After six games, the Minnesota Gophers Football team’s record matches preseason expectations. There may have been some questions in the summer about the outcome of the California game, but everything else has been true to form. What was not predictable was the number of comebacks Minnesota has engineered to attain that record.

The Gophers needed second-half comebacks against Rutgers and Purdue to pull out two home wins. The success of the season could very well depend on the outcome of the next two games. As they line up against the Nebraska Cornhuskers tonight at Huntington Bank Stadium and travel to Iowa City to play the Iowa Hawkeyes next weekend, the results of those two contests will determine which bowl game echelon they land in.

Gophers Offense vs. Cornhuskers Defense

After a slow start against Buffalo in the season opener, Gophers coach P.J. Fleck has been very pleased with the play of redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey. So far in 2025, Lindsey is 113-188 with 1,284 passing yards and nine touchdowns. He has also added a rushing touchdown. Drake has looked poised in the pocket, and his leadership skills have grown stronger every week. Lindsey has thrown completions to 11 different receivers, with senior Le’Meke Brockington leading the way with 23 receptions.

Transfer Javon Tracy is tied with Brockington with 253 receiving yards, and Jalen Smith joins those two in leading the Gophers with two receiving touchdowns. However, the Minnesota rushing attack has been a disappointment this season.

Star running back Darius Taylor has missed two games with injuries, and his backup, A.J. Turner, is out for the year with a knee injury. Ijeboi Fame has filled in nicely, but other than tackles Nathan Roy and Greg Johnson, the Gophers’ offensive line has not been able to open up running lanes for their rushers. This has to improve for them to have any chance of defeating the Cornhuskers.

The Cornhuskers’ defense has been excellent at defending the pass this season and porous in their run defense. Their defense ranks No. 1 in the nation against the pass, surrendering only 118 yards per game. However, their run defense is ranked 31st as they allow 151.3 yards per game. If the Gophers are going to revive their running attack, this would be the week to turn that corner.

Their two defensive ends, Williams Nwaneri (19 pressures) and Dasan McCollough (two sacks), bring the heat on the pass rush. Veteran linebacker Javin Wright leads the Cornhuskers with 39 tackles and is tied in tackles for a loss with five. Safety DeShon Singleton was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the week for his performance in a victory over Michigan State two weeks ago. He leads Nebraska in interceptions with two. He’s also second on the team in tackles with 28.

Cornhuskers Offense vs. Gophers Defense

Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola is having a phenomenal season, going 138-188 for 1.591 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. He did show some vulnerabilities last week against Maryland, throwing three interceptions, including a pick-six.

He has a bevy of receivers to throw to, including Nyziah Hunter and Dane Key, who lead the team in touchdown receptions with four. Jacory Barney Jr. paces Nebraska with 26 receptions and is second to Hunter in receiving yards (364-Hunter’s 415). He is also a dangerous punt returner, averaging 13 yards a return.

Running back Emmett Johnson has been a force to reckon with all season. He has rushed for 656 yards and seven touchdowns this season and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He devastated Maryland last week, rushing for 176 yards, including a 50-yard run.

Prior to the game against the Terrapins, the Huskers’ line had given up 12 sacks in their previous two games. Things improved significantly last week, but there is still room for improvement. Left guard Henry Lutovsky and center Justin Evans have been the two constants up front for Nebraska this season.

After their first few games, the Gophers’ rush defense ranked among the best in college football. But their last three opponents, Rutgers, Ohio State, and Purdue, have rushed for a combined 600 yards and seven touchdowns. Middle linebacker Devon Williams has been an effective tackler all season and leads the team with 50. Anthony Smith paces all Minnesota’s pass rushers with 4.5 sacks and has a total of 6.5 tackles for a loss. More is needed from his running mates, Jaxon Howard and Karter Menz.

The Gophers’ safeties remain the heart and soul of their defense, and last week, Koi Perich reminded everyone why he is an All-American. His electrifying 27-yard pick-six against Purdue was the game-decider. Kerry Brown is second on the team with two interceptions and is a sure tackler. Corner play has been inconsistent, but John Nestor leads the team with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Summary and Prediction

There is a chance that the Gophers’ special teams could be a deciding factor in the game. After a rough start, kicker Brady Denabury connected on two field goals last Saturday, including a 46-yarder. Punter Tom Weston has been improving weekly and sports a 45.81 average and has landed eight of those boots inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. And Perich is always a threat to return any kick or punt to the house.

Minnesota keeps it close for three quarters, but the double punch of Raiola and Johnson eventually wear them down. The Cornhuskers finish the Gophers off in the fourth quarter and leave the field with a 31-21 victory.