ESPN report: Randy Johnson shortly passed away at the age of…. more details

vs. Gophers 7 p.m., North Carolina Thursday, FOX9, 100.3-FM, Huntington Bank Stadium By 1 1/2, North Carolina The Gophers’ most important nonconference game in 2023 remains the most important nonconference game in 2024, this time in Minneapolis. North Carolina beat Minnesota 31-13 in Sanctuary Slope last year as QB Drake Maye passed for 414 yards and two TDs. The Gophers used the transfer portal in search of a new quarterback after Maye left for the NFL. Three real issue lines The presentation of Gophers QB Max Brosmer The chance to see the new Gophers quarterback has been a long time coming. Brosmer has shown that he can lead a team well, and now he needs to show that with success on the field. Mentor P.J. Bit would adore for Brosmer to arrive at the objective of finishing 70% of his passes. Gophers DC Corey Hetherman’s debut Joe Rossi left to turn into the Michigan State’s guarded organizer, and Bit supplanted him with Rutgers LB mentor Corey Hetherman, who’s smoothed out and improved on the play calls. To succeed, the Gophers will need to improve their run defense, which allowed 149.1 yards per game last season. Which quarterback will start for North Carolina? Coach Mack Brown, following in Fleck’s footsteps, did not publish a depth chart this week, keeping his starting quarterback a secret. Max Johnson, a transfer from Texas A&M and LSU and the son of former Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson, is expected to play the most snaps, as is Conner Harrell. Two crucial matches Kaimon Rucker, UNC DE, vs. LT Aireontae Ersery Gophers Rucker, who had 15 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss last season, faces Ersery, one of the best left tackles in college football. The Gophers will be in good shape if Ersery can keep Brosmer clean while also excelling on run blocks. RB Omarion Hampton of UNC vs. Cody Lindenberg, a Gophers LB, Last year, Lindenberg missed this game because of a hamstring injury, but he is back and ready to face Hampton, who ran for 1,500 yards and scored 15 times last season. Darwin Barlow, a USC transfer, is Hampton’s reliable backup. One important statistic 133.2 rushing yards per game averaged by Gophers RB Darius Taylor in the past. During training camp, Taylor appeared to have injured his hamstring, so he will probably be on the availability report. Oklahoma move Marcus Major would be the following man up. How the Gophers will win. A reasonable offense with Taylor as well as Major controlling the line of scrimmage and Brosmer conveying a strong passing danger is the Gophers’ best equation for winning. The Gophers’ passing game is threatened by wide receiver Daniel Jackson, but they will also need the contributions of Elijah Spencer and Le’Meke Brockington. It is an unquestionable necessity to Keep away from turnovers.