Troy Stoudermire had a sensational spring game for the Gophers and if he could produce anything similar tomorrow against Penn State it will enhance Minnesota’s chances against a Nittany Lions team that is more than a two touchdown favorite.
Stoudermire excited the crowd last spring running 54 yards from scrimmage to score a touchdown, catching three passes for 31 yards and averaging 47.7 and 18.5 yards returning kickoffs and punts.
Stoudermire, who could be used as the main ball carrier in the Wildcat formation or run with the ball on a reverse, has gained 12 yards this season on three rushing attempts. As a wide receiver, he has caught 13 passes for 121 yards, with one touchdown. Most impressive are his kickoff returns, averaging 28.3 yards per return, second best in the Big Ten Conference and No. 17 in the nation. Frequently the 5-10, 183-pound sophomore has been close to a touchdown return and his longest run is 54 yards.
The Gophers Mr. Versatile has also been impressive as a tackler covering kicks. “Wherever you utilize Troy, good things are going to happen,” said Gophers coach Tim Brewster. “He’s a big part of our offense. We look at different ways each week in which we can throw the ball to him, and we can hand the ball to him, that he can return kicks , that he can cover kickoffs, that he can cover punts. He’s got his plate pretty full.”
Gophers teammate Eric Decker thinks Stoudermire will play a larger part in the offense in future weeks. What about Stoudermire in the Wildcat? “It’s always a possibility,” Decker said.
Decker has made the team’s longest pass reception this season, 53 yards. Stoudermire’s longest is 19 yards. Running back Duane Bennett has the longest run at 29 yards. The numbers say the Gophers haven’t had a lot of long gains this season. Big yardage on a drive dramatically increases the percentage of scoring a touchdown. The Gophers want more of those. In six games the offense has produced 10 rushing touchdowns and seven passing.
Minnesota (4-2) can use plenty of points tomorrow at Penn State (5-1) against a team that figures to score at least three touchdowns. Penn State is ranked No. 13 in the country by USA Today.