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 struggles ground squirrel did 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 Matchup with Southern California on Saturday evening.

The Trojanswhich are currently in 11th place Associated Press pollhave picked up with quarterback Miller Moss exactly where they left off with predecessor Caleb Williams, who was selected by the Chicago Bears with the first pick in the NFL draft this year and is the 2022 Heisman 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 WisconsinMoss passed for 308 yards to nine different receivers with three touchdowns, leading a second-half surge after a flat first half for 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 over 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 their first year of the system, they are performing really well. I think that’s clear on the tape.”

The art of recovering

Minnesota lost in Michigannow ranked No. 10 in the AP poll, with the same score (27-24) last week as USC the game 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 sent off Doubtful offside penalty The Big Ten later admitted they were called in error.

“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 in the Big Ten, the Trojans have taken over the refereeing duties and have had fewer penalties 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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Freelance writer Dan Greenspan contributed from Los Angeles.

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