2003 Statistics

Quarterback
During the post-Sun Bowl press conference, then-freshman running back Laurence Maroney articulately summed up the urgency to find a new starting QB: "All we need a quarterback to do is hand off the ball." Well, the next guy they tap is capacitated to do much more than that. The likely successor to four-year starter Asad Abdul-Khaliq is redshirt sophomore Bryan Cupito, the third-stringer last fall. A strong-armed pocket passer, Cupito's experience consists of holding on field goals and extra points. Bryan is ready to adjust his game however needed, for his speed isn't that of his predecessor, but it is there. His chief competition is Juco-transfer Adam Ernst, who is more of an option QB like Abdul-Khaliq. Ernst will take part in spring drills. This year's recruiting class also includes six QBs, meaning we could see several different names handing off the ball.

Running Back
Maroney and Marion Barber III return, giving the Gophers perhaps the best RB one-two in the nation. Blessed with speed and power, Barber returned from a bum hamstring in '02 to run for almost 1,200 yards. He was marginally used in the air game, too, but his hands could be better. Built like Barber, Maroney is faster with a 4.4 40 time, plus he ran for an average of 6.9 per carry. Another spot that gets plenty of action in this system is fullback, where junior Brandon Hagen will take over. An inch shorter and 15 pounds lighter than Tapeh, Hagen has 4.5 speed and is basically a second (or third) tailback in their multitude of sets.

Wide Receiver
There's some talent here, led by Jared Ellerson. A junior speedster whose 20.7 yards per catch was tops among Big Ten receiving leaders, Ellerson was the team's No. 2 receiver in 2003. Paris Hamilton, a Juco-transfer expected to start before suffering a season-ending knee injury in preseason, returns to give the Gophers another burner. He has 4.4 speed and averaged 24.0 yards per catch two years ago at Paris (Texas) CC. Lanky senior Keith Matthews is a possession receiver who will thrive with the new QB's style. This group doesn't frighten anyone, and coach Glen Mason will likely move at least one of those six incoming QBs here.

Tight End
One of the better receivers could come out of the tight end spot in redshirt sophomore Matt Spaeth. At 6-6, 265, his blocking is a vital part of the running game, but he also has nice hands and 4.8 speed. The backup to All-Big Ten Ben Utecht last fall, Spaeth still caught 12 passes. Run-wary defenses could have a hard time keeping track of him on short slants and outs, especially if Mason sticks with the option.

Offensive Line
There is no running game without a decent line, and the Gophers have one of the nation's best. Junior center Greg Eslinger, a Lombardi Award candidate, anchors a unit that returns four starters. Among the returnees, only right tackle Joe Ainslie is over 300 pounds, but these guys make up for that with technique and cohesion, important for the mobility needs of this offensive scheme. Minnesota was third in the nation in rushing offense (five in total offense), and led the Big Ten with just 16 sacks allowed. Good protection will be provided for a young quarterback and a thin receiving corps.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Mason said after his team's Sun Bowl win against Oregon that he'd probably have to do some things differently with what he has coming back. We specifically mean Cupito and scaling back the option. But for the most part, he shouldn't tinker with one of the nation's best rushing attacks. Opposing defenses will certainly stuff the box early in the season in an attempt to force Cupito (or whoever) to throw. While some balance is necessary, this offense might be one of the few out there good enough to keep running anyway. It'll have to be. As one of six units to run and pass for an average of over 200 yards per game in each category, balance is ostensibly what Minnesota relies upon most, so look for this to be what coaches establish early and strive for most often.

Defensive Line
Three-fourths of this group is back, a good figure for a defense that was fifth in the Big Ten and 26th nationally against the run. Anchoring the middle is junior Anthony Montgomery, an all-conference candidate who draws double-teams and gets a great first step for his size. Interior mate Darrell Reid, last year's sacks leader, is quick and versatile, having played end and linebacker, so he is strong going sideline-to-sideline. Both starting ends return. Mark Losili is a scholar-athlete award winner who plays as big as his potential, evidenced as he earned his way into the starting lineup as a freshman. Losili made almost one-third of his tackles behind the line in '03. With 4.8 speed, Eric Clark is the team's fastest lineman. The tandem will curtail the run, but only combined for six 2003 sacks, which played a big part in the team's susceptibility to the pass.

Linebacker
This unit made big improvements and will continue to be strong. The D will look to junior Terrance Campbell, who started at weak-side LB, to take over the leadership void. Quick and instinctive, Campbell is the fastest member of the group at 4.6 and has shown sideline-to-sideline quickness, too. Kyle McKenzie, brother of former NFL end Keith McKenzie, returns at drop backer, where the Gophers can utilize his athleticism. Senior Brian Smith is vicious hitter who should fit in nicely with a quick group that will be tougher in pass coverage.

Defensive Back
Pass defense is a concern, having faltered in a loss to Michigan and in near-losses to Wisconsin and Oregon, but will be more consistent with plenty of veterans back from the NCAA's 55th-ranked pass-defense. Both safeties need to be replaced, but those spots will be inherited by a couple of experienced backups. Senior Justin Fraley had great stats last time, so he will just do more of the same this way. Their top cover-corner, sizeable Ukee Dozier, and big-play counterpart Trumaine Banks are a nasty pair of cornerbacks. A better showing here would be the difference between a good season and a great season.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The D took big steps forward in coordinator Greg Hudson's first year, finishing 28th in the nation in total defense, and should take another in his second. There's no reason to believe the run-defense will let up. A team that can run as well as stop the run (at will) should have an edge in time of possession, which will be big in helping to improve those passing defense numbers. So, too, will be a better pass rush and more experience at the corners. Look for this defense to control games in some instances, a trend Hudson will continue for some time to come, you watch.