Offensive improvement? Tough to tell from Gophers' first scrimmage

I focused much of my coverage from Saturday's scrimmage on some Gophers true freshmen who are turning heads -- Demry Croft, Shannon Brooks, etc. -- but let's go back and look at the first-team offense.

I took some grief for my comment about how it was the best offensive showing in a scrimmage I'd seen from the Gophers' offense in three years. With Cody Poock's pick six against Chris Streveler, the defense was leading the scoring 7-0 about half way into it. I guess you could say there's a low bar for these scrimmages, though, as defense has been this team's strength.

OK, back to my notes, from the situations where it was 1's vs. 1's (first-team offense vs. first-team defense):

DRIVE ONE

QB Mitch Leidner hit Eric Carter for a 12-yard gain on third-and-3, but the defense then forced a punt after Leidner took a deep shot on the next third down for KJ Maye.

DRIVE TWO

RB Rodney Smith got this drive, after Rodrick Williams got the first one. On third-and-3, Leidner hit Melvin Holland Jr. on a slant, and the freshman receiver split the secondary for a 56-yard gain. But defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys has taught his players to defend every inch. Senior safety Antonio Johnson tripped up Holland at the 7. Smith rushed five yards to the 2, Leidner threw incomplete for Carter, and then Everett Williams stuffed Smith on fourth down. The Gophers could have taken three points there in a game, and Kill later noted that much of their red zone practice is still to come in training camp. Tough to take a zero there after Holland's big play, but it says something about this defense, too.

This one started at the defense's 32-yard line, so the Gophers were already in field goal range for Ryan Santoso. RB Berkley Edwards got this drive and had two carries for five yards before DE Gaelin Elmore pressured Leidner into an incomplete pass on third down. Santoso came on and nailed the 44-yard field goal.

DRIVE FOUR

This drive started at the defense's 42-yard line, and the Gophers were in chew-up-the-clock mode. It was an impressive showing for those who love to see downhill football. Rodrick Williams had runs of 9, 4, 2 and then 13, slipping a tackle from Jack Lynn on that last one. Leidner hit Drew Wolitarsky for a quick four-yard gain, Williams gained one yard on the ground. Then, on third-and-5, Leidner ran the read option perfectly and galloped in for a nine-yard TD.

DRIVE FIVE

This one started at the defense's 8-yard line. Williams had runs of 3 and 1 yard, and then Leidner took a shot at 6-10 tight end Nate Wozniak in the end zone, incomplete. The defense had Wozniak well covered.

Coach Jerry Kill wanted to see some fourth-down plays in the middle of the scrimmage. This one was fourth-and-1 from the 46. Leidner threw a quick pass to KJ Maye, and Jalen Myrick read it perfectly for a one-yard loss.

DRIVE SEVEN

Fourth-and-1 from the 45. Rodney Smith gained two yards for a first down.

DRIVE EIGHT

After a 5-10 minute water break, Kill pinned the offense back at its own 4-yard line. Leidner went back to pass, and Hank Ekpe sacked him for a safety. This was a low point for the offense.

Two-minute drill. Leidner gained one on a keeper, and wisely threw the ball away on second down with everybody covered. On third-and-9, the secondary had everyone blanketed again. In take-a-shot mode, Leidner saw cornerback Jalen Myrick fall and threw to KJ Maye, but by the time the ball arrived, Maye had fallen down and Myrick had an interception.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Kill and Leidner both said they were pleased with the first-team offense. I had Leidner 8-for-18 passing for 93 yards and an interception. He also rushed five times for 17 yards and a touchdown. There were a couple dropped passes, and I heard Kill barking at somebody once for running the wrong route. I think given how good this defense is, and given the variety of situations the offense faced, this was still an encouraging day for Leidner and Co. But yeah, I might have gotten carried away with my best-scrimmage-in-three-years comment. Maybe this puts it all in perspective.