The Wolverine Now

OCT. 31, 2012 RIDING A WAVE O Minnesota's Confidence Is Growing Following Its Victory Over Purdue BY MICHAEL SPATH ne win can do wonders for a program. For Minnesota, last week's 44-28 vic- tory over Purdue represented its first vic- tory in conference play this season, ending a three-game losing streak. It also moved the Golden Gophers within one game of becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2009, and provided hope for Maroon and Gold fans that maybe, just maybe, Minnesota could finish strong in November, putting a scare into Michigan, Nebraska and Michigan State (while defi- nitely beating Illinois). In that sense, one win was more than one win. Already the expectations for this weekend's matchup with Michigan have changed. A year ago, the Wolverines shut out the Gophers 58-0, earning their largest margin of victory in the series' 98-game history, but Minnesota — which has lost three Big Ten games by an average of 17.0 points this year — believes it can compete with the Maize and Blue. "The feeling around here is that it's going to be a lot closer than last year," GophersIl- lustrated.com beat writer Lucas Trickle said. "When it looked like maybe Denard Robinson wouldn't play, people even started to think that Minnesota could win, but since they've all found out he should play, they're more resigned to a loss, but a close loss." Second-year head coach Jerry Kill is ada- mant that Robinson will play, and he also knows that puts his team at an extreme disadvantage. "There's nobody like him. He's electri- fying," Kill said. "You try everything you can to simulate playing against him, but you can't." Kill and his team will not concede defeat, though, especially coming off a victory in which Minnesota raced out to a 34-7 halftime lead, racked up 458 yards of total offense (second only to the 478 yards put up in the season-opening win over UNLV) and achieved a 200-200 balance, rushing for 212 yards and throwing for 246 yards (also done against UNLV). "Everything just seemed to fall into place and we executed well," Kill said. "We made some big plays, which we needed to do, and we played good football. As for the second half, I don't think our team is used to being out in front like that. We held on a little bit more. "I'd like to see us have more control of the game in the second half. That being said, we didn't turn the ball over and we created some plays." The Boilermakers outscored the Golden Gophers 21-10 in the final 30 minutes, raising questions about whether Minnesota is capable of responding to success. This is a program with a fifth-year senior class will broadcast the game. The contest can be heard on the Michigan Sports Network (950 AM in the Detroit area, SiriusXM (channel 197) and Armed Services Radio (channel 113). Coaches: Michigan: Brady Hoke What: Michigan at Minnesota. When: Nov. 3 • 12:01 p.m. Radio-TV: The Big Ten Network (16-5, second season). Minnesota: Jerry Kill (8-12, second season). History: Michigan leads the se- Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill, who has posted an 8-12 record in two seasons leading the Golden Gophers, was previously at Northern Illinois, where he went 23-16 in three campaigns. PHOTO COURTESY MINNESOTA holding a record of 24-34 and fourth-year seniors that are 17-28, winning back-to- back Big Ten games only twice, in 2008 and 2010. "It's part of the process," said Kill, who went 23-16 in three seasons at Northern Illinois prior to arriving in Minneapolis. ries with Minnesota 71-24-3, last beating the Golden Gophers 58-0 in 2011. Minnesota Notes: The Golden Go- phers last beat Michigan at home in 1977 (16-0) … After U-M visits TCF Bank Stadium, Indiana will be the only Big Ten team yet to play in Min- nesota's new digs, which opened in 2009 … The Maroon and Gold wear a patch commemorating former player Gary Tinsley (2008-11), who died from an enlarged heart April 6 … Minnesota student-athletes and athletic administrators shaved their heads Monday in support of the fight against cancer, paying tribute to wide receiver Connor Cosgrove, who is battling leukemia. GAME FACTS

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