They love to run the football behind big, beefy offensive linemen, drain time off the clock and help their defense by limiting opponents' possessions.
Gophers football, right?
Yes, but that description also applies to the other team that will be at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday: Illinois.
The Fighting Illini will present a challenge that Minnesota's defense is eager to accept. The Gophers aim to continue their run-stuffing ways that have helped them win four consecutive Big Ten games and ascend to the top of the West Division standings.
The 20th-ranked Gophers (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) enter the final four games of the regular season with control of their division destiny, and a win over Illinois will put them one step closer to their goal of playing in the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis.
"We have to be really strong against the run, especially in the Big Ten with teams that pound the ball,'' Gophers defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney said. "That's one thing we've really tried to focus on.''
Pinckney and his defensive teammates have built an identity by being stout against opposing running backs. The Gophers are allowing 92.9 rushing yards per game, good for eighth nationally and second in the Big Ten behind national leader Wisconsin (49.6). They're relishing the chance to show their strength as the stakes ramp up.
"Growing up I always thought I'd like to play in the Big Ten because of the style of football,'' said Gophers linebacker Jack Gibbens, a Texas native and transfer from Abilene Christian. "I just like big, physical football – people trying to run the ball, and they know you're going to run it, and we're going to try to stop it. It's big-on-big. I just love that stuff.''