OFFENSE
Left Tackle
74 - Marek Lenkiewicz    6-5    281    R-So.    Tinley Park, Ill. (Victor J. Andrew)
58 - Ed Olson     6-7    312    R-Jr.     Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi)
Left Guard
53 - Tommy Olson    6-4    298    So.     Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi)
75 - Ernie Heifort     6-5    273    R-Fr.     Bemidji, Minn. (Bemidji)
Center
52 - Zac Epping    6-2    306    R-So.     Kenosha, Wis. (Tremper)
63 - Jon Christenson    6-4    288    R-Fr.     Minnetonka, Minn. (Minnetonka)
Right Guard
64 - Caleb Bak    6-3    294    R-So.     Columbia Heights, Minn. (Concordia Academy)
73 - Joe Bjorklund    6-5    293    R-Fr.     Rosemount, Minn. (Rosemount)
Right Tackle
65 - Josh Campion    6-5    309    R-Fr.     Fergus Falls, Minn. (Fork Union Military Academy)
77 - Foster Bush    6-5    303    R-Fr.     Menasha, Wis. (Menasha HS)
Quarterback
9 - Philip Nelson    6-2    222    Fr.     Mankato, Minn. (West)
11 - Max Shortell     6-6    237    So.     Shawnee Mission, Kan. (Bishop Miege)
Tailback
20 - Donnell Kirkwood    5-10    219    R-So.     Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic)
35 - Rodrick Williams Jr.     5-11    228    Fr.    Lewisville, Texas (Lewisville)
H-Back/Fullback
81 - John Rabe    6-4    258    Sr.     Iowa Falls, Iowa (Ellsworth CC)
30 - Mike Henry    6-1    238    R-Jr.     Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi)
Y
83 - Drew Goodger    6-5    255    So.     Shawnee Mission, Kan. (Northwest)
85 - Lincoln Plsek     6-4    245    Fr.     Waco, Texas (Reicher HS)
Z
14 - Isaac Fruechte     6-3    205    So.     Caledonia, Minn. (Rochester CTC)
1 - Brandon Green    6-0    189    R-Sr.     Chicago, Ill. (Robeson)
X
5 - MarQueis Gray    6-5    250    Sr.    Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis)
80 - Devin Crawford-Tufts    6-2    194    So.     Edina, Minn. (Edina)
OR
12 - Andre McDonald    6-2    200    Fr.     Minnetonka, Minn. (Hopkins)
H
15 - Marcus Jones    5-8    172    So.     Wake Forest, N.C. (Wake Forest-Rolesville)
18 - Derrick Engel      6-2    182    R-Jr.     Chaska, Minn. (Winona State)

