Minnesota
Golden Gophers

?? To the coaches.

?? Minnesota's 7-6 season was a relative success, but the fact the Gophers ended the season on a five-game losing skid prompted coach Tim Brewster to overhaul his coordinators.

?? Former Denver Broncos assistant Jedd Fisch takes over as offensive coordinator, replacing Mike Dunbar, who resigned. Kevin Cosgrove was brought on as defensive coordinator and paired with staff holdover Ronnie Lee, who was promoted to co-coordinator after Ted Roof left for Auburn.

?? With talent like quarterback Adam Weber, receiver Eric Decker and linebacker Lee Campbell already in place, Minnesota players will spend the spring learning the new terminology. Weber will not take contact after having minor surgery to clean up his left (non-throwing) shoulder.

?? The offense will have a far different look in the spring than it should in the fall. Along with Weber's shoulder surgery, Decker is also missing from camp since he is playing with Minnesota's baseball team.

?? Those are two big pieces to the offense, but it also leaves more time to improve upon a rushing attack that finished 104th in the nation.

?? New defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove has a reputation for developing linebackers. He'll also need a knack for stopping the bleeding, since Minnesota's defense faded last season as the competition stiffened. The Gophers surrendered 161 points over the last four games for an average of more than 40 per game. Prior to that, only one of the first 10 opponents scored more than 30 points (Ohio State).

?? BUILDING BLOCKS:

?? As long as QB Adam Weber and WR Eric Decker are together and healthy, the Gophers will always have a chance. Decker battled injuries late in the season to catch 84 passes -- more than double anyone else's total. Decker also had 1,074 yards and seven touchdowns. The two form the core of Minnesota's offense.??

?? QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's just a spectacular stadium. I think it's a dream come true for all Minnesotans. It's going to be the centerpiece for the state of Minnesota to come together." -- coach Tim Brewster, on TCF Stadium, which opens in the fall.

?? WR Eric Decker -- Became just the fourth receiver in school history this season to finish with 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He is easily Weber's favorite target, and the offense bogged down late in the year when he was lost to injury.

?? LB Lee Campbell -- Led the team in tackles (75) and added four sacks. With the departure of Willie VanDeSteeg, one of the few key losses, Campbell becomes the new leader of the defense.

?? TOP NEWCOMERS:

?? RB Hasan Lipscomb -- Averaged 7.4 yards per carry, rushing for 1,046 yards as a senior after rushing for 1,625 yards as a junior. Comes from one of the top high school teams in Texas (Cypress Ridge), Lipscomb has the speed to break off long runs and the durability to be an every-down back. Considering the shape of Minnesota's ground game, he's a strong candidate to play immediately.

?? WR Hayo Carpenter -- A junior college transfer who could fit nicely opposite Eric Decker. Rated a five-star receiver by Scout.com and the No. 13 junior college prospect by Rivals.com. Can also help in the return game.

?? WR Bryant Allen -- One of the top prospects out of Missouri, Allen is a two-sport star who will walk on to Tubby Smith's basketball team. Great speed (he's been clocked at 4.3) and has a 35-inch vertical. He's tough to get down in open space.

?? ROSTER REPORT:

?? --Senior OL Jeff Tow-Arnett will miss all of spring ball while recovering from knee surgery.

?? --QB Adam Weber, DB Marcus Sherels and RB Duane Bennett will not take contact, but will go through all the drills. Tim Brewster called Bennett "100 percent" in his return from an ACL injury, but Brewster isn't ready for Bennett to start getting hit unnecessarily.

?? --WR Eric Decker, Weber's favorite target, will spend this spring with the baseball team.