense to the Aggies. New Mexico State is a struggling, rebuilding program that should be blistered by a Big Ten team. If things go the way they should, the biggest decision the Gopher coaches should have to make all day is how long to keep the starters in the game to help them gain confidence and work into a rhythm. And, at what point do they want to bring in the non-starters so they get some important game experience? Gaining confidence for vets and getting playing time for the youngsters can push this team on the right path.
5. Radio Waves: Finally, if you can't make it to the game in person, be sure to listen to the contest on the new Twin Cities flagship station of the Gopher Radio Network - 100.3 FM - The Fan. And, if you will be at TCF Bank Stadium, there's something new this year - no delay in the radio call. So, bring your headphones and ear buds and listen to the game live, with no delay, on 100.3 FM-The Fan; you can also hear the Gopher Radio Network call this week on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 117. Click here for more info on how to listen!
Hope you'll join our crew on the radio on Saturday!
