2002 Statistics

By Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.

Few college teams feature a traditional fullback-tailback running attack any more; most teams have gone to running schemes utilizing the fullback almost exclusively as a blocker. But the Golden Gophers under coach Glenn Mason are bucking the trend. Minnesota uses a traditional two-back I-formation attack, and in 2002, it paid off very successfully for the nation's 20th ranked rushers. By necessity, teams today concentrate much more on containing high-octane passing attacks. An old-school option attack such as Minnesota's can be very effective, to the tune of 210 yards-per-game. And both the backs that made that running game go return this season.

TB Terry Jackson II is back for his junior year and again teamed with senior FB Thomas Tapeh (906 yards). They'll present the prototypical thunder-and-lightning attack in the backfield, with Jackson as the breakaway threat and Tapeh the obvious yardage-chewing power runner. Quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq gives the Gopher offense another running threat. The Gophers run-game ranked behind only Rose Bowl-bound Iowa in the Big Ten. Front line issues make repeating that level of success another story.

On the offensive line, senior guard Joe Quinn should be the standout. A three-year starter, the 6-4, 280-pounder will anchor the Gophers. The Minnesota attack depends on zone blocking schemes to open holes and keep rushers off the quarterbacks, and the mobility of Abdul-Khaliq and elusiveness of Jackson demand quickness from the offensive linemen. Quickness is there with the crew for 2003. But the new millennium provides 300-pound, sub-5-second-40 running defensive linemen who are often quick enough themselves to drop into coverage during stunts and/or blitzes. The rest of the Gopher line definitely needs to step up its performance against such higher-quality competition for Minnesota to win those key conference games. The other three returning starters averaged 260 pounds, no match for the likes of Ohio State and Michigan. That's decent size for the 1970s. Senior Matt McIntosh, a top 2002 reserve, is in position to take over at right tackle. He, at 302 pounds, is to be the prototype, with huge reserves ready in waiting to be real-game seasoned. Minnesota needs to shuffle them in early to see if they can get some packages of both large AND mobile linemen to stay at that Top 20% level. The backs are obviously in place.

Abdul-Khaliq is also no slouch throwing the ball. His 123.6 pass efficiency rating ranked 52nd nationally - but a respectable fourth among returning Big Ten quarterbacks. But, in the most logical scenario, it will be his arm that his team rides to success in 2003. Offensive coordinators will key on the running game, making Asad's arm beat them, if he can. His 19-to-11 TD-to-INT ratio and quick feet make him ideal to deliver.

Although top receiver Antoine Burns is gone, the Gophers return towering senior tight end Ben Utecht (6-6, 250, 37 catches), and senior wideouts Aaron Hosack and Tony Patterson, 6'6" and 6'3" respectively, give the Gophers a Paul Bunyan-esque receiving corps which will take advantage of smaller cornerbacks on opposing defenses. The Gophers rely on quick outs and crossing patterns to get defenders into jump-ball situations as much as possible. Abdul-Khaliq's scrambling ability also results in plays where the ball goes up for grabs. The Gopher passing attack also often features an 'inside-out' quality which involves the wideouts cutting in for shorter routes and Utecht heading downfield, usually isolated on an LB if all was executed properly, as more of a deep threat. Needless to say, this can even cause considerable match up problems for opposing defensive backs, especially if Abdul-Khaliq gets enough time to throw the rope needed.

Against softer non-conference foes, the Minnesota line was able to push people around and pile up big yardage numbers, but when the defenses stiffened in the Big Ten, the lack of bulk started to hurt. The Gophers were manhandled down the stretch by Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin. A full offseason in the weight room, as well as the recruiting influx, should add a few pounds across the line and help Minnesota match up better in the trenches against those beefy Big Ten rivals.

TE Ben Utecht

By Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.

The Gophers led the Big Ten in pass defense while ranking 19th in all I-A, and lost only one player from the starting defensive line-up that finished 2003. So another strong year defending opposing air attacks should be on tap. Minnesota plays a flex 4-3 which emphasizes containment up front and zone assignments among the linebackers and secondary.

That funnels the action, and the tackles, to the interior linebackers and the safeties. Senior safeties Eli Ward and Justin Isom lead the way again and should be primed for a repeat of their high 2002 performance level. Ward led the Gophers in total tackles, while Isom had the team-high three interceptions as he broke up eight passes.

At one corner, junior speed cover specialist Ukee Dozier is the Gophers' top man-to-man coverage player. At the other corner, sophomore Ken Williams looks to step into a starting role. Juniors Mike Wojciehowski and Justin Fraley, along with sophomore Quentin White, should all see action, especially for nickel/dime packages against the better passing programs.

Senior Ben West, a dependable run-stopper, returns at the SAM linebacker position, coming off a strong season where he racked up 103 total tackles, second on the team to Isom. Sophomore Kyle McKenzie will man the drop and linebacker position.

The Gophers use an unbalanced line featuring a nose tackle and a wide-side tackle, and sophomore Anthony Montgomery and junior Darrell Reid are back at those positions. Montgomery switched positions from defensive end during the season, and moved into a starting role late in the year. His 6-4, 280-pound frame indicates his need to add some bulk and become a solid inside run-stopper. Juniors Brandon Harston (309) and Sam Logan (232) return in backup roles at the tackles. At the ends, sophomore Mark Losli (6-7, 264) and senior Paul Nixon (221 pounds) are returning starters. Both recorded six sacks during 2002, and their totals will only increase. Soph Scott Stephenson (270) is penciled in for backup duty at the defensive end.

The Gopher defensive line, like the offense, buckled when Minnesota rolled into the meat (lockers) of its Big Ten schedule. Again, in their skid down the stretch of conference foes, opposing running games ran them ragged. The front four has a year of experience to go with its varying sizes of different role players. Small, quick linemen can be mixed and matched with the bulkier ones to provide the many looks (as well as rested and ready big men) offensive coordinators hate late in the fourth. Inventive schemes will pay off if they choose to let these linemen fill the roles as needed.

FS Eli Ward