Bennett takes up running game slack

By Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune

Last update: October 27, 2007 - 11:39 PM

ANN ARBOR, MICH. - Injuries have taken a toll on the Gophers' running back situation, but freshman Duane Bennett showed Saturday that he's capable of carrying the load.

In his fourth career start, Bennett rushed for a career-high 106 yards on 20 carries and was the lone bright spot on offense for the Gophers in a 34-10 loss to Michigan.

"I felt like I was getting into a nice groove," he said. "[Offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar] kept coming back to some key plays and I kept getting eight or nine yards on certain plays. I thought it was really working for me."

Bennett became the first Gophers true freshman to crack 100 yards rushing in a game since Laurence Maroney did so five times in 2003.

Bennett's role grew after Jay Thomas suffered a season-ending knee injury last week and with Amir Pinnix still limited because of a turf toe injury.

"He's going to be a good back for us," quarterback Adam Weber said. "I know he's playing with some injuries, and he's showing a lot of heart."

Defensive score

Gophers senior safety Dominique Barber got the second defensive touchdown of his career on a 46-yard fumble return on the first play of the second quarter. It was the Gophers' first defensive touchdown of the season.

Barber had a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown last season against Indiana.

The Gophers felt that they had a chance to get another defensive score when Derrick Onwuachi forced a fumble on a sack of Ryan Mallett at the end of the first half. The ball was loose on the ground for several seconds, but the Wolverines' Brandon Minor jumped on it at the Michigan 10.

Up-and-down day

The game featured two freshman quarterbacks, and while Mallett certainly performed better than Weber, he also endured some rough moments.

Filling in for injured starter Chad Henne, Mallett offset a fumble that resulted in a touchdown and a handful of wild throws by tossing several nice deep balls at critical times.

Mallett completed 11 of 20 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown.

He had a 48-yard pass to Mario Manningham on third-and-6 that set up a touchdown and a 20-10 lead in the third quarter.

Mallett followed that with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Manningham on the next drive.

"I think he hung in there," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "After you fumble the football and it goes for a touchdown, it's easy to pack it in and feel sorry for yourself. He fought back and did some great things. He made some great deep throws."

Etc.

• The Gophers entered the game ranked second in the Big Ten and 16th nationally in third-down efficiency (46.8 percent). But they converted only two of 13 third-down attempts against the Wolverines.

• Former Gophers running back Marion Barber III -- Dominique's older brother -- attended the game. Barber's current team, the Dallas Cowboys, has a bye this week.

• Sophomore Jeff Tow-Arnett made his second consecutive start at left guard, meaning that the Gophers started two redshirt freshmen (Dominic Alford and D.J. Burris) and one sophomore on the offensive line.

• Gophers sophomore defensive end Ray Henderson made his first career start. Kevin Mannion made his first career start at linebacker.

Chip Scoggins • ascoggins@startribune.com