Gophers-Indiana player/coach ratings: Drake Lindsey's struggles continue

The same offensive struggles that have followed Minnesota for a month caught up to it on Saturday afternoon. The Gophers nearly knocked off No. 4 Indiana, but another brutal night from the offense was too much to overcome.Drake Lindsey: 1.8Lindsey has looked like a different player since his three-touchdown performance on the road against Washington, and his struggles continued on Saturday. There’s a lot wrong with the Gophers’ offense right now, but Lindsey looks completely overwhelmed, and he has a turnover in six consecutive games. After going 20 of 37 for 120 yards and one touchdown, it’s clear that Minnesota needs more consistency from its QB1.Greg Harbaugh Jr.: 1.4Outside of a beautifully executed 39-yard trick-play touchdown, there wasn’t much to write home about when it comes to the Gophers’ offense. When an offense has just 10 first downs in an entire game, the responsibility falls on the offensive coordinator’s shoulders. This Gophers offense has now struggled for the past four weeks.Danny Collins: 9.2The Gophers’ defense has found its stride under Collins. Indiana’s offense is certainly nothing special, but the Gophers’ defense is good enough to keep them in any game on the schedule. In his second year as a defensive play caller, it’s clear that Collins is a Big Ten-caliber coordinator.Run game: 3.6Minnesota’s run game has never been particularly good under Harbaugh, but it has become historically bad this season. Saturday was somewhat decent, with 23 carries for 95 yards. The fact that that’s considered decent is a much bigger issue. It’s clear that second-year player Xavier Ford deserves some more opportunities, but as an all-around unit, the running game just has to be better.Javon Tracy: 7.0Tracy continues to operate as Minnesota’s best offensive playmaker, but the production wasn’t there against Indiana. He had eight touches for 40 yards, and the Gophers were missing just one big play from their top receiver.Noah Jennings: 2.8Jennings looked like a transfer portal steal through the first five weeks of the season, but his production has taken a huge hit over the last few weeks. He had three catches for 28 yards on Saturday, and true freshman tight end Roman Voss has arguably jumped him when it comes to Lindsey’s preferred targets.TJ Bush Jr.: 9.3Bush has overtaken Jennings as Minnesota’s most impactful transfer portal addition, and he has become one of the best defensive players on the team. He had four total tackles, one sack and one TFL, and he was disruptive all night on the Gophers’ defensive line.Offensive line: 7.0The Gophers’ offensive line faced arguably its toughest test of the season against Indiana’s front seven and delivered a relatively solid performance given the circumstances and injuries. They’re far from a perfect unit, but they continue to hold everything together.P.J. Fleck: 8.5Saturday was Fleck’s fifth opportunity to face a top-10 team on the road since becoming Minnesota’s head coach, and his team delivered its best effort. It’s hard to ask for much more from Fleck on Saturday afternoon, but he has a big decision to make with his offense.Related ArticlesGophers lose to Indiana in overtime after trading 60-yard field goalsMinnesota catches No. 4 Indiana off guard with beautiful trick-play touchdownMinnesota-Indiana score predictions from Bring Me The Sports staffGophers’ banged-up offensive line could be in for a long day against IndianaThis story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Oct 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.