.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
2018 Week 2 Roundup
9/5/2018 2:47:00 PM | Football
How Many Broken Tackles?
We know you have seen this play again and again and again. But, does it ever get old?
A couple things about our Week 1 @B1Gfootball #BTNStandout:
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 4, 2018
1. The plays will amaze.
2. @JLaurinaitis55 will have you laughing on play No. 2 pic.twitter.com/rc6woFk5U0
How many tackles did Antoine Winfield break on his @GopherFootball punt return TD?
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) September 4, 2018
We counted them. pic.twitter.com/KkVILFqOaA
"That was the most spectacular punt return I have ever seen live," offensive coordinator Kirk Cirarrocca said. "It was more like I told you he would make a great player on offense."
Wait…on offense?
"Everybody wants him," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said. "Right now, we're fortunate to have him as a stalwart of our secondary.''
You never know. The Gophers did already pull a fast one when they unleashed the Seth Green Wildcat formation in week one.
Now taking nickname suggestions for when @seth_mgreen lines up in the Wildcat formation. #Gophers #SkiUMah #RTB pic.twitter.com/Q2TKxsHXVw
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 3, 2018
Everyone Talking About QB1
Zack Annexstad was mentioned over 10 times in head coach P.J. Fleck's weekly press conference with coach receiving eight questions about him. That entire transcript can be found here.
Story: Baker Mayfield rings Zack Annexstad before his #Gophers debut; why U's starting QB is still a walk-on; where things stand with his arm strength throwing downfield. https://t.co/rQA17H2gtq
— Andy Greder (@andygreder) September 3, 2018
Formidable Opponent, Veteran Coach
Coach Fleck doesn't want to hear any power five vs. group of five talk. This Fresno State team has the Gophers full respect.
"This is a very, very good football team that's coming in here," Fleck said. "This is a team that is picked by some media outlets to be the "Group of Five" team that goes and plays in the New Year's Six Bowl. Very, very good team. Reminds me of a team possibly of year three or year four at Western Michigan with what they have."
Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford led the Bulldogs to one of the biggest turnarounds in college football history last season going from a one-win team to a 10-win team.
"I guarantee Jeff Tedford doesn't care he's in a Group of Five. That's out the window. Because as a Group of Five coach, I didn't care. I didn't care: Group of Five, Power Five, MAC, Big Ten, it did not matter," Fleck said. "I think that's what makes him really special. You can tell, and I think if you limit your team to what people say they are, I don't think that's a very good coach. And I know he's not doing that. He's a dangerous football coach in a very, very positive way."
The Crab
Tyler Johnson did his thing and Rashod Bateman was as good as advertised in week one. There was another freshman receiver, Chris Autman-Bell, who wasn't far behind in production. The redshirt freshman was the talk of camp in fall of 2017 and reminded people why with four grabs for 43 yards last Thursday.
"I call him 'The Crab,'" Fleck said. "His hands, when he catches the ball, we talk about pounds of pressure on alligators and sharks when they bite down. The way he catches the ball and hard he squeezes when he has it, it's impressive. I haven't seen many people catch the ball like he does naturally."
Ever wonder why @Coach_Fleck calls @GopherFootball WR @chrisautmanbell The Crab? 🦀
— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) September 4, 2018
Now you know! pic.twitter.com/zF8fDxPZxf
Rewind ThisThe return of "Pick 6" was a fun one! @chrisautmanbell talked zombie apocalypse, dance moves and told us about his nickname over on our Instagram story! #Gophers #SkiUMah #RTB pic.twitter.com/W363UzyQpa
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 5, 2018
You already know that nobody gives out a scholarship like Coach Fleck.
The BEST way to cap off a 1-0 start! 🙌
— NCAA Football (@NCAAFootball) September 5, 2018
Minnesota awards a scholarship to DB Calvin Swenson during the postgame locker room celebration!
(🎥: @GopherFootball) pic.twitter.com/jCAGpJRGmb
Tune in Alert!
Don't forget to flip those TVs to Fox 9 this evening.
Tune In Alert! Catch The P.J. Fleck Show on @FOX9 at 10:30 pm tonight! Coach breaks down #Gophers big win last week and previews a dangerous Fresno State team that visits Dinkytown on Saturday. #SkiUMah #RTB pic.twitter.com/88XRlnDr67
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 5, 2018