Gophers pass defense mostly grounds Maryland in blowout win

The Gophers pass defense keeps passing tests.

Through five games, Minnesota had given up the fewest yards through the air in the nation — but that success could be linked to other teams’ unwillingness or inability to proficiently throw the ball. The U was ranked No. 1 in pass yards allowed coming out of the Michigan loss in Week 5.

Since then, Southern California, UCLA , and on Saturday, Maryland — with the conference’s highest-yardage passing attack — were grounded until garbage time. This recent trend has been key as Minnesota extended its winning streak to three with a 48-23 win over the Terrapins at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Minnesota is no longer No. 1 in pass yards allowed, but they have done more than enough in that category.

Terrapins quarterback Billy Edwards, who led the Big Ten with 302 passing yards per game, was held to 201 yards through the air, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He left in the fourth quarter after he was flipped upside down. One brutal throw from Edwards was easily intercepted by cornerback Justin Walley and returned 32 yards for a touchdown.

Big turn out

More than 100 alumni football players, including representatives from teams in the 1950s, were on hand in Minneapolis on Saturday. The alums formed two lines for the current team to run through before the game.

Some former players were given a shoutout on the field during the first quarter, including Laurence Maroney, Ron Johnson, Blake Cashman, Kamal Martin and Tanner Morgan.

Climbing books

On Saturday, true freshman Koi Perich’s fifth interception of the season season moves him into a nine-way tie for fourth place in program history for interceptions in a single season. He’s next to the likes of Tyler Nubin, Briean Boddy-Calhoun and others.

Antoine Winfield Jr. (2019) and Jeff Wright (1970) each had seven interceptions in one season to tie for the program record.

Perich was there Saturday to make Edwards pay for an overthrow; the Esko, Minn., native returned it 45 yards to set up a Gophers’ field goal.

Late injuries

The Gophers were up big late in the game, but kept their offensive and defensive starters on the field until the final three minutes.

During the Terrapins’ final scoring drive, top pass rusher Jah Joyner and safety Aidan Gousby went down with injuries. Joyner limped off the field but didn’t go into the medical tent, while it appeared Gousby was treated for muscle cramps.

Linebacker Maverick Baranowski and safety Kerry Brown each returned from injuries to play Saturday. Baranowski had three tackles, while Brown had four tackles, including two big stops on third and fourth downs.

Minnesota’s offense was without receiver Cristian Driver, who has six receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown through three games.

Safety Darius Green was out. He has played in only four games this year, totaling 11 tackles.

Three tight ends were ruled out before the game: Pierce Walsh, Nathan Jones and Jacob Simpson.

True freshman Riley Sunram, who has not appeared in a game this season, was designated out for the rest of the season, per the unavailability report. Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said the Kindred, North Dakota native has been one of the young player standouts in recent practices.