Unless MarQueis Gray has a setback in recovering from his ankle sprain and knee injury, the opinion here is the senior quarterback will see game action on Saturday when the Gophers play Northwestern at TCF Bank Stadium.
Minnesota coach Jerry Kill said yesterday he is “cautiously optimistic” Gray will “possibly” be available for spot duty. Kill didn’t elaborate as to when and how much Gray might play. “He’s still running a little bit with a limp,” said Kill.
The coach reported Gray didn’t practice last week but did on Sunday. If Gray is to participate on Saturday, he will need to practice the balance of this week.
He hasn’t played since being injured on September 15 against Western Michigan. The Gophers are 1-1 without him as the starting quarterback. He is one of college football’s better running quarterbacks and Kill’s guarded optimism about Gray playing on Saturday sends a message to Northwestern coaches they need to prepare for two types of Minnesota quarterbacks. Max Shortell is a lumbering runner, inferior to Gray, but a superior passer.
Gray averages 5.2 yards per rush. Shortell averages 2.3. Gray has thrown five touchdown passes and is averaging 132.7 passing yards per game. Shortell’s numbers are six TD passes and 172 yards per game.
How effective will Gray perform Saturday? Physical stamina and also timing on passes will be two major concerns after missing the Syracuse game September 22 and Iowa game September 29, and not practicing during Minnesota’s bye week last week.
The Gophers’ offense is neither as versatile nor effective without Gray. Minnesota has produced just four touchdowns in its last two games.
Gray is one of the Big Ten’s better athletes. He probably will make an NFL team one day as a receiver. Unfortunately for the Gophers he’s been sidelined more so far this season than any starting quarterback in the Big Ten.
Look for his comeback to begin on Saturday, limited as it may be.
Packers Falter, Harvin & Greenway Vikings’ MVPs
No one foresaw a 2-3 start for the Packers, a team considered a Super Bowl favorite back in August. Fans at Mall of America gave their enthusiastic approval on Sunday when the score was announced the unappreciated Colts beat the Packers 30-27 in Indianapolis.
What’s wrong in Packerland? Dean Dalton, the former Vikings assistant coach who hosts a weekly NFL show on Sirius Satellite Radio, said “there’s a lot of little things wrong” but nothing “glaring.”
For starters, the Packers may well be a distracted, unfocused team. The success of past seasons resulted in a lot of adulation and commercial opportunities for players.
“Every single one of the frontline Packers have some sort of endorsement in Wisconsin,” Dalton said. “Many of the star Packers has national endorsements. They (the endorsements) become a distraction.”
Dalton said the Green Bay offensive line has been inconsistent. Problematic, too, is that in the mission to upgrade the running game and balance the offense, the Packers seem to have moved away from a passing attack that’s been the envy of the NFL. “They haven’t been sticking to the formula” and the Packers lack the explosiveness of past years, Dalton said.
On defense, Dalton sees an improved unit. But consistency is lacking and that was evident when the Packers couldn’t hold a 21-3 halftime lead against the Colts. That speaks of missing a killer instinct, perhaps by both the Green Bay offense and defense.
The 4-1 Vikings have received contributions from many players but few observers will argue that the early season offensive and defensive Most Valuable Players are wide receiver-running back-kickoff returner Percy Harvin and linebacker Chad Greenway.
Harvin has scored touchdowns rushing, receiving, and on a 105-yard kickoff return. The fourth-year speedster, juker and tackle breaker has produced so many raves locally and across the country that Harvin is an early season candidate for league MVP, always a formidable challenge for a non-quarterback.
“I think he’s as complete a player as there is in the NFL,”Dalton said “He means so much to this team.”
Dalton admires Harvin not only for his physical skills, but also for his “excellent” football intelligence. Greenway talked about another aspect of Harvin’s value to the Vikings.
“The way he’s stepped into a leadership role I think is something that has gone unnoticed. He’s quiet but he leads by doing things the right way every day, and the young guys are here to watch that.”
Greenway, now in his seventh season with the Vikings, is probably playing the best football of his career. “He’s truly a complete every down linebacker playing at a Pro Bowl level,” Dalton said.
Greenway revealed early this year his dad has cancer. The crisis impacted Greenway’s perspective on football and has helped him play at a high level.
“(I am) keeping the game simple,” he said. “What I went through this offseason with my dad, I am just going to have fun and play. You never know when things can change.”
Worth Noting
The Gophers have had various lineup changes on offense through five games but only one on defense. Linebacker Lamonte Edwards replaced Aaron Hill for one game.
The athletic department is promoting a special ticket offer for the Northwestern game on Saturday. Tickets for $20 each are available for purchase including via www.mygophersports.com. Saturday’s game is Homecoming at Minnesota.
Dan O’Brien, former football coach and athletic director at Concordia, St. Paul, was inducted into that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame last Friday night. Even though it was a rare bye week for the Gophers, coach Jerry Kill and wife Rebecca took the time to attend the hall of fame event where O’Brien, the Gophers director of football operations, was honored.
It’s been a difficult fall for former Michigan State head football coach John L. Smith, now interim head coach at Arkansas. Considered a preseason possibility for the national title, the Razorbacks are 2-4. Maybe worse, Smith referred to Arkansas as “Alabama” when speaking before a Razorbacks’ booster group last month. See YouTube coverage.
Joe Mauer had back pain during the last few games of the season, according to Jake Mauer, his grandfather. Because of the problem Mauer chose to be a designated hitter and wanted to be in the lineup competing for the American League batting title rather than sitting on the bench.
Mauer finished fourth in the AL batting race, hitting .319. He hit .222 in his last 10 games and had just one hit in the final 10 at bats. Jake said his grandson had trouble hitting the “low ball.”
The back isn’t expected to be a long term problem and Mauer was entertaining at a stag party last weekend near Braham. Jake said about two dozen guests enjoyed archery, trapshooting, bowling and other activities.
Among the guests was Twins pitcher Glen Perkins. Both Perkins and Mauer are supporters of pitching coach Rick Anderson who survived the organization’s dismissal last week of various coaches. “He (Joe) likes Rick and Perkins does, too. They’re glad he stayed,” Jake said.
Joe and fiancée Maddie Bisanz will be married on December 1 in St. Paul. Jake said wedding invitations have yet to be mailed.
“Sports Standouts,” a new 30 minute show, will debut on KSTC next Saturday at 1 p.m. The show offers inspiring stories about regional athletes and coaches. The program co-hosts are former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton and TV personality Libby Floyd.
Mario Lucia, a 2011 Wild draft choice and son of Gophers coach Don Lucia, is a freshman at Notre Dame but not playing because of a broken leg.