Five things you need to know: Minnesota at Illinois (GopherSports)

Gophers looking to get over the hump (AP)

Kill previews Saturday's game (Gopher Sports)

Despite setbacks, Brendan Beal has not given up on his dream (USA Today)

Prediction time (BTN.com)

Big game on Saturday for the Gophers (Daily Gopher)

Receivers need to step up is Barker is out (1500 ESPN) and unless there is a "miracle" he is out (Pioneer Press)

Linebackers looking to make more play (Pioneer Press)

Coach and Rebecca Kill bringing epilepsy awareness to the public (WCCO)

Gophers have their quarterback (Daily Gopher)

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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 the entire transcript here.

On the health of his team...
"A.J. Barker will not practice, and I really question whether he'll play or not. So that seems to be a little bit more of an issue than I think they thought at the beginning.
   
I'm hoping that Eddie Olson is available. We're going to practice him a little bit today. We're going to be in full pads and see how he moves with that, but I think the biggest question mark for us from an offensive standpoint would be A.J.
   
Derrick Wells, I was excited that, you know, is going to be able to practice today, which is good for us. And but other than that, with what we've had in the past, A.J. is the biggest concern, and I just don't unless some a miracle takes place, so to speak, I don't look for him to be able to play on Saturday."

On where his team is...
"I've said all along, sometimes when you first take a program over, they're usually open because there's a reason for it. There's a struggle there. And your first year is you're just not very good. The second and third year and you hope you can move it quickly, is that you win some games, but then you're close in a lot of games that you don't win because you're not quite good enough to get over that hump, and I'd like to see us be able to get over that hump a little bit.

I thought we took a jump at the end of the year last year, down the last three game stretch, so to speak. I'd like to see us keep moving forward with it."

What do you know of Illinois?
"Well, they're athletic. I said a year ago, they take the field, they got some good looking kids now. They're good looking up front and great defensive ends and they run well, and an active quarterback, which we've seen

We gotta keep rush lanes and keep the quarterback inside the pocket and not let him get outside and run around and be able to make a play. And he's that type of youngster that can do that and he runs the ball very well. So any time you have an athletic quarterback, you gotta spend a lot of time on discipline, pass rush lanes and things of that nature."

On the decision to play true freshman Rodrick Williams...
"We definitely knew Rodrick had some talent. When he showed up he was about 215, 218. Now I think he's 238. So he's kind of grown through the summer, and I always worried about, and I'd say this with Rodrick was what his maturity was going to be, with school, all the things that comes with it; is he going to be ready for that. So we just didn't immediately do it.
   
Plus he'd gotten hurt a little bit in camp and missed two or three practices in there, and the learning curve, you know. So that happened a little bit with some kids.  So then you go, well, that gives you a reason, you know, to not use them. And then as the season went on, he kept again, we were practicing a lot of kids right now because we have a young team, and he kept getting better and better. And he's got a little pop to him. I think when you see him run, when he hits you, there's something different about I mean he just knocks you backwards."

On is Isaac Fruechte will replace Barker's role...
"I think him and Tufts both, they're both long and can run. But we have a whole group of them that we gotta keep working with them, but I'd like to see those guys step up a little bit. I think it's important for us."

On coaching against Tim Beckham before...
"We coached against each other. And you know, there's a lot ... seems like even all through the history there's been a lot of coaches come from the MAC to the Big 10, and he's another one that has. And got a great deal of respect.
   
We hooked it up pretty good. Toledo is pretty good, both Toledo and Northern Illinois are both pretty darn good. He did a good job there and coached good athletes and disciplined program and so forth. So got a lot of respect. But we're excited about going down to play."

By Justine Buerkle

Brandon Green does not walk with a cane or sit on a rocking chair on the front porch. His dark hair shows no signs of graying or falling out.

He cannot tell stories of an era when football players wore leather helmets and games were only broadcast on the radio. He is only 23 years old, after all. But to many of his Golden Gopher teammates, Green is known as "Grandpa."

