BleedGopher
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http://1500espn.com/sportswire/Wolfson_Brewster_Watch_continues_on_Saturday_against_Purdue101410
It's the last weekend of games before the BCS standings are revealed.
Oh wait -- under the current regime, those standings never will mean anything locally.
I can see it now: on his way into the office last Sunday morning, Gophers coach Tim Brewster singing along, "This time baby, I'll be bulletproof. This time baby, I'll be bulletproof."
A borderline embarrassing performance in the final 30 minutes last Saturday in Madison wasn't enough for the administration to cut the chord.
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema told the Big Ten Network at the half, "We'll move them" in the second half. He was right. The Badgers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions after the break.
A lot has been said and written about Bielema's decision to go for a two-point conversion when up 41-16. Both he and Brewster look foolish.
On Brewster: this isn't Pop Warner or high school football. It's a bitter rivalry. Words have been exchanged publicly and privately, so why make a spectacle?
Unaware that a camera was present in 2007, Brewster took some shots at Bielema during a pep fest at the football complex. Also that year, Brewster said that he would be the first person to sprint across the field at the Metrodome and retrieve Paul Bunyan's Axe after they won.
Among other recruiting battles, punter Brad Nortman, now with Wisconsin, was originally a Gophers verbal commitment. What was said to Nortman behind the scenes to encourage him to back-out of his "U" commitment?
Same story applies to former Holy Angels defensive end Brendan Kelly. The private back-and-forth between the two schools is ugly, so why wouldn't Bielema run up the score?
Where Bielema looks goofy is his excuse that his card told him to go for two when leading by 25 points. Truly, what the card says when you're up 25 is, "Why are you looking at me?"
Bielema would've looked a lot better if he just admitted that because of the rivalry, he was trying to hang 50 on the "U".
So, the Brewster Watch continues heading into Saturday's homecoming game for Purdue.
Someone call the Elias Sports Bureau. What's the record for being a school's homecoming opponent? Going back to the Gutekunst and Wacker days, the Gophers have to be among the nation's leaders in said category.
The way to solve that minor problem is to win.
"The only thing missing would possibly be a win," running back DeLeon Eskridge said on Tuesday. "That would get the confidence going."
Ding, ding, ding. We have the understatement of the season.
That idea is attainable on Saturday against Purdue (3-2).
A look at the Boilermakers
Purdue will face the Gophers without the services of its top two quarterbacks (Robert Marve and Caleb TerBush), its top running back (Ralph Bolden) and its top two receivers (Keith Smith and Justin Siller).
But the Boilermakers can run -- four straight games with at least 200 yards -- and the Gophers' big-time issues are with a defense that allows a Big Ten-high 32.3 points a game and 196.3 rush yards a game.
For a in-depth look at Purdue, we turn to beat reporter Mike Carmin from the Lafayette Journal & Courier.
How big a story have injuries been this year?
It is the story of the season right now. All of the major injuries have been on offense. It started in the spring when Purdue lost running back Ralph Bolden, last year's leading rusher, to a knee injury. Top receiver Keith Smith suffered a knee injury against Western Illinois and quarterback Robert Marve tore his ACL against Toledo. In that same game, receiver Justin Siller sprained his foot and is out another two weeks. The offensive line, though, has remained intact, which I think is helping the offense develop.
How much did the offense change with redshirt freshman Rob Henry starting at quarterback for the first time?
It changed a lot, in my mind. Purdue went from a pass-first team to a run-first approach. They installed some zone-read plays for Henry and the result was 132 yards rushing
against Northwestern. Henry guided the Boilermakers on a game-winning drive when the offense had done very little throughout the second half.
Who is the biggest difference-maker on offense?
It's Henry. The redshirt freshman showed the poise of a veteran on the fourth-quarter touchdown drive. He hadn't completed a pass since the second quarter and connected on
two during the final drive. He only threw for 47 yards, an area that must improve moving forward.
On defense?
Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. His teammates call him "The Beast," "Superman" and other assorted nicknames. He leads the nation with 13 tackles for loss and has 5.5 sacks. Kerrigan could easily be a first-round pick in next spring's NFL draft. He has a motor that doesn't quit.
What exactly does the mantra "The Ball is the Program" mean?
Last year, Purdue was 1-7 when it lost a fumble and 4-0 when it didn't. Turnovers prevented the Boilermakers from playing in a bowl game. In order to emphasize hanging onto the ball, it's a slogan the coach staff developed. It's worked so far as Purdue has lost only two fumbles. Last year, the Boilermakers lost 15.
Considering Minnesota's issues with stopping the run and Purdue's run of four consecutive games of at least 200 yards rushing, what is reasonable to expect rushing yardage-wise from the Boilermakers on Saturday?
It's not out of the question Purdue reaches 200 yards again. Depends how committed Minnesota is to stopping Purdue's run. If the Boilermakers have some early success on the ground, it could be a long day for the Gophers.
If you were to scheme a defense to stop Purdue's offense... what would you do?
Load up the line of scrimmage and force the Boilermakers to pass. Henry hasn't proven he can manufacture big yardage in the passing game. Until he does, stop the run.
If you were to design an offense to score against Purdue's defense... what would you do?
Be patient with the running game. Although the Boilermakers held Northwestern to less than 100 yards on the ground, there are some holes in the defense. And run away from Ryan Kerrigan.
Where did you stand at the time that Danny Hope was brought in as the coach-in-waiting, and how, if at all, has your perception changed of Hope as we're halfway through his second year?
I thought it was a good move to help maintain continuity. Coming in early allowed Hope a chance to get ahead in recruiting. A lot of those players are now on the field. Last year, Purdue played hard all the way through, finishing 4-2. This year, it's hard to judge because of the injuries. If the Boilermakers struggle on offense, you chalk it up to the injuries. If they do well, they overcame a lot. Either way, Hope is in a win-win situation, unless he doesn't handle the game management part of his duties.
Who wins, and why?
I expect a close game. Purdue's running game is doing well and I expect Henry and running back Dan Dierking to guide the offense through Minnesota's defense. The Boilermakers' defense is playing better but will be challenged by quarterback Adam Weber. Purdue 21-17.
Go Gophers!!
It's the last weekend of games before the BCS standings are revealed.
Oh wait -- under the current regime, those standings never will mean anything locally.
I can see it now: on his way into the office last Sunday morning, Gophers coach Tim Brewster singing along, "This time baby, I'll be bulletproof. This time baby, I'll be bulletproof."
A borderline embarrassing performance in the final 30 minutes last Saturday in Madison wasn't enough for the administration to cut the chord.
Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema told the Big Ten Network at the half, "We'll move them" in the second half. He was right. The Badgers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions after the break.
A lot has been said and written about Bielema's decision to go for a two-point conversion when up 41-16. Both he and Brewster look foolish.
On Brewster: this isn't Pop Warner or high school football. It's a bitter rivalry. Words have been exchanged publicly and privately, so why make a spectacle?
Unaware that a camera was present in 2007, Brewster took some shots at Bielema during a pep fest at the football complex. Also that year, Brewster said that he would be the first person to sprint across the field at the Metrodome and retrieve Paul Bunyan's Axe after they won.
Among other recruiting battles, punter Brad Nortman, now with Wisconsin, was originally a Gophers verbal commitment. What was said to Nortman behind the scenes to encourage him to back-out of his "U" commitment?
Same story applies to former Holy Angels defensive end Brendan Kelly. The private back-and-forth between the two schools is ugly, so why wouldn't Bielema run up the score?
Where Bielema looks goofy is his excuse that his card told him to go for two when leading by 25 points. Truly, what the card says when you're up 25 is, "Why are you looking at me?"
Bielema would've looked a lot better if he just admitted that because of the rivalry, he was trying to hang 50 on the "U".
So, the Brewster Watch continues heading into Saturday's homecoming game for Purdue.
Someone call the Elias Sports Bureau. What's the record for being a school's homecoming opponent? Going back to the Gutekunst and Wacker days, the Gophers have to be among the nation's leaders in said category.
The way to solve that minor problem is to win.
"The only thing missing would possibly be a win," running back DeLeon Eskridge said on Tuesday. "That would get the confidence going."
Ding, ding, ding. We have the understatement of the season.
That idea is attainable on Saturday against Purdue (3-2).
A look at the Boilermakers
Purdue will face the Gophers without the services of its top two quarterbacks (Robert Marve and Caleb TerBush), its top running back (Ralph Bolden) and its top two receivers (Keith Smith and Justin Siller).
But the Boilermakers can run -- four straight games with at least 200 yards -- and the Gophers' big-time issues are with a defense that allows a Big Ten-high 32.3 points a game and 196.3 rush yards a game.
For a in-depth look at Purdue, we turn to beat reporter Mike Carmin from the Lafayette Journal & Courier.
How big a story have injuries been this year?
It is the story of the season right now. All of the major injuries have been on offense. It started in the spring when Purdue lost running back Ralph Bolden, last year's leading rusher, to a knee injury. Top receiver Keith Smith suffered a knee injury against Western Illinois and quarterback Robert Marve tore his ACL against Toledo. In that same game, receiver Justin Siller sprained his foot and is out another two weeks. The offensive line, though, has remained intact, which I think is helping the offense develop.
How much did the offense change with redshirt freshman Rob Henry starting at quarterback for the first time?
It changed a lot, in my mind. Purdue went from a pass-first team to a run-first approach. They installed some zone-read plays for Henry and the result was 132 yards rushing
against Northwestern. Henry guided the Boilermakers on a game-winning drive when the offense had done very little throughout the second half.
Who is the biggest difference-maker on offense?
It's Henry. The redshirt freshman showed the poise of a veteran on the fourth-quarter touchdown drive. He hadn't completed a pass since the second quarter and connected on
two during the final drive. He only threw for 47 yards, an area that must improve moving forward.
On defense?
Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. His teammates call him "The Beast," "Superman" and other assorted nicknames. He leads the nation with 13 tackles for loss and has 5.5 sacks. Kerrigan could easily be a first-round pick in next spring's NFL draft. He has a motor that doesn't quit.
What exactly does the mantra "The Ball is the Program" mean?
Last year, Purdue was 1-7 when it lost a fumble and 4-0 when it didn't. Turnovers prevented the Boilermakers from playing in a bowl game. In order to emphasize hanging onto the ball, it's a slogan the coach staff developed. It's worked so far as Purdue has lost only two fumbles. Last year, the Boilermakers lost 15.
Considering Minnesota's issues with stopping the run and Purdue's run of four consecutive games of at least 200 yards rushing, what is reasonable to expect rushing yardage-wise from the Boilermakers on Saturday?
It's not out of the question Purdue reaches 200 yards again. Depends how committed Minnesota is to stopping Purdue's run. If the Boilermakers have some early success on the ground, it could be a long day for the Gophers.
If you were to scheme a defense to stop Purdue's offense... what would you do?
Load up the line of scrimmage and force the Boilermakers to pass. Henry hasn't proven he can manufacture big yardage in the passing game. Until he does, stop the run.
If you were to design an offense to score against Purdue's defense... what would you do?
Be patient with the running game. Although the Boilermakers held Northwestern to less than 100 yards on the ground, there are some holes in the defense. And run away from Ryan Kerrigan.
Where did you stand at the time that Danny Hope was brought in as the coach-in-waiting, and how, if at all, has your perception changed of Hope as we're halfway through his second year?
I thought it was a good move to help maintain continuity. Coming in early allowed Hope a chance to get ahead in recruiting. A lot of those players are now on the field. Last year, Purdue played hard all the way through, finishing 4-2. This year, it's hard to judge because of the injuries. If the Boilermakers struggle on offense, you chalk it up to the injuries. If they do well, they overcame a lot. Either way, Hope is in a win-win situation, unless he doesn't handle the game management part of his duties.
Who wins, and why?
I expect a close game. Purdue's running game is doing well and I expect Henry and running back Dan Dierking to guide the offense through Minnesota's defense. The Boilermakers' defense is playing better but will be challenged by quarterback Adam Weber. Purdue 21-17.
Go Gophers!!
