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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 103 f he wasn't really the guy — he was playing on a rotational basis — and now you're backed up by a redshirt freshman and a true freshman, so there really isn't much there. It's pretty much Leidner's team and he has to run it well or the offense will struggle." Leidner, a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder, will rely on a running game that returns senior David Cobb, who rushed for more than 1,200 yards and seven TDs last season, plus could have the services of four-star freshman running back Jeff Jones, provided he is academically eligi- ble, a question as of early summer. Sophomore Maxx Williams re- turns at tight end, after leading the Gophers with 25 receptions, 417 yards and five touchdowns in '13. They desperately need an outside threat, or two, to develop, perhaps sophomores Drew Wolitarsky and Donovahn Jones. "I know Gopher fans, the staff, are very high on who they have at receiver, but they're all freshmen and sophomores," Johnson said. "Someone will have to step up, or else figure out a way to get the ball to Maxx Williams 15 or 20 times a game." Minnesota's defense allowed only 22.2 points per game last sea- son, fourth-best in the Big Ten and 25th in the nation, but it loses key pieces like tackle Ra'Shede Hage- man and DB Brock Vereen. But players like Theiren Cock- ran, who led the Gophers with 7.5 sacks last season, and linebacker Damien Wilson could be poised for big years. "I really think they're happy with what they've built underneath those (departed) players," Johnson said. "Maybe not as much up front, there's not as many proven guys, but they'll hope to find guys that fit into their rotational system." Kill's system has proven to be ef- fective, a reason why the Minnesota administration rewarded the veter- an coach with a contract extension that pays him $2.3 million annually through 2018. That's despite health concerns — he has epilepsy and suffered seizures last season that kept him from one game and in the press box for seven others — that have clouded his tenure. "It's obvious the Minnesota ad- ministration is committed to Jerry Kill and his staff, because they gave big bumps to the coordinators, as well," Johnson said. "It sounds like everything (with his health) is un- der control and they're just worried about playing football." — Kyle Charters (8-5 overall, 4-4 Big Ten, 4th Legends) Date Opponent . . . . . . . . . Results 8/29 UNLV . . . . . . . . . . . . . W, 51-23 9/7 at New Mexico State . W, 44-21 9/14 WESTERN ILLINOIS . . W, 29-12 9/21 SAN JOSE STATE . . . . W, 43-24 9/28 IOWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L, 7-23 10/5 at Michigan . . . . . . . . L, 13-42 10/19 at Northwestern . . . . . W, 20-17 10/26 NEBRASKA . . . . . . . . . W, 34-23 11/2 at Indiana . . . . . . . . . . W, 42-39 11/9 PENN STATE. . . . . . . . W, 24-10 11/23 WISCONSIN . . . . . . . . . L, 7-20 11/30 at Michigan State . . . . . L, 3-14 12/27 vs. Syracuse*. . . . . . . L, 17-21 *Texas Bowl Who's in Charge? COACH JERRY KILL Record at Minnesota: 17-21 (three seasons) Record vs. Purdue: 2-1 (Northern Illinois and Minnesota) Date Opponent 8/28 EASTERN ILLINOIS 9/6 MIDDLE TENN. ST 9/13 at TCU 9/20 SAN JOSE STATE 9/27 at Michigan 10/11 NORTHWESTERN 10/18 PURDUE 10/25 at Illinois 11/8 IOWA 11/15 OHIO STATE 11/22 at Nebraska 11/29 at Wisconsin 2013 RESULTS 2014 SCHEDULE EARLY LINE: MINNESOTA -13 OF NOTE: Minnesota's eight wins last season were its most since 2003, when the Gophers went 10-3. "I love Jerry Kill. If this is a stock, I'd say buy it. He has one of the most underrated defenses in the Big Ten. Kill reminds me of Joe Tiller. Great underrated coaches, a strong staff that's been to- gether a long time, and a staff that can maximize talent like few others in the Big Ten. They're not going to win the West, but they're going to go back to a bowl." — Tom Dienhart, Big Ten Network TOM'S TAKE The Gophers have started five quarterbacks in the last four years. 2010 Adam Weber 2011 Marqueis Gray, Max Shortell 2012 Philip Nelson, Marqueis Gray 2013 Philip Nelson, Mitch Leidner Quarterback Carousel