Gopher Football
The 70th battle for Floyd of Rosedale kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, and features one of the great rivalries in college football. Both Minnesota and Iowa are bowl-eligible and are fighting for position. This game is likely to make a difference of two or three rungs on the Big Ten bowl ladder for each team. This game will bring together last week’s Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (from Iowa) and Offensive Player of the Week (from Minnesota). Let’s look at how the Gophers and Hawkeyes match up against each other at key positions:
Minnesota Offensive Line vs. Iowa Defensive Line:
Minnesota’s 2005 offensive line has just about worn out all of the superlatives available to describe them. More than a couple of opposing coaches have called them the best offensive line they have ever seen in college. It will be a bittersweet moment as center Greg Eslinger, left guard Mark Setterstrom, and right guard Mike Nicholson take the field for their last conference game. These three seniors have been stalwarts for the Gophers for four straight years (Eslinger and Setterstrom currently have the nation’s longest active starting streak in the nation at 48 games), and will be looking to go out with a bang. The only two o-linemen returning next year””sophomores Steve Shidell (left tackle) and Tony Brinkhaus (right tackle)””aren’t likely to let down the upperclassmen either. Junior second-string tackle Joe Ainslie, and junior back-up center Tyson Swaggert would start this year on just about every other Big Ten o-line. Minnesota is hands-down the best rushing team in America, leading the country with an average of 295 rushing yards per game. With 2,950 rushing yards so far, the Gophers almost certainly will go over 3,000 rushing yards for the third consecutive year sometime in the first half at Kinnick, and will most likely do it in the first quarter. In addition, they have allowed only three sacks this season (first in the Big Ten). That is simply unbelievable.
In Iowa, it has been difficult to live up to defensive expectations with four new starting defensive linemen. Gone are the days of Jonathan Babineaux and Matt Roth. However, that doesn’t mean that the cupboard is empty. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Mitch King had a phenomenal game in Iowa’s victory against Wisconsin last weekend, and earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance. He is fifth on the team in tackles (53), and leads the team with 10.5 TFL. The other three starters on the d-line, redshirt freshman tackle Matt Kroul and sophomore defensive ends Ken Iwebema and Bryan Mattison, are no slouches either, each having between 38 and 41 tackles and an average of 7 TFL among them. Their 23 team sacks are third in the Big Ten. It’s very possible that Mike Follet (29 tackles, 4 for loss) could get the starting nod over Mattison in this game, given that it Senior Day. The Hawkeyes have had a good rushing defense this season, limiting opposing teams to 121.4 yards per game on the ground (third in the Big Ten).
Edge: Gophers
Iowa Offensive Line vs. Minnesota Defensive Line:
Iowa really only has one name on it’s offensive line recognizable outside of Iowa City (senior center Brian Ferentz). Still, this line has made dramatic improvements in raising the profile of Iowa’s miserable (and largely irrelevant) 2004 rushing game. This year’s squad is paving the way for a more respectable 179.6 yards per game (sixth in the Big Ten). It is a relatively experienced offensive line, with another senior (left tackle Ben Gates) and three juniors (left guard Mike Jones, right guard Mike Elgin, and right tackle Marshal Yanda). Yanda is the only starter listed over 300 pounds, but as astute Minnesota fans know, that is not always meaningful with regard to effectiveness. Iowa has yielded 18 sacks so far this year””not too great, but not too bad either.
Minnesota’s defensive line has been considerably better this year than last (the fact that there really was only one way to go notwithstanding). Senior defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery will be making his 30th career start in his final regular-season game, and fifth-year seniors Mark Losli and Keith Lipka will be start at the other tackle spot and right end, respectively. Losli missed two games this year because of injury but other than that has been another four-year stalwart. He will be playing in his 47th career game (it will be his 42nd start). The lone underclassman starting, true freshman left end Steve Davis, is the most exciting player on the Gopher d-line. He leads the team with nine tackles for loss and six sacks. As a team, though, Minnesota has only 14 total sacks (ninth in the Big Ten). Rushing defense has been middle-of-the road, allowing 152.8 rushing yards per game (sixth in the conference).
