Gopher Football
Purdue Backfield vs. Gopher Linebackers:
The Purdue backfield will give the Gophers by far their toughest test of the young season. Leading the Purdue offense at QB is Brandon Kirsch. The 6’3″ junior first started turning some heads in 2002 when he found himself starting four games as a true freshman. However, in 2003 Kirsch sustained a shoulder injury that kept him out of most of the season, and for the next two seasons Kyle Orton would take over behind center. But now that Orton is gone, it’s once again Kirsch’s turn. So far this season Kirsch has produced far fewer passing numbers than one might expect from a Purdue QB (just 396 yards and 2 TD’s) but as it turns out that’s just been part of the plan. Purdue has focused on running ball so far this sesaon, something they’ve done with success thus far. Even though he’s hasn’t lit it up through the air thus far, Kirsch has shown to be dangerous on the ground. Last week against Arizona Kirsch rushed 8 times for 54 yards.
Like Minnesota, Purdue likes to feature a multiple players at running back. The main guy in the attack is Jerod Void. After having a great sophomore season in 2003, Void had somewhat of a disappointing 2004 with just 625 yards. However, the senior has burst back onto the scene this year, with 208 yards and 4 TD’s in the first two games, and an impressive 7.4 yards per carry. The second back who is seeing a lot of action for Purdue is a 235 pound bruiser, senior Brandon Jones. Brandon has never been the featured back for the Boilers, but he does have over 1000 career rushing yards, and provides a chance of pace for Purdue similar to what Thomas Tapeh used to do for the Gophers. Jones is also a dangerous receiving threat for a big guy. He has 42 receptions the past three seasons, and is someone who the Gopher linebackers can’t forget about. The third and final piece of the trio is redshirt freshman Kory Sheets. Purdue fans are excited about this young prospect, and so far he has rushed for 71 yards and 2 TD’s.
To date, the Gopher linebackers have been the best unit in the defense. Leading the way is sophomore Mike Sherels, a first year starter and former walk on. Through three games, Sherels leads all Gopher players with 23 tackles and has thrown in an interception, two fumble recoveries, and a sack. Sherels is giving the Gopher a hard-nosed presence they haven’t seen at the linebacker position in a few years. A big question mark for the Gophers this week surrounds the health of John Shevlin. After injuring his knee late in the Colorado State game, Shevlin made a brief attempt at a comeback last week vs. Florida Atlantic, but that comeback lasted only a few plays. Mason has not given specifics, but it is believed at this point that Shevlin may play. When healthy, Shevlin has proved to be the fast guy in the group, as well as a supplier of tremendous hits. The Gophers will need his presence this Saturday.
Summary:
Through the first few games the Gopher linebacker play has been solid, and they’re going to have to keep that up and then some if they are to contain the Purdue backfield. So far this season (and much of last year as well) when the Gophers have been burned by the run it’s been when teams have gone straight up the gut. But with Purdue mixing in the option more this year, this will also be of concern. Coming into the season I would given Purdue the edge here, but because Kirsch isn’t firing on all cylinders in the passing game just yet (knock on wood), I like the chances of the Gopher LB’s to do some damage. They’ve been playing a more aggressive and confident style, and with the increased talent I think Minnesota just might be able to keep up. If Shevlin doesn’t play, I’d give the edge to Purdue. For now I’ll assume he will, so we’ll call it even.
Advantage: Even
Purdue Offense Line vs. Gopher Defensive Line:
The Purdue offensive line is a talented one, yet they’re a little raw yet and lacking in experience. The line suffered a blow this past off-season when the returning starter at left guard, Uche Nwaneri, was suspended for the fall semester by the associate dean of students at Purdue stemming from a fight with a teammate. Starting in his place is junior Robbie Powell, a first year starter with only three games of experience as a reserve. The two best players on the Boiler line appear to be left tackle Mike Otto and center Matt Turner. Otto had a great freshman season in 2003; a season in which he was named to several freshman All-American teams and was awarded honorable mention all conference. But his play regressed a little big last year, and it is hoped that he will find his groove against this season. Turner is a senior center that is about as experienced as they come. Through 3+ seasons, Turner has started all but about 7 games in his career and a solid foundation in the Purdue line. So far this year the Purdue line has done a decent job. They’ve paved the way for a couple of impressive rushing performances, and have allowed just 1 sack so far.
