Gophers

Gophers football notes: Cobb takes charge in Gophers' backfield

By Joe Christensen

September 7, 2014 at 4:35AM

Gophers running back David Cobb celebrated with fans after he ran 48 yards for a third-quarter touchdown. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

David Cobb reasserted himself as the driving force of the Gophers offense Saturday, rushing 29 times for a career-high 220 yards and two touchdowns in the 35-24 victory over Middle Tennessee State.

"He's a good football player," coach Jerry Kill said. "We played the other backs some, but it's hard to take him off the field when he gets hot."

Berkley Edwards had six carries for 17 yards, Donnell Kirkwood and had five carries for 23 yards, and Rodrick Williams didn't get a touch.

Cobb's 220 yards were the most by a Gopher since Laurence Maroney had 258 yards against Wisconsin in 2005.

"It was pretty good," Cobb said. "I need to borrow about $300 from the athletic director to take the O-line out to eat."

Cobb rushed for 1,202 yards last year a junior, even though he didn't get his first start until halfway through the season. His biggest game was his 29-carry, 188-yard performance against Indiana.

He was used to the workload he got Saturday after getting at least 27 carries in four of the team's final six games last year. In the opener against Eastern Illinois, he had only 14 carries for 71 yards.

"He's getting better," Kill said. "He worked hard this summer. He's got a lot of high expectations on what he wants to do, and I feel like he's faster than he was a year ago. He's running with a purpose, and our offensive line played better today."

Big day for family

Cobb's cousin Damien Wilson had a career-high 14 tackles, including an interception.

"They did a good job," Kill said. "Damien's an awfully good football player and they happen to be related. So I don't know if there's any more like that or not in one family."

One big grab

The Gophers targeted tight end Maxx Williams just three times in the opener against Eastern Illinois, and he finished with two catches for 57 yards. On Saturday, they targeted him just once — on the 27-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Leidner.

"I go out there and do what the coaches ask, and that's all I can do," Williams said.

Myrick has his pick

After having an interception negated by a penalty in the opener, sophomore cornerback Jalen Myrick grabbed a pick and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown against Middle Tennessee.

"Jalen's a very good football player for a young guy; he can really run," Kill said. "He made a good pick and read the quarterback's eyes and did a nice job and that was a big play in the game."

Etc.

• The game started at 2:42 p.m., but fans couldn't see it on television until Big Ten Network switched over from the Northwestern/Northern Illinois game at 2:53 p.m. A spokeswoman from BTN said it was just a glitch but the network was glad to get it corrected quickly.

• Defensive end Alex Keith didn't play, as expected, and was on the sideline with a brace on his left knee.

• Wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky was back from his shoulder injury but didn't have a catch.

• Jonah Pirsig started at right tackle and shared time with Ben Lauer, who returned from his ankle injury.

about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports team leader

Joe Christensen, a Minnesota Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.