The prolific aerial attack of Miller Moss and No. 11 USC faces the FBS-leading pass defense in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota had a frustrating and uneven start to this season, painfully losing all three games to power conference teams.

Despite all the setbacks and difficulties, the Gophers were at their best in pass defense – like the best in the nation. They are the only team in the FBS that has allowed fewer than 100 yards per game, which is exactly the type of trait a group would want heading into Saturday night’s game against Southern California.

The Trojans, ranked No. 11 in the latest Associated Press poll, picked up right where they left off with predecessor Caleb Williams with quarterback Miller Moss, who was drafted this year by the Chicago Bears and the 2022 Heisman as the first overall pick in the NFL -Draft selection was trophy winner at USC. Moss is 11th in the FBS averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game and leads USC’s new conference, the Big Ten.

“It’s one thing to be a gunfighter, but it’s another thing to be an accurate gunfighter,” Gophers coach PJ Fleck said.

Last week against Wisconsin, Moss passed for 308 yards with three touchdowns to nine different receivers, leading a second-half surge from a flat first half by the Trojans (3-1, 1-1 Big Ten) en route to a 38-21 Victory. Ja’Kobi Lane had 10 catches for 105 yards, both career highs, and two scores.

“They have explosive athletes all over the field. That’s pretty obvious,” Gophers safety Coleman Bryson said. “Their passing game is dynamic. Their running game is dynamic. But I think for us it’s just about doing our job to the best of our ability.”

In their third season under head coach Lincoln Riley, the Trojans have been busy keeping up with the program’s proud tradition of talented position players.

“One thing that Lincoln has done really great throughout his career is that he runs the ball more effectively than ever before, and he doesn’t just run it to break up throwing streaks. He runs the football effectively,” Fleck said. “I’ve studied him for many years and just watching what he did at Oklahoma and USC, I think he’s part of that generation that kind of reinvented the game.”

Despite losing safety Tyler Nubin to the NFL draft – he was selected in the second round by the New York Giants – the Gophers (2-3, 0-2) have their rush and offense under first-year defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman Coverage relatively well connected good for a productive start against the pass.

The teams they lost to (North Carolina, Iowa and Michigan) each had ground success with a 100-yard rusher – and then some, as was the case with Hawkeyes star Kaleb Johnson and his 206-yard game. But the Gophers didn’t just keep the passing total against them low (96.8 yards per game) because they lacked action. They are tied with Maryland for the Big Ten lead in interceptions with eight, and their opponent passer rating is the second-lowest in the FBS behind Iowa State.

“They’re a really experienced group and a group that has really, really embraced a new defensive system,” Moss said. “There’s not a lot of broken reporting. For a group that is in its first year of the system, their performance is really good. I think that shows on all the tapes.”

The art of recovering

Minnesota lost last week to Michigan, now ranked No. 10 in the AP poll, by the same score (27-24) as USC before. The Gophers outscored the Wolverines 21-6 in the second half and even recovered an onside kick with 1:37 left, only to be called for a questionable offside penalty that the Big Ten later admitted was erroneous imposed.

“We finished the game in a way that gave us confidence from our play on both sides of the ball in the second half,” quarterback Max Brosmer said.

Perich, the amazing punt returner

Koi Perich set up one of Minnesota’s fourth-quarter touchdowns at Michigan with a 60-yard punt return, underscoring the promising start of the dynamic freshman safety on defense.

“I don’t know if he realizes this yet, but these plays energize a team,” Brosmer said.

Injured Trojans

USC’s much-improved defense could be without one of its best players. Linebacker Eric Gentry is questionable due to an injury he suffered in the second half against Wisconsin. The senior leads the team in tackles (30), tackles for loss (6 1/2) and sacks (two). On the other hand, safety Akili Arnold, a transfer from Oregon State, is leaning toward returning after sitting out the Wisconsin game due to injury.

Folded flags

The Pac-12 was known for its aggressive and occasionally confusing officiating. So far, the Trojans have prevailed in the Big Ten as referees, with fewer penalties given overall.

“That’s good, right? “Just let the players play and see how it goes,” said center Jonah Monheim.

USC was reported for an average of 40.5 yards per game, which ranked 24th in the FBS. That includes 13 flags for 85 yards in conference games against Michigan and Wisconsin. The Trojans ranked 123rd with 64.9 penalty yards per game in 2023 and 90th with 58 in 2022.

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Dave Campbell, The Associated Press