Minnesota vs. Florida Atlantic football preview

Gophers look for revenge, 4-0 start

It’s really a bizarre notion to consider Minnesota’s game Saturday against Florida Atlantic a must win.

Usually, when a BCS team plays a non-BCS team – Florida Atlantic is out of the Sun Belt – it’s pretty much viewed as an automatic win. Realize that Minnesota’s program is still trying to climb out of the 1-11 disaster of 2007. A 3-0 start with wins over Northern Illinois, Bowling Green and Montana State is a beginning.

But the game with Owls (1-2) carries a twofold incentive. First, the Gophers are trying to start a season 4-0 for the first time since 2005. Second, they have payback on their minds.

The 2007 meeting in Miami was hot and miserable as Owls’ quarterback Rusty Smith threw for 463 yards and five touchdowns as FAU won, 42-39. Minnesota was also its own worst enemy with seven turnovers.

“It’s very evident that we are a much improved football team this season,’’ coach Tim Brewster said. “We’re doing the things that good teams do to win football games.’’

A win really boosts the psyche of this Gopher team, which will open Big 10 conference play at Ohio State next week. Because of last year’s loss to the Owls, the Gophers are not taking this game in the Metrodome for granted. And well, they really can’t afford to.

“They have a lot of good athletes,’’ defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg said. “We’re excited for the challenge.’’

Perhaps the one who has been feeling the vibe is quarterback Adam Weber. He has shown vast improvement in offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar’s spread. Weber has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 732 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.

His decision making has changed. He’s calm in the pocket and has forged a great pass-catch combination with wide receiver Eric Decker (25-332, 3TD). What’s lacking in the Gopher offense is a solid No. 2 receiver.

What hasn’t been lacking is Brewster’s nationally acclaimed 2008 recruiting class. Already four have contributed. Defensive backs Tramaine Brock and Traye Simmons have interceptions.

The running back class also has stepped up. When Duane Bennett was lost for the season with a torn ACL, true freshmen running backs Shady Salomen and DeLeon Eskridge delivered. Salomen rushed for 64 yards against Bowling Green. Eskridge rushed for 114 against Montana State.

“I feel like I need to be consistent to be our starting running back,’’ Eskridge said. “I don’t want to just come in for one game and do well and not be consistent after.’’

So as the offense has been finding consistency, new defensive coordinator Ted Roof still has to work with some of the holes. The pass defense (268 ypg) is the worst in the conference.

Smith is coming off a rough 8-for-34 performance at Michigan State last week. But that game was played in the driving rain storm. Keep in mind he threw for nearly 3,700 yards last year.

Look for the Gophers to mix their fronts and bring blitzes from different angles. They may not have to actually sack Smith. However, harassing him may prove equally effective.

Many Gopher fans are standing and waiting to see what this program can accomplish. Starting 4-0 would cause heads to turn and think the Brewster era may finally have something to it. A loss would summon more questions.

Gopher Notables:

• Minnesota is 11-for-11 in the red zone year and has scored touchdown on all 11 possessions.
• The Gophers are ranked third in the nation at turnover ratio at +2.67. They are one of 10 teams in the country to commit 1 or 0 turnovers.
• Place-kicker Joel Monroe has attempted only one field goal his year. He converted a 40-yard attempt in the Aug. 29 opener against Northern Illinois.

By KEVIN LONNQUIST
BigTen-fans.com Minnesota Correspondent

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