As offense struggles, kickers ride to rescue

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune

Last update: November 14, 2009 - 10:18 PM

In the beginning, it appeared that special teams might be the Gophers' biggest problem Saturday against South Dakota State. In the end, special teams won the game.

First the good news: Gophers kicker Eric Ellestad, who has gone long stretches this season without getting field-goal opportunites, made three of four kicks Saturday. Those nine points accounted for all the Gophers' offensive output. The last was a 25-yarder with 2:22 to play that gave the Gophers a 16-13 lead. It was his second winning field goal of the season. The other came on opening day at Syracuse.

"We need as many points as we can get," said Ellestad, whose longest field goal Saturday was 26 yards. "If it comes down to me kicking a field goal, I'll do my best and try to get some points on the board."

It was a pretty good day for both Gophers kickers. Punter Blake Haudan averaged 43.9 yards per punt and dropped five inside the 20.

The same can't be said for the Gophers' coverage team.

Maybe it was a decision to change the kickoff scheme. Ellestad said after the game that, after two kickoffs went out of bounds last week, the Gophers kicked more to the middle of the field to start Saturday's game.

But Tyrel Kool returned a kickoff 84 yards. Kool also had a 34-yard kickoff return. Jackrabbits punt returner Saunders Montague had returns of 49 and 18 yards.

"We gave up a couple returns, which hasn't been our [norm] this year. We've done a great job covering kicks all year long," Gophers coach Tim Brewster said. "That was disappointing."

Offense struggles

The Gophers were forced to go with yet another injury-induced change in their offensive line. Right guard Matt Carufel was out because of an ankle injury and was replaced in the starting lineup by Ryan Orton.

But nobody was going to blame that for a lackluster offensive performance against the Jackrabbits.

Center D.J. Burris said the offense never really got back in rhythm after a long first-quarter drive stalled and resulted in a field goal.

"We were moving it pretty easily [early on]," Burris said. "Maybe we got satisfied. But it was one guy missing something here, one guy missing something there. For the rest of the time it seemed we were off-rhythm. It was just one guy, but it was a different guy each time."

It didn't help that, as the game went on, SDSU blitzed more. Quarterback Adam Weber was sacked four times and pressured on many other plays.

"When they start bringing pressure, we have to start picking that up," Burris said.

Etc.

• The Gophers have scored three defensive touchdowns this season, against Air Force, Wisconsin and South Dakota State. They have also returned a blocked punt and a blocked field goal for scores.

• Weber has had interceptions returned for touchdowns in consecutive weeks.

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