Gophers notes: Demry Croft, Rodney Smith rack up yards for Gophers

When a quarterback rushes for 183 yards, as Demry Croft did for the Gophers on Saturday, the rest of the running attack might get overlooked a bit.

That wasn't the case, however. Running back Rodney Smith piled up a career-best 279 all-purpose yards in Minnesota's 54-21 thrashing of Nebraska at TCF Bank Stadium. Smith, who set the tone with his game-opening 100-yard kickoff return, did the dirty work on offense, too, rushing 24 times for 134 yards, surpassing 100 yards for the third time this season.

"I thought he did a tremendous job,'' coach P.J. Fleck said of the junior. "He's becoming a better back every single day."

Smith set the rushing tone early, gaining 12 yards on his first carry, 9 on his second and 7 on a fourth-and-2 carry in Nebraska territory set up the Gophers' first touchdown. He started their second TD drive with two carries for 11 yards, and had gains of 14 and 17 on the march that made it 27-7.

And his 5-yard gain on third-and-2 from the Nebraska 23 led to a Gophers field goal right before halftime.

Smith had 92 yards by halftime and loosened things up for Croft's big day and fellow running back Kobe McCrary to rush for 93 yards and three TDs. The Gophers were marvelously efficient on offense, scoring on nine of 10 possessions, excluding a late kneel-down.

As for his big kickoff return, Smith spread the praise. "All I had to do was run straight,'' he said. "Those guys did a heckuva job of blocking."

"We want to go to a bowl game, but that wasn't really the main goal. It was just winning the next game,'' safety Jacob Huff said. "We put ourselves in bad situations throughout the year. If we win the next game and the game after that, we'll just accept what's handed to us.''

When asked about the performance of Nebraska receiver JD Spielman of Eden Prairie, who caught nine passes for 141 yards, Fleck the recruiter took over. "We've got to keep Minnesota in-state talent right here," he said. "That's the best compliment I can give him. He's exceptional. He's one of those guys who's a difference-maker, and we've got to keep those difference-makers right here."

• Offensive tackle Donnell Greene, who was ejected against Michigan last week, did not start. Sam Schluter took over at left tackle and Quinn Oseland started at right tackle. Greene entered the game on the Gophers' second series and earned praise from Fleck. "I thought Donnell played really well, as did all of our O-line. They pass-protected tremendously."

• Running back Shannon Brooks, who was in concussion protocol, missed his second consecutive game.