Gophers replay Gophers 48, New Mexico State 10
The recap
The Gophers' 2018 season opener didn't get off to a fast start, with New Mexico State taking a 10-7 lead at TCF Bank Stadium, but Minnesota responded with a dominant second quarter. Behind the sharp passing of true freshman quarterback Zack Annexstad and the efficient rushing of Rodney Smith, the Gophers had touchdown drives of 75, 79 and 84 yards. Throw in Antoine Winfield Jr.'s 76-yard punt return for a TD, and the Gophers had a 35-10 lead that put the game out of reach.
The Gophers defense was dominant, too, giving up the lone Aggies touchdown on a turnover deep in Minnesota territory. The Gophers gave up 271 yards to New Mexico State but only 81 after halftime. Aggies quarterback Matt Romero passed for 233 yards, but he needed 58 attempts to do so and was sacked four times.
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Smith climbs the charts
Running back Rodney started his senior season on a high note by rushing 24 times for 153 yards and amassing 189 all-purpose yards. He moved up to seventh on the Gophers career rushing list with 2,958 yards and seventh on the all-purpose yards list with 4,039.
Smith was particularly effective in the second quarter, when he rushed for 94 yards on 10 carries.
"We wanted him to [take the game over]. We needed him to,'' Fleck said.
Paving the way
The Gophers gained 522 yards of offense, including 295 on the ground. In addition, New Mexico State had no sacks. Fleck saw an offensive line that's pointed in the right direction.
"It's a work in progress. It's always developing,'' he said. "We've got to play better together collectively. Offensive line isn't about how good you are as an individual, it's about how well you all play as one big amoeba. … The more the offensive line plays together, the better they're going to be.''
Game ball and a scholarship
After the game, Fleck awarded a game ball and a scholarship to sophomore defensive back Calvin Swenson.
