The starting quarterback has a sprained ankle, the top tailback still has a pulled hamstring and the offense had a short week to bounce back from its worst game of the season.
Geez, the Gophers must be dreading tonight's Big Ten home opener against Illinois at the Metrodome.
Not really, according to Tony Petersen, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
"Our offense is excited and really ready to play the next game," Petersen said. "The guys are excited because they can't wait to pick up the pieces and move on. They think we'll bounce back and be just fine this year."
The Gophers' ability to move the ball and score wasn't even an issue a week ago. The concern was whether the defense could withstand Big Ten competition.
All of that changed Saturday when the Gophers lost 28-15 at Purdue in a surprisingly weak offensive performance. Now, it's the offense that is under scrutiny and the defense that is in the background.
Much of what the offense tried against Purdue failed. Quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq overthrew receivers. Receivers dropped passes. The rushing attack produced 83 yards, the first time in 24 games it was held to fewer than 100.
"I'm very concerned about the consistency of our offense," Gophers coach Glen Mason said. "Surely, we need more consistency out of the quarterback position because he's the most critical guy. But other people are involved, too."
Mason wouldn't address Abdul-Khaliq's sprained right ankle or running back Marion Barber's seasonlong struggle with a bum hamstring. Abdul-Khaliq, who wasn't available to media this week, is expected to start. Barber, who has been limited to 19 carries in two games, is available to play, but the Gophers probably will rest him at least another week.
Petersen wouldn't comment on Abdul-Khaliq's ankle, but he said the junior's psyche is doing just fine.
"He's looking forward to playing again," Petersen said. "He wants to bounce back and say, 'I made these mistakes, and I'm not going to make them again.' He wants to use Purdue as a learning experience."
Abdul-Khaliq threw 32 incompletions last week. That's six more than he had in the first four games combined. He also threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown and lost a fumble that led to another touchdown.
Three of Abdul-Khaliq's overthrows could have gone for touchdowns. Tight end Ben Utecht dropped another sure touchdown pass. And, according to Mason, a diving catch in the end zone by receiver Aaron Hosack that was ruled out of bounds was "a very controversial call, if not a bad call."
"Things could have been totally different in that game," Petersen said.
Instead, the Gophers are 4-1 overall, 0-1 in the Big Ten. Illinois is 1-4 and 0-1 after committing five turnovers in a 45-28 loss to Michigan at home last week.
The Illini have the top-ranked passing attack in the Big Ten (302.6 yards per game), but turnovers and a defense that hasn't lived up to expectations have led to the team's worst start since it went 0-11 in 1997.
The Illini are last in the Big Ten in turnover ratio (minus-9) and are one of only five teams in NCAA Division I-A without an interception. They rank seventh or lower in every Big Ten defensive category, while Purdue ranked fifth or higher when it beat the Gophers.
The Gophers forced three fumbles and blocked a punt in the first half against Purdue. But they scored only six points off those miscues and led 9-7 at halftime.
Facing an Illinois defense that isn't as strong as Purdue's should help the Gophers tonight. Illinois is ninth in the Big Ten against the run (171.2 yards given up per game) and seventh in sacks with nine.
Unlike Purdue, which plays a 4-3 defense with a lot of deep zone coverage, Illinois plays a more aggressive style of defense with five-and six-man lines and man-to-man coverage in the secondary.
Because Illinois uses more players near the line of scrimmage, the Gophers plan to use Thomas Tapeh more at tailback. At 6-1 and 223 pounds, he is much bigger and stronger than leading rusher Terry Jackson (5-11, 196).
"This is definitely one of those bounce-back games for us, and for Illinois," Gophers left offensive tackle Jeremiah Carter said. "We both want to get back to winning games. It's just a matter of who wants it more."
