Western Illinois at Minnesota 9/10/22 - College Football Picks & Predictions

The Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks visit Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday to play the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Western Illinois is 0-1 following its 42-25 loss to Tennessee-Martin on Thursday. The Western Illinois offense gained 405 total yards while the defense allowed 577 yards of total offense to Tennessee-Martin. 

Through the first game of the regular season, Henry Ogala has thrown for 105 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Nicola Davenport has passed for 180 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. The leading rusher for Western Illinois is Davenport with 62 yards, while the leading receiver is Nasei Brantley with 171 yards receiving and three touchdown receptions.

Minnesota is 1-0 following its 38-0 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies on Thursday. Minnesota gained 485 yards of total offense and the Golden Gophers’ defense held New Mexico State to just 91 yards of total offense and forced one turnover by the Aggies. Minnesota churned out 31 first downs in the 38-point rout and held New Mexico State to just six.

Through the first game of the regular season, Tanner Morgan has passed for 174 yards. The leading rusher is Mohamed Ibrahim with 132 yards and two touchdowns and Trey Potts has rushed for 89 yards and one touchdown. The leading receiver is Michael Brown-Stephens with 52 yards.  On defense, Mariano Sori-Marin is the leading tackler with five and two players have 1.0 quarterback sacks apiece.