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| When we last left Ross-Ade Stadium, we shut the Boilers down -photo by JT |
Based on press clippings and cliched interview answers from the Gopher players, this team isn't packing it it quite yet. And I actually believe them. But can they win this game?
The short answer is 'yes'. Purdue has been decimated by injuries, losing QB Robert Marve, RB Ralph Bolden, and WRs Keith Smith and Justin Siller (remember when he was a briefly a QB?) for the year. They are officially wiped out at the skill positions, and that means that the hapless Gopher defense might just have a chance to slow somebody down. Limiting running QB Rob Henry and halfback Dan Dierking's yards on the ground is the no-brainer key. That happens and a Gopher win is eminent.
Purdue's defense has some strong performers, but as a unit aren't overwhelmingly good. They did play a very solid game against Northwestern, limiting them to just 17 points. Senior DE Ryan Kerrigan is a beast and will be the biggest challenge for the line to stop. If he can pressure Weber early and often, and generate turnovers, then the Gophers will be in trouble. OC Jeff Horton knows this though, and will probably dial up lots of inside runs all game, really testing the heart of the Purdue defense, rather than exposing Weber to 5 step drops and the shotgun early. The O-line has done a nice job limiting sacks this year, so let's hope their improved play continues. Lots of running mixed in with play action and screens. Look for the Boilers to have our effective TE screen snuffed out this week, as I'm sure that will be a play they watch on film closely from the Wisconsin game.
Prediction: Gopher pull the minor upset, grabbing the late lead in the 4th quarter.
Minnesota 27, Purdue 21
Gopher Player of the Game: MarQueis Gray, 125 yards receiving and 1 TD
Boilermaker Player of the Game: Dan Dierking, 95 yards rushing and 2 TDs
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