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Photo by: Ben Ludeman
Smith, Brooks Shine in Dominant Win
10/8/2019 3:08:00 PM | Football
Backs combined for 322 rushing yards in triumph against Illinois
By Emily Polglaze
Communications Assistant
Somewhere among Minnesota's commanding 40-17 homecoming victory against Illinois on Saturday, there was another big takeaway to be celebrated: perseverance.
Redshirt seniors Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks both had stellar performances in the outing, both recording touchdowns and a combined 322 rushing yards for the Gophers. Brooks shined in his second game of the season, while Smith put up a career-best 211 rushing yards on the day.
It was a much-deserved moment of glory for the duo, who have seen their fair share of adversity in the past two years.
"I don't think any of us really know hard it is to come back from what they've been through unless you've been there," head coach P.J. Fleck said. "They rushed for yards, that's great, but I'm so proud of where they've come as men. From where they where, what they've overcome, and how they've led this football team."
Brooks helped Minnesota add to its early lead with a 21-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. It was his first touchdown since Oct. 26, 2018, and just his third game in two seasons.
Lingering injuries and trials in his personal life have tested Brooks, but he's quickly, and gracefully, showing his ability to bounce back.
"Shannon has lost his mother, and then you have another knee injury. I mean, most people in the world would fold," Fleck said. "The one percent find a way to change their best. I look at it as an opportunity to grow and become better, and that's where I'm so proud of Shannon. It's not been fair, but life's not fair, and he knows it."
Smith also had a game to remember with 211, smashing his previous career record of 153. He also scored his second touchdown of the season after spending most of the 2018 campaign injured.
Smith said that he was excited for Brooks and himself, but credited the progress of the Gophers' offense for the success in the day.
"I made sure after the game that I went and thanked everyone on the offensive unit, thanked the offensive line, thanked the tight ends, thanked the receivers, thanked Tanner for handing the ball off to me," Smith said. "Any time you have a performance like that running the ball means that you're doing a good job executing, everybody on the offense."
While the road for Brooks and Smith has been a long one, the ways that they've carried themselves are critical for Minnesota to draw from as the two approach their final games in the maroon and gold.
"Rodney's been here 12 years, Shannon's been here 10 years. They've had a lot longer to do that, but they have matured," Fleck said. "It was so good to see them have the connection they had and they were hip-to-hip on the sidelines. I'm just so proud."
Communications Assistant
Somewhere among Minnesota's commanding 40-17 homecoming victory against Illinois on Saturday, there was another big takeaway to be celebrated: perseverance.
Redshirt seniors Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks both had stellar performances in the outing, both recording touchdowns and a combined 322 rushing yards for the Gophers. Brooks shined in his second game of the season, while Smith put up a career-best 211 rushing yards on the day.
It was a much-deserved moment of glory for the duo, who have seen their fair share of adversity in the past two years.
"I don't think any of us really know hard it is to come back from what they've been through unless you've been there," head coach P.J. Fleck said. "They rushed for yards, that's great, but I'm so proud of where they've come as men. From where they where, what they've overcome, and how they've led this football team."
Brooks helped Minnesota add to its early lead with a 21-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. It was his first touchdown since Oct. 26, 2018, and just his third game in two seasons.
Lingering injuries and trials in his personal life have tested Brooks, but he's quickly, and gracefully, showing his ability to bounce back.
"Shannon has lost his mother, and then you have another knee injury. I mean, most people in the world would fold," Fleck said. "The one percent find a way to change their best. I look at it as an opportunity to grow and become better, and that's where I'm so proud of Shannon. It's not been fair, but life's not fair, and he knows it."
Smith also had a game to remember with 211, smashing his previous career record of 153. He also scored his second touchdown of the season after spending most of the 2018 campaign injured.
Smith said that he was excited for Brooks and himself, but credited the progress of the Gophers' offense for the success in the day.
"I made sure after the game that I went and thanked everyone on the offensive unit, thanked the offensive line, thanked the tight ends, thanked the receivers, thanked Tanner for handing the ball off to me," Smith said. "Any time you have a performance like that running the ball means that you're doing a good job executing, everybody on the offense."
While the road for Brooks and Smith has been a long one, the ways that they've carried themselves are critical for Minnesota to draw from as the two approach their final games in the maroon and gold.
"Rodney's been here 12 years, Shannon's been here 10 years. They've had a lot longer to do that, but they have matured," Fleck said. "It was so good to see them have the connection they had and they were hip-to-hip on the sidelines. I'm just so proud."
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