True freshman Collado plays his way into U secondary

Gophers football coach Tim Brewster released his updated depth chart Tuesday after a season-opening 32-31 overtime loss to Bowling Green, and it included several personnel changes.

Most notably, true freshman Ryan Collado has replaced fifth-year senior Desi Steib as the starter at right cornerback. Steib struggled noticeably on Bowling Green's first two possessions, which resulted in quick touchdowns.

Collado is undersized (5-9, 170 pounds) but he has good speed. He made five tackles in his college debut.

Other changes to the two-deep include:

• Ned Tavale has replaced Ryan Ruckdashel as the starter at left guard. Tavale played right tackle last season, but D.J. Burris has emerged as the starter at that spot.

• Matt DeGeest and redshirt freshman Dom Alford will get equal snaps at right tackle. Alford has recovered from a knee injury.

• Sophomore Mike Chambers has returned to wide receiver after a two-week tryout at cornerback.

• True freshman Harold Howell moved to No. 2 receiver behind Ernie Wheelwright.

Share the load

Brewster said he wants to get more carries for backup running backs Duane Bennett and Jay Thomas in order to keep senior Amir Pinnix fresh.

Pinnix had 28 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the opener. Bennett, a true freshman, had only one carry for 7 yards. Thomas did not have a carry.

Brewster said he would like Bennett to get 10 to 12 carries per game.

"Amir took a pretty good pounding, and I don't want to see him take that same type of pounding each and every game," Brewster said. "We want to get those carries split up somewhat between Duane Bennett and Jay Thomas."

Keeping them pinned in

Brewster praised kickoff specialist Joel Monroe, who had two touchbacks, good directional placement and a 67.8-yard average on his five kickoffs.

"Our kickoff coverage team did a great job, too, because even the kicks that weren't in the end zone, they still got him inside the 20," Monroe said.

Etc.

• Road construction information for Gophers fans coming to Saturday's game vs. Miami (Ohio) at the Metrodome: All lanes of I-35W from I-94 to Hwy. 62, and westbound Hwy. 62 from Hwy. 77 to Lyndale Ave. S. will be closed from approximately 10 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday. The work is part of the Interstate 35W/Highway 62 reconstruction project.

• Defensive coordinator Everett Withers, an Appalachian State alum, gave a big smile when asked about his alma mater's stunning upset at Michigan. "[Appalachian State coach] Jerry Moore has done such a great job there," Withers said. "And he's such a great guy."

• Brewster said fullback Justin Valentine might also play some tight end while Jack Simmons recovers from a toe injury.

Chip Scoggins • ascoggins@startribune.com