Gophers players know Tony Dungy as a studio commentator on NBC’s “Football Night in America” on Sunday evenings.
But his visit to TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday for Minnesota’s 26-3 win over Miami (Ohio) was about appreciating what he accomplished well before that recent gig. Dungy, of course, was the Gophers’ quarterback from 1973-76 and has been inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his 13-year coaching career capped with being the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl.
Dungy spoke to the Gophers before the game and was awarded a game ball afterward. During his visit, he made jokes to the players about how they know of him.
“It was so nice to have him back,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said. “… One of the first times he’s actually been back here in the last 40 years to come watch a game, be around our football team. Our players have to know how important our alumni are to our success moving forward.”
Dungy is in the Gophers’ top 10 in passing yards (3,515), completions (274) and touchdown passes (25).
After a three-year playing career as a defensive back with Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers, Dungy went 148-79 as a head coach, including winning Super Bowl XLI with the 2006 Indianapolis Colts.
ANNEXSTAD LIMITED
Gophers starting quarterback Zack Annexstad was slowed by an injured left ankle suffered on the first drive of Saturday’s win, but he stayed in the game until the third quarter. He was replaced by backup Tanner Morgan.
“The decision was strictly an injury-type deal,” said Fleck, adding that Annexstad was cleared to return by the team’s trainers. “… How well is he fighting through it? I didn’t feel like he was comfortable in the pocket. … He is dropping back and it’s a pocket and he’s dropping back, back, back, back and he throws off his back foot, and we don’t get the first down.”
Annexstad completed 12 of 20 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. Morgan was 1 for 5 for 28 yards and no touchdowns. He had one interception when he was hit during a throw in the red zone and later fumbled a snap that was recovered by Minnesota.
HERBERS STANDS OUT
Punter Jacob Herbers had four of his six punts land inside the opponent’s 20-yard line. He had one of his first 11 punts in that ideal location in the first two games the season.
“Jacob Herbers was the player of the game, period,” Fleck said.
One punt set up a Gophers’ safety, their first two-point play since October 2016.
A BIT OF THOMAS
Sophomore cornerback Kiondre Thomas started Minnesota’s first two games this season, totaling seven tackles and two pass breakups. But he suffered an undisclosed injury in the win over Fresno State win and was a reserve Saturday. He had on tackle against the Redhawks.
His backup, Antonio Shenault, had seven tackles, including one for lost yards, and a 42-yard interception return.
BRIEFLY
Saturday’s high temperature of 91 made it the second-hottest in the 66 games at TCF Bank Stadium since 2009. It was 92 against Nevada-Las Vegas on August 29, 2013. … Former Gophers running back Laurence Maroney was named an honorary captain for Saturday’s game and led the team onto the field before kickoff and received a game ball afterward. During his playing days, he was never named a captain by then-coach Glen Mason. … Tyler Johnson became the 25th Gophers receiver to eclipse 1,000 career receiving yards and is 11th all time with 13 receiving touchdowns.