2001: 4-7, 2-6 in the Big Ten (tie for 10th)
Coach: Glen Mason, 26-32 in six years at the school
Returning starters: 17 (6 offense, 8 defense, 3 specialists)
Top returnees: QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq (107 com., 187 att.,
57.2 pct., 12 TD, 6 int.); TB Marion Barber III (742 yd., 118 att.,
6.3 avg, 7 TD); P Preston Gruening (51 att., 41.4 avg.); LB Phil
Archer (113 tackles)
Outlook: The Gophers gave up 31 or more points in their
final four games last season and lose their only good pass rusher
from a team that ranked last in the Big Ten in sacks. Abdul-Khaliq
and Barber are budding stars, but the O-line needs to be rebuilt.
Think Mason is still crying about not getting the OSU job two years
ago?
Soundbite: “We were the only school that recruited
Marion Barber and we almost didn’t do it either. To be quite
frank, the only reason we did is because his father was a Minnesota
Gopher. He asked for an opportunity and I gave him one and after
about five minutes on campus I thought, ‘Oh boy, thank God
we recruited him.’ I think he can be a feature back.”
— Glen Mason
