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While the Gophers were able to do that in 1999, when they went 8-3 in the regular season before losing to Oregon in the Sun Bowl, Glen Mason's team was unable to maintain that level. In the three seasons since, the Gophers were 18-18 overall, but only 9-15 in conference play. So why the optimism? First was the 29-14 manhandling of Arkansas in last season's Music City Bowl, the kind of performance not usually seen from Minnesota teams. Second is the return of eight starters on offense and six on defense. Third is a softer Big Ten schedule that leaves Minnesota without games against Purdue and Ohio State. A Big Ten title might be a stretch, but this Minnesota team should be able to move beyond the low-rent-district bowl games the program has seen. OFFENSIVE KEYS: There's a senior quarterback returning. Mason will have three experienced running backs to choose from. And a big-play wide receiver is joined by a highly touted junior college transfer. Throw in an offensive line that returns nearly intact, and the Golden Gophers enter this season with the potential to score a lot of points.Healthy again after an injury-filled junior season, Asad Abdul-Khaliq is among the most experienced quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Despite ankle problems, he threw for more than 2,100 yards and 19 touchdowns. "He's had Minnesota fans get their expectations high," Mason said. "It's time for him to fill those expectations." Abdul-Khaliq has players to throw to, including Aaron Hosack, who emerged last season as a big-play receiver, averaging 22.4 yards per catch. Paris Hamilton, a highly touted junior college receiver, had arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason but Minnesota hopes he can contribute immediately. The Gophers' backfield trio of Terry Jackson II, Marion Barber III and Thomas Tapeh has combined for 26 rushing touchdowns and over 3,500 career rushing yards. DEFENSIVE KEYS: On the first day of spring practice, Mason was a little surprised to see defensive players with some actual size. Too small to stop the run or pressure the quarterback in recent years, the Gophers could be changing.Sophomore Mark Losli and senior Paul Nixon return on the ends, giving the Gophers potential for legitimate outside pressure. Darrell Reid is expected to end up starting at defensive tackle, while 315-pound Anthony Montgomery should start at nose tackle. Brian Smith, a junior college transfer who practiced in the spring, has a great chance to overtake Ben West and move into the starting lineup at Sam linebacker. West, who started every game last season, had offseason shoulder surgery. Sophomore Terrance Campbell, who was fourth on the team in tackles last season, returns at Will linebacker. The drop linebacker position might be the biggest question mark on the defensive side of the ball for the Gophers. The Gophers have some experience in the secondary, including senior safeties Eli Ward and Justin Isom. Ukee Dozier, a starter for most of last season, returns at one corner. On the other side, Ken Williams is expected to replace Mike Lehan. SPECIAL TEAMS: This may be the biggest area of concern for Mason's team. With now-departed kicker Dan Nystrom and punter Preston Gruening, the Gophers probably won a game or two in recent seasons because of special teams. That might not happen this season. Junior Ryan Duffy is expected to win the placekicking job while also handling kickoffs. Pete Ross is projected to punt.FINAL ANALYSIS: With nearly every skill player returning on offense and a solid framework back on defense, there is reason for Minnesota to be optimistic. But the Gophers have to show improvement on defense if they want to be a legitimate upper-division Big Ten team. Minnesota allowed league opponents to score 32 points per game.In addition, Minnesota has to prove it can do more than beat bad teams. It's been more than two seasons since the Gophers won a game that was truly an upset. Since then, the Gophers are 6-14 in league play. Can that change this season? It can if Abdul-Khaliq can be consistent, if the defense can find a way to stop the run, and if special teams newcomers don't cost the Gophers any games. • Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
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