IU looks to avenge last season’s loss to Gophers

Losing by nearly 40 points in a football game can sting. Avenging that loss the second time around, though, can do nothing but ease the bad memories.\nStanding at 4-1 (1-1), IU will play host to Minnesota this weekend – a team that has been handed three straight losses under first-year coach Tim Brewster. Last year, the Golden Gophers embarrassed IU 63-26 in the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome, a loss that began a three-game losing streak to end the season for the Hoosiers.\n“I think that our kids have a lot of respect for Minnesota because physically the last two years, they really got after us,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “We have different things we need to work on and a good week of preparation to get ready for them.”\nLynch and the Hoosiers have played the “be humble” card all year long. \nIU sophomore defensive lineman Jammie Kirlew continued to echo such statements and said there is a little extra incentive in playing Minnesota (1-4, 0-2) this year.\n“We went up there expecting to win that game and continue on to our goals, and they stopped us,” Kirlew said. “After that, we were not successful, so we have something in the back of our heads to get them. Regardless, we are going to get after them because we have our goals, and we are not going to let anyone stop us from getting there.”\nSenior fullback Josiah Sears said Minnesota “waxed” the Hoosiers last year because IU was looking too far ahead.\nUnder Brewster, the Golden Gophers have not seen an immediate success in the win column but are more than adept at protecting the quarterback.\nThrough the first five games of the season, Minnesota has only allowed three sacks on the year, and the Gophers have played Ohio State and Purdue. Brewster’s offensive line will go head-to-head with the Hoosiers’ nation-leading sack total.\nAfter recording nine sacks in last week’s 38-20 win at Iowa, IU’s 27 sacks double the number the team recorded all of last season.\n“It’s a reflection of what we’ve been doing over the summer,” Kirlew said. “To see that it’s actually happening, that we’re making a big improvement over last year, it makes us feel really good, but we know we can’t be too comfortable.”\nTo this point, Minnesota has allowed 36.8 points and 526.4 yards per game. The Hoosiers will look to take advantage of the Golden Gophers weaknesses in several areas.\nThrough the first five games of the season, junior wide receiver James Hardy has reeled in 20 receptions – seven for touchdowns – for 400 yards. Minnesota is dead last in pass defense, surrendering 368 yards per game to opposing passing attacks. \nHowever, after gaining only 73 yards on the ground last week at Iowa, Lynch said IU will have to increase productivity in the running game to open up the passing game. Minnesota’s rushing defense ranks 69th in the nation, giving up 158.4 yards per game.\n“As you get into the heart of the Big Ten ... each week,” Lynch said, “it gets tougher and tougher because you’re playing against good physical guys, and I think everybody in the Big Ten is geared to stopping the run.”\nOn the offensive side of the ball, the Golden Gophers have been able to put points on the board – 29.8 of them per game. And though the Hoosiers have outscored opponents soundly, the IU defense has allowed 21 points per game this year.\nFor the third time this season, the Hoosiers will face a mobile quarterback in Adam Weber, who is averaging four yards per carry and 252.6 yards through the air. In addition, Minnesota possesses two capable running backs in Amir Pinnix and Duane Bennett. The two backs have a combined 599 yards on the ground this year.\n“They have given up a lot of points,” Sears said. “But I’ve watched almost every game they’ve played so far this year, and I can see that they are getting used to the new system they have. They’re getting more comfortable in it every week, and they’re going to come to play.”