IU prepares for Gophers’ spread offense

The good news for the Hoosiers is that Minnesota, which scored 63 points and crushed IU’s hopes of being bowl eligible last year, is no longer using the same offensive strategy. The bad news is that the Golden Gophers’ new offense could be even more potent.\n“In the past, they’ve been more of a traditional power, two tight end, running football team,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “They’ve been one of the better running football teams in the country the last few years. Then they get you with play action pass, which is what they did last year to us early on.”\nThis year, under new head coach Tim Brewster, the Golden Gophers (1-4, 0-2) run the spread offense. It’s a scheme that will look familiar to the IU defense. Not only did the Hoosiers see it two weeks ago against Illinois, they see it every day when their own offense takes the field. The new offense has served Minnesota well so far – they’re averaging 29.8 points a game and have scored more than 30 points in all but one of their games. \nIU (4-1, 1-1) struggled in the past with Minnesota’s old, smashmouth style of offense. Before the 63-26 drubbing they received last year in Minneapolis, the Hoosiers suffered a 42-21 loss the last time they squared off in Memorial Stadium.\nIU senior cornerback Tracy Porter said he’s happy to see a different Golden Gopher offense.\n“I like to play against the offense that puts the ball in the air the most,” Porter said. “It gives me more opportunities to make plays on the ball to show people that I can catch and intercept passes and make plays for my team.”\nThe Hoosiers have struggled against teams that run the spread offense this season, especially those with mobile quarterbacks. When Akron put in double-threat sophomore Carlton Jackson, the Zips mounted a comeback. During the Illinois game, IU’s defense struggled to stop the two-headed monster rushing attack of sophomore quarterback Isiah “Juice” Williams and junior running back Rashard Mendenhall. \nSenior defensive tackle Joe Kremer said he would prefer to see the more traditional game that the Golden Gophers once had.\n“I do, because I’m a nose guard and that keeps me on the field more when there’s power running,” Kremer said. “But, I don’t really care who we go against as long as we get to play football on Saturdays.”\nMinnesota freshman quarterback Adam Weber is another double-threat quarterback. The ability – or lack thereof – to contain him could determine whether IU’s defense will have success or continue to struggle against the Golden Gophers.\n“The quarterback is probably one of the best we’ve seen all year,” senior linebacker Adam McClurg said. “It’s going to be a challenge. He runs the ball and throws pretty well.”\nOver the past two years, Minnesota’s offense scored 105 points on IU’s defense, but when asked if they have revenge on their minds McClurg said IU has something else they’re thinking about.\n“Revenge? No, not really,” he said. “Just come out and get our fifth win, that’s our only focus.”