DEFENSE
End
98 - Michael Amaefula    6-2    242    So.    Arlington, Texas (Bowie)
93 - Ben Perry    6-5    243    R-So.    Southlake, Texas (Carroll)
Tackle
46 - Cameron Botticelli    6-5    284    R-So.    Milwaukee, Wis. (Marquette University HS)
94 - Harold Legania    6-4    306    R-So.     New Orleans, La. (Edna Karr HS)
Nose
99 - Ra'Shede Hageman    6-6    301    R-Jr.    Minneapolis, Minn. (Washburn)
97 - Scott Ekpe    6-4    286    Fr.    Lewisville, Texas (Lewisville)
End
95 - D.L. Wilhite    6-3    244    Sr.    Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station)
55 - Theiren Cockran    6-6    237    R-Fr.    Homestead, Fla. (Homestead)
Strongside Linebacker
57 - Aaron Hill    6-2    228    R-Jr.    St. Charles, Mo. (Lutheran)
8 - Spencer Reeves    6-2    234    Sr.    Dallas, Texas (Skyline)
Middle Linebacker
26 - Mike Rallis    6-2    245    R-Sr.    Edina, Minn. (Edina)
1 - Brendan Beal    6-3    249    R-Jr.    Bangor, Pa. (Florida)
Weakside Linebacker
4 - Keanon Cooper    6-0    220    R-Sr.    Dallas, Texas (Skyline)
9 - James Manuel     6-2    210    Jr.    Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central)
Cornerback
2 - Troy Stoudermire    5-10    195    Sr.    Dallas, Texas (Skyline)
22 - Jeremy Baltazar    6-0    196    Jr.    Corona, Calif. (Blinn College)
Safety
13 - Derrick Wells    6-0    198    So.    Lehigh Acres, Fla. (Lehigh)
7 - Damarius Travis    6-2    205    Fr.     Pensacola, Fla. (Pensacola)
Safety
27 - Cedric Thompson    5-10    199    So.    Calipatria, Calif. (Calipatria)
OR
21 - Brock Vereen    6-0    201    Jr.    Valencia, Calif. (Valencia)
6 - Grayson Levine    5-11    202    So.    Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie)
Cornerback
23 - Michael Carter    5-11    189    Sr.    Pompano Beach, Fla. (Ely)
3 - Martez Shabazz     5-11    168    Jr.    DeSoto, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker
39 - Jordan Wettstein    5-11    180    Sr.    De Pere, Wis. (De Pere)
36 - Chris Hawthorne    6-6    198    Jr.    Raleigh, N.C. (North Carolina State)
Punter
38 - Christian Eldred    6-3    190    So.    Melbourne, Australia (Monash University)
Long Snapper
48 - Jake Filkins    6-2    236    Jr.    Prescott, Wis. (Prescott)
96 - Dave Ramlet    6-2    237    R-So.    Appleton, Wis. (Xavier)
Holder
38 - David Schwerman    6-0    195    Sr.    Kettle Moraine, Wis. (Kettle Moraine)
Kick Returner
2 - Troy Stoudermire    5-10    195    Sr.    Dallas, Texas (Skyline)
15 - Marcus Jones    5-8    172    So.    Wake Forest, N.C. (Wake Forest-Rolesville)
4 - KJ Maye    5-10    190    Fr.    Mobile, Ala. (Murphy)
Punt Returner
15 - Marcus Jones    5-8    172    So.     Wake Forest, N.C. (Wake Forest-Rolesville)

INJURY REPORT
A.J. Barker, Out
Roland Johnson, Out
Lamonte Edwards, Out
Devon Wright, Questionable
D.L. Wilhite, Questionable
John Christenson, Questionable
Jeremy Baltazar, Questionable

Game 11: Minnesota at Nebraska (GopherSports)

Gophers wanted to make a bowl game for the late Gary Tinsley and his family (ESPN.com)

A moving story about Keanon Cooper and Gary Tinsley (Omaha World Herald)

Official viewing party information for Saturday's game (GopherSports)

Coach Kill's big smile said it all (Omaha World Herald)

Wilhite, Hageman add teeth to defensive line (FSN)

Offensive line has been a revolving door (Star Tribune)

Play a redshirt in a bowl game? It is something coach Kill would like the NCAA to look at (Pioneer Press)

Former Kill QB says there is no greater feeling then turning a program around (Star Tribune)

Huskers going to try to make it a long of third and long for the Gophers (WOWT)

Nebraska is confident heading into Saturday's game (Columbus Telegram)

Patient Kirkwood closing in on 1,000 yards (Pioneer Press)

Scouting the Gophers (Lincoln Journal Star)

Looks like one of the Olsons will be the backup center (Daily Gopher)

Revisiting the Golden Gophers (CornNation.com)

Coach Miller is in the booth and Coach Z is on the sideline (Star Tribune)

Not headed to Nebraska for Saturday's game? Don't worry, as Verizon and Joe Senser's in Roseville (2350 Cleveland Avenue North) and Bloomington (4217 American Boulevard West) have you covered.

Verizon is hosting the athletic department's official viewing parties at both restaurants. In addition to football and great food, there will also be many prizes distributed including a Verizon tablet and devices, autographed balls and team merchandise.

Both viewing parties will run from 2-6 p.m. There is no need to RSVP for either viewing party. All you have to do is show up in your Maroon and Gold and enjoy the game and festivities with fellow Gopher fans.

