It’s likely that No. 2 quarterback MarQueis Gray will be a regular target for Adam Weber’s passes in Thursday night’s Insight Bowl in Tempe, Arizona. Gophers coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners that the 6-4, 222-pound freshman will play both wide receiver and quarterback in the game against Iowa State.
“He is going to be a heck of a quarterback (one day) for us and in this game, he’s also going to be a wide receiver,” Brewster said. “We’re just going to do our best to utilize the things he can do to help us.”
Gray is probably the best athlete on the team. In limited play at both quarterback and wide receiver this season, he has rushed for 243 yards, passed for 51 yards on 13 attempts and had four receptions producing 21 yards and a touchdown.
Gray could even start the game at wide receiver and might finish among the team leaders in total receptions. He’s a potential production booster for a Gophers offense that didn’t have a single touchdown running or passing in the team’s last two regular season games.
The Gophers hope to duplicate the offensive results of earlier in the season as in the Michigan State game when they had 505 yards in total offense in a 42-34 win over the Spartans. “We were an outstanding offensive football team this year in certain games, and we were a poor offensive football team in others,” Brewster said. “The strive is for consistency.”
Brewster likes the preparation of his team for the bowl game including Weber who has been inconsistent this season. The Gophers, who arrived in Tempe on Christmas Day, will be a slight favorite to beat an Iowa State team that has the same record as Minnesota, 6-6.
Brewster’s to-do list after the Insight Bowl is expected to include continued discussions with athletic director Joel Maturi about a contract extension, and attending the BCS national championship game. Brewster has two years remaining on his original five year deal and an extension will help him recruit more effectively.
The bowl game? Brewster and his family will be in Pasadena on January 7 to watch son Nolan and his Texas teammates play Alabama for the national championship. He is a sophomore reserve safety for the Longhorns. Brewster said his son participates in 40 or more plays a game on special teams and at safety.