MINNEAPOLIS -- All of a sudden, the situation isn't so dire at Minnesota. Two decisive victories in a row, and the Gophers are in great shape to qualify for their seventh bowl game in the last eight years.
They'll need to beat Iowa to do it, but recent improvement by the inexperienced defense and stay-positive attitude prevalent on the entire roster have put them in a position that appeared improbable when Division I-AA North Dakota State was busy pounding them on both sides of the ball last month.
"I never felt that they were cashing it in or losing faith. I never questioned their effort. We just weren't playing well," coach Glen Mason said Tuesday.
The offense has carried Minnesota (5-6, 2-5 Big Ten) throughout Mason's 10-season tenure, but this year there were more problems than usual and the production has been up-and-down. For a change, in last week's 31-18 win at Michigan State the offense was dependent on the defense.
After falling behind 9-0, the Gophers got a 48-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Steve Davis and two interceptions and held the Spartans to nine points over the last three quarters.
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Down to only one senior, linebacker Mario Reese, on either the first or second units, Minnesota has been enjoying valuable and even unexpected contributions from several sophomores and juniors: tackle John Jakel, who moved over from the offensive lines; linebacker Deon Hightower, whose hard hit broke Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton's helmet and knocked him out of the game.
Also free safety Dominique Barber, who has a team-high four interceptions; and defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg, whose four sacks against the Spartans matched a school record and earned him the conference's defensive player of the week honors.
"We're really young, but we're catching on at the end of the year here. You can see it," VanDeSteeg said, later adding: "We're young, yeah. We're small, yeah. But we can play well. We've been coached well. We just haven't performed like we should."
For perspective, the Gophers still rank 10th in the Big Ten in average yards allowed per game, at more than 404. But Mason expressed guarded optimism.
"We need more bodies there. We've got to recruit better talent there. We're hanging on the best we can right now, but we're getting better," he said.
After an awful three-game stretch against Wisconsin, North Dakota State and Ohio State, the offense is back on track, too. In his last two games, quarterback Bryan Cupito has thrown for six touchdowns and 621 yards without an interception.
"We're finally jelling together as a team," said receiver Ernie Wheelwright, who has for the time being solved his problem of dropping the ball.
Most of college football is focused on a much bigger rivalry this week, with Ohio State taking on Michigan for a spot in the national championship game. But the Gophers and Hawkeyes have plenty to play for here, like Floyd of Rosedale, the bronze pig trophy, plus postseason positioning.
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Iowa has already qualified with six victories, but Minnesota could claim a bowl spot ahead of its rival with a win at the Metrodome.
"This game Saturday, it's the biggest game in the country," Mason said. "I can honestly tell you that's how I feel. I could (not) care less who wins that Ohio State-Michigan game. Really. I'm not even sure I'll watch it. I'm going to be totally drained after our game."
