Brosmer shines as Gophers dominate Rhode Island 48-0

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Max Brosmer threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns in just three quarters on Saturday as Minnesota beat FCS opponent Rhode Island 48-0.

Click on the video box on this page to watch the full postgame press conference featuring head coach PJ Fleck and Gophers players Max Brosmer, Darius Taylor, Jack Henderson, Anthony Smith and Koi Perich.

Brosmer, a graduate transfer who led the FCS in passing yards per game last year at New Hampshire, completed 24 of 30 passes and helped the Golden Gophers (1-1) dominate 2-1 in time of possession.

“It’s been a lot of fun so far and I can’t wait to see where this team goes,” said Brosmer, who has been training with the team on campus since January.

The Gophers’ reliance on the passing attack so heavily may seem like an outlier for them, as their offense has traditionally been built around the running game under head coach PJ Fleck. But it could be a sign of things to come.

“We want to get to a point where we can throw and run. And you saw that,” Fleck said. “That only happens if you are consistent, precise and efficient. And there are three drops. Those were easy drops. So that’s 27 out of 30. That’s throwing and running. We need to do more of that and create the balance that this team needs.”

Rhode Island head coach Jim Fleming stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Abbie Parr

Darius Taylor, Minnesota’s best runner last year who missed the season’s opening game due to injury, ran for 64 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 48 yards.

Minnesota’s defense held the Rams to 135 total yards and forced four turnovers. Sophomore quarterback Devin Farrell threw for just 76 yards for Rhode Island (1-1), which beat Holy Cross 20-17 in its opener but hasn’t forced a turnover in two games.

“Takeaways are a big part of the game and we weren’t able to get them. But I was really proud of the defense for keeping us in the game as long as we could,” said Rhode Island coach Jim Fleming, whose team trailed just 3-0 after one quarter.

The Gophers took control of the game when Brosmer led them on two long offensive surges that lasted nearly 15 minutes and kept the Rams offense off the field for most of the second quarter.

Minnesota picked up the pace in the second quarter and Brosmer got going, completing five of six passes — with one drop — to get the Gophers to the Rhode Island 5-yard line. From there, the running game took over, with Taylor smashing his way into the end zone from one yard out to give Minnesota a 10-0 lead with 11:05 left in the first half.

Farrell returned after missing a drive and took the ball to the halfway line, but a long shot intended for Shawn Harris was intercepted by Aidan Gousby at the Minnesota 15-yard line.

Brosmer then orchestrated a 14-play, 85-yard march that lasted nearly eight minutes and ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Marcus Major.

The second half began in much the same fashion. Minnesota took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards in 12 plays. Brosmer capped the game with his first touchdown pass for the Gophers, a 6-yard pass to Cristian Driver that gave them a 24-0 lead.

That lead was extended to 31-0 by Brosmer’s final pass of the day, a 29-yard touchdown pass on a fade route to Le’Meke Brockington.

The Gophers’ defense even scored when safety Jack Henderson carried an intercepted pass 25 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

“I think we were able to play fast as a team today and play the way we wanted to,” Henderson said.

The conclusion

New Hampshire: There isn’t much positive to take away from this, but a return to FCS competition would be welcome.

Minnesota: Brosmer looked like a great quarterback even though it was against an FCS opponent. Will he be able to do the same when the schedule gets more challenging in the class?

Next

New Hampshire hosts Campbell on Saturday night in the CAA opener for both teams.

Minnesota: Nevada hosts on Saturday afternoon. It is the Gophers’ last non-conference game before a home game against Iowa opens the Big Ten calendar a week later.

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