The No. 7 Oregon Ducks (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) flocked back home to host the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten), meeting for the first time in the conference.

Both teams enter on the heels of narrow wins. Oregon survived an 18-16 battle at Iowa, while Minnesota used overtime to deliver Michigan State their sixth loss in a row, 23-20. Now, after a bye week to regroup, the Gophers head to Autzen Stadium for Friday night’s game.

In his ninth year with the program, head coach P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota team has made its name this season with just three losses that have all come on the road at Cal, No. 1 Ohio State, and Iowa. In every other outing, they’ve been outscoring opponents.

“When you play a team like Oregon … they have incredible talent,” Fleck said on Monday at a press conference per University of Minnesota. “I think Dan Lanning has done a tremendous job accumulating elite talent — that’s well documented. It’s one thing to have it; (it’s) another to connect it — have them all play together. They’re really talented.”

Minnesota ranks first in the Big Ten for sacks with 32 on the season. Led by defensive junior linemen Anthony Smith with 8.5 and sophomore Karter Menz with 5.5, the Gophers rank in the top 25 for total yards allowed per game and in overall points allowed. Despite the lead, the Gophers have struggled to capitalize on stopping the ball.

“I think sometimes we’re getting more and more sacks, which are allowing them not to just throw the ball up where we can get a takeaway,” Fleck said. “You want to get takeaways, as many as you can, and we’re not getting enough, that’s for sure.”

Senior linebacker Devon Williams has continued to make his mark in the Big Ten. He ranks sixth in the Big Ten for tackles assisted and tenth in total tackles. He leads the Gophers in total tackles with 70 this season.

“I think he’s had a really good year,” Fleck said. “He has just continued to be dedicated to doing the unrequired work. Devin has been that way all season long, and you talk about somebody who’s grown up and matured within the culture of the program.”

The Gophers’ defense remains their identity. Sophomore safety Koi Perich is one of the top young defenders in the Big Ten conference and ranks sixth in returning and in the top 30 for defense with 54 total tackles, 31 assists and one interception.

On the offensive side of the ball, freshman running back Fame Ijeboi leads the team with 384 yards. 

Redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey has shown a strong performance as quarterback for the Gophers this season, leading the offense with 1,743 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“He’s like a sponge,” Fleck said. “I think Drake has handled and responded really well to all of them. The really good, the really hard, he grows.”