Gopher Koi Perich is a game-changing freshman in college football

MINNEAPOLIS – The bye week was a time for celebration for Gophers safety Koi Perich.

He just turned 19 and is one of the all-time freshmen stars in college football. He has only been on campus since June.

“The city is a little more than I expected,” Perich said. “I come from Esko, a small town with 2,000 inhabitants. The first week I got here I was towed twice. That was a good wake-up call.”

Northern Minnesota's Perich was the state's top recruit a season ago and was highly coveted by college football's power programs. Ohio State pushed hard to flip him before signing day. He chose to stay home for a reason.

“Minnesota develops safety measures better than anyone in the country,” Perich said. “I could have gone anywhere else in the country. I chose to go here because the security was and will continue to be so good.”

After seven games, Perich is already winning national and Big Ten honors. His crowning achievement so far is the game-winning interception Minnesota's huge upset against USC.

“Right in the slot was a 6-foot wide receiver,” Perich said. “The number three wide receiver. I knew he would throw it to him. This is the biggest in the field. So I just made him throw it. He had to throw it in the end zone tag, it just took off and I did it. It was great.

Perich has thrown four interceptions and forced a fumble in the Gophers' first seven games.

“I always think that I will make it. I never think that I won't make it. If you have that thought, I think you'll make a lot more pieces. And if not, if you do “Doubt yourself on the field, you will never be good and at this level you cannot hesitate. You have to be as fast as possible, 100% every time.”

A year ago, Perich played high school football. The path he has taken has had an impeccable start.

“I always think about it. If I had gone somewhere else, how much my life would have changed. To live in another city. But I like to live in the present,” said Perich. “I like this team. I love this team and am excited to see where we can go.”