The Gopher defensive line is a unit that is still searching for an identity and still waiting for that breakout performance. Through three games the Gopher front four has combined for just 4 sacks; a number that has to be of great concern to the coaches, especially when you consider the quality of competition the Gophers have gone against thus far. The best player on the line so far has probably been true freshman Steve Davis. A surprise starter this year at defensive end, Davis leads the team in back sacks (2) and tackles for loss (4). He appears to have a lot of ability and could be a very good player for the Gophers in the not too distant future. At tackle, the hope is that senior Mark Losli will be back to full health. Losli has missed the past two games with an injury, and the Gophers need all the beef and experience they can get this week. If Losli can go, him and Anthony Montgomery gives Minnesota a couple of quality defensive tackles.
Summary:
This match up appears to be weakness vs. weakness. Purdue is young and is trying to break in a few new starters on their line, and Minnesota is struggling to establish anything with theirs. But so far this season, Purdue’s OL has shown slightly more life than Minnesota’s DL to this point, especially when you consider the quality of competition they’ve gone up against. Barring a breakout performance by about two Gopher defensive linemen, I think this match up will edge in favor of Purdue.
Advantage: Purdue
Purdue Receivers vs. Minnesota Defensive Backs
Every year it seems like Purdue has a lot of guys who can catch the ball, and unfortunately for the Gophers this year is no exception. The best receiver for Purdue this season is only a sophomore, and his name is Dorien Bryant. Even though he’s only 5’10″, the speedy Bryant is a threat every time he touches the ball. So far this year he leads Purdue in receiving with 152 yards on 13 catches. If 5’10″ seems a little short to you for a receiver, then you won’t be disappointed when you look across the field and see Kyle Ingram lining up opposite Bryant. Ingram stands at 6’9″ (not a typo) and obviously presents all kinds of potential match up problems for defenses. The big junior does not have a ton of catches in his career yet, but certainly has the tools to be a dangerous weapon in Purdue’s offense. Not to be overlooked is the Purdue tight end, senior Charles Davis. Last season Davis was a second team All-Big Ten selection by the media. At 6’4″ 260 pounds, Davis is a good receiver for his size, and has great blocking skills to go along with it. Purdue suffered a set back when their very good reserve tight end, Dustin Keller sprained his ankle against Arizona. Keller had already been on the receiving end of 2 TD passes this season, but his status for Minnesota is uncertain at this time.
The jury is still out on the Gopher secondary. One thing we do know from watching so far this season is that the Gopher defensive backs are all pretty good at supporting the run. Junior Brandon Owens has found a home at strong safety, and has made his presence felt around the field on several occasions with some bone jarring hits. Free safety John Pawielski and always excelled at run support, and even cornerback Trumaine Banks is a good tackler. Obviously though, the other half of being a defensive back is pass coverage, and that’s something we haven’t seem Minnesota do very well to date. The one thing to keep in mind however is that the Minnesota defense has played with huge leads in about 8 of the 12 quarters so far this year, so it’s tough to say right now if the lax pass defense has been by design, or if the players just have not performed well. This weekend will be a great time for the Gopher secondary to show that it is as good covering receivers as they are supporting the run.
Summary:
This looks like it will be a tough match up for the Gophers, and is one that’s probably the single biggest key for the Gopher defense. We all know Purdue is a good passing team every year, and we also know that Minnesota has struggled to cover receivers as of late. When looking at every match up on the field, I think the Purdue wide receivers lining up against the Gopher cornerbacks will be the single most lopsided match up of the game. Because of that, I think it is REALLY important for both Brandon Owens and John Pawielski to have career best games. The Minnesota safeties really need to provide solid support against the pass if Minnesota is to have a prayer of slowing down the Boiler passing attack. Unfortunately, I just don’t know if that will happen. Purdue always seems to find a way to succeed throwing the ball against us, and barring that great performance by the safeties, I don’t see any reason right now why that will change this year.
Advantage: Purdue
Overall Summary:
Historically, this is the toughest game of the year for the Gopher defense. In past seasons, (going backwards from 2002) during the Mason regime, the Gophers have given up 28, 35, 38, 33, 56 and 59 points to Purdue. If there is any good news in those numbers, it’s that the point totals seem to be getting smaller instead of larger. Still though, when the least amount of points you’ve given up to a team in 6 tries is 28, you know you’re being out matched. Will this year be any different? I hope so, but I’m not too confident. I do think the Minnesota has improved as a defensive unit since the last time these two teams met up, and I do think that Purdue’s offense is not quite as dangerous as it used to be, but I don’t think the scales have tipped for enough for the Minnesota defense to take control. For the Gophers to surprise me, they’ll have to shut down the run, find a pass rush from the front four, get solid play from the safeties and a good game from the linebackers as well. In other words, it will take a team effort. On paper, Purdue holds the edge, but here’s hoping a little Homecoming magic is in the works for the Gophers.
Overall Advantage: Purdue
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