Gophers football coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners that athletic freshman quarterback MarQueis Gray will see increased playing time at wide receiver in the team’s yet to be determined bowl game next month.
Gray is also expected to play at quarterback in the game where he will remain a backup to Adam Weber. “We’ll try to use him (Gray) to get more touches in the game,” Brewster said.
The 6-4, 222 pound Gray has shown ability to catch the ball. Gray has four receptions for 21 yards and one touchdown this season. As both a quarterback and receiver he’s also been a strong determined runner who given an opening, has the speed to make a long gain.
The Gophers receivers have struggled in recent games, a combination of their inexperience and the loss of the team’s best player, wide receiver Eric Decker who hasn’t played since the Ohio State game on October 24. The offensive line, running backs and quarterbacks have all had their challenges of late including the last two games when the Gophers haven’t scored a touchdown by either running or passing.
Gray is learning the quarterback position but Brewster recognizes the contribution Gray can make at wide receiver, too. Brewster said it’s accurate to describe Gray as a quarterback/wide receiver for the upcoming bowl game. “He catches the ball extremely well,” Brewster said.
Gray has rushed 44 times for 243 yards, an average of 5.2 yards per carry, best among team ball carriers with more than two carries. He’s thrown 13 passes for 51 yards and one touchdown. Particularly as a runner, Gray may be given more opportunity to make plays in the bowl game.
The Gophers offense had only 201 yards in last Saturday’s 12-0 loss to Iowa. Minnesota’s defense was as effective as the offense was ineffective, holding the Hawkeyes to 171 yards. Brewster, finishing his third regular season as coach, said people told him the defensive performance ranks with the best by the Gophers in many years.
Brewster has the Gophers headed for their second consecutive bowl game and the valuable 15 days of extra practices that comes with it. While a 6-6 record is a target of criticism by many fans, the Gophers seem ahead of prominent programs like Michigan, Illinois and Colorado that have been starting over in recent years with new coaches. The Gophers lost two games by three points each and Brewster has only had two full recruiting classes since becoming head coach.