Follow Golden Gopher Football:

Follow @GopherFootball

Kill previews Saturday's game at Nebraska (GopherSports)

Nelson gets advice from a former Kill QB (Pioneer Press)

U could be using sixth different starting offensive line in 11 games on Saturday (1500ESPN)

Gophers could be down to their last center (Pioneer Press)

PA and JG talk potential bowls (SnappyTV)

Information you need to read about Saturday's game (GopherSports)

Kill should be B1G's Coach of the Year (Daily Gopher)

Philip Nelson was on the radio (1500ESPN)

To have the Gophers bowl eligible 10 games into the season? Pretty good stuff. (Lincoln Journal Star)

Making a bowl game was always the goal this year (AP)

Nelson gives reasons for Minnesota coaches to smile (Star Tribune)

Listen to coach Kill's Big Ten teleconference from yesterday (BTN.com)

Football banquet information is now available, register today (GopherSports)

Donnell Kirkwood's stock is rising (ESPN.com)

Senior Day at Nebraska on Saturday (1011Now.com)

Bo Pelini on the Gophers: "It doesn't happen over night. (Kill) took over a tough situation and they were struggling. You see them steadily getting better, believing, and staying the course of what they are trying to do." (Lincoln Journal Star)

Kill hopes Mottla is back by the spring (Star Tribune)

Coach Kill met with the media today to preview this weekend's game at Illinois. You can read a few of the highlights from his press conference below or you can read his entire transcript here. 

On Nebraska...
"I think what makes Nebraska, in my opinion, better than a year ago, much better is their offensive line. Their offensive line is pretty good. They run the ball with a purpose. And Coach Osborne may be retired, but he's still got a lot of influence there. They still run the toss lead and a lot of things they did when he was there. So there's still some old Nebraska tradition in that football game."

On Nebraska's quarterback...
"I think he's improved passing but their receivers probably physically they catch the ball. They block very well. I think he's got great people around him. He's improved his throwing skills. There's no question about that. But they've also surrounded him with good people.

"Somebody laid an article on the desk. I don't know if they're making me nervous or what, talked about their offensive coordinator talked about they really don't even need to practice or whatever because they're so - so I'd say if you got an offensive coordinator that's that confident in what they're doing, they got a lot of weapons."

On his center situation...
"You know, until we get out to practice and work, Zach Mottla is out for the year and Jon Christenson will be questionable. We'll just have to see. Jon will practice today, but we'll see how he comes along with high ankle sprain. Sometimes those are slow, but he's a tough kid, so we'll see how that goes.
   
"And then Zac Epping finished the game and that would be our situation going into today's practice. If we were playing today, Zac would step in and between we'll be moving him from a guard spot. Then we've gotta fill that in. We'll just see how practice goes. I wish I had a crystal ball that gave me the perfect answer right now, but hopefully we'll get some of that answered over the next couple of days."

On injuries to KJ Maye, A.J. Barker and Derric Engel...
"KJ's fine. He's okay. A.J. Barker, Engel, we'll see how practice progresses. They're both better, but again, if they're going to be able to play on Saturday, I don't know that."

On injuries to the offensive side of the ball...
"I've coached for 30 years. I don't feel sorry for ourselves because each kid went in and did their job and it's much appreciative and it's a good thing we snapped those three guys. It could always be like Maryland. We're not playing a linebacker at quarterback."

On having two running backs who can produce positive yards... 
"I think it's really important. I think Wisconsin has proved that, and Nebraska has proven that, because you know, somebody's going to be banged up and you're going to have an injury. Both of these young kids are really playing well. They're physical. And one's a true freshman and one's a sophomore. So those are good things for the horizon. But certainly I thought Donnell the more he got the ball on Saturday, the more productive he was. I think he got better as it went. And then Rodrick when he got tired, he'd tap out and Rodrick would come in. He's got good hands and got the ball out in the flat and did some good things. So both those two kids have gotten better. There's no question, and that position has gotten better."

On the blitzes that Illinois showed...
"They were blitzing us from everywhere they could come from. I mean it's the most we've been blitzing since I've been here and they were getting to the point where we said we gotta go downhill and take our chances and hopefully somebody gets out of a gap or somebody doesn't do their job or somebody blitzes and runs. And that's what happened. We ran the weak side power and strong side power and outside zone. And was able to have some success."

