Golden Gophers' size, speed a major test for Rams offense

FORT COLLINS – Collin Hill and the Colorado State Rams offense will have their hands full on Saturday. This University of Minnesota team features plenty of defensive physicality and talent – both staples for teams in the Big Ten.

“They’re the best defensive team we’ve played since I’ve been here,” said offensive coordinator Will Friend.

The Golden Gophers boast eye-opening size and speed on the defensive line that, frankly, CSU doesn’t go up against very often. It’s why Friend and head coach Mike Bobo are trying some different things during practice to replicate their week 4 opponent.

To start with, CSU is using some of its faster players to line up at defensive end on the scout team. The hope is that the offensive tackles for the Rams will get used to athletic defensive ends.

“To get that speed and have the tackles be able to feel that is pretty important for them to know what they’re getting themselves into,” said center Jake Bennett.

But the Minnesota defensive line doesn’t just include playmakers on the outside, but also in the middle that the Rams will be forced to deal with.

“They (the offensive line) better be ready to play physical because this team’s not going to give them much of a choice,” emphasized Friend.

Even though Minnesota allows just 99 yards rushing per game, look for CSU to try establishing the line of scrimmage and get their trio of running backs involved. Bobo expects that a healthy Dalyn Dawkins, as well as Izzy Matthews and Marvin Kinsey, will need to chew up yardage as difficult as it may be at times.

“We want every play to go for an explosive run, but sometimes they don’t,” said Bobo. “You’ve got to get the nasty or dirty 3 or 4-yard run. That’s going to be huge for us this week. If we start bouncing stuff or trying to make huge runs, they’re going to turn a 3-yard gain into a minus 2-yard gain. We’ve got to trust and we’ve got to hit it. We’ve got to be patient. Patient will be the key this week in the running game.”

That patience in the running game could open up play-action and other misdirection-type things for Hill. CSU will look to take advantage of a Golden Gophers’ secondary that lost three standouts from a year ago.

That being said, CSU fans shouldn’t expect a pass-heavy attack from Hill. Minnesota presents a new challenge with their 4-3 defensive scheme coupled with quarters coverage. And in their last 27 games, the Golden Gophers have not allowed a 300-yard passer.

So how will the Rams offense need to perform in order to have a chance to win in the fourth quarter? Take care of the ball, use the three-headed monster at running back and complete passes down the field when they’re available.

But Bobo said that a game-changing play could come from somewhere else.

“I’d like for this game where special teams can maybe have an explosive play, a momentum play,” said Bobo. “That could help be a difference in this ballgame.”