Northern Illinois @ Minnesota preview
TCF Bank Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2008 ) Northern Illinois 27, Minnesota 31
A non-conference game in the fourth week of the season usually isn't considered a must-win for any team.
Minnesota's home game against Northern Illinois on Saturday night might be an exception to that rule.
The Gophers (1-2) are riding a two-game losing streak at TCF Bank Stadium, which wouldn't be that bad if one of the defeats hadn't come to South Dakota, an FCS team, in the second week of the season.
Minnesota put together a much better performance in last week’s 32-21 loss to Southern California. The Gophers even led briefly in the third quarter until a 97-yard kickoff return put them in a hole from which they never recovered.
The Gophers need a win, more to boost the team's sagging confidence level than anything else. A third straight loss - especially at home - would be another setback going into Big Ten play next week when Northwestern comes to town.
And another defeat would turn up even more heat on coach Tim Brewster, who has had people clamoring for his job since the South Dakota debacle.
Minnesota, whose only win came in the opener at Middle Tennessee, won't be facing a cream puff this week. Northern Illinois is 1-2 but has been picked to win the Mid-American Conference West Division.
The Gophers' job won't be any easier if tailback Duane Bennett is unable to play. Bennett, who gained over 100 yards in each of the first two games, sprained an ankle against South Dakota and carried only eight times last week, gaining seven yards.
Safety Kim Royston, who has yet to play this season because of a broken left leg, could return.
Northern Illinois is playing a Big Ten team on the road for the second week in a row. The Huskies dropped a 28-22 decision at Illinois. Quarterback Chandler Harnish completed 19-of-25 passes for 208 yards and ran the ball 11 times for 133 yards and a touchdown.
The Huskies will need a better game from running back Chad Spann, who gained only 19 yards on 13 carries last week.
The second and third quarters have been a problem for Northern Illinois. The Huskies have been outscored 28-3 in the second period and they have scored only three points in the third quarter through three games.
The Huskies dropped their opener at Iowa State (27-10) before beating North Dakota (23-17) in their home opener.
Huskies coach Jerry Kill has been with the team throughout the week. He missed most of last week's practices with an undisclosed illness, but returned to coach against Illinois.