Edge: Hawkeyes
Minnesota Backfield vs. Iowa Linebackers:
While having the nation’s best offensive line doesn’t hurt, neither does have one of the nation’s best two stables of running backs (USC is the only other team that could give them a run for their money in that department). Junior running back Laurence Maroney, a preseason Heisman candidate, has not disappointed. Even sharing the load considerably with sophomores Gary Russell and Amir Pinnix, Maroney is first in the Big Ten and third in the nation with 149.4 rushing yards per game. Second-stringer Russell is himself sixth in the conference and 31st in the nation with 96.7 rushing yards per game. Speaking of Russell, Gary is tied for second in the nation and is fifth in the country in scoring with 11 points per game. Russell already set the school record this year with 18 touchdowns and could break his tie with Marion Barber II (his former teammate’s father) for most rushing TDs in a season (17). With one more TD, Russell also would break Dan Nystrom‘s school record for points in one season (109; Russell currently has 108). Pinnix understandably doesn’t have too many carries this season but has made the most of his opportunities. Last week against Michigan State, Pinnix filled in for his injured backfield-mates and rushed for 206 yards, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Honors. With that laurel, the 2005 Gophers became the first team in Big Ten history to have three different running backs named Offensive Player of the Week in one season. This week it’s off the two-deep again for Amir. Don’t worry, though, he’ll be back. Minnesota also is blessed with strong fullbacks in sophomore Justin Valentine and junior Jason Lamers. Gophers quarterback Bryan Cupito isn’t really much of a factor in the running game (other than making audible calls), although he has picked up key yards in select situations.
If the Minnesota running backs are spectacular, Iowa’s pair of senior linebackers are no less so. Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge, along with junior Edmond Miles, combine to make Iowa’s linebacking corps one of the best two or three””and very arguably the best””in all of college football. Both Greenway and Hodge have been on multiple postseason award watchlists. Greenway has 132 tackles this year and Hodge has 120. They rank first and third in the Big Ten, respectively, in tackles (third and ninth nationally). Miles is third on the team in tackles with 55. Iowa’s three starting linebackers average nine tackles for loss among them (Greenway: 9, Hodge: 10, Miles: 8). Hodge also is tied with teammate Mitch King for second in the conference in forced fumbles (0.3/game). If there is one group of linebackers up to the task of taking on Maroney and company, this is it.
Edge: Even
Iowa Backfield vs. Minnesota Linebackers:
Primarily due to a devastating string of injuries, Iowa’s running game last year was among the weakest in the nation. This season is a complete 180-degree change. Sophomore running back Albert Young has really stepped up in Iowa’s conference games and now averages 119.7 rushing yards per game, second in the Big Ten (trailing only Maroney) and fifth in the nation. He has rushed for over 100 yards in six straight games and seven total for the year. Young, who started for the first time earlier this year, also returns kickoffs and is fourth in the Big Ten (10th nationally) in all-purpose yards (161.1 ypg). He has had over 200 all-purpose yards in four of Iowa’s last five Big Ten games. Sophomore Tom Busch, from Park High School in Cottage Grove, is the Hawkeyes’ starting fullback and the lone Minnesotan on the Iowa roster. He is primarily a blocking back and rarely touches the ball. Junior quarterback Drew Tate has been dropped for about as many yards as he has gained. Although he gains very few net yards (1.2 rushing per game, to be exact), he scrambles well in buying time to find open receivers.
Minnesota’s linebackers have played with a little more fire this year, and that may be due to more youth in the lineup. Kyle McKenzie is the lone senior on the two-deep, and he will likely start Saturday, either at mike or drop linebacker. Sophomores John Shevlin and Mike Sherels are the primary reason for optimism. Shevlin is a fast player with track-star sprinter speed who has the team’s second-most tackles (60, including six for loss). Sherels is a hard hitter with 45 tackles and 5.5 TFL. Junior Mario Reese has settled back into his role as a drop linebacker and has started four of the last five games. He has tallied 44 stops this year.
Edge: Hawkeyes
Minnesota Receivers vs. Iowa Defensive Backfield:
Minnesota’s passing game has been improving but is not yet at the level most Gopher fans (or the coaches) would like. On paper, the talent is impressive, but too many dropped passes, errant throws, and miscommunications have yielded mediocre results. The Gopher receivers with the most receiving yardage””senior WR Jared Ellerson and sophomore WR Ernie Wheelwright“”average fewer than 100 receiving yards per game combined (54 for Ellerson and 40 for Wheelwright). Partially because of injury, and partially for consistency reasons, junior WR Logan Payne has supplanted Ellerson as the starter opposite Wheelwright. Payne has been a pleasant surprise, averaging 37 receiving yards per game, and appears to have great hands. Junior tight end Matt Spaeth has been a valuable weapon, tying Wheelwright with four receiving touchdowns for the team lead in that category. Speedy senior WR Jakari Wallace doesn’t get many passes thrown his way but has great hands and is not afraid to go across the middle. Minnesota is only ninth in the conference in passing offense, but that is understandable given the overpowering nature of the running game. Quarterback Bryan Cupito has shown improvement in his junior year, throwing 14 touchdowns against six interceptions, completing 59 percent of his passes, and sitting at third in the Big Ten in pass efficiency.
