Minnesota's Weber battles despite adversity

IOWA CITY - One of Adam Weber's earliest Iowa-Minnesota memories came as a 15-year-old high school student at the Metrodome.

"I remember being in the Metrodome, and Iowa beat Minnesota and the fans charging the field and tearing down the goal posts," said Weber, a Shoreview, Minn. native. "For me personally, I think for our team, Wisconsin has always been a great rivalry, but I think there's something special between Iowa and Minnesota. I don't know if it's the fans or what it is, but I feel like there's a special competition between both sides that we really maybe not see eye-to-eye."

Weber, a senior quarterback, will finish his Minnesota career Saturday ranked statistically among the top handful of Big Ten quarterbacks. He's second in league history in total yards (11,603) behind Purdue's Drew Brees, and he's passed for 10,753 yards - third-best in league history. He's also 11 plays from becoming the league's all-time leader in that category. But something else is missing for Weber, who will make his team-record 50th start for the Gophers against Iowa. He's never won a trophy game, and that bothers him.

Weber's Gophers are 0-11 in trophy rivalries and 0-7 against key rivals Wisconsin and Iowa. Even worse for Weber, Minnesota has failed to score against Iowa in the last two seasons in the battle for Floyd of Rosedale.

But with a 2-9 record and no shot at a bowl, a trophy game is just what Weber wants in his college finale. It's one opportunity to claim something of value in a year filled with drama and defeat.

"For some reason the past two years, Iowa has had our number," Weber said. "That's a big focus for us this week, is to try to put up some points and put up some points early just we can put that behind us and not add to what's happened to us the past two years. Then it being a trophy game and senior day, my last game as a Gopher, it's very, very special."

This year Weber has thrown for 2,515 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. But leadership will define his legacy perhaps more than his record-breaking statistics. Weber red-shirted in 2006 under Glen Mason, who then was fired after a bowl loss. With Tim Brewster aboard in 2007, Weber started in a spread-option attack, then shifted to slamball his final two seasons. After Minnesota's seventh game this season, Brewster was fired.

It's that turmoil that forced Weber to become the Gophers' public voice. 

"It's kind of been forced upon me to be the spokesman, but it's definitely a role that I embrace and I understand," Weber said. "I wouldn't say it's been hard to lead, but it definitely challenges you and forces you into some roles that you might not be very comfortable with. I just take every situation as a learning experience."

Weber has gained admirers from near and afar with how he's dealt with Minnesota's coaching Merry-Go-Round.

"His change in coordinators, coaches, all the adversity he's had to handle, I think he's handled it very well," said Iowa quarterback Rick Stanzi, who will make his 34th start Saturday. "He's played very good for being in the situation that he's been in. 

"Honestly I don't know how difficult that would be. I'm not going to try to put myself in his shoes. What he's had to go through is a lot harder than what I've had to go through. I'm not going to try to pretend to know what that's like. My hat's off to him for what he's been able to do with all that adversity."

Minnesota interim coach Jeff Horton said Weber is the "face of the program" and has earned his respect.

"He always has the right answers, always says the right things, always takes responsibility and accountability," Horton said. "I think as time goes by, people will appreciate him even more.

"He'll be the first to say he hasn't won as many games as he's wanted to, obviously, or wanted this team to, but he's always been a team guy and he's always put the blame on himself. He's a special young man. People are starting businesses out there, and he's the kind of guy you'd want to hire. He'll definitely give you everything he's got, and he'll represent you the right way. I just feel honored to coach him in this last year."

Weber is taking graduate courses and wants to give an NFL career his full effort next spring. But first he's preparing for Iowa and the chance to end his senior year on a high note.

"We're really viewing this as our bowl game," he said. "We're trying to put as much effort in it as we can in preparation because it such an important game for both sides."