5 things that stood out in the Gophers' win over Eastern Michigan

The stage is set for a showdown between Minnesota and North Carolina in Week 3.

The Gophers improved to 2-0 with a 25-6 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday night and while the offense left a lot of points on the field, the defense was about as good as anyone could've asked them to be. Here are five things that stood out. 

1. Darius Taylor vs. Sean Tyler 

The running back situation has suddenly gotten cloudy for Tyler, who was Minnesota's No. 1 rusher after transferring from Western Michigan. After going for 41 yards and 10 carries against a tough Nebraska defense in Week 1, Tyler had 19 carries for 93 yards in the win over Eastern Michigan. But was his job stolen by true freshman Darius Taylor?

After Tyler fumbled twice, the Gophers made Taylor the man and he didn't disappoint, rushing for 193 yards on 33 carries. Taylor committed to the Gophers over offers from Michigan, Wisconsin and other Power Five schools, and he looked the part of an explosive, durable back in his first big performance. 

Head coach P.J. Fleck said afterward that he'd watch the film, but it certainly looks like Taylor has earned a role going forward.

2. Best defense in the Big Ten?

Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State will have something to say here, but the Gophers are off to an incredible start on defense. They allowed just 10 points in Nebraska and then shut the doors on Eastern Michigan by allowing 152 total yards, including holding the Eagles without a first down in the second half. 

The passing defense has been elite, allowing just 92.5 yards per game and leading the Big Ten with four interceptions. 

3. Ugly red zone offense

Minnesota was in the red zone six times and came away with a turnover, two touchdowns and three field goals. 

• 1st-and-10 at the 11: 4 runs, turnover on downs
• 1st-and-goal at the 9: field goal
• 1st-and-goal at the 9: Darius Taylor touchdown
• 1st-and-goal at the 7: 3 runs, field goal
• 1st-and-goal at the 1: 2 runs, touchdown
• 1st-and-goal at the 1: field goal

And these were simply trips into the red zone. These were first down situations deep in the red zone. Minnesota will need to come up with a better passing attack if they're going to be a true threat against stiffer competition in the weeks ahead. They essentially left 19 points on the field by failing to score touchdowns on four of six trips deep into Nebraska territory. 

4. Rush defense is about to be tested

Minnesota faces its toughest test yet on the road against 17th-ranked North Carolina this coming Saturday. The Tar Heels bludgeoned Appalachian State with 319 rushing yards in a 40-34 double-overtime victory on Saturday. UNC averaged 7.1 yards per carry in the game. In Week 1, the Tar Heels had 168 rushing yards against a tougher South Carolina defense. 

How do those units compare to Minnesota's rush defense? It's hard to say after two weeks, but the Gophers allowed 81 yards on 22 carries against Eastern Michigan after Nebraska rushed for 181 yards on 37 attempts. 

The bulk of the damage done on the ground against Minnesota was by Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims. UNC doesn't play that style, but Drake Maye, one of the best quarterbacks in the country, is athletic and can get out and run. Maye went for 57 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts against Appalachian State. 

5. Athan Kaliakmanis might need to let it loose

The Gophers ran the ball 56 times while Kaliakmanis attempted just 15 passes against EMU. That is likely going to change at North Carolina and it could be the perfect time for the redshirt sophomore to show off his arm talent on national TV (the game is on ESPN at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday). 

North Carolina was gouged for 353 yards through the air by South Carolina and Appalachian State followed with 275 passing yards. If Kaliakmanis is on point with Corey Crooms and Daniel Jackson, it could be a big day for the Gopher passing attack.