EARLY BIRD 2009 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2008
 
MINNESOTA GOPHERS
OFFENSE - 10
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 9
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Jack Simmons-TE, Joel Monroe-K
DEFENSE: Willie VanDesteeg-DE, Steve Davis-DE, Kevin Mannion-SLB, Deon Hightower-WLB, Justin Kucek-P
Quarterback / Receiver

The QB-WR combo of Adam Weber and Eric Decker was good enough to earn both All-Big Ten honors. Despite being sidelines with an ankle injury late in the season, Decker hauled in a conference-best 76 receptions.

Running Back

What has to improve is getting more out backs Eskridge and Salamon. The 104th-ranked running game’s struggles forced a coaching change, so ground production will ostensibly be a pivotal factor for the upcoming campaign.

WR Eric Decker
 
CB Traye Simmons
 
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2009 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
 
MINNESOTA 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Adam Weber-Jr ..
RB DeLeon Eskridge-So Shady Salamon-So / Duane Bennett-Jr
WR Eric Decker-Sr ..
WR Ralph Spry-Jr Brandon Green-So
WR Ben Kuznia-Sr Brodrick Smith-So
TE Nick Tow-Arnett-Sr Troy Stoudermire-So
OT Dom Alford-Jr Jason Meinke-Sr
OG D.J. Burris-Jr Ryan Orton-So
C Jeff Tow-Arnett-Sr Trey Davis-So
OG Ned Tavale-Sr Chris Bunders-So
OT Ryan Wynn-So ..
K .. ..
 
MINNESOTA 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE .. ..
DT Garrett Brown-Sr Brandon Kirksey-So
DT Eric Small-Sr Barrett Moen-Sr
DE Derrick Onwuachi-Sr Anthony Jacobs-So
SLB Simoni Lawrence-Sr ..
MLB Lee Campbell-Sr Nate Triplett-Sr
WLB .. ..
CB Traye Simmons-Sr ..
CB Marcus Sherels-Sr Ryan Collado-Jr
S Kyle Theret-Jr ..
S Tramaine Brock-Sr Mike Rallis-So
P .. ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

12/9/08
Second-year head coach Tim Brewster took his Gopher squad from an 1-11 record in 2007 to an 7-1 start the following season. With Brewster's name then popping up as a candidate to take over at other higher profile football programs, the bottom dropped out as the team finished the regular season with a disappointing four losses. Brewster would be well advised to stick around in Minneapolis for this third season, especially with 19 starters back in the fold. He will have a rather nice pass-and-catch option returning with QB Adam Weber and receiver Eric Decker. Both were worthy of All-Big Ten post-season status. Not only are most of the starters back for next season, but so are plenty of their back ups. This offensive line has upwards of eight different guys that have earned plenty of starts. What has to improve is getting more out of backs Eskridge and Salamon (will be sophomores). The rushing attack was dealt a severe blow when Decker went down during that horrific season-ending stretch. Enough talent still exists up front, and with another year under their collective belts, the running attack should be somewhat improved and that could spell improvements. The same is true on the defensive side, where eight of the returning starters will be seniors (behind them, same thing). Lacking in terms of star playmakers, this side of the ball has plenty of room for improvement, as well. No one expects improvements that would make the Gophers into the Big Ten champs, but expect some minor improvements with so many veterans back. Closing the season the way Minnesota did should not put a major damper on things to come. They are still taking small steps, and the next ones may be good enough for a possible nine-win season.

 

MINNESOTA
2009 SCHEDULE

Sep. 5 at Syracuse
Sep. 12 Air Force
Sep. 19 California
Sep. 26 at Northwestern
Oct. 3 Wisconsin
Oct. 10 Purdue
Oct. 17 at Penn State
Oct. 24 at Ohio State
Oct. 31 Michigan State
Nov. 7 Illinois
Nov. 14 South Dakota State
Nov. 21 at Iowa