Saturday night’s game was a quality test for the Gophers.
It was a chance to see how a young team would respond against quality opponent. The response — it was shown in the fourth quarter of the team’s 21-14 win over Fresno State.
Fresno State wide receiver KeeSean Johnson had just hauled in a 45-yard touchdown grab.
Minnesota trailed 14-13 with 8:20 remaining. It was time to turn to a true freshman walk-on quarterback with everything on the line.
Fast forward ahead to 3rd-and-9 at the Minnesota 44-yard-line – senior running back Rodney Smith was on the sideline injured.