Chris Autman-Bell shows his importance to Gophers offense
Oct. 17—Gophers fans were reminded of what it's like to have a No. 1 possession/big play receiver in Minnesota's 30-23 win over Nebraska on Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Chris Autman-Bell has dealt with ankle ailments since August and looked as fresh as he has all season with a career-high 11 receptions for 103 yards.
The "CrAB" nickname fit when he snared Tanner Morgan's pinpoint pass for a 7-yard touchdown, while overcoming pass interference from the Cornhuskers defensive back and managing to get down in bounds.
"I'm grateful to have the trust from Tanner to throw it up every time no matter the play," Autman-Bell said. "It's just having a mindset to come down the ball, knowing I got to come down with it every time."
Autman-Bell watched the highlight clip a couple times before his news conference, and his commentary was an understatement: "It was actually a cool catch."
Meanwhile, starting receiver Daniel Jackson did not play Saturday. The second-year player started the opening five games and had led the team with 14 receptions for 155 yards and one touchdown.
Autman-Bell had seven receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown in three of five previous games, including limited action against Purdue last week. His 11 grabs was the most since Tyler Johnson had 12 in the 2020 Outback Bowl.
STOP AT THE TOP
Quarterback Adrian Martinez led Nebraska in rushing attempts (88), yards (450) and touchdowns (10) this season. He was averaging 64 yards per game on the ground until Saturday.
Minnesota's offense held the dynamic dual-threat QB to a career-low minus-17 yards rushing on eight attempts, which includes two sacks. Only two other times has he been held to minus yards in his 36 career games.
"With all that stuff they do, he can hurt you running the ball with the option stuff they do and also pulling it down and scrambling," said Gophers linebacker Jack Gibbens, who had a team-high eight tackles. "Everybody just doing their job and trying to take away that option stuff."
NO TREAT ON TRICK PLAY
The Gophers were up 14-3 and had stacked up 42 yards on five runs, but offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. called a funky reverse flea-flicker pass, and Morgan was sacked for a 12-yard loss.
"They checked our check," Morgan said. "They brought a pressure that made it really hard on us."
Minnesota couldn't convert on the ensuing third and 19 and punted, with Nebraska responding with a touchdown to make it 14-9 midway through the second quarter.
Sanford made a great call on the U's first touchdown on their opening drive. After wildcat quarterback Cole Kramer had three straight rushes, Kramer ran play-action on fourth and 1 from the 5-yard line, Nebraska bit on the fake and Kramer threw his first career touchdown pass to tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford.
PASSING KILL
P.J. Fleck won his 30th game at the U on Saturday, passing Jerry Kill in the process. Fleck is 30-21 (.588 winning percentage), while Kill was 29-29 (.500) from 2011-15.
BRIEFLY
Morgan's 16 consecutive completions on Saturday set a school record of 14, which was set twice by Mitch Leinder and once by both Adam Weber and Morgan. Morgan's sweet 16 is the third-most ever in Big Ten play. ... Left guard Connor Olson made his 51st start, which moves the Monticello, Minn., native into a tie with former long-snapper Payton Jordahl in 2015-18. ... The Gophers honored former statistician Jim Coughlin, who passed away this week. He helped out with football, hockey and basketball programs for more than 40 years.
