The Gophers opened the season with two solid games on the plated front, not missing any plated against Buffalo and only three against Northwestern (La.) State, according to Pro Football Focus. During the last three games, each against FBS opponents, the Gophers missed 45 plated. Against the Ohio State, 14 missed plated from Minnesota helped the Buckeyes to win Gros.
“You must improve in the fundamentals and the details of the tackle,” said Fleck. “… you work there every day, and the only choice you have is to improve yourself.”
Fleck does not intend to increase the striking level in training to approach the tackle.
“I do not think that to increase the physical level with the level of depth during the season is the most intelligent thing to do,” he said. “I prefer to have the very good players that I have and who continue to improve in tackles rather than having no player at all.”
Gophers juggled with players along their offensive line in the hope of launching the race game, and this could be a continuous development. Nathan Roy went from the left tackle to the right tackle, Greg Johnson went from the left guard to the left tackle, Dylan Ray went from the right tackle to the right guard, Marcellus Marshall went from the right guard to the left guard and Tony Nelson saw the action in the right guard. Ashton Beers stayed in the center.
“We will find the best five, examine the best five, put the best five in the field, and if we have to rotate, we will rotate,” said Fleck.