The fifth-year senior is the oldest wide receiver on the roster, and those young whippersnappers will not let him forget it. They waste no opportunities to make him feel old.

"Every chance we get," sophomore Marcus Jones said.

After the adversity he has faced, he may even feel old without any reminding. In his time in Minnesota, Green has battled back from a major injury and stayed on board during a coaching change.

It was not so long ago that Green was just like those who now call him Grandpa. He arrived in Minneapolis from Chicago, young, speedy, and brimming with hopes for a triumphant college football career. Green came to the Gophers after a prolific senior season Robeson High School. Rated by Rivals as the No. 1 prospect in Illinois, he knew he would have an opportunity to play for the Gophers right away.

Unlike most of his current teammates, Grandpa Green can remember playing at the Metrodome. Green saw his first action during the second game of the 2008 season, and gained more playing time as the year progressed. He racked up 100 receiving yards in his first career start and went on to start five of the Gophers' last six games that year.

The Gophers moved to TCF Bank Stadium for Green's sophomore season. He was again a five-game starter, and he finished the year as No. 4 on the team's receiving leaders list. Things looked interesting heading into the 2010 season. Two of the three Gophers ahead of Green on that list--Eric Decker and Nick Tow-Arnett--graduated in 2009, opening up even more of an opportunity for Green in his junior season.

Unfortunately, it would not turn out to be so easy. After appearing in just two games in 2010, Green suffered a ligament tear in his knee. He underwent surgery and was relegated to the sidelines for the rest of the year.

"It was hard, because I couldn't be out there and make plays for my teammates," Green said. "It was hard not being able to run and do the stuff that I wanted to do, and just sitting there watching. It was painful."

Green went to work strengthening the muscles around his knee, usually going through treatment twice a day. He received a medical hardship waiver, allowing him an extra year of eligibility.

"It felt great," he said. "I had another opportunity to come back the next year and help my team win and make plays and raise my stock."

He returned to the field for all 12 of the Gophers' games the following year. In addition to being his post-surgery debut, the Gophers' 2011 opener was also his first game playing for new head coach Jerry Kill and his staff. A new playbook and a loss of speed caused by his injury added challenges for Green in his junior season. Despite starting for most of the season, Green's numbers declined from where they were his first two seasons.

Green felt optimistic entering this season. He had an additional year of recovery under his belt, and he did not have to learn a new offense again. Green hit another snag, though, when his knee started acting up during fall camp. He had to go through yet another round of treatment, and had limited playing time early in the fall.

Green may have lost a step, but he is by no means old and rickety. His knee was finally healthy enough for him to see extensive action in the Gophers' game at Wisconsin. He took advantage of the opportunity, hauling in his first three passes of the year. The first was a 16-yard touchdown from true freshman Philip Nelson.

"The coaches told me to be ready any time," he said. "Once I got in, it was just all about making plays. He made the right call, and I made a play for him. It felt good to be back out there. I've had limited plays the whole season this year, so it felt good to back out there just to make plays with my teammates."

The young quarterback appreciated the fact that his first college touchdown went to the wily veteran.

"It was really special," Nelson said. "He's a great player. It is really unfortunate with his injuries, but being a senior, he's pretty savvy out there and he can really settle in gaps. That's probably one of his biggest attributes. He's smart enough to not run through gaps. He can sit in there and catch the ball and make a play."

Whether or not he has always been healthy enough to play, Green is still able to help his team by offering pointers to the rest of the receiving corps.

"Brandon's a good mentor because he's been here awhile, so he's definitely more knowledgeable on different ways to run routes or how a corner's playing you," Jones said. "All around, especially young guys like myself, he helps us get better every day."

Beyond technical aspects of football, Green's teammates can learn from his intangible qualities. Jones said that watching Green fight through injuries has taught him a lesson in perseverance. Green has earned praise from fellow senior MarQueis Gray, who called