Linebackers De'Vondre Campbell and Cody Poock led the Gophers with 13 and 10 tackles, respectively, in Saturday's 29-26 loss to No. 16 Michigan.
Interim head coach Tracy Claeys said their success stems from a growing understanding of the schemes.
"I thought both sides of the ball played with more energy and that's all because I do believe knowledge is power and confidence," Claeys said. "The kids felt good about what we were doing and played fast."
Against Nebraska on Oct. 17, Poock was out with an undisclosed injury and Campbell played sparingly after his child was born the night before.