Gopher Football
Starters
With the early departures of Maroney and Russell, junior Amir Pinnix takes over as the Gopher starting running back this fall. As a runner, Pinnix has a different look than any of the previous RB’s Gopher fans have grown accustomed to the past few years. He’s not as fast as Maroney, or as tough to bring down as Russell, but what he might be better at than those two is he is he seems to be more slippery. He is good at hitting the hole and then sort of seeking out and gliding through the path of least resistance. Though his two seasons so far Pinnix has never disappointed when he’s been put into the game, but he also has not seen enough action to make the coaches or fans feel confident of his long term durability. Pinnix’s most extensive action to date was last season against Michigan State when he rushed for 206 yards on 32 carries. That game certainly proved he could carry the load for a game, but the big question in front of Amir will be whether he can do that game in and game out for a whole season.
Lining up at fullback for the third straight year as a starter will be junior Justin Valentine. After a lot of talk last year about how Justin would be more widely utilized, what we saw was a nearly identical performance in 2005 as we’d seen in 2004. Valentine was given a spot carry here and there, about 2 per game, and had only 4 receptions on the season. The emergence of Gary Russell certainly had something to do with Valetine’s production not going up last year, but now with Justin as the most experienced guy in the Gopher backfield expect his production to go up this year. (Really, expect it!) As a blocker Justin has not been used that much. The Gopher rushing attack usually prefers a two tight end ““ two wideout look which leaves room for only the single back. (Whether or not that changes this year may depend on the development of three young tight ends, but that’s for a different preview.) In either case, expect Justin to be more involved in the offense this year.
Depth
Depth at running back is another of the big story lines heading into the fall. Lakeville native and JUCO transfer Brylee Callender was signed last winter and has been in school for a semester already. His potential at the Big Ten level is pretty unknown to this point, but some Gopher fans will smile when they remember the way he smashed through high school competition while at Lakeville. Two recent running backs the Gophers have signed that were Minnesota natives were Marion Barber and Thomas Tapeh, so considering Callender did as good or better (during his senior season anyway) then those two guys should be a positive sign. Another guy who will be in the rotation is redshirt freshman Jay Thomas. Jay will likely be behind Callender because of the torn ACL he suffered in December. All indications are that Thomas is making a good recovery though and he should be ready to contribute by the fall. Depending on how Callender and Thomas pan out, don’t be surprised if one of two true freshmen who will play this fall. Terrance Scherrer is a strong north/south runner, and E.J. Jones is a more of a scat back who can provide some versatility.
Around the Big Ten
The best all around back in the Big Ten this year in my opinion will be Iowa’s Albert Young. Despite accumulating nearly 1600 total yards last year, Young was somewhat overlooked in last years post season honors. Young is a threat on the ground and through the air, and along with Drew Tate give the Hawkeyes a great backfield this year. Northwestern’s Tyrell Sutton was the big surprise of last season, rushing for nearly 1500 yards, receiving for almost 400 and scoring 18 TD’s. The big question this year will be whether or not he can duplicate this type of season after losing his talented quarterback. Michigan’s Mike Hart is another guy to watch. After a great freshmen year in 2004 he was a little disappointing last season. Penn State’s Tony Hunt returning 1000 yard rusher, Illinois returns a pair of productive senior backs in E.B. Halsey and Pierre Thomas, and lastly Ohio State will bring in what will likely be the best group of RB’s in the Big Ten. Antonio Pittman is the returning starter, but he will be challenged by super-frosh Chris Wells.
Last Year
It was another landmark year for Gopher running backs, as both Laurence Maroney and Gary Russell rushed for over 1000 yards. When they couldn’t go against Michigan State, Amir Pinnix came in and rushed for over 200 yards. It was the third straight year the Gophers have had two players rush for over 1000 yards, and the 7th year in a row that the Gophers have rushed for 2000 yards as a team. For the third straight year it was a backfield that could rival any in the nation.
Bottom Line
What could’ve been a dream scenario at running back turned into mere averageness when Laurence Maroney opted out early for NFL draft and Gary Russell did not make it back on the team because of academics. Those two players added to the group the Gophers will feature this year could’ve given them the top stable of backs in the nation, but now there are concerns about depth, experience and returns from injuries. The talent level this season will be lower than at any point in at least five years, but That’s not necessarily a bad thing since the Gophers have had a running back drafted three straight years now. That string will likely come to and end this year, barring Amir Pinnix or Brylee Callender rushing for 2000 yards. Still though, the Gophers should be okay at this position, there just won’t be that luxury of knowing you have two or three capable starters lined up behind the first one.
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