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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 2003)
Minnesota brings bruising offense to bowl in El Paso Minnesota’s effective ground attack will be on display against Oregon in the Sun Bowl in late December By Jon Roetman Sports Reporter There's nothing fancy about Min nesota's style of offense. The Golden Gophers (9-3 overall, 5-3 Big-10 Conference) have pound ed their way to a top 25 — they're 24th — ranking with the nation's third-best ground attack, which av erages 293.3 yards per contest. While Minnesota's smash-mouth style of a run game has driven many opponents into the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome AstroTurf, it will have a difficult time finding holes in an Oregon defense that ranks 12th in the country against the run. The game will match nation's third best rushing offense against the coun try s 12th-ranked rush defense. It's time to line them up and see which team has more heart. If Oregon head coach Mike Bellot ti didn't already know Minnesota was dangerous on the ground, he was enlightened by members of the Michigan coaching staff. The Michigan coaches "said Minneso ta can run the ball against anybody," Bel lotti said. "They're that talented." While there are certainly worse positions to be in than a trip to the Sun Bowl, Minnesota had much higher hopes early in the season. The Gophers entered an Oct. 10 showdown against Michigan with a 6-0 record and the nation's No. 17 ranking. The Gophers dominated the Wolverines at home for three quarters and entered the fourth with a 28-7 lead. The next 15 minutes all but end ed Minnesota's Bowl Championship Series hopes as Michigan outscored the Gophers 31-7, with the final blow coming on a 33-yard field goal by Garrett Rivas with 47 seconds re maining. Another home loss the fol lowing week to Michigan State offi cially put an end to BCS hopes. Minnesota won its next three games but dropped its season finale to Iowa, 40-22. Gopher defensive coordinator Greg Hudson said the team is just happy to be playing in a bowl game. "We're excited to play in the Sun Bowl," Hudson said. "It's an oppor tunity to extend our season." Despite ending their conference schedule on a sour note, the Go phers have the weapons to put a dent in Oregon's holiday season. Minnesota's backfield is loaded with talented running backs. Sophomore Marion Barber has rushed for a team leading 1,159 yards and 17 touch downs while touching the ball on Craig Houtz Centre Daily Times Minnesota’s Laurence Maroney (22) and Greg Eslinger (61) celebrate the Golden Gophers’ 20-14 victory against Penn State on Sept. 27. The Golden Gophers finished fifth in the Big Ten Conference with a 9-3 overall record and 5-3 in their conference. only 30 percent of the team's rush ing attempts. The Gophers have also gotten a strong contribution from freshman Laurence Maroney, whose 990 yards would place him ai the top of the list at seven other Big-10 schools. Senior Thomas Tapeh has added 530 yards and eight touchdowns. "Our tailbacks, they'll go around you or they'll go through you," Hudson said. "They handle the suc cess they've had very well. They're very humble." Minnesota can also get it done through the air — the Gophers are second in the nation in total offense at 501.4 yards per game. Senior quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq has thrown for 2,229 yards and 17 touchdowns while compiling the nation's fourth-highest passer effi ciency rating (165.65). The Gophers receiving corps is led by sophomore Jared Ellerson, who has 909 yards and five touchdowns on 44 receptions. Senior Aaron Ho sack has caught 45 balls for 707 yards and eight touchdowns. "I didn't know how good of a team they were until I looked at their stats," Bellotti said. "It's a daunting task (playing the Gophers.)" On the other side of the ball, Min nesota ranks in the top 30 in rush defense, pass efficiency defense and total defense. The Gophers are also 10th in the nation in punt returns. The Dec. 31 match up will also be a chance for Minnesota to avenge its 24-20 loss to Oregon in the 1999 Sun Bowl. Minnesota "is going to be one of the best teams we've ever played in a bowl game," Bellotti said. Contact the sports reporter at jonroetman@dailyemerald.com. SPORTS BRIEF Sun Bowl tickets expected to last The University's Athletics Depart ment was allotted 8,000 tickets for the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31, but it doesn't expect to sell them all. Tickets for the game went on sale at the Casanova Center's Oregon ath letic ticket office on Dec. 3, the day af ter the Oregon football team received the invitation to El Paso, Texas. '1 wouldn't say we're expecting to sell them all, but as many as pos sible," assistant ticket manager Lau ra Jorgensen said. Reserved seats will be sold for $35 each, plus a $ 15-per-order pro cessing fee. Students will not be of fered a discounted price. The tickets are cheaper than last year's Seattle Bowl, which totaled $63, but Jorgensen still isn't expect ing to sell a great deal because of the distance of travel. Through www.ticketmaster.com, tickets come as cheap as $12 for general admission and range as high as $55 for the best seats. The seats offered by the Universi ty are on the East side of the Sun Bowl Stadium in sections 18, 19, 20 and 24, 25, 26. Tickets may also be purchased through the University by phone at (541) 346-4461 or 1-800-WEB FOOT, as well as the Ducks' official Web site at www.goducks.com. The University of Oregon Alum ni Association is offering a package deal much like it has in the past. The deluxe package includes round-trip charter air service, two nights accommodation, luggage handling, pre-game party passes and more, yet it does not include tickets to the game. Prices begin at $969 per person. "We're going to have a good crowd," said Dan Rodriguez, exec utive director of the Alumni Associ ation. "We're expecting a good rep resentation of Duck fans. Everybody can go on our tours. We take alumni and friends." The Alumni Association does of fer a cheaper tour with prices begin ning at $449. The "Land Only Tour" includes nearly all the amenities of the "Air/Land Tour," expert for flight accommodations. "We work real close with the ath letics in serving the needs of alum ni," Rodriguez said. The game against Minnesotas tarts at noon MST. — Jesse Thomas HAGER continued from page 2B Oregon can learn a lot about itself in El Paso. Will Clemens be able to continue his mastery of the offense? Will he be able to find wide receivers Sarnie Parker and Demetrius Williams like he has recent ly, or will a defense from the Big Ten Conference stifle those passing routes? How about that young secondary? Will Justin Phinisee and Co. be able to stand up to a more physical of fense, one that routinely plays against tough defenses like Ohio State, Michi gan and Iowa? Then there's that Oregon offensive line. Four of the fine members that anchor the line — minus Dan Weaver — will return next season. Two years ago, the group was called too small, too insignificant to stop the Colorado defensive lineman. The result? A stifling running game made possible by an athletic group. Can the Ducks repeat that perform ance in late December? Despite what happens, the game represents a chance for the Ducks to make a name for themselves on na tional television. "I was excited to go where it's a little warmer than Eugene," linebacker Jerry Matson s^id. "It will be a lot warmer than the Seattle Bowl, that's for sure "We have a different mindset on this team than versus the Seattle Bowl (team). Our record is better than last year and we have a better outlook. We're looking to compete against a bet ter team." That about sums it up. Contact the sports editor at hankhager@dailyemerald.com. His opinions do not necessarily represent those of the Emerald. —— Washer and dryer Computer Lab Decked-out kitchens t*' Bus ride to campus & Ample resident parking Monitored alarm system vP Roommate matching service *#' Gameroom with fitness center & Resort-like swimming pool High speed internet hookups & Prices starting at $335 0173621 [ Daycare & Training ] The spot for dog fun IL. 590 Wilson St. Eugene, OR 97402 344.DOGS (3647) come • stay • play You're always close to campus. www.dailyemerald.Gom