On what he said to the team after the Illinois game...
"I think the biggest thing is I let the kids - it's hard to win games. It's hard to win on the road, and I let them enjoy it. They were excited.  Let them enjoy it. I probably said less in the locker room than I've said all year."

"So they felt good about it, but as a coach, we're in the coaching deal trying to figure out what are we going to do at center. We're going to Lincoln, Nebraska. You're already working ahead. That's the tough thing about coaching. You don't get a chance to step back and, boy, this is great, because you gotta move forward." 

On playing at Nebraska...
"I will share with them today in the team meeting they need to be excited about it. They need to embrace it and get excited about it and let's go play. Let's go play."

On if Philip Nelson feels any pressure...
"No. He don't say too much. I don't know what he says to you all. He just goes out and plays."

On if Philip Nelson is ready for the crowd and atmosphere in Nebraska...
"We'll see. We'll see, you know. I can't answer that question until you get out there and so forth. But I don't know if you could put any more pressure. He went and played at Wisconsin and that's where his dad went to school. I mean first game, at Madison. I mean that's pretty good opening game to get educated in."

Follow Golden Gopher Football:

Follow @GopherFootball

Five Things You Need To Know: Minnesota at Nebraska (GopherSports)

This is not how MarQueis Gray envisioned his senior season, but he is the ultimate teammate (Star Tribune)

Gophers are going bowling, but where? (SBNation)

Download our new Mobile App (GopherSports)

Register for Minnesota's season Football Banquet, slated for Nov. 25 (GopherSports)

Bowl-bound Gophers might be the best story in the conference (CornNation.com)

Coach Kill doing good things with the Gophers (Off Tackle Empire)

"It goes without saying how great of a job Jerry Kill has done at Minnesota." (Saturday Blitz)

Rabe earns academic honor (GopherSports)

Gophers next up for Huskers (KTIC)

Learn a little bit more about punter Christian Eldred (Lincoln Journal Star)

Follow Golden Gopher Football:

Follow @GopherFootball

Bowl Central! (GopherSports)

Minnesota beats Illinois (GopherSports)

Minnesota moves into fourth in Legends Division (SBNation)

No rest for Kill and staff (Star Tribune)

Who will snap the ball now? (Pioneer Press)

Gophers bowl eligible (AP)

First bowl game for Gophers since 2009 (Pioneer Press)

Aggressive play-calling paid off (Star Tribune) and Minnesota is headed to a bowl game (Star Tribune)

Breaking down the game film from Minnesota's 17-3 win (1500 ESPN)

The Gophers head to Illinois this week, so we chatted with Marcus Jackson of the The News-Gazette and IlliniHQ.com to learn more about the Illini. You can follow Marcus on Twitter at @MarcusJ_NG.

GopherSports: Marcus, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Can you give us a brief scouting report on Illinois?

Marcus Jackson: Illinois is a team with no real identity offensively. It can't run the ball consistently and the passing attack has been virtually non-existent all season. The main problem has been the offensive line. There were some injuries to the veteran guys early and the rest of the guys haven't gelled this season.

Defensively, the front seven, led by Michael Buchanan, Akeem Spence, Jonathan Brown and Mason Monheim are very talented, but too often they've been put in tough situations by the offense and special teams and it's worn on them. The result: A 2-7 record.

GS: Minnesota has one Big Ten win, while Illinois does not have any yet. How much emphasis is being put on this game for the Illini or are they approaching it as just another week?

MJ: From everything they're saying, it's business as usual for the Illini. Don't get me wrong, they're hungry for a win and Minnesota just happens to be the next team up, so they're geared up for this one. The understand they're not in a position to feel a great deal of confidence about beating anyone, no matter the record, so they're not approaching this game with over-confidence.

GS: Nathan Scheelhaase is a quarterback the Gophers are familiar with. How has he developed in his time at Illinois, and when healthy this year, what does he provide for the Illini offense?

