Among the subtle storylines in the Gophers’ 35-24 win over Northwestern in Evanston on Saturday were contributions by players coach Tim Brewster and his staff have recruited in their brief time running the program. Brewster was named coach in January of 2007 so his first recruiting class that signed on in February didn’t have much of his signature on it. On Saturday senior defensive end Cedric McKinley, a junior college recruit in 2008, forced a quarterback fumble and McKinley recovered at the Northwestern three yard line. The Gophers turned that opportunity into a touchdown pass to Eric Decker to put Minnesota ahead 35-24 with less than two minutes to play.
On Northwestern’s next possession quarterback Mike Kafka fumbled again, this time being stripped by redshirt freshman defensive end D.L. Wilhite, another 2008 recruit. The Gophers offense relied, as usual, on former coach Glen Mason recruits Adam Weber and Eric Decker, but there was more help than in the past from newcomers including freshman quarterback MarQueis Gray (35 yards rushing) and redshirt freshman running back Kevin Whaley (31 yards rushing). Another young contributor was sophomore wide receiver Brandon Green who caught important third down passes on the Gophers fourth quarter touchdown drive to overcome a 24-21 Northwestern lead.
The Wisconsin team that comes here on Saturday is 4-0, with all their wins coming at home. The Badgers, who won their Big Ten opener on Saturday 38-30 over Michigan State, are a surprise team so far in the conference. Among the reasons is new starting quarterback Scott Tolzien who has directed an offense that’s been efficient and scored 144 points in four games.
The Gophers and the Xcel Energy Center have expressed interest in an intersectional game involving a marquee basketball opponent, according to a source who requested anonymity. He said the potential game would likely be played in December and seen on national TV.
Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell answered a question recently about whether running back Adrian Peterson has to take such hard hits near the sidelines. Bevell answered that Peterson delivers blows as well as takes them. “I am not going to pull that card out of his deck because it is a great one,” Bevell said.
Vikings special team coach Brian Murphy was asked recently about the longevity of kicker Ryan Longwell, 35, who now has 302 career field goals after kicking two yesterday in the team’s 27-24 win over the 49ers. How long can Longwell play? “He’s had great longevity to this point, I would say,” Murphy said. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but I will tell you this, he keeps himself in great shape. He works at his craft. He can play as long as he wants to. From a physical stand point, he is in great shape and he works at the things that he needs to do to continue, not only to play, but be successful.”