Scouting the Golden Gophers

This Season

It has been a struggle this season for the Golden Gophers, going 1-7 and 0-4 in the Big Ten. Along the way, head coach Tim Brewster was fired. The season started with a win against Middle Tennessee State, but the loss to South Dakota showed troubles to come. The losses continued against USC, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Penn State. The team averages 24 points/game while opponents score 31 points/game. The offense averages 140 yards on the ground and 246 yards in the air. The defense allows teams on average to get 194 yards on the ground and 212 yards in the air. The defense allows an average of 6.8 yards/play, which is worst in the NCAA. The defense gives up 5.5 yards/carry and 8.9 yards/catch.

 

Offense

At QB is the very experienced Adam Weber, who holds the Minnesota career records in attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions. This season he has completed 55% for 1961 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Splitting the running game are Duane Bennett and DeLeon Eskridge. Both have had 100+ yard rushing games this season. Bennett has 444 yards and two touchdowns, while Eskridge has 444 yards and two touchdowns. The top receivers are Da'Jon McKnight with 542 yards and nine touchdowns, MarQueis Gray with 432 yards and four touchdowns, and Eric Lair with 407 yards and two touchdowns.

 

Defense

The defense is very inexperienced, as the stats above show. The only returning starter was Kyle Theret at safety, and he has 41 tackles including one interception. Linebacker Gary Tinsley leads the team with 56 tackles. OL Jewhan Edwards has not been a starter, but he has played in 30 games over his career. OL Brandon Kirksey is the team captain.