Stuck in the now, Minnesota looks for brighter days

For the second consecutive week, the Iowa Hawkeyes face a program that is under construction.

And at this rate, Minnesota (1-6, 0-3 Big Ten) doesn't even have the scaffolding up and might not know where it is. And that's OK for first-year coach Jerry Kill, a coaching veteran who's never seen a silver spoon in this business and has never needed one.

This is an "eyes wide open" situation.

"We're building a program," Kill said after last week's 41-14 defeat to Nebraska. "I've said all along this isn't going to happen overnight. We'll be there someday."

When you hear the word "building" come out of a coach's mouth, you wonder if the present has been surrendered. The Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-1) ran an Indiana team out of Kinnick last week that has clearly focused on the "building," starting a true freshman quarterback and playing 16 true freshmen, the third most in the country.

This doesn't appear to be the case with Kill's Golden Gophers, who claimed the Floyd of Rosedale trophy with a surprising 27-24 victory over Iowa at TCF Bank Stadium, where Saturday's game kicks off at 2:30 (Big Ten Network).

"The team responded well in the second half and fought back, which showed toughness in them," Kill said. "We just weren't consistent, but we definitely got better and started to get in a rhythm in the second half."

Now remember, the Hawkeyes were in a similar situation last season going up to Minneapolis. The Hawkeyes were 7-4 and ranked No. 24 they played at TCF Bank for the first time. Minnesota was 2-9 and playing without the shackles of expectation.

Last year, Iowa was No. 25 in the country in total defense. Now, Iowa is No. 79 allowing 406.7 yards a game. Minnesota is No. 100 with 428.6 yards a game.

The Gophers have the bronze pig. They know they're capable of winning this game. They did just 11 months ago.

“Right now I'm doing less coaching and more mental support for our players than anything," Kill said. "It's tough right now for the kids, but we're improving and everyone is working hard to get better. We just need to keep fighting through these tough times and everything will eventually get better.”

This is Kill eight weeks into what hasn't been the smoothest launch. Forget the field (Minnesota has been outscored 144-31 in their three Big Ten games and lost to FCS school North Dakota State, 37-24, before the conference season started), Kill's health has been a source of concern.

He has suffered multiple seizures, including one during the North Dakota State loss that sent him to the hospital.

"We've been hit with a lot of adversity as a team, and our defense has gotten together and talked about [how] whatever we get dealt, we will try and bounce back from it," senior cornerback Kyle Henderson said. "It really doesn't matter what happens. We're just going to go out and play."

Quarterback play is perhaps the biggest difference in this game. MarQueis Gray has taken hold of the position in the last couple of games. Gray is a decidedly one-dimensional QB. He's seventh in the conference in rushing (73.0 yards) and ninth in passing with 124.5 yards a game.

Gray's pass efficiency is 104.92. Only teammate Max Shortell (102.93) and Penn State's Rob Bolden (85.19) have lower pass efficiencies. Gray will hurt you with his feet. Running back Duane Bennett is the Gopher's second-leading rusher, but he only averages 11.43 attempts a game.

The bottom line is the Gophers are last in the league in scoring offense (17.4 points a game) and scoring defense (35.9). That is not a good combination.

You would excuse the Gophers if their minds drifted ahead to better days.

Scoring defense -- 35.9 ppg (last in the Big Ten)

Turnover margin -- minus-7 (last in the Big Ten)

Takeaways -- 4 (one fumble, three interceptions) (last in the Big Ten, tied for last in FBS)

Sacks -- 5 (last in the Big Ten, last in the nation)

Rush defense -- 192.14 (11th in the Big Ten)