Update on Duane Bennett--and random Gopher thoughts

[stpaulgoph]

I am glad the Falcons escaped injury free.

I wish I could say the same for the Gophers. RB Duane Bennett is out for the year with a torn ACL. Happened on a routine play in the 4th. He was really coming on for us too.

The DE, Riggs I believe, is a real gem. As I have posted in numerous threads, Bullock looks great. Dont listen to any Gopher fan when it comes to defense, or WR's or QB's, but we know a thing or two about running backs. Dont know where he was all game.

I hope you continue to use the QB sweep play in the future.

Partridge has been around since the earth cooled it seems...would love to see him on reverse. Great player and always enjoy singling him out whenever I see BG on tv.

We have Eric Decker who is a pure stud, but I would love to have your depth and playmakers at WR. You can run 5 wide sets and everyone is a threat. Very jealous.

I wont apologize for Pantherhawk--he is message board trash. Am sorry he infected this board though.

Really liked your offense, and keep the TO's to a minimum and you guys could win out. Sometimes those things just happen--its football. You will get your breaks too I am certain. Next week will be the real test. I am def rooting for you the rest of the way.

BTW was that the infamous A-11 formation on that play in the 3rd quarter?

Is the game on ESPNU next week? Where can I catch it?

[Falcon137]

Thanks for the kind words. Decker is an absolute stud. Regarding next week I think it will be an ESPN Gameplan and ESPN360.com game.

Good luck the rest of the way.

[Flipper]

I'll be stunned if Minnesota doesn't finish in the top half of the Big 10 this year. Ohio State and Whisky are the top two, but after that....it's tough to say. I think Minnesota matches up favorably with MSU from what I've seen this year.

[stpaulgoph]

Wow I appreciate the optimism but we have a long ways to go. Losing Bennett sucks pretty bad. I am hoping for 6-6 this year catapulting us into the new stadium in 2009.

In case you havent seen the new TCF bank stadium, check out this site:

http://stadium.gophersports.com/

Come and visit! Any fans would be welcome at my tailgate.[/quote]

[ffejfalcon]

Wow what a great looking place!

Good luck the rest of the year!

[Metz]

BTW was that the infamous A-11 formation on that play in the 3rd quarter?

We ran some new formation last week at Pitt that was pretty crazy. Before yesterday's game, I heard we were going to have another strange one. I guess that was it. I hope I never see it again.

[stpaulgoph]

Check that...TWO season ending injuries.

Bennett out for the year with an ACL, and our starting center Jeff Tow-Arnett also out for the year with an ACL.

Doyt is snake bite city for the Gophers I guess.

Good luck guys!

[Bleeding Orange]

I'm very sorry to hear about Bennett - that is definitely some very bad news. I also hope that that big O-lineman of yours is OK, as well. It didn't look very good when his left leg got rolled over by another O-lineman, and I can't remember whether he came back or not. It was stunning to see the difference in the overall size of Minny's line without him a part of it. No matter what, I certainly wish the Gophers luck going forward this season. Although I was disappointed with some of the chippy crap, I was totally impressed with the vast improvements that Brewster has made this year. Your special teams were just ridiculous last night. And that Decker kid. Wow. He's got a bright future on Sundays, in my opinion.

So far as BG goes, I'm not too worried about us. Even though I was very disappointed with the outcome of the game, I am heartened by the fact that what lost us the game last night was not systematic. Sure, a lot of Brandon-haters around here are going to harp on one decision to throw instead of run on fourth and short, but outside of that, the game plan was solid, while the execution was lacking. Even better, for the second week in a row, both of our lines played very, very well against bigger opponents with more depth. I am so totally enamored with both units right now. Our very young O-line has come together in seemingly record time, and our D-line has gotten pressure on the opposition that I don't recall happening on a consistent basis in the last six years, and certainly not against BCS opponents. Ream showed some real heart coming back into that game, too. It is great to see that kind of leadership within the unit.

For us, it is on to Boise, and for Minnesota, I think it is on to a successful rebuilding effort. The renderings of the new stadium you folks are building were IMPRESSIVE. That is going to be a fantastic facility!

[Falcon137]

That stadium looks great.

I think you guys can win 7 games and get to a bowl and I def. see you winning the Little Brown Jug.

[Falconfreak90]

Check that...TWO season ending injuries.

Bennett out for the year with an ACL, and our starting center Jeff Tow-Arnett also out for the year with an ACL.

Doyt is snake bite city for the Gophers I guess.

Good luck guys!

Man, sorry to hear about those injuries. Decker is a STUD...love his intensity. Bennett looks like a special player...and I like your QB as well. I have to admit I liked watching your spread offense...even though you were playing us. And your kicker...that dude has the best kickoffs...high and deep and allows your coverage team to get down the field. As a former HS kicker, it was beautiful to watch even if it did pin BG deep.

Brewster has this team on the right track...I think MN wins at least 7 games this season. Like Flip said, after OSU and Wisky (And Penn State) I don't see a BiG ten team MN can't match up with. IL is good and MSU seems solid but so is MN. Your new stadium is gonna be HUGE for recruiting and it's nice you won't be in the Hefty bag dome anymore.

Agree about the TO's. Last week at Pitt, we were +3 and won by 10. This week we were -5 and lost by 25...hmmm.... BG wins when we protect the ball....and loses when we don't.

I hope you guys have a great season....and I hope we get to play MN again in the near future.