Gophers misfire in red zone

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune

Last update: November 22, 2009 - 10:13 AM

IOWA CITY - The game was still in reach and the momentum looked to be turning when Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg lost a snap and the Gophers defense recovered.

Minnesota, down 12-0, had the ball at the Iowa 30 with 13:39 left in the game. Five plays later, on third-and-3 at the 10, Iowa's Shaun Prater was flagged for pass interference, giving the Gophers the ball at the 2. On first down, quarterback MarQueis Gray ran for no gain. On second down, so did running back Duane Bennett. Third down, still on the 2.

That's when quarterback Adam Weber, back in the game, dropped back and attempted a fade route to Troy Stoudermire in the right corner of the end zone. Why a fade to the 5-11 Stoudermire? Well, Da'Jon McKnight -- the team's biggest, strongest receiver, with good leaping ability -- had hit his helmet hard on the turf making a second-half reception and was unavailable. Weber's pass to Stoudermire fell incomplete, in large part because Prater did such a nice job of squeezing the receiver's available space in the back of the end zone.

On fourth down, Weber was sacked at the 7.

Thus ended the Gophers' best chance to climb back into the game.

"We tried twice to run it in and they stopped us, they packed the box in," Weber said. "Then we tried a fade and they were able to stop that. On fourth down we were running slants on the outside. ... They were just better than us. They beat us on that play, on fourth down. That's what it comes down to [at the goal line] -- heart and skill and desire. They outplayed us."

It was one of a couple of chances the Gophers had in the Iowa red zone. The first time, in the first half, Weber lost a snap from center.

"All the way through [the game], we felt we were one play away from springing it," Weber said. "We had some chances. We got down in there, but we weren't able to finish."

No decision yet

Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi reiterated that he would not judge the season until after the Gophers' bowl game. Maturi was quoted this week as saying he expected Tim Brewster to return for a fourth season. Perhaps the biggest question is whether Brewster, who originally signed a five-year deal, would get a contract extension after this season.

"There are a lot of factors," Maturi said. "We'll evaluate everything when it's all over. The kids continue to play hard. I think we're getting better, though it's not necessarily showing in wins and losses [or] on the offensive side of the ball. But I'm proud of the fight and the effort."

Etc.

• Linebacker Nate Triplett missed most of the first half after being shaken up on the game's third play. Gary Tinsley, his replacement, finished with a team-high 10 tackles.

• The Gophers lost their 14th consecutive game against a ranked opponent.

• The Gophers were shut out twice this season, something that hadn't happened since 1986.

• Freshman receiver Bryant Allen made his first career start in place of the injured Brandon Green.

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