Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[ShireNiner]

Iowa roughed up the Golden Gop,hers but Minnesota still pulled off the win (ShireNiner PS5 images)

Big Ten Week 5 Recap: Gophers Survive a Quarterback Crisis, Michigan Mauls Indiana

By: Pat Forde | October 3, 2027
Big Ten Senior Writer

Week 5 in the Big Ten was short on games but not short on excitement. From Minnesota, dealing with three different quarterbacks in Iowa City, to Michigan and Steve Sarkisian flexing their muscles against a surging Hoosiers side. The Big Ten is wide open after five weeks, especially with Ohio State's early struggles, USC dropping two games already, and UCLA suddenly becoming a top-ten team in the nation.

Game of the Week: No. 12 Minnesota 20, Iowa 19
In a game that will be remembered more for the training room than the box score, the Gophers reclaimed the Floyd of Rosedale in a thriller. Minnesota saw three quarterbacks go down with injuries—starter Dylan Wittke and backup Jason Kollock both exited after turnovers—leaving freshman Josh Bobo to engineer the comeback.

Despite Iowa's Danny Sheets drilling four field goals (including two from 50+), the Hawkeyes couldn't find the end zone late. A 3-yard plunge by Grant Washington in the final minutes proved to be the difference, keeping Minnesota’s dream season alive despite the early-season inconsistencies.

The Statement: No. 9 Michigan 31, Indiana 10
The Hoosiers entered the weekend on a three-game win streak, but the Wolverines quickly reminded everyone that the road to the title still runs through Ann Arbor. Michigan’s defense was relentless, stifling Indiana’s air attack and holding them to just 10 points. The Wolverines' ground game wore down the IU front in the second half, turning a competitive game into a decisive blowout by the fourth quarter.

Coastal Dominance: USC 45, No. 23 Maryland 14
In a battle of high-powered offenses, only one showed up. USC completely dismantled a ranked Maryland squad in College Park. The Trojans' pass rush, which has been inconsistent all season, finally came alive, forcing Terrapins' receivers into early breaks and disrupting the rhythm of their veteran offense. Lincoln Riley’s squad moves back toward the top 25, while Maryland is left with questions after their most lopsided loss of the year.

Around the Conference
In a physical "old-school" Big Ten battle, Nebraska took down Wisconsin 38-24. The Huskers' offensive line dominated the trenches, clearing the way for a 100-yard rushing performance that silenced the Camp Randall crowd.

UCLA continues to impress with a 38-21 win over Northwestern. UCLA used a balanced attack to jump out to an early lead and never looked back, evening their conference record.

In a high-scoring affair, No. 25 Michigan State edged out Rutgers 35-33. The Scarlet Knights had a chance to tie it late, but the Spartans' secondary held firm on a crucial two-point conversion attempt.

In the lowest-scoring game of the week, Illinois escaped Purdue with a 16-14 victory. A late field goal saved the Illini from an upset that would have derailed their bowl hopes.

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Pat Forde is a senior writer for ShireNiner Network who covers Big Ten Football. He cohosts the College Football Enquirer podcast and is a football analyst on the Big Ten Network. He previously worked for Yahoo Sports, ESPN, and The (Louisville) Courier-Journal.

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[ShireNiner]

Trojans took home the hardware last time these teams met (ShireNiner PS5 images.)

Week 6 Preview: No. 12 Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) at USC Trojans (3-2, 2-2 Big Ten)

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler | September 23, 2027
Minnesota Golden Gopher Reporter

When: Saturday, October 9, 2027
Time: 6:00 pm EST
Broadcast:
Where: LA Memorial Coliseum


Los Angeles— Quarterback AJ Brand has been officially cleared to play and will return to the starting lineup this Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Gophers face a daunting task, a road date with the defending Big Ten and National champions. While the Trojans have stumbled twice early this season, they remain the most talented roster in the conference.

Minnesota will still be without star wide receiver Jalen Smith and leading tackler Ethan Stendal, who bruised his elbow last week against Iowa. The Trojans come into this game fully healthy.

For Minnesota, the game plan is simple: do whatever it takes to keep Bear Bachmeier and Bryan Jackson off the field. Just like in the second half against Iowa, Minnesota will try to slow the game down with short passes and running the ball. Jackson already has 11 rushing touchdowns this year, and Bachmeiere, a BYU transfer, has thrown for 4 touchdowns twice in the last three weeks.

A major point of emphasis this week for the Minnesota defense has been the "end-of-half" blues. In each of the last two weeks, the Gophers have surrendered a touchdown run of 50+ yards in the final moments of the second quarter.

"The defense needs to focus more at the end of the first half and not assume the other team is winding down the clock," coach Mick Smith noted.

If the Gophers can fix that lapse, their second-half track record suggests they can close the door. Minnesota has held opponents to 9 points or fewer in the second half of three games this year, highlighted by two game-winning interceptions.

Bear Bachmeier, SO, QB - 131/191, 68%, 1,678 yds, 11 TDs, 4 INTs
Bryan Jackson, SR, RB - 54 atts, 223 yds, 4.1 avg, 11 TDs
Tyseer Senmark, JR, WR - 38 rec, 397 yds, 3 TD
Romero Ison, JR, WR - 28 rec, 387 yds, 4 TDs
Chasen Johnson, JR, CB - 32 tlks
Desmen Stephens II, SR, Mike - 32 tlks, 6 TFL, 2 sacks
Alexander Dennis, SO, CB - 32 tlks, 1 TFL, 1 INT


AJ Brand, SO, QB - 99/172, 57%, 943 yds, 7 TDs, 6 INTs
Fame Ijeboi, JR, RB - 71 atts, 472 yds, 6.6 avg, 3 TDs
Xavier Ford, SO, RB - 29 atts, 178 yds, 6..1 avg
Connor Malik, FR, WR - 42 rec, 388 yds, 3 TDs
Kenric Lanier II, SR, WR - 20 rec, 214 yds, 2 TDs
Mitch Horan, SO, Mike - 41 tlks, 4 TFL
Vernon Woodward III, JR, CB - 26 tlks, 2 TFL, 3 INTs

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Aiden “AJ” Wexler is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Minnesota Gophers Football. He previously covered local high schools in the Minneapolis area. He is based in Minneapolis, MN. Follow AJ on Twitter @AidensFake.

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Comments

[Caesar]

This USC team doesn’t look like they’ll be tough to handle with those stats

[Captain Canada]

Caught USC on a down year, might be able to get a good win for the conscience with this one

[toysoldier00]

the freshman REALLY came through for you. 10/13 for a guy not expected to play. You might just have a dude back there.

[redsox907]

gonna roll that Trojan pack up this weekend, but trouble is still on the horizon

[djp73]

Bear at USC is interesting

[ShireNiner]

This USC team doesn’t look like they’ll be tough to handle with those stats

Thry do not seem like defending champs.

Caught USC on a down year, might be able to get a good win for the conscience with this one

Ohio St is down too but they showed up and dominated. But I think we get this one.

the freshman REALLY came through for you. 10/13 for a guy not expected to play. You might just have a dude back there.

You’re right. I did not expect anything from him but he got it done.

[ShireNiner]

gonna roll that Trojan pack up this weekend, but trouble is still on the horizon

Yee have lil faith

Bear at USC is interesting

And it’s been a failure so far.

[ShireNiner]

bump