The Gophers get a crack at one of the Big Ten’s surprise teams Saturday, and the assignment is a brutal one: No. 5 UCLA comes to Huntington Bank Stadium unbeaten, fresh off a shutout, and carrying the league’s best defense by the numbers.
Minnesota is coming off a 23-16 overtime loss at then-No. 4 Indiana, a game that showed the Gophers can hang with a top opponent but also left them searching for more punch on offense.
That’s the challenge again here. UCLA’s defense leads the nation in defensive Expected Points Added per play, while Minnesota sits 115th, according to CollegeFootballData.com.
That gap puts a spotlight on Gophers offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh. Minnesota leaned heavily on the short passing game against the Hoosiers, but that approach may not be enough against a Bruins defense that has been disruptive all season.
P.J. Fleck didn’t sugarcoat what his team is up against.
“They’re incredibly aggressive, they’re long, they do a great job with their hands, violent disengage. You even hear it a lot in the players’ quotes … how much they love playing in that defense.”
The Bruins’ record is spotless at 8-0, but there’s still a question hanging over them: is UCLA really this good? Their Big Ten opponents have combined for an 8-17 record, and their best win came in a 17-15 road victory over then-No.
13 Oregon on Oct. 10.
They’ve also played Maryland and Michigan State, which are a combined 0-10 in conference play, and Wisconsin and Purdue, which are 5-5 in the league.
Still, Bob Chesney has engineered a major turnaround in his first season. UCLA was 8-16 in its first two years in the Big Ten and has already matched that win total this season. Chesney also took James Madison to the College Football Playoff last year.
Minnesota will have to protect the ball and win the hidden battle in turnovers if it wants a shot. UCLA leads the nation with 26 takeaways and ranks No. 2 nationally in turnover margin at plus-15. The Gophers have been solid there too, sitting 19th at plus-5.
The injury report adds another layer for Minnesota. Tight ends Pierce Walsh and Julian Johnson are doubtful, safety Garrison Monroe is out, and linebacker Mason Carrier is questionable, according to Thursday’s unavailability report. Johnson was injured at Indiana, while Walsh has missed the last two games and Monroe one.
Quarterback play is another major swing factor. Since Nico Iamaleava was hurt at Oregon, Ty Dieffenbach has been underwhelming, posting a 124.3 efficiency rating in four games.
Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey has also had trouble with poise in the pocket lately, and his efficiency rating has fallen to 121.9 across all eight games. Both quarterbacks are outside the Big Ten’s top 15 in that category, though Lindsey has already shown he can produce at this level with his three-touchdown performance in a road win at Washington in September.
One of the Bruins’ biggest threats is running back Wayne Knight, a fifth-year senior transfer from James Madison who may not look imposing at 5-foot-7 and 193 pounds but has been highly productive. He’s averaging 6.2 yards per carry and has scored 12 rushing touchdowns.
“He’s extremely crafty,” Gophers defensive coordinator Danny Collins said. “He can find those small little creases.
He’s really patient. He can accelerate.
He’s a tremendous running back. They have multiple tremendous running backs,” including Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas.
The matchup also carries a little history. Minnesota has not hosted UCLA since 1977, and the teams have met only four times overall. The Gophers are 3-1 against the Bruins, including a 21-17 win in the first Big Ten matchup between the schools at the Rose Bowl Stadium in 2024.
Saturday’s game is set for 11 a.m. at Huntington Bank Stadium, with FOX carrying the broadcast and KFXN-100.3 FM on the radio. The weather forecast calls for 46 degrees, partly cloudy skies and an 8 mph north wind. UCLA is a 4.5-point favorite.
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