Weber stays grounded through his struggles

Adam Weber's junior season has been marked by inconsistency on the field that has not carried over to his off-the-field demeanor. He is, as he always has been, a determined optimist and a frank realist.

This week Weber was brutally honest as he discussed all the issues surrounding his team and himself. A two-game losing streak, the loss of leading receiver and close friend Eric Decker for the season, the recent emergence of backup quarterback MarQueis Gray and the prospect of today's pivotal home game against Michigan State.

Weber is convinced that the best for the team lies ahead, while acknowledging his frustrations with the recent past. He will tell you he is confident in his own future while at the same time understanding that Gray, a freshman, is youth waiting to be served.

"There is only one thing you can control as a person, and that is how hard you work and the attitude you have," Weber said. "That's one thing I will never change. I will do my best. If there is somebody who can come in and do a better job than you, and can help this team win, you can't take it personal. That's how college football goes."

That Weber is the Gophers starter is not in question. Coach Tim Brewster said it as soon as the 38-7 loss to Ohio State ended, only moments after Gray had driven the Gophers for their only score in nine quarters against a number of Buckeyes reserves. Weber is the starter, Gray is the backup. Each has unique skills, and both will play throughout the course of the game.

Given Gray's play against Ohio State, there is a good chance he will play more today than he has in recent games. Weber is OK with that. All the proof you need is a visit to practice or a talk with Gray. Weber is generous with his time and experience. In a competitive situation, Weber has become Gray's mentor.

Said Gray: "He's a junior, he's been through it all. I'm a freshman just getting my feet wet. He's done everything possible to help get me on the field. ... We're more than friends. We're brothers."

But at the same time, it only take a few moments with Weber to feel his burning desire to do more to help the team win, his realization that today's game against 4-4 Michigan State is a pivotal contest, one that will be an indication of where the Gophers are headed this season.

"If there is a game that truly falls into that category, it would be this game," he said. "We're 4-4, they're 4-4. The success or how we feel about this entire season is pretty crucial with this game. This Michigan State game, at home, after two tough away games? It will be crucial for us to stay together, especially with the adversity we're facing, and come out and have a successful game."

And doing it without Decker. He was the biggest weapon on an offense that had struggled against two good defenses in two consecutive road losses: at Penn State and Ohio State.

Weber, who has led an up-and-down offense all season, now has to move forward with an offensive line that is still a work in progress and a young group of receivers. Weber admits that the Gophers offense, under first-year coordinator Jedd Fisch, isn't as explosive as he had hoped. Weber has completed 116 of 213 passes for 1,1,437 yards and six touchdowns with 11 interceptions. The Gophers are eighth in the Big Ten in passing offense, last in rushing offense, total offense and third-down conversions (34.7 percent).

They've had their moments. The Gophers offense did it when needed most during late-game drives against Syracuse, Air Force and Northwestern. After three Big Ten games, the Gophers were leading the conference in points per game in conference games. But they have also had some costly turnovers, then the frustration of trying to sustain drives against Penn State and Ohio State, the Big Ten's top two defenses.

It has been a teamwide problem, of course. A quarterback needs a consistent running attack, for example. In the first half against Ohio State, several of Weber's on-target throws were dropped.

But Weber, unflinching in self-examination, said he has to do more. There have to be more third-down conversions, he said, referring to the Gophers' 1-for-10 mark in Columbus.

"When things get rolling, it seems the ball rolls your way," Weber said. "The past two weeks, when there has been a mistake or miscommunication, we just haven't been hitting on all cylinders like you need to. Whether it's myself making a mistake, or someone else on the offense, we just haven't been able to overcome those little mistakes, especially on third down."

Weber knows some of that falls on his shoulders. His expectations have always been high. He offered no excuses, but promised more hard work.

"I'm still striving for that game this season that I haven't played yet," he said.

Toward that end, Weber has taken up a second residence in the film room. He believes there is a fork in the road facing his team today, and he wants the Gophers to take the right road, however it gets there. If that means sharing time with Gray? So be it.

"What we need most right now is a win," Weber said. "Whatever way we can do that, that's what we need. If that's having [punter] Blake Haudan at quarterback? I'm for it."