Minnesota

2001 schedule Aug. 31 at Toledo Sept. 8 vs. La.-Lafayette Sept. 15 vs. Baylor Sept. 29 vs. Purdue Oct. 6 at Illinois Oct. 13 at Northwestern Oct. 20 vs. Michigan St. Nov. 3 vs. Ohio State Nov. 10 at Michigan Nov. 17 at Iowa Nov. 24 vs. Wisconsin 2000 results (6-6, 4-4 in Big Ten) Louisiana-Monroe W 47-10 Ohio L 23-17 Baylor W 34-9 Purdue L 38-24 Illinois W 44-10 Penn State W 25-16 Ohio State W 29-17 Indiana L 51-43 Northwestern L 41-35 Wisconsin L 41-20 Iowa W 27-24 N.C. State L 38-30

In the weeks before his injury -- with Middlebrooks the primary headliner, plus DE Karon Riley and DT John Schlecht -- the Golden Gophers held Ohio State to 17 points, Penn State to 16 and Illinois to 10. In the game Middlebrooks was injured, Indiana posted 51 points. The next two weeks, Wisconsin and Northwestern each rolled up 41 points against the Golden Gophers defense. After Iowa scored 24 points in the regular-season finale, Minnesota blew a 24-8 halftime lead to Koren Robinson and N.C. State at the Micronpc.com Bowl, falling 38-30. So after sitting at 5-2 following the Ohio State victory, they dropped four of their final five games to end up 6-6 (including the bowl loss).

DEFENSE
As is the case with Northwestern, Illinois and Indiana, the Golden Gophers have to hope their defense isn't overpowered on a regular basis. This time around, they'll be without key performers such as Middlebrooks, Riley and Schlecht as well as junior FS Delvin Jones, who like Middlebrooks opted to leave the Golden Gophers with eligibility still remaining.

So it's obvious where the concern lies. The optimistic feeling is that the Golden Gophers will be able to hold their own with the starting 11, but should any injuries occur, things will go downhill in a hurry. They will be working in eight new starters on defense, although a major boost in the spring was provided by versatile senior Jack Brewer, a former transfer from SMU who has made the smooth transition from wide receiver to free safety. In fact, Brewer turned out to be the emotional leader of the defense. Fourth-year junior Mike Lehan figures to be one of the top CBs in the Big Ten; Lehan is a gifted athlete with ideal size (5-11½, 191) and top recovery speed (4.38). When you consider the ability of Lehan and Brewer, the Golden Gophers would have fielded a smothering secondary had Middlebrooks and Jones been part of the equation.

Up front, the Golden Gophers will be keyed by junior sack artist Greg White, versatile sophomore DE/DT Dan Kwapinski and highly regarded redshirt freshman DT Brandon Harston who checks in at 6-2, 310 pounds. Astein Osei, a starter in '99 before missing most of last season with an ankle injury, will be looking to provide quality play from his drop LB position. Osei could emerge as one of the leaders of the Golden Gopher defense.

OFFENSE
If Glen Mason's squad is going to enjoy a successful 2001 campaign, the talented offensive unit will make it happen. Travis Cole will open as the No. 1 signal caller, but he'll be challenged by Asad Abdul-Khaliq. The opposition will have to prepare to see both QBs, with Abdul-Khaliq possessing the skill to eventually rank as one of the more exciting field generals in the country. He's just a third-year sophomore, while Cole will be a senior.

There is also plenty of quality depth at RB. Junior Tellis Redmon was not only a 1,000-plus-yard rusher, but the 5-11, 200-pounder also finished as the Golden Gophers second-leading receiver with 32 catches. Able to spell Redmon will be the highly skilled Thomas Tapeh. After rushing for over 200 yards against Baylor, Tapeh suffered an ankle injury the following week at Purdue and was limited the rest of the year. Mason held Tapeh out of spring practice but in the fall will be looking for contributions from the speedy 6-1, 230-pound sophomore.

Cole and Abdul-Khaliq will be assisted by a top-flight overland attack and will benefit from having a super blue-chip go-to option at WR in senior Ron Johnson. At 6-3, 220 pounds and with tremendous hands and body control, he's produced in the Big Ten to the level of Cris Carter during his days at Ohio State. Other key weapons at WR include Tony Henderson, Elvin Jones, Jermaine Mays and Antoine Burns. At TE, the Golden Gophers have an emerging star in sophomore Ben Utecht, a converted WR who presents a tremendous target at 6-6, 244 pounds. Cole and Abdul-Khaliq figure to be looking for Utecht early and often this season. The Golden Gophers definitely spread the wealth. Last year, after Johnson and Redmon, five other players caught 15 passes or more. And they are all back.

On the offensive line, Mason will have to adequately replace two outstanding trenchmen in C Ben Hamilton and LT Adam Haayer, who both moved on to the NFL. In order to fill the vacancy at center, Mason has shifted senior Derek Burns, a two-year starter at guard, inside to the pivot position. Another change has huge (6-7, 335) fourth-year junior Jake Kuppe moving from RT to LT. Sophomore Art Smith, a mammoth 6-8, 340-pounder who saw action last season, will open at RT. Operating at guard will be sophomore Dan Gitlewski and three-year starter Ryan Roth.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams should be a strength. PK Dan Nystrom, still just a junior, is only 67 points behind former Golden Gopher Chip Lohmiller for the school record. Last year his 25 field goals tied a Big Ten record. Preston Gruening, a fourth-year junior, led the nation last year in punting with a 44.5 yard average. They also have top-notch return men in Mays, Henderson and Redmon.

Overview: Glen Mason is an outstanding coach and the Golden Gopher offense has a multitude of weapons. If Cole and Abdul/Khaliq gain a measure of consistency, look out! Redmon, Tapeh, Johnson and Utecht could star for any team in the country. And Tapeh is the backup to Redmon. Even though Hamilton, a great collegiate center, and Haayer, a solid LT, moved on to the NFL, the offensive line should be fine. Kuppe and Smith represent one of the biggest OT tandems in college football, while Burns and Roth have a great deal of experience, even though Burns will be operating at center for the first time.