Gophers coach Tim Brewster looked at quarterback Adam Weber’s passing numbers from Saturday’s 35-20 win over Purdue and was enthused.  Weber attempted nine passes, and completed five for 74 yards.  He had no touchdowns and two interceptions.

“I have so much admiration for Adam,” Brewster told Sports Headliners yesterday.  “He’s such a great leader.  It’s so exciting for this program to have the quarterback go five-for-nine and win the football game.”

The Gophers rushed for a season high 207 yards, emphasizing the run and taking the focus off the pass (leading receiver Eric Decker didn’t catch a ball in the second half.  Brewster credited Weber with making the correct run calls to make the rushing game effective.

Weber participated in the run game early, carrying the ball the first two times the offense was on the field, and he also ran for a touchdown. “Adam is one of those kids who likes to get in the flow of the game,” Brewster said.  “He loves to get bumped around a little bit and it helps get him into the game.”

The Gophers, now 2-1 in the Big Ten and 4-2 overall, had lost to Wisconsin a week ago Saturday and play the next two weeks at Penn State and Ohio State, nationally ranked teams with a combined 10-2 record.  Weber said the win over Purdue “was crucial.”  It was the right step in answering questions about the kind of season the Gophers will have.

The victory was also an early birthday present for Brewster who turns 49 tomorrow.  Brewster’s mother, Ritter Trexler, came from out of town to surprise him on Friday and celebrate the birthday. This time of year, though, Brewster is mostly about business and on Saturday night was entertaining several out of state recruits at his home.

Major League Baseball is way “off base” by not having replay cameras for playoff games and at least using them for foul line calls.  The mistaken ruling that Joe Mauer’s fly ball landed in foul territory outside the left field line at Yankee Stadium on Friday night was embarrassing.

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre and kicker Ryan Longwell are golf buddies.  Longwell told Sports Headliners the two have played on area golf courses several times since Favre joined the team in August.  Weather permitting, the twosome hope to play more golf on Tuesdays, or Friday afternoons.

Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams, 36, has the rocking chair in front of his locker at Winter Park that previously was placed by Favre’s locker.  Williams likes the large wooden rocker and intends to use it.  Longwell said it’s still not known who placed the chair in front of Favre’s locker.

Williams is a car buff.  He has eight autos including a Rolls Royce.

In a Sports Illustrated player poll (compiled only through the first week of the season), Favre was voted the “most overrated player” in the NFL.  (Favre made his miracle last minute throw to Greg Lewis in game No. 3 to beat San Francisco.)  Finishing No. 2 and 3 in the poll were Tony Romo and Terrell Owens.

Here’s an attention grabbing quote in that same issue of Sports Illustrated (October 12) from Stanford running back Toby Gerhart who in his senior season has become a Heisman Trophy candidate:  “As a white running back you get stereotyped.  When I tell people I play football, they say, ‘Oh, you’re a fullback.’ ”

Former Bloomington Jefferson center Cole Aldrich, now preparing for his third season at Kansas, was selected as Pre-season Co-Player of the Year by Big 12 Conference basketball coaches.  Teammate Sherron Collins was the other player honored.

Although some observers are in a funk about the Gophers after losing to Wisconsin last Saturday, it’s a good bet the players will be sharp in tomorrow’s homecoming game at TCF Bank Stadium against Purdue.  The Gophers (3-2) know they made too many mistakes against Wisconsin, losing a sixth straight game to the Badgers, but their commitment to the season doesn’t have to hit bottom with seven games remaining.

Senior wide receiver Eric Decker said earlier this week the Gophers need to prepare better in practice to avoid the mistakes that led to a loss against traditional rival Wisconsin but he’s not concerned about emotional damage for tomorrow’s game.  “I’m not (worried).  I think we have enough upperclassmen and leadership to be able to put that (loss) in the past and prepare for Purdue,” Decker said. “This is a big game for us and all of us feel like this is a must win.  Every week is the biggest game for us. We are going to do everything we can do (and) break down film on Purdue and see what we can do against them on offense.”

The Gophers gave up 454 total yards to Wisconsin in the 31-28 loss, 295 rushing and 159 passing.  “I feel like we took a step back last week,” Gophers safety Kyle Theret said.  “We didn’t play the way we wanted to. We didn’t hit like we wanted to and I feel like we were ‘out-toughed.’ It is kind of embarrassing as a defense and we want to get back to the way we want to be playing.”

Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott ranks first in passing yardage per game (255.2) and total offense (270.8) in the Big Ten Conference.  Purdue running back Ralph Bolden is second in the conference in rushing yards per game (108.2). The Gophers defense is fourth (202.4) in passing defense and 10^th in rushing defense (174.6).

But the Gophers defense has made big plays this season as has the team’s passing game (ranking sixth in the conference).  The running game, though, has been a problem and the Gophers are last in league rushing at 96 yards per game.

The Gophers may better that average against a Purdue defense that is giving up 159.4 yards per game in rushing defense, ninth in the league.  The Boilermakers are 10th in pass defense at 240 yards per game.

With road games the next two Saturdays at Penn State and Ohio State (both Big Ten title favorites), the Gophers will be in a funk themselves if they don’t beat a Purdue team that is 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in the Big Ten, losing last week to Northwestern.