In his 2016 album titled “Major Key”, artist DJ Khaled introduced the world to the idea of a Major Key. What is a Major Key? It is – as coined by Khaled – used anytime to bring attention to a specific piece of advice that can be used to advance your success. The majority of his “Major Key Alerts” – as he calls them – build success, directly correlating with hard work and determination.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers’ road trip to take on the Purdue Boilermakers is going to need a lot of hard work. There were plenty of things that needed a fix after the 31-24 loss to Maryland.
However, the key (get it?) to success against Purdue will be on brutally physical ground attack for Minnesota.
Major Key Alert!
The running game of the Gophers has to be the controlling factor in this game, but it cannot be just any ground game. This rushing attack has to be dictated by the big backs forcing big collisions in the trenches.
Specifically, the big backs need to take over. Shannon Brooks and Kobe McCrary, specifically, have to be the center pieces for the Gophers.
When the Gophers are at their best, the big backs pounded the ball home and were the heartbeat of the team. Against Oregon State, Brooks racked up 91 yards and three touchdowns in the 48-14 blowout. In the 34-3 route of Middle Tennessee, McCrary went for 107 yards and three touchdowns.
In the tight game against Buffalo, Brooks was held for 69 yards while only posting 39 yards in the Maryland loss. Rodney Smith is a great running back, but is better as an open space or edge back, as his yards per carry – 3.56 – doesn’t cut it by itself.
Brooks averages 4.23 yards per carry, doing more with less and has found the end zone five times. He is a fast, workhorse back that abuses the defense and forces them to play in heavier fronts, which benefits the passing game.
The proof is in the tape. Both of wide receiver Tyler Johnson’s 60-plus yard touchdowns came off draw fakes to Brooks. The defense brings at least one linebacker down with the line to help against the rush. This forces a safety to play down in the box to help the other linebackers combat the shallow throws to the flat. This opens up big holes in the defense for Johnson, which gives him plenty of room to run after the catch.
Two Headed Key
The advantage to going big is also the dual backfield it opens up. Third man McCrary has proven that he can be the main back, and handle double digit carries. This became clear when he touted the ball 23 times in week three.
Having two big backs to grind the ball keeps them both fresh, giving the Gophers no reason to keep both out in the game. This also gives them an advantage in the red zone. In the tight space the Gophers have been incredibly efficient, scoring on nine of ten red zone trips against both power five teams they have played.
On the flip side, the Boilermakers defense has given up 10 scores against power five schools on 12 red zone trips. In the two games, the Boilermakers have let opponents score on 83.33 percent of their trips and now play a Gophers team that has turned 90 percent of their trips to points.
Having two backs that can run hard between the tackles, paired with the advantage they have in their red zone efficiency, gives the Gophers an edge in a crucial area of the field.
The Purdue Defense
Not only is the Gophers passing attack better off the fake handoff to Brooks, but the Boilermakers have struggled defending such a play.
Against the Michigan Wolverines, the Boilermakers led 10-7 going into halftime. But in the second act, the Wolverines hit them with play action pass or passing on draw fake in every drive, finding big success by drawing the defense in before passing. The Purdue defense that looked so stout before, bit on the play an alarming amount.
Running back Chris Givens looked to run outside more often than not for the Wolverines. Brooks can really hurt teams up front and will give the Boilermakers defense extra incentive to bite on the fake.
The Key To Look For
Both Brooks and McCrary need to finish with 30 to 35 carries combined. If they can get that kind of opportunity,the improved running game should in turn benefit the passing attack.
The added bonus is Brooks torched this team in 2015 for 176 yards and a score. While it was two years ago, Brooks is still headed into the game knowing he he’s had his way with this defense before. Mentally, he has this team beat and will be running with a lot of confidence.
Head coach P.J. Fleck needs plenty of creativity in the running scheme, but not in picking the running back. Fleck also needs to stay committed to the heavy running attack. Whether it is productive in the first half or not, the key here is to wear out the Boilermakers’ front for the third and fourth quarter.
There it is, the Major Key for the Gophers to win the game and get back to their winning ways.
