Insight Bowl at a glance
12-07-2009
JOEL RIPPELINSIGHT BOWL AT A GLANCE
GOPHERS VS. IOWA STATE
When: 5 p.m., Dec. 31.
Where: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz. • TV: NFL Network (830-AM)
COMPARING THE TEAMS
Records: Gophers 6-6, 3-5 Big Ten; Iowa State, 6-6, 3-5 Big 12
Best victories: The Gophers won at Outback Bowl-bound Northwestern 35-24 -- their only conference road victory. Iowa State won 9-7 at Big 12 North champion Nebraska.
Offense: The Cyclones, who are averaging 21.1 points per game, have been led by Alexander Robinson, a junior from Minneapolis. Robinson, who was honorable mention All-Big 12, rushed for 1,058 yards -- averaging 5 yards per carry -- in 11 games. Center Reggie Stephens was first-team All-Big 12. Gophers quarterback Adam Weber passed for 2,321 yards and 12 touchdowns. Tight end Nick Tow-Arnett has caught 35 passes. The Gophers will be without All-Big Ten receiver Eric Decker, who caught 50 passes in eight games.
Defense: Linebacker Jesse Smith, a senior, led the Big 12 in tackles and was named first-team All-Big Ten. He has 128 tackles on the season. The Gophers defense has been led by linebackers Lee Campbell (112 tackles), Nate Triplett (96) and Simoni Lawrence (77). Campbell and Lawrence were honorable mention All-Big Ten.
JOEL RIPPEL
