The Gophers went three-and-out on their first two possessions before mounting a 13-play, 52-yard drive that consumed 7:08 of the first quarter. The problem is, that drive didn’t produce any points when Kesich hit the right post on a 27-yard field-goal attempt. Three points would have been nice; seven would have been even better. The Gophers played it close as they reached the North Carolina 9-yard line. After Brosmer’s first-down pass intended for Elijah Spencer was broken up, the Gophers called for runs by Jordan Nubin on second down and Marcus Major on third down. Nubin lost a yard, while Major gained one.

Fleck defended the calls.

“In a close game, the points are important. I go by what I think we can do and what we can’t do, and what is the best decision in that particular situation,” he said.

The Gophers’ offensive line, which featured four starters, was widely viewed as the team’s strength. That didn’t happen Thursday. Against an experienced and mobile North Carolina defensive line, Minnesota averaged just 2.4 yards per rush, with Brosmer sacked five times for 24 yards in losses. The Gophers finished with 78 rushing yards. Marcus Major, who started in place of the injured Darius Taylor, rushed 20 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. Fleck said Taylor was close to playing Thursday but was held back by the medical staff.

North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton made his mark on the game in the second half, when he ran 11 times for 74 yards. The Tar Heels had a 17-play, 70-yard drive that took 8:21 off the clock to start the third quarter, then had a 12-play, 49-yard march that lasted 5:13. “We couldn’t get off the field on defense,” Fleck said.

Last year, defense against the run was a problem, with the Gophers giving up 149.1 yards per game, so it’s important to strengthen that aspect.