MJ: This has been the worst season of Nathan Scheelhaase's career. It can mainly be chalked up to the fact that he hasn't been healthy since the first half of the season opener. He got off to a great start in his career, but he's not the same player this year. He won't complain about it, but he hasn't been healthy and the offensive line has been brutal. When he is healthy, he's a true dual-threat quarterback who is a nightmare to prepare for because he can make plays consistently on the ground and through the air. Take away his legs, which happened with the ankle injury, and he's not nearly as dangerous.

GS: Who is an under-the-radar player Gopher fans should pay attention to?

MJ: Corey Lewis' story has been the highlight of the season for the Illini. Lewis is an offensive lineman, who was projected to be an anchor on the line, before suffering a knee injury during the 2010 spring game. All told, Lewis has had a total of five surgeries between his two knees and missed two full seasons before returning to the field for the first time last week in the loss at Ohio State. For the fifth-year senior, it was the first game action he had seen since the 2009 season finale. He likely won't start, but he'll play plenty, probably at right tackle.

GS: Care to give us a prediction on the game?

MJ: Minnesota 30, Illinois 20. Both teams are starved for a win. Minnesota has had some sustained success early in the season and can draw on that under a great coach like Jerry Kill to get themselves over the hump.

GS: Marcus, thanks again. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Minnesota's depth chart and injury report for Saturday's game at Illinois.

OFFENSE
Left Tackle
74 - Marek Lenkiewicz    6-5    281    R-So.    Tinley Park, Ill. (Victor J. Andrew)
58 - Ed Olson     6-7    312    R-Jr.     Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi)
Left Guard
52 - Zac Epping    6-2    306    R-So.     Kenosha, Wis. (Tremper)
53 - Tommy Olson    6-4    298    So.     Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi)
Center
63 - Jon Christenson    6-4    288    R-Fr.     Minnetonka, Minn. (Minnetonka)
OR
62 - Zach Mottla    6-2    287    R-Jr.     Edina, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall)
Right Guard
64 - Caleb Bak    6-3    294    R-So.     Columbia Heights, Minn. (Concordia Academy)
73 - Joe Bjorklund    6-5    293    R-Fr.     Rosemount, Minn. (Rosemount)
Right Tackle
65 - Josh Campion    6-5    309    R-Fr.     Fergus Falls, Minn. (Fork Union Military Academy)
77 - Foster Bush    6-5    303    R-Fr.     Menasha, Wis. (Menasha HS)
Quarterback
9 - Philip Nelson    6-2    222    Fr.     Mankato, Minn. (West)
11 - Max Shortell     6-6    237    So.     Shawnee Mission, Kan. (Bishop Miege)
Tailback
20 - Donnell Kirkwood    5-10    219    R-So.     Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic)
35 - Rodrick Williams Jr.     5-11    228    Fr.    Lewisville, Texas (Lewisville)
H-Back/Fullback
81 - John Rabe    6-4    258    Sr.     Iowa Falls, Iowa (Ellsworth CC)
30 - Mike Henry    6-1    238    R-Jr.     Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi)
Y
83 - Drew Goodger    6-5    255    So.     Shawnee Mission, Kan. (Northwest)
85 - Lincoln Plsek     6-4    245    Fr.     Waco, Texas (Reicher HS)
Z
14 - Isaac Fruechte     6-3    205    So.     Caledonia, Minn. (Rochester CTC)
1 - Brandon Green    6-0    189    R-Sr.     Chicago, Ill. (Robeson)
X
5 - MarQueis Gray    6-5    250    Sr.    Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis)
80 - Devin Crawford-Tufts    6-2    194    So.     Edina, Minn. (Edina)
OR
12 - Andre McDonald    6-2    200    Fr.     Minnetonka, Minn. (Hopkins)
H
15 - Marcus Jones    5-8    172    So.     Wake Forest, N.C. (Wake Forest-Rolesville)
84 - Victor Keise     6-1    188    R-Jr.     Coral Springs, Fla. (North Broward Prep)

