MarQueis Gray is questionable with a toe injury while Max Shortell waits in the wings.
Published: 2011-10-06
Adam Richard
arichard@mndaily.com
The Gophers head to West Lafayette, Ind., this weekend to battle the Purdue Boilermakers and try to redeem themselves after getting steamrolled by Michigan last week 58-0.
Minnesota is 1-4 this year and looked completely overmatched in its first Big Ten game under head coach Jerry Kill.
The Gophers played at Purdue last season and were defeated 28-17 in Tim Brewster’s final game before his dismissal.
Kill spoke about the team’s lack of toughness and discipline this week.
“You recruit them tough. You can’t make them tough,” Kill said. He also said he has had to do more babysitting than coaching.
Purdue has yet to play a Big Ten game this year, and is 2-2 on the season. The Boilermakers were beat handily by Notre Dame last week 38-10.
Purdue has consistently produced NFL caliber quarterbacks including two NFL Hall of Famers Bob Griese and Len Dawson. They also produced three quarterbacks currently starting in the NFL: Drew Brees, Curtis Painter and Kyle Orton.
The current Purdue team has a quarterback controversy after would-be starter Rob Henry tore the ACL in his right knee a week before the season began.
Junior Caleb TerBush has stepped into the starting role and has been pushed by senior Robert Marve. Against Notre Dame, TerBush was benched late in the first half in place of Marve, who started the second half.
Head coach Danny Hope said TerBush is still his starter after practice Sunday, but that may change by Saturday’s game against Minnesota.
“We intend on playing both quarterbacks. I hope both these guys play so well I can’t decide which is best,” Hope told reporters at his weekly press conference. “We are committed to having two quarterbacks ready to play.”
The Gophers’ defense has allowed long strings of completions and gobs of yards to all opposing quarterbacks. They have allowed almost a 70 percent completion rate, more than 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
Even in Minnesota’s lone win, Miami (Ohio) quarterback Zac Dysert threw for 325 yards.
“Defending the run, defending the pass, all three levels of the defense have a lot of improving to do,” Gophers linebacker Mike Rallis said.
Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray’s toe injury prevented him from starting last week.
Gray didn’t participate in full practices last week, but was able to practice this week. He will be a game-time decision again this week.
“I’m improved a lot. I couldn’t put pressure on it Saturday. It feels better each day. I feel fine, but it’s up to the coaches [whether I play],” Gray said.
The Gophers have a bye next week, so he may sit one more game in order to take two weeks to rest his toe.
In Gray’s absence, true freshman Max Shortell started against Michigan. Shortell has performed admirably in relief appearances this season, but playing a full game against Big Ten competition exposed his inexperience.
Shortell may have to start for the second straight week on the road if Gray isn’t able to start due to injury.
“MarQueis is going to have to practice at full speed. There’s no question he’s progressed, but is it enough to go out and play a game? I just don’t know,” Kill said.
Minnesota will look to establish an offensive rhythm on the ground against a Boilermakers team that lost All-American defensive lineman Ryan Kerrigan to the NFL this offseason. Last week Purdue allowed 287 rushing yards to Notre Dame at an average of 7.18 yards per carry.
The Gophers were missing two starting offensive linemen last week in Ed Olson and Jimmy Gjere. Olson was able to practice this week and looks to play Saturday, while Gjere suffered a mild concussion and has to pass the proper baseline tests in order to get back on the field.
Running back Donnell Kirkwood had to take himself out of the game Saturday because of a hamstring issue for the second time this season. He practiced this week and looks to play Saturday.
Troy Stoudermire will not return this week after missing last week’s game with a fractured left wrist. He had his arm in a sling at practice this week.
Minnesota will try to get its second win of the season and Kill’s first Big Ten win.
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ARTICLE URL: http://www.mndaily.com/2011/10/06/gophers-look-rebound-purdue
Mon Oct 10 2011
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