Explosive Gophers running back prepares for more

Freshman Duane Bennett isn't huge -- at 5-9, 195 pounds -- but his contribution to the Gophers offense might be against Ohio State.

By Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune

Last update: September 25, 2007 - 11:54 PM

Duane Bennett saw the blitz and went to deliver a block when the Purdue linebacker tried to jump over him. Unfortunately for Bennett, the defender's knee slammed against his head, welcoming the freshman tailback to Big Ten football.

"I got knocked out," Bennett said. "I blacked out for a second, but I got up."

He did more than that. Bennett returned to the game after being cleared by team doctors and had a breakout performance in relief of senior Amir Pinnix in the second half of a 45-31 loss to Purdue.

Bennett, a true freshman from the St. Louis area, finished with 81 rushing yards and one touchdown on seven carries -- all coming after halftime -- and will assume a larger role Saturday against No. 8 Ohio State.

All signs point toward Bennett possibly making the first start of his career. Pinnix is still suffering from a turf toe injury and didn't endear himself to coaches after losing a critical fumble for the second consecutive game.

Gophers coach Tim Brewster said he will make a decision on his starter later this week, but he doesn't hide his enthusiasm for Bennett.

"There's an element of explosiveness there," Brewster said. "What I like out of Duane Bennett is the sense of violence in his runs. At the point of attack, there's a violence about him that all great backs have. His yards after contact are very good. He's a smart guy. He's a tough guy. Duane Bennett is a very good football player."

Many believe Bennett has the potential to become the next addition to the recent run of star Minnesota tailbacks. Though he's not imposing physically (5-9, 195 pounds), he is fast and physical and is not afraid of contact. He runs with confidence and a purpose.

Bennett said he likes to "throw my body around" and promises to keep that mind-set against an Ohio State defense that ranks second nationally in total defense and allows only 57.5 yards rushing per game.

"They're big and physical and they're going to smack you in the mouth," Bennett said. "You have to come out guns blazing. You can't be passive about playing Ohio State. You have to be able to throw the first punch."

It's that mentality -- not to mention his physical ability -- that made Bennett a major recruiting target for the former Gophers coaching staff. Bennett played at two different high schools in the St. Louis area and finished his prep career with 3,419 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns.

Bennett said he picked Minnesota in part because of the school's success running the ball under former coach Glen Mason, which included former star tailback Laurence Maroney, another St. Louis native.

Maroney is friends with Bennett's former Little League coach and helped sell Bennett on coming to Minnesota. Bennett even wears Maroney's old number -- 22 -- although Bennett said he has worn that jersey number since Little League. Several Gophers veterans said Bennett's play-making ability reminds them of Maroney.

"He's lightning in the bottle," senior center Tony Brinkhaus said. "He's one of those guys who, if he breaks one, he might be gone. Granted, he's not the biggest kid, but he can deliver a blow and he doesn't go down with that first hit."

Freshman quarterback Adam Weber said he noticed that quality on Bennett's first carry of fall camp.

"It was like, 'Whoa, where did that come from?'" Weber said.

A knee injury limited Bennett's role in the first three games. He got his chance in the second half Saturday, and he exploded for a 44-yard run on his first carry, which set up his 4-yard touchdown run.

"That gave me an extreme amount of confidence," he said. "Just knowing that I can go out and play with Big Ten players. Now I really know I have a shot to become a great back in the Big Ten."

Chip Scoggins • ascoggins@startribune.com

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