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Insight Bowl at a glance

Last update: December 7, 2008 - 11:40 PM

INSIGHT BOWL AT A GLANCE

The Gophers accepted a bid to the Insight Bowl, where they will play the Kansas Jayhawks. Here's a look at the game and the matchup:

When: 5 p.m. Dec. 31 • Where: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz. • TV: NFL Network

COMPARING THE TEAMS

Records: Minnesota 7-5, 3-5 Big Ten; Kansas 7-5, 4-4 Big 12

Perspective: The Gophers are 7-5 after last year's 1-11 record; Kansas is 7-5 after last season's 11-1 regular-season mark that was followed by an Orange Bowl victory.

Best victories: The Gophers had road conference victories over Illinois and Purdue. Kansas beat Colorado and finished the regular season with a victory at Big 12 North champ Missouri.

Offense: The Jayhawks' 23rd-ranked offense is led by junior quarterback Todd Reesing, who passed for 3,575 yards and 28 touchdowns. Receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier combined for 165 catches. Jake Sharp led Kansas rushers with 796 yards. Gophers quarterback Adam Weber passed for 2,585 yards and 14 TDs. Leading receivers Eric Decker and tight end Jack Simmons combined for 108 receptions. DeLeon Eskridge led the Gophers with 652 rushing yards.

Defense: Kansas features linebacker James Holt, who led the team with 97 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss and was tied for the team lead with seven sacks. Safety Darrell Stuckey led Kansas with five interceptions. For the Gophers, linebacker Lee Campbell led with 75 tackles, defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg led with 9.5 sacks and 18 total tackles for loss and safety Kyle Theret led with three interceptions.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD

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