Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said spreading the ball is the key to success.

Minnesota’s quarterback Max Brosmer found that key at Saturday’s game against Rhode Island when he completed 80% of his passes, leaving Fleck pleased with his performance. 

Another Gophers win meant another postgame crowd surf from Fleck in the locker room.

Coach got #RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/jYk9Cywcqe

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 7, 2024

Brosmer, the New Hampshire graduate transfer, said the game plan was the main reason for his ability to find different wide receivers.

“The o-line did an amazing job protecting all game and ultimately that allows the pass game and the run game to be efficient,” Brosmer said.

The Gophers quarterback finished the game with 271 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Offensive Coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. said Brosmer’s ability to diagnose the defense’s coverage kept the offense on schedule.

“It goes back to what I said the first time I talked about Max is his high-end processing ability,” Harbaugh said.

Gophers running back Darius Taylor posted career-highs in both receptions (4) and receiving yards (48) against Rhode Island.

Taylor returned to the field after missing week one due to injury. After the game Saturday, Fleck said the medical staff had Taylor in the range of 15 to 20 snaps.

The Gophers offense made use of Taylor’s limited plays as he touched the ball 18 times throughout the game.

Minnesota has historically relied on run plays. In each of the last five years, the Gophers finished in the top half of the Big Ten in rushing yards per game. Currently, the Gophers sit 17th in the newly expanded conference averaging 97.5 rushing yards per game.

Left tackle Aireontae Ersery said the Gophers offense missed Taylor and that the offensive line has been working on their ground game.

“If there’s issues with the run game we need to fix it as a unit,” Ersery said. “It has been brought to our attention, so we’ll go out there, go to practice and fix it.”

Minnesota rushed for 116 yards against Rhode Island thanks to 64 yards from Taylor. In week one, the Gophers rushed for 79 yards on 33 carries against North Carolina.

Fleck said the Gophers’ first two opponents did everything to stop the run.

“We were going to take what the defense gave us and we can sit there and be stubborn … or we can do what it takes to win the football game,” Fleck said.

The Gophers aerial attack picked up the slack in week two and the luxury of dominating a game is that more players got onto the field. Fleck said 71 different players were part of the Gophers’ win over the Rams.

Freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey and redshirt freshman transfer and wide receiver Tyler Williams connected for both players’ first collegiate touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Brosmer said he had a blast watching Lindsey play and was his biggest supporter on the sideline.

“Ultimate big brother moment,” Brosmer said. “He’s worked so hard and to see him have success on the field today was an amazing feeling.”