The best aspect of Gopher football in the new millennium has been the team’s running game. Twice during the last few years the Gophers have ranked No. 3 in the country in rushing yards per game among Division I-A teams, according to espn.com. Another season they were No. 5.
Coach Tim Brewster and his staff gave the Gophers a new offense, the spread, last winter. While some may think the spread is pass dominant, that won’t happen here this season. Brewster told Sports Headliners he expects the Gophers to mix the pass and run equally.
The decision to run is based on the team’s strengths: a good offensive line accustomed to the running game, and a senior tailback, Amir Pinnix who is one of the Big Ten Conference’s better runners. Brewster wants Pinnix to rush for about 1,500 yards this fall for the Gophers who start practice next week and open their season at home against Bowling Green on September 1.
In a look that may surprise those expecting a wide open formation, Brewster said the Gophers may frequently be in a two-running back, one tight end alignment. No doubt part of that strategy is to take pressure off the Gopher quarterback, whoever that will be as an inexperienced threesome of junior Tony Mortensen, redshirt freshman Adam Weber and true freshman Clint Brewster compete for the job.
Brewster made the point that another spread team, West Virginia, was second in the country in rushing last season. The Mountaineers ran for over 300 yards per game. “Fear not Golden Gopher fans, we will run the football,” Brewster said.
In addition to Pinnix, the Gophers are likely to receive running help from long runs specialist Jay Thomas, fullback Justin Valentine and true freshman Duane Bennett who has already impressed Brewster. Bennett is one of several players the Gophers have recruited in recent seasons from the St. Louis area including Laurence Maroney.