Minnesota Golden Gophers star name as one of the top player in the nation in the Gophers’ Week 9 PFF rankings.

Minnesota Golden Gophers star name as one of the top player in the nation in the Gophers’ Week 9 PFF rankings.

 

The Minnesota Golden Gophers returned from their bye week with impressive momentum, defeating the Maryland Terrapins 48-23 at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday. This victory improved their record to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play, setting them up for next week’s matchup against No. 20 Illinois.

 

 

Many standout performances were recognized in this week’s Pro Football Focus grades. Here’s a look at the top 10 graded players on offense and defense, with a minimum of 10 snaps required for consideration. For context, a grade of 60.0 is average, while scores in the 30s are poor, and those in the 90s are elite.

OFFENSE

– QB Max Brosmer: 93.0

 

 

 

– TE Nick Kallerup: 85.9

 

– WR Daniel Jackson: 82.2

 

– RT Quinn Carroll: 80.5

 

– LT Aireontae Ersery: 74.5

 

– RG Ashton Beers: 72.6

 

– WR Elijah Spencer: 70.0

 

– RB Darius Taylor: 68.6

 

– TE Jameson Geers: 67.7

 

– C Greg Johnson: 60.5

 

 

Brosmer shone in Saturday’s victory, throwing for 320 yards and four touchdowns, earning him the title of the nation’s second-highest graded quarterback of Week 9, just behind Arkansas’ Taylen Green. Remarkably, he had no turnover-worthy plays on 34 dropbacks. He benefited from strong support, with Kallerup making two catches for 26 yards and excelling in blocking. Jackson delivered his best performance of the season, with nine receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, Carroll and Ersery didn’t allow any quarterback pressures during the game.

 

 

 

DEFENSE

 

– LB Cody Lindenberg: 81.1

 

– LB Devon Williams: 77.1

 

– FS Koi Perich: 76.8

 

– CB Justin Walley: 76.1

 

– DT Anthony Smith: 74.0

 

– DE Jah Joyner: 72.5

 

– FS Kerry Brown: 70.9

 

– FS Aidan Gousby: 70.8

 

– DE Lucas Finnessy: 68.4

 

– CB Jai’Onte’ McMillan: 67.3

 

 

Lindenberg led the Gophers in tackles, while Williams recorded four tackles with a run defense grade of 80.2. Perich notched his fifth interception, having four in his last three games, and Walley made a pivotal 32-yard interception return that helped seal the game late in the first quarter. It was a joyous homecoming for the maroon and gold this Saturday.