DEFENSE
End
98 - Michael Amaefula    6-2    242    So.    Arlington, Texas (Bowie)
93 - Ben Perry    6-5    243    R-So.    Southlake, Texas (Carroll)
Tackle
46 - Cameron Botticelli    6-5    284    R-So.    Milwaukee, Wis. (Marquette University HS)
92 - Roland Johnson    6-1    295    Jr.    Camden, S.C. (Butler County CC)
Nose
99 - Ra'Shede Hageman    6-6    301    R-Jr.    Minneapolis, Minn. (Washburn)
97 - Scott Ekpe    6-4    286    Fr.    Lewisville, Texas (Lewisville)
End
95 - D.L. Wilhite    6-3    244    Sr.    Lexington, Ky. (Bryan Station)
55 - Theiren Cockran    6-6    237    R-Fr.    Homestead, Fla. (Homestead)
Strongside Linebacker
57 - Aaron Hill    6-2    228    R-Jr.    St. Charles, Mo. (Lutheran)
OR
32 - Lamonte Edwards    6-2    212    R-So.    Woodbury, Minn. (Woodbury)
8 - Spencer Reeves    6-2    234    Sr.    Dallas, Texas (Skyline)
Middle Linebacker
26 - Mike Rallis    6-2    245    R-Sr.    Edina, Minn. (Edina)
1 - Brendan Beal    6-3    249    R-Jr.    Bangor, Pa. (Florida)
Weakside Linebacker
4 - Keanon Cooper    6-0    220    R-Sr.    Dallas, Texas (Skyline)
9 - James Manuel     6-2    210    Jr.    Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central)
Cornerback
2 - Troy Stoudermire    5-10    195    Sr.    Dallas, Texas (Skyline)
22 - Jeremy Baltazar    6-0    196    Jr.    Corona, Calif. (Blinn College)
Safety
13 - Derrick Wells    6-0    198    So.    Lehigh Acres, Fla. (Lehigh)
7 - Damarius Travis    6-2    205    Fr.     Pensacola, Fla. (Pensacola)
Safety
27 - Cedric Thompson    5-10    199    So.    Calipatria, Calif. (Calipatria)
OR
21 - Brock Vereen    6-0    201    Jr.    Valencia, Calif. (Valencia)
6 - Grayson Levine    5-11    202    So.    Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie)
Cornerback
23 - Michael Carter    5-11    189    Sr.    Pompano Beach, Fla. (Ely)
3 - Martez Shabazz     5-11    168    Jr.    DeSoto, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker
39 - Jordan Wettstein    5-11    180    Sr.    De Pere, Wis. (De Pere)
36 - Chris Hawthorne    6-6    198    Jr.    Raleigh, N.C. (North Carolina State)
Punter
38 - Christian Eldred    6-3    190    So.    Melbourne, Australia (Monash University)
Long Snapper
48 - Jake Filkins    6-2    236    Jr.    Prescott, Wis. (Prescott)
96 - Dave Ramlet    6-2    237    R-So.    Appleton, Wis. (Xavier)
Holder
38 - David Schwerman    6-0    195    Sr.    Kettle Moraine, Wis. (Kettle Moraine)
Kick Returner
2 - Troy Stoudermire    5-10    195    Sr.    Dallas, Texas (Skyline)
15 - Marcus Jones    5-8    172    So.    Wake Forest, N.C. (Wake Forest-Rolesville)
4 - KJ Maye    5-10    190    Fr.    Mobile, Ala. (Murphy)
Punt Returner
15 - Marcus Jones    5-8    172    So.     Wake Forest, N.C. (Wake Forest-Rolesville)

INJURY REPORT
Ed Olson, Questionable
Cedric Thompson, Questionable
A.J. Barker, Out
Derrick Engel, Out

	D.L. Wilhite has been a terror for opposing quarterbacks this year.

Wilhite going out with a bang (Star Tribune)

Minnesota preparing for Illinois (GopherSports)

Minnesota not even thinking about a bowl game (1500 ESPN)

Gopher coaches keeping an eye on NIU (Star Tribune)

Looking for that green light in the red zone (ESPN.com)

Brendan Beal reaping rewards from fighting back from injury (USA Today)

Follow Golden Gopher Football:

Follow @GopherFootball