University of Minnesota, Ski-U-Mah

http://www.startribune.com/512/story/225700.html

Gophers sophomore running back Gary Russell is no longer in school because of academic shortcomings, and his future with the program is in serious jeopardy

This is a fairly big blow to the team because Russell was a really talented back and with Maroney leaving they are left with Pinnix and a bunch of inexperienced backs. incoming JUCO RB Callender probably will be the Russell to Pinnix's Maroney next year and those two should do fine but they definitely aren't as good as the players they are replacing.

It is, no doubt, a blow to the team. The one thing they do have going for them is that they have been successful no matter who they throw in the backfield over the last couple years. Losing Eislinger and Setterstrom might be the bigger blow to the running game at this point. I'm not sure who they had behind those two, but they will be hard to replace. It's time for Cupito and the passing game to step up next year. There's some solid talent among the receivers. If Cupito can get them the ball, they could be dangerous there instead.

Unfortunately I dont think Cupito will get any better and by all accounts from teammates he is the best QB among all of them talent wise so I dont see anyone else coming in and providing an upgrade their.

I feel your pain. Wisconsin is in a similar situation, but with less talent at the receiver position.

Actually, Russell is looking to be eligible for next year. At least that's what the StarTrib said. I think he's just spending the semester in a JC to get eligible, and then returning to the school.

the impression I got was that he could regain eligibility for next fall but there a lot of obstacles to over come so its doubtful that he will

Brian Cupito seemed like a real QB at times this past season. He was on fire on like 3 or 4 consecutive games (From the end of the Purdue game to Penn State I believe) but he regressed during the last couple games of the year...

Amir Pinnix is the backup to Gary Russell. He is very quick and shifty. He doesn't show much power. Prior to Gary Russell emergence this season, he could have been Maroney's main backup
Amir Pinnix: 78 carries for 467yds (6.0 ypc), 1 TD.

The team looks to be mediocre next season. Loss along the O-Line should impact the offense negatively. The Defense has no playmakers.

Why'd we keep Mason, a coach that couldn't get it done with the Rimington winner and a top five running back? I think that'll be the worst decision that the Gophers will make for a long time. The man cannot recruit Minnesota. He lost whats-his-face to Ohio State, and that dude was starting. STARTING at The Ohio State University, and he's just too good for Mason.

I was watching the film for Adam Weber... He looks like he would be a much better option than Cupito as a true freshman. He's got a great arm and sees the field very well. He stays in the pocket, but can also scramble (though with a 4.8 40, he needs to get faster)... Nothing is worse than Cupito...at least Weber would have an excuse.

Larinitous(sp?) I dont consider him a loss last year, aparently he had trouble in school so to make up credit he went to a local elementary school to help tutor second graders for some extra credits, but the problem was he couldnt help them. I know the teacher that he was helping and he flat out didnt know how to do second grade english.

Anyhow your right about Mason, he cant recruit, he cant keep top in state talent here and he cant develop the little bit of talent he brings in. Purely an awful decision by Maturi to bring him back

where did you see the film on Weber? Im actually excited about him

rivals

Really I don't think you know how hard it is to get top recruits to come to Minnesota. Did you see the football and training installation? Below average at best and very mediocre compared to top flight infrastructure for the likes of Ohio State, Michigan or even Wisconsin.

No On-campus football stadium, Gophers have to play in the cavernous garbage dump called the Metrodome. Really if you were an heralded recruit, would you go to Minnesota or Michigan, Ohio State, USC, or Texas...

On campus stadium is definitely something we need, but our traing facilities arent that bad at all. While this may be a biased statement Joel Maturi told my Sports Studies class that they are average to above average in comparison to the rest of the Big Ten.

http://www.startribune.com/507/story/282118.html

A good story about Gary Russell doing the best he can to come back next fall, I really hope he does for the betterment of the team and for him as a person

where did you see the film on Weber? Im actually excited about him

Renegade-

This is something you might be interested in. Its a video of all the incoming recruits (minus the two we got late). Some of these guys look impressive. It is about 15 minutes, but it is well worth it if you are a Gopher fan.

Gopher Recruits Video

Also, here is a list of players in each class, and the projected starters:
Current Gophers

Hopefully Alex Daniels recovers quickly from his broken arm. He is the best athlete on this defense.

I agree with Castor. The fact that the new stadium will be built and ready by 2009 will help drastically with recruiting.

And Mason seems to be doing better this year with recruiting. He has 4 commits already, which by Minnesota standards is amazing. 2 of those, S Shane Potter and RB Andre Tate', look like they are among the best prospects in the state. They are going after some high quality guys out of state. Among those are:

CB Dionte Allen
DE Ben Martin
RB Robert Hughes
WR Jon Ditto
WR Taurian Washington
QB Justin Siller

The Gophers may not get any of these guys, but they are at least getting the high profile guys to listen, which they couldn't do before Mason got here. And chances are pretty good that the Gophers land at least one of these guys, most likely Siller.

Just the prospect of playing in a brand new stadium in 2009 improves the Gophers position brightly. Players recruited this year will have the opportunity to play in the new stadium although the stadium will be situated in front of an (quite ugly) industrial complex. (Parking space between Marriuci Arena and University Village...)

This post has been edited by CastorTroy on Apr 14 2006, 01:42 PM

For those who bashed Mason for not getting any good in state players, he has 6 Minnesotans committed already, and those 6 will be among the top 10 Minnesotans this year (including the possible top 2 in Potter and Tate'). This goes to show how important stability is during recruiting.

Going to this current team, Cupito has been looking really good during spring football. With the uncertainty of the running game coupled with Cupito taking the next step, watch for the Gophers to be much more balanced offensively this year than in years past.