The Gophers will enter tomorrow’s game at home against Penn State (3-3) as more than a touchdown underdog. The Nittany Lions can’t be too impressed with Minnesota’s record, 1-6.
That might give Minnesota an edge and interim coach Jeff Horton expects the Gophers will dedicate the game to fired coach Tim Brewster. “I think so,” Horton said. “It was really emotional in here on Sunday (when Brewster said goodbye). You could tell.”
Penn State is 0-2 in Big Ten games. The Nittany Lions have often struggled this season to score points including producing a total of 16 in the first two league games.
Since taking over as interim coach on Sunday, Horton has received hundreds of fan emails about MarQueis Gray but don’t expect Gray to replace Adam Weber at quarterback. “Our best chance for success right now (is) with Adam at quarterback and MarQueis at wide receiver,” Horton said.
Horton was offensive coordinator when he and Brewster approved making Gray, perhaps the best athlete on the team, both a quarterback and wide receiver. Gray, a sophomore, hasn’t taken a game snap this season at quarterback for the Gophers.
Among the most common storylines in football is for fans to want a quarterback change on a losing team. But while Weber has been inconsistent throwing the ball, he has the approval of Horton and before that Brewster. Gray has boosted the talent pool at wide receiver, catching 26 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns. His ability to both catch the ball and make runs gives the Gophers an impressive pair of wide receivers with Da’ Jon McKnight.
Gray was troubled with plantar fasciitis earlier in the season but is healthier now. Opposing defenses have been focusing on Gray and he hasn’t been as effective as earlier in the season.