Gophers' response to losing could have season-long impact

Marlin Levison, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Gophers defensive linemen watched as time ran out during the team's 34-21 loss at Ohio State on Saturday.

Coach Tim Brewster, concerned with turnovers as he looks ahead to the game against Indiana, said, "You have to win Big Ten games."

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune

Last update: September 29, 2008 - 12:20 AM

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Minutes after the Gophers had lost their Big Ten opener Saturday at Ohio State, senior linebacker Deon Hightower was asked what he had learned about his team.

He didn't know, for sure, he said. And he wouldn't until next week, by how the team responded against Indiana.

Hightower is probably right. The Gophers went into Ohio State confident but started the game a bit jittery. They were convinced they had enough talent to beat the Buckeyes, but a victory would have been a huge upset.

That's not the case this week. The Gophers have Indiana at home. The Hoosiers have had critical injuries on defense and are on a two-game losing streak. Quarterback Kellen Lewis is capable of making big plays, but the Hoosiers have been giving up big plays, too.

This is the latest best chance for the Gophers to pick up Brewster's first Big Ten victory after last season's 0-8 conference mark.

But what Brewster is most concerned about is how his team responds to this season's first loss.

"We won four weeks in a row," Brewster said of the Gophers' nonconference start. "You get used to winning, the feeling of winning. Then you lose. And so, OK, now how are we going to respond to losing?"

How the Gophers respond this week could have a huge impact on the season.

A victory over 2-2 Indiana would give the Gophers five victories, one away from being bowl-eligible. A lost to the Hoosiers, though, could set the Gophers up for a difficult stretch.

Minnesota travels to offensive-minded Illinois the following week. Then, after a bye week, the Gophers travel to Purdue. The Gophers won't be back home until Nov. 1 against a Northwestern team that improved to 5-0 with a victory at Iowa on Saturday. After that the Gophers finish the season with games with Michigan, at Wisconsin and with Iowa.

Brewster, of course, is not about to start looking that far down the road. And he's not about to label Indiana as a must-win. But he does know exactly how success at Minnesota will be judged.

"It's not on the first four wins but the Big Ten season," Brewster said. "We're a Big Ten team. I totally understand that viewpoint. You have to win Big Ten games. This is the next Big Ten game, and so we're going to do everything in our power to prepare."

The Gophers did a great job of taking care of the ball on offense and causing turnovers on defense during their 4-0 start. Ohio State scored 17 points Saturday off Minnesota's three turnovers -- an interception and two fumbles.

Brewster was especially concerned about long runs allowed Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running back Chris Wells.

"We can't turn the football over," Brewster said. "I'm not a happy camper today about three turnovers. We have to fix that. As long as we don't shoot ourselves in the foot, we'll be fine."

Etc.

• Brewster expects his team to be as healthy as it has been all season this week; tackle Dom Alford (ankle) should be 100 percent. Trey Davis (broken hand) has been doing more work at the guard position than at center, with Jeff Tow-Arnett back in the lineup.

• Cornerback Traye Simmons turned an ankle Saturday but should be OK for this week.

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