Do you mean double digits? The Gophers hope to snap a nine-game losing record to Bret Bielema’s squads.
He is 2-0 against Minnesota at Illinois. He was 7-0 versus the University of Wisconsin.
During an offseason event, Illinois coach Bret Bielema and Gophers coach P.J. Fleck discussed a common opponent: the Iowa Hawkeyes.Fleck was reminded by Bielema that there is a “strategic way to beat” the Hawkeyes. The Illini did it last year with a 9-6 triumph, and the Gophers did it on Oct. 21 with a 12-10 victory.
“It’s really hard to do it,” Fleck recalls Bielema saying. “You must be willing to commit.” You must stick to the strategy, no matter how enticing or difficult it may be.”
It has been difficult for the Gophers to defeat Bielema at any time. He enters Saturday’s game at Huntington Bank Stadium with a perfect 9-0 record versus Minnesota — 7-0 while coaching at Wisconsin (2006-12) and 2-0 with the Illini.
Fleck and Bielema did not discuss upcoming games against each other.
“It’s just awkward,” Fleck remarked of the next subject. “One won and one lost.” And you’re typically really complimentary. It’s usually only about other games and other games at other points in our careers. Back in Western Michigan, or in Arkansas, or in Wisconsin.”
Illinois is 3-5 overall and 1-4 in Big Ten play this season after finishing 8-5 a year ago. For Saturday’s game, the Gophers (5-3, 3-2) are three-point favourites.
A huge honour
Jordan Nubin, a redshirt sophomore running back, was named Big Ten offensive player of the week after his 204-yard and two-touchdown performance against Michigan State on Saturday.
Earlier this season, Nubin’s older brother, senior safety Tyler Nubin, was named Big Ten defensive player of the week.
The position of running back Darius Taylor has three times been named conference freshman of the week. Zach Evans has won it once before.
Dragan Kesich, a kicker, has been named special teams player of the week twice this season.
a rising trend
The 30-yard reception by Brevyn Spann-Ford versus Michigan State was the senior’s largest and longest grab of the season. The Gophers hope it serves as a springboard for their best tight end as the regular season winds down.
“Brevyn is a fantastic football player.” “Throughout anyone’s career, there are times when they aren’t playing as well as they know they can,” Fleck said. “… You must be able to work through it. Nobody has put in more effort than Brevyn. You’re talking about figuring out how to extricate yourself out of whatever situation he was in. There was nothing in particular that stood out. It was simply an inconsistency. This is a significant step forward for him.”
In the Michigan State game, Spann-Ford had two receptions for 43 yards. He came into the game with 13 catches for 66 yards.
Briefly
The Gophers’ away game against Purdue next Saturday will begin at 2:30 p.m. in West Lafayette, Ind., the university said Monday. It will be shown on NBC. The U’s game against Illinois on Saturday will be the 100th at Huntington Bank Stadium. Fleck will win his 50th game at Minnesota if he wins on Saturday. He presently has a.620 winning %, the best since Bernie Bierman, who coached at the University for the last time in 1950. Since then, the U has had 13 different coaches.
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