Gophers RB Cobb closing in on 1,000-yard season

Gophers running back David Cobb isn't rewriting the team's record book, but he is accomplishing things the team hasn't seen in a long time.

Cobb had 27 carries for 139 yards in Saturday's 24-10 victory over Penn State, becoming the first Gophers player to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark in four consecutive games in a season since Laurence Maroney in 2005.

With 942 yards for the season, Cobb has three games remaining, including a bowl, to become the Gophers' first 1,000-yard rusher since Amir Pinnix had 1,272 in 2006.

"I think it's easy to look at the running back's production, but again our O-line, our tight ends and receivers have been willing to block," Cobb said.

"They want to see me get [to 1,000 yards] just as bad as I want to get it."

Cobb rushed for nearly 3,000 yards at Ellison High School in Killeen, Texas, before becoming a part of Jerry Kill's first recruiting class as Gophers coach in 2011.

Cobb managed 57 yards as a freshman and just 8 as a sophomore before breaking out this year. His emergence has come at a critical time for the Gophers.

Kirkwood, who had three carries for 5 yards Saturday, is averaging only 2.4 yards per carry this year, compared to 5.4 for Cobb.

The Gophers had hoped true freshman running back Berkley Edwards could make an impact this year, but he will redshirt after suffering a high ankle sprain in preseason camp.

And another running back, Rodrick Williams, has missed the past two games because of a turf toe injury.

So the Gophers are relying heavily on Cobb, giving him 20, 31, 29 and 27 carries the past four weeks. They turn to him no matter where they are on the field, whether it's their own 1-yard line, midfield, or the opponents' 1-yard line.