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Orlando Sentinel preview of the Gophers:
Today at No. 58: Minnesota
Coach: Jerry Kill (9-16, third season; 136-89 overall)
2012 record: 6-7 (2-6 in Big Ten Conference, tied for fifth in Legends)
Look back: If there is one thing that can be said about Jerry Kill, it’s his ability to turn struggling programs around. He’s done it most of his career including stops at Southern and Northern Illinois. In each of those cases, it took him a couple of seasons to get the program on solid footing. That looks to be the case at Minnesota. After a disappointing 3-9 start in his first season, Kill managed to get the Gophers to six-wins and a bowl berth for the first time since 2009. His biggest challenge to date is making Minnesota relevant in the Big Ten. The program hasn’t had a winning record versus the conference since 2003 with the team finishing 2-6 last year for the third straight season.
Offensive starters returning: 10
Offensive starters lost: 1
Defensive starters returning: 7
Defensive starters lost: 4
Key losses: WR A.J. Barker, TE John Rabe, QB MarQueis Gray, DB Troy Stoudemire, LB Mike Rallis, LB Keanon Coope, CB Michael Carter
Top returnees: QB Phillip Nelson, RB Donnell Kirkwood, WR Isaac Fruechte, WR Derrick Engel, CB Derrick Wells, LB Aaron Hill, DE Ra’Shede Hageman
Strengths: The Gophers rushing attack was led by sophomore Donnell Kirkwood, who led the team in rushing with 926 yards and nine touchdowns. He mainly shared time in the backfield with Rodrick Williams (261 yards/ 2 TDs) and both should make a solid tandem heading into 2013. … The offensive line, which returns all five starters, only allowed 21 sacks last season. … Defense was the primary strength of this team. Minnesota finished the year ranked fifth in the Big Ten in total defense (358 yards per game) and the unit returns six starters from 2012 including three of its front seven led by DE Ra’Shede Hageman (35 tackles, 6 sacks). The secondary also returns three of its key pieces led by corner Derrick Wells (74 tackles, 2 INTs).
Weaknesses: Getting consistent play out of the quarterback position has been a quandary for Kill and his staff. The Gophers finished ninth in the conference in passing offense (169.5 yards per game) led by freshman Phillip Nelson, who started the final seven games of the season. However, Nelson struggled with accuracy and turnovers. He managed to only complete 49 percent of his passes for 873 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the team with eight interceptions.
Outlook: With 16 returning starters, Minnesota has the talent and depth to make another run at a postseason bowl however it’s the team’s Big Ten schedule that stands in the way of its success. Six of the Gopher’s eight conference games feature opponents who finished with winning records in 2012.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...eseason-rankings-20130628,0,6452985,full.post
Go Gophers!!
Today at No. 58: Minnesota
Coach: Jerry Kill (9-16, third season; 136-89 overall)
2012 record: 6-7 (2-6 in Big Ten Conference, tied for fifth in Legends)
Look back: If there is one thing that can be said about Jerry Kill, it’s his ability to turn struggling programs around. He’s done it most of his career including stops at Southern and Northern Illinois. In each of those cases, it took him a couple of seasons to get the program on solid footing. That looks to be the case at Minnesota. After a disappointing 3-9 start in his first season, Kill managed to get the Gophers to six-wins and a bowl berth for the first time since 2009. His biggest challenge to date is making Minnesota relevant in the Big Ten. The program hasn’t had a winning record versus the conference since 2003 with the team finishing 2-6 last year for the third straight season.
Offensive starters returning: 10
Offensive starters lost: 1
Defensive starters returning: 7
Defensive starters lost: 4
Key losses: WR A.J. Barker, TE John Rabe, QB MarQueis Gray, DB Troy Stoudemire, LB Mike Rallis, LB Keanon Coope, CB Michael Carter
Top returnees: QB Phillip Nelson, RB Donnell Kirkwood, WR Isaac Fruechte, WR Derrick Engel, CB Derrick Wells, LB Aaron Hill, DE Ra’Shede Hageman
Strengths: The Gophers rushing attack was led by sophomore Donnell Kirkwood, who led the team in rushing with 926 yards and nine touchdowns. He mainly shared time in the backfield with Rodrick Williams (261 yards/ 2 TDs) and both should make a solid tandem heading into 2013. … The offensive line, which returns all five starters, only allowed 21 sacks last season. … Defense was the primary strength of this team. Minnesota finished the year ranked fifth in the Big Ten in total defense (358 yards per game) and the unit returns six starters from 2012 including three of its front seven led by DE Ra’Shede Hageman (35 tackles, 6 sacks). The secondary also returns three of its key pieces led by corner Derrick Wells (74 tackles, 2 INTs).
Weaknesses: Getting consistent play out of the quarterback position has been a quandary for Kill and his staff. The Gophers finished ninth in the conference in passing offense (169.5 yards per game) led by freshman Phillip Nelson, who started the final seven games of the season. However, Nelson struggled with accuracy and turnovers. He managed to only complete 49 percent of his passes for 873 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the team with eight interceptions.
Outlook: With 16 returning starters, Minnesota has the talent and depth to make another run at a postseason bowl however it’s the team’s Big Ten schedule that stands in the way of its success. Six of the Gopher’s eight conference games feature opponents who finished with winning records in 2012.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...eseason-rankings-20130628,0,6452985,full.post
Go Gophers!!