Iowa’s passing defense has been something of a surprise on the disappointing side. Touted in the preseason as being one of the best defensive backfields in the nation, Iowa currently is eighth in the Big Ten in pass defense, giving up 248 passing yards per game. The Hawkeye defensive backfield is anchored by senior corners Jovon Johnson and Antwan Allen, who have 81 career starts between them prior to Saturday’s contest. Free safety Marcus Paschal and strong safety Miguel Merrick are both juniors and in their second season as starters. Johnson has played well, with 10 passes defended in nine games (third in the Big Ten), including two interceptions. His 16 career INTs are the most of any active D-IA player and third-most in Iowa history, trailing by two picks former Hawkeye star Devon Mitchell and stadium namesake Nile Kinnick. Johnson is also fourth on the team in tackles with 54. The rest of the defensive backs haven’t been as impressive. Allen has been injured but still has 44 tackles in eight games, Paschal has 47 tackles in nine games, and Merrick has tallied 50 tackles in 10 games. The three of them combined have one interception among them (Merrick). However, sophomore corner and sometime starter Adam Shada appears promising: he leads the team with three interceptions (fourth in the Big Ten).
Edge: Even
Iowa Receivers vs. Minnesota Defensive Backfield:
Iowa’s top returning receiver, senior WR Ed Hinkel, has been injured much of this year. However, fellow senior split end Clinton Solomon has shouldered the load well and has become the go-to guy for junior quarterback Drew Tate. Solomon averages 62 receiving yards per game, while Hinkel has been limited to 40 yards per contest. Solomon has six receiving touchdowns in 2005. Junior tight end Scott Chandler, younger brother of former star QB Nathan Chandler, has stepped up to become a weapon for the Hawkeyes much the way Matt Spaeth has caused matchup problems in favor of the Gophers. Chandler averages just under four receptions and just over 42 receiving yards per game. Sophomore WR Herb Grigsby has helped to fill in for Hinkel’s injury absences and is second on the team with three touchdown receptions. Running back Albert Young is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, which provides another nice outlet for Tate. Tate is seventh in the Big Ten in passing yards and fourth in the conference in pass efficiency this year. This is not nearly as impressive as last year, but is likely to be primarily a function of actually having a successful running game again.
In what may be a surprising development to some, Minnesota’s pass defense has improved to respectability this season. The Gophers rank fifth in the conference in pass defense (234 yards per game) and fourth in the Big Ten in pass efficiency defense. Junior cornerback Trumaine Banks is the Big Ten’s leading pass defender (11 break-ups and 1 interception), and the team’s third-leading tackler (46 stops, including 4 TFL). Senior free safety John Pawielski is the heart and field general of the Gopher defense, and leads the team in tackles (72, 4 TFL). With impressive sophomore strong safety Brandon Owens knocked out early this year for at least the rest of the season, Minnesota has had some growing pains at strong safety and the corner opposite Banks. True freshman Dominic Jones, probably more of a natural at corner, has filled in for Owens with some ups and downs. Sophomore Jamal Harris has been burned a number of times at cornerback, but has made some really nice plays too. He has seven pass break-ups and is tied with Mike Sherels for fourth on the team with 45 tackles. Senior Terrance Campbell has seen only limited action and is listed as Jones’ backup at strong safety.
Edge: Even
Special Teams:
Minnesota’s kicking game could be described kindly as “œwoeful.” It is pretty bad when fans are on the edge of their seats for extra points. Redshirt freshman kicker Jason Giannini has had the misfortune of missing eight extra points in 2005. In fairness, all of them were not entirely his fault, but it’s still a serious problem. He actually has missed fewer field goals, making a more normal-but-still-not-great 13 of 18 field goal attempts. Hopefully he will be remembered more as the kicker who beat Michigan to win back the Little Brown Jug. Punting (redshirt freshman Justin Kucek) and kickoff coverage have been in the lower tier of the conference as well. On the positive side, Jakari Wallace has been electrifying on kickoff returns, averaging over 30 yards per return (first in the conference and fourth in the nation). Dominic Jones averages 10 yards per punt return.
Iowa, on the other hand, has a Lou Groza Award candidate in junior kicker Kyle Schlicher (a/k/a “œSchlicher the Kicker”). He is 33 of 34 on extra point attempts and 15 of 18 on field goal attempts this year. Schlicher’s only field goal misses came from beyond 40 yards, and he is one of one on attempts longer than 50 yards (52). The Hawkeyes’ punter, junior Andy Fenstermaker, is not quite as heralded, averaging 38.7 yards per punt (10th in the Big Ten). Jovon Johnson is as electrifying on punt returns as Wallace is on kickoff returns: Johnson averages 18.9 yards per punt return (first in the conference and fourth in the nation). Albert Young averages 15.2 yards per kickoff return.
Edge: Hawkeyes
Overall Edge: Hawkeyes in number of match-ups . . . but the Gophers’ monster rushing attack and an emerging passing game tip the scales for the overall edge