Nebraska faces Minnesota Saturday on the road. The game between the Cornhuskers and the Golden Gophers is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff that will be regionally televised by ABC.
Minnesota is 1-5 this season and to be honest does not appear to be a very good football team. Coach Jerry Kill, in his first year as coach at Minnesota is trying to build the team back to the glory days of the 1930's, 40's and into the early 1960's when the Gophers won a total of six national championships with great players like Bronko Nagurski, Bobby Bell and Carl Eller. Today the Gophers are a shell of that former rich history, but Coach Kill has been a winner in his previous stops at both Southern and Northern Illinois Universities. Kill has had a history of health problems that include issues with seizures that have limited his time with the team this season. This may have impacted the team chemistry in 2011.
The Gophers are paced by quarterback MarQueis Gray (6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Junior). Gray is a former receiver that has been moved to the quarterback position. A good athlete, at this point in his career Gray is a better runner than a passer. Gray has also dealt with injuries that have limited his effectiveness in 2011. Gray averages over 74 yards rushing per game and is the teams top threat running the ball. He also averages 125 yards passing per game with three touchdowns and four interceptions. Gray completes just over 48 percent of his passes. The Husker defense must keep Gray contained as a runner because that is where he is most dangerous. Max Shortell (6-6, 226, Fr.) also has seen extensive action at quarterback and may spell Gray at times Saturday.
The Minnesota running game has been beset by injuries. As a team the Gophers average 144 yards rushing. Senior Duane Bennett (5-9, 205) leads the way with 263 yards on the season for a 42 yard average. Freshman Donnell Kirkwood (5-10, 215) will split time with Bennett throughout the game. He averages 25 yards per game, but leads the team with three rushing touchdowns. Nebraska should be able to control this group fairly well.
The Gophers have struggled in the passing game and their receivers statistics point that out. Only two receivers have more than eight catches midway through the season. The top receiver is Da'Jon McKnight (6-3, 211 Sr.). He has 25 catches for 316 yards and a touchdown. McKnight is the key to the Gophers passing game,so look for Alfonzo Dennard to draw that assignment. Malcolm Moulton (5-11, 186, So.) adds 13 receptiona and has the teams biggest play with a 59 yard pass reception earlier this season. The receivers are the least dangerous Nebraska has seen so far in 2011.
Minnesota has one of the youngest offensive lines in the country. Two freshmen and a sophomore will start. As a group, The Gophers average nearly 6-5 and 302 pounds from tackle to tackle. Senior center Ryan Wynn (6-5, 305) has been the most consistent offensive lineman for the Gophers this season. The lackluster play up front for Minnesota has been the key factor to the Gophers struggles in 2011.
Defensively Minnesota is a team in trouble. The Gophers have given up 166 yards rushing, 247 yards passing and 35 points per game defensively. That is a bad mix for Minnesota fans, but should make for a comfortable afternoon for supporters of the Big Red. Two players deserve mention for the Gophers on defense. Safety Kim Royston (5-11, 200, Sr.) leads the team with 51 total tackles. Middle linebacker Gary Tinsley (6-1, 232, Sr.) is a smart player that usually finds his way to the football.
On special teams, Minnesota has a big-play threat in kickoff return man Marcus Jones (5-8, 170, Fr.). Jones has a 92-yard kickoff return for a score and the Husker coverage units must must always be aware of Jones on the field. Kicker Chris Hawthorne (6-4, 198, So.) is 6 of 9 on field goals with a long of 47 yards. Punter Dan Oreseke (6-3, 206, So.), averages just under 42 yards per punt. Special teams is the best part of the Gophers team this season.
Nebraska has a major advantage at every position on the field against Minnesota. The Huskers need to take the field with swagger and take care of business. I think Nebraska will show some early rust but then take complete control after halftime in a 52-21 win over Minnesota. Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze and look for my post game thoughts in my next post.
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