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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Border Battle Week Is Here
9/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
It’s Border Battle week at Minnesota. In head coach Tim Brewster’s weekly meeting with the media, Brewster said seeing Wisconsin on the schedule is all the motivation his team needs this week.
“We all understand the rivalry and what the game means,” Brewster said. “There's not going to have to be a lot of motivational tactics this week. Our kids are going be motivated to play this week. Our focus is going to be outstanding. Everybody's senses are going to be heightened a little bit. Again, it makes it fun. This week is a fun week for a coach. You don't have to do a whole a lot to get them out the door.”
Quarterback Adam Weber has been on the field for the last two Minnesota-Wisconsin games. He was on the sideline for one in 2006, as well. He knows a great deal about the rivalry, as his father played for Minnesota as well.
“This rivalry is a little bit different,” Weber said. “With Wisconsin, it is the oldest and longest running rivalry. The trophy itself is unique and that makes it special. Tthe past couple years with Wisconsin and Minnesota, there have been some heartbreaks, some tough battles. The recent history has added to this rivalry and helps you build up to this game and keep the rivalry going strong.”
Running back Duane Bennett is thrilled to be playing this year’s contest with Wisconsin at the brand-new TCF Bank Stadium.
“We have a great tradition behind this game,” Bennett said. “The rivalry has been played for 118 years and we really are getting after it and focusing on the task ahead. We will have our fans behind us and we want the Axe to come back. It really adds that extra motivation to have this rivalry game in TCF Bank Stadium.”
Coach Brewster was asked about where the Gopher-Badger rivalry ranks nationally. Of course, everyone in this part of the country understands the game is played for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Most people in Big Ten country also know this is the most-played rivalry in all of major college football, with this year’s meeting being the 119th. But Brewster said this rivalry is probably a little underrated on the national scene.
“Those that aren't familiar with the rivalry probably downplay it a little bit nationally,” Brewster said. “I've been around some really big rivalry football games, and I think this is as good as it gets. I've been part of the Texas/Oklahoma rivalry, and obviously that's a big one. But you know what? I think this game has strong merit as being a really good rivalry.”
Despite the extra motivation to play a rival, coaches and players alike know they need to try to keep an even keel and treat it like any other game, at least as much as they can.
“The thing that I'm gping to talk to our football team about this week as we prepare for Wisconsin is just the execution of what we're trying to accomplish, and doing a great job on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the preparation,” Brewster said.
“It’s still a game, and we still have to go to work,” added defensive tackle Eric Small.
There is more riding on this game than just a rivalry trophy, however. The winner of this contest will be 2-0 in a Big Ten race that looks like it could be wide open.
“As I've said all along, I think we've got great parity in the conference this season,” Brewster said. “On any given Saturday, anybody can beat anybody. Again, it goes back to preparation and execution. Your preparedness is going to give you a chance to win.”
Notes:
- The Big Ten has announced that next week’s game vs. Purdue will air on ESPN2.
- FootballScoop.com has announced that Minnesota’s offensive coaching staff has been honored as one of the website’s Game Changing Coaches for last week.
- Gopher Award Winners from last week: Offensive player of the week - Duane Bennett; Defensive player of the week - Eric Small; Special Forces player of the week - Bryant Allen; Hard Hat Hit of the Week - Barrett Moen; Lunch Pail Award - Offensive Line, Fullback Jon Hoese; Extra effort award - D.L. Wilhite and D.J. Burris; Great Teammate award - Eric Decker; Scout team offensive player of the week - Vic Keise; Scout team defensive player of the week - Eric Jacques.
-Andy Seeley
