One man is truly responsible for the turnaround of Minnesota Golden Gopher football in the past five years, and that was Coach Jerry Kill. The coach shocked all of college football with his resignation decision this past week -- on the orders of his doctor, as it's well known he's been fighting epilepsy while trying to coach at one of the highest levels. On Saturday night, his Gophers took the home field against Jim Harbaugh's No. 15 Michigan Wolverines, and despite falling just short (inches short, 29-26, to be exact), they played one hell of a game in honor of Coach Kill.
It would come down to the half-yard line.
Leading up to that point, Minnesota had the lead entering the fourth quarter, 26-21. The Gophers would hold onto that lead until just past the 5:00-minute mark in the game, as Michigan QB Wilton Speight threw a beautiful ball to the middle of the end zone. The Wolverines would then complete the two-point conversion to make it 29-26.
On the ensuing drive, Minnesota knew what they had to do. And even when they seemed down and out, they fought back behind the inspried play of senior quarterback Mitch Leidner. The 6-foot-4, 237-pound QB made every throw he could to give his team a shot.
Two plays, in particular, stood out.
One was on a third-and-17. Running back Rodney Smith caught a screen pass and somehow slipped two defenders; he then split two more to amazingly fall forward for the improbable first down.
Later, the Gophers faced a fourth-and-goal. Leidner stood under pressure and threw a rocket to senior wideout K.J. Maye. It was perfect pass -- even better catch -- which truly embodied the spirit and fight that Minnesota showed up with on this day.
Ultimately, though, the Gophers had to score. And they were oh-so-close.
Leidner would dial up a nearly-flawless pump-and-go pass that, if he led his man another yard, would've been the game-winning touchdown with only 19 seconds remaining. However, the receiver had to slow up in order to catch the ball, and his knee ended up touching the ground just inside the 1-yard line.
Facing a first-and-goal, Minnesota still had a chance. Yet, they didn't realize the clock would continue running after the ball was reset and tried to confuse the defense by sending several men in motion, wasting precious seconds. After the incomplete pass attempt, the home team had only :02 seconds left on the clock -- meaning one more play.
Choosing to try and win it all in regulation and forego only a game-tying field goal, Minnesota wanted to use their momentum and electric crowd to propel them forward the half-yard they needed to win.
The powerful quarterback Leidner took the snap, and tried to sneak it in, himself. Nevertheless, he was stonewalled by a tough Michigan front, and the game was over.
In all honesty, Minnesota never should've been in that position to begin with. They outplayed Michigan today, and nearly came away with a passion-fueled victory over the favored Wolverines.
And even though the loss was heartbreaking, these Golden Gophers and their faithful should still be proud.
After all, you know Jerry Kill would be. A man they went out and fought for tonight, nearly stunning the nation in the process.
Thank you, Coach Kill. https://t.co/Pmq6Bl7qyX
— Minnesota Gophers (@GopherSports) October 31, 2015
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