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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Gophers Focused on USC
9/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
The University of Minnesota football team is keeping a short memory following Saturday's loss to South Dakota. The Gophers are quickly putting the game in the past as their focus is now completely on this Saturday's home matchup against No. 18 Southern California.
Throughout the Gopher football team, the loss to the Coyotes is being used as learning experience, but any sentiment of disappointment is being left behind.
"Sunday at 5:30, we buried the South Dakota loss. We've put that game behind us," Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster said. "We're focused very intently on Southern California. And rightfully so. They're an outstanding football team, and they've got great talent, and certainly present a great challenge to us this coming Saturday."
The Gophers realize that this week's game against the Trojans presents an opportunity to move forward as a program against a team that has been a football powerhouse for most of the last decade.
"It's going to be a tough challenge, but I'm looking forward to it" senior quarterback Adam Weber said about playing USC. "It's too bad that we're not carrying more momentum into it, but that's something that we'll have to create in practice this week. We're strong from the core and that's what it's all about."
Despite some early season struggles for the Gopher defense, one aspect of the matchup against the Trojans that plays into Minnesota's favor is the running game. USC has placed a strong emphasis on running the ball, averaging 186.5 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, the Gopher defense is allowing an average of just 119 yards rushing per game this season.
The strength of the Minnesota offense is also in running the ball as its 242.5 yards per game on the ground is currently 18th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Leading the way for the rushing attack has been junior Duane Bennett who has had back-to-back 100-plus yard games carrying the ball to start the season and is currently averaging 145.5 rushing yards.
Still, the Gophers know that the Trojans will be favored to win Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium, and are using that as a means of motivation to prepare for USC.
"We're going to play like the underdog and capitalize on any opportunity we get," junior defensive tackle Brandon Kirksey said.
-By Athletic Communications Assistant Keith Beise
