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Brewster plans to stick with Weber as U quarterback
Junior backup Tony Mortensen has yet to play this season.
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Gophers redshirt freshman Adam Weber is tied for the second-most interceptions in Division I-A this season with 12, but coach Tim Brewster said he has no plans to make a switch at quarterback.
"I truly believe that Adam Weber still gives us the best chance to win for what it is we're doing," Brewster said. "Obviously, the turnovers have to be minimized. He's got to continue to grow and get better."
Weber threw two more interceptions in a 40-20 loss at Indiana at Saturday. One came on a deflected pass in which Indiana's Leslie Majors caught the ball while lying on his back.
Weber ranks 19th nationally in total offense (301.8 yards per game), is second on the team in rushing (268) and has accounted for 16 touchdowns (13 passing and three rushing).
Brewster reiterated that he won't have a quick hook for his young quarterback. Junior backup Tony Mortensen has yet to play this season.
"If I felt Tony gave us the best chance to win I would play him," Brewster said. "But I don't think that's the case at this particular point."
As for the long-term outlook, Brewster said the quarterback position will be evaluated just like any other position.
"If we're winning, and [Weber] is an established starter, then obviously you've got no competition," Brewster said. "But obviously, if we continue on like we're continuing, sure it's got to be open. Who gives us the best chance to win, regardless of position. If you're not winning, you better find somebody who's going to help you win."
More spread
The Gophers defense will face yet another spread offense Saturday at Northwestern. Wildcats quarterback C.J. Bacher torched Michigan State for a school-record 520 yards and five touchdowns in a 48-41 overtime victory on Saturday.
Considering Minnesota's ugly track record against spread offenses and Northwestern's surging confidence, Saturday's game has a chance to be another long day for the defense. Ohio State is the only opponent that didn't consistently spread the field with four and five wide receivers against the Gophers.
"We've got to get faster and more athletic," Brewster said. "That's where we've got to go on defense versus all these spread teams. To be honest with you, we were a better matchup for Ohio State than we were Indiana. As crazy as that sounds."
Run game concerns
Brewster said he was particularly disappointed with his team's inability to run against Indiana. The Gophers finished with 112 rushing yards, but they had only 40 yards on 20 carries entering the fourth quarter.
"We had a couple of runs that kind of skewed the reality of the performance," Brewster said. "We had a couple of long runs that made it look like maybe we had some yards."
It didn't help that the Gophers were limited by injuries at tailback. Freshman starter Duane Bennett sprained his right ankle on a 1-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter and did not play in the second half. Brewster said Bennett's injury is not serious and he should be available Saturday.
Senior Amir Pinnix is still not 100 percent because of a turf toe injury and is noticeably limited. He rushed for only 26 yards on six carries.
Sophomore Jay Thomas stepped in and rushed for 58 yards on eight carries and might see his workload increase this week.
Etc.
• Brewster said he appreciated that his players showed more outward disappointment and frustration Saturday than they did after previous losses. "It stung me more," he said. "If it doesn't really burn you or pain you, then your emotional investment isn't what it needs to be. For us to get to where we want to go, we've got to feel the pain of these losses."
• Brewster said his staff will discuss whether to take the redshirt off any of the freshman players this week, but he said it is doubtful that will happen.
Chip Scoggins • ascoggins@startribune.com
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