Brewster sees a path to follow in Champaign

Jeff Gross, Getty Images

Gophers coach Tim Brewster sees a lot of similarity between his program and Illinois; it’s just that Illinois is further along in the path to contention.

The Gophers coach is returning to the school where he played college football and sees similarities wherever he looks.

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune

Last update: October 6, 2008 - 2:25 AM

Saturday, for the first time as head coach, Tim Brewster will return to Champaign when the Gophers play Illinois. When he gets there, he thinks he'll see something very familiar.

No, not Memorial Stadium, which has been remodeled. The city probably has changed a bit, too, since Brewster, a tight end for Illinois in his playing days, left in 1983.

No, Brewster is talking about the Illini. Brewster looks at the job Illini coach Ron Zook has done as a blueprint he's trying to follow.

"I look at that program and I have tremendous respect for [Zook] and how he's built the program," Brewster said Sunday, a day after a 16-7 victory over Indiana improved the Gophers to 5-1 overall, 1-1 in the Big Ten. "The things he's done, their style of play, there are some similar thoughts there."

Both Zook and Brewster came in and went to work improving the speed of their teams. Both went to a spread offense as the primary attack.

The difference is Zook got an earlier start. He took over the Illini in 2005. He won only one Big Ten game in his first two seasons. But last year, with quarterback Juice Williams in his second season, the Illini went 6-2 in the Big Ten and finished tied for second place. With Ohio State in the national championship game, the Illini were selected for the Rose Bowl.

So far, Brewster is having a big second season after a 1-11 record last year. Saturday's victory was his first in the Big Ten. And though Williams clearly has taken his game to another level this year, Brewster still sees similarities in the two teams' approaches.

"I tell you what, it's pretty similar," Brewster said. "We're all tied into that Florida [offensive attack]. ... Illinois is fairly balanced."

Illinois has two losses, but both to quality opponents -- to Missouri (now ranked No. 3) in St. Louis on opening weekend and at Penn State (now No. 6) on Sept. 27. Saturday, the Illini offense fired on all cylinders at Michigan. Williams passed for 310 yards and two TDs and ran for 121 yards and two TDs as Illinois shellacked the Wolverines 45-20.

Williams and the Illini offense will face a Gophers defense that took huge strides against Indiana, holding the Hoosiers to only 10 first downs and seven points.

But slowing Illinois could be more difficult if cornerback Marcus Sherels is not available. He injured his right shoulder in the second quarter of Saturday's game when Indiana receiver Andrew Means tackled Sherels instead of allowing him a shot at an interception.

Brewster said he didn't know if the injury was a separation or a dislocation but that Sherels is not being ruled out for Saturday's game. If he can't play, he would be replaced either by veteran Ryan Collado or freshman Troy Stoudermire.

The Gophers also need better offensive line play after quarterback Adam Weber was harassed much of the day.

But the bottom line is that Brewster is going home, at least in a football sense. And he hopes familiarity breeds contentment.

Notes

• Both Eric Decker (head) and Weber (knee) are OK. Decker was knocked woozy on the first play of the fourth quarter but eventually returned. Weber was dinged up on the Gophers' first drive but didn't miss a snap. Left tackle Dom Alford (ankle) also is expected to play Saturday.

• If Sherels doesn't play, Brewster said he would look at either David Pittman or Brandon Green on punt returns. Decker still could be used in a pinch.

• Decker leads NCAA Division I in receiving yards (696) and is second in receptions (50) after his 13-catch, 190-yard effort Saturday.

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