Gopher Football
Two years ago in Evanston, Brewster watched his team blow a 35-14 lead. In the second overtime, he went for two points after a touchdown run by quarterback Adam Weber. Weber’s pass fell incomplete. NW won 49-48. Last November at the Metrodome, same two teams, the Gophers were 7-1, and ranked in the top-25. In maybe the unluckiest of ways, tied at 17, Weber made a throw he should not have in the final seconds. It was picked off by S Brendan Smith and it was returned 48 yards for the winning touchdown.
Fast-forward to Saturday at Ryan Field. The Gophers, up four, late 3rd quarter, have a chance to accept a holding penalty on NW, while they were in the red zone and make it 3rd-and-11 from the 23-yard line. Instead, Brewster declined it and made it 4th-and-1. NW, not shockingly, went for it and converted with a touchdown. The decision: a head-scratcher. If you have any faith in your defense, you accept the penalty. At that point, even in this back-and-forth game and a quarter to play, raise your hand if you thought the Gophers would win. OK, maybe one hand is up. For that, Brewster and his bunch should be applauded.
Positives:
“¢ Only one penalty. Saying the officials were bad would do a disservice to the definition of bad, but it was both ways. Calls that still have me flummoxed watching back on the DVR: the Adam Weber to Eric Decker 22-yard hook-up in the first half. It was a catch, then confirmed a catch with replay, but then ruled a non-catch … huh? … and the pass interference flag on CB Marcus Sherels on a 3rd down play in the 3rd quarter was a blown call. On the Gophers’ side: down 24-21, facing a 3rd-and-7 in the 4th, a Weber to Brandon Green connection for 27-yards should’ve resulted in NW getting the ball. The Big Ten Network, terrible all day with its camera angles, never had a definitive replay, but it appeared that Green was stripped of the ball before his knee hit the ground. NW would’ve recovered. Also missed was a block in the back by Decker in the final 13 minutes.
“¢ The play of RG D.J. Burris. For a reason that was never explained to us by the broadcast, Matt Carufel wasn’t in most of the game. I’d be lying to you if I said I broke down the O-line play, but they were having success running to the right side, thus Burris falls into this category. The O-line, while still having a ways to go, had by far its best game.
“¢ The running game. Kevin Whaley was a good change of pace and Duane Bennett was finally able to shed some defenders.
“¢ When one stop was really needed, they got it. Senior DE Cedric McKinley, nonexistent through the first three-and-a-half games, came up large in the 4th quarter. Down four and facing a 3rd down, NW QB Mike Kafka dropped back to pass, and McKinley not only was able to strip him of the ball, but also recovered the fumble.
“¢ Nick-Tow Arnett. He had five catches for 65-yards and delivered key blocks. Brewster says he’s quite possibly the best TE in the Big Ten. We saw that potential today. I still may take Wisconsin’s Garrett Graham as the best though.
“¢ Decker. Is this an over-the-top statement: TODAY, if the Heisman finalists were announced, would he be worthy of a free trip to New York?
Negatives:
“¢ Co-defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove’s strategy. His blitz calls didn’t come often enough for my liking, and when called, rarely worked. Also, his safeties were too far from the line of scrimmage on most plays and his cornerbacks gave far too much cushion to the receivers.
“¢ Not being able to make the big play more often. I counted two potential interceptions that were dropped (Nate Triplett and Traye Simmons). With the competition about to get markedly better, they have to capitalize when afforded the opportunity.
“¢ The missed tackles. Wisconsin’s offense is no joke. With John Clay, Graham, Isaac Anderson, Nick Toon, and David Gilreath on their way, that problem needs to be shored up.
“¢ Let QB MarQueis Gray throw it. I like seeing him in, but he is allowed to throw it … and he can.
“¢ Let Troy Stoudermire return every kick. Hayo Carpenter was given a chance to do so in the first half … why?
“¢ Aside from the McKinley play, the lack of a pass rush against just what appeared to be an OK O-line was troubling. They miss Willie VanDeSteeg more than I thought.
“¢ Confusion in crucial situations. Facing a 3rd-and-6 w/ 2:55 remaining, Gray was in at QB. Someone came to their senses and called
a timeout. Out of the timeout, Weber came back in, but was under center. Putting him in shotgun was the better call. Then somehow, NW’s best DE, Corey Wooten, only had to beat a RB to get to Weber. That sort of breakdown can’t happen vs. Wis., Penn St., Ohio St., Mich. St., and Iowa. A first down on that play could’ve possibly put the game away.
A Star Tribune headline on Friday: Brewster’s future positively in question. Seems a bit harsh, but Brewster also hasn’t done anything to warrant a contract extension. Well, after Saturday, maybe he’s on his way. Someone find David Abernathy. He can congratulate Brewster on the win. Now, it’s time to win a rivalry game. Despite Wisconsin’s unbeaten record, they are vulnerable. They finished 9th in the Big Ten last year in points allowed and their defense so far this year looks just as questionable. The 35 points Saturday can be duplicated next weekend. I will add this: their quarterback, Scott Tolzien, looks the part. He is good.
However, the “Time is Now!” to beat Wisconsin and reclaim Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the 1st time since 2003.
““ Other article: Offense comes together, Gophers top Northwestern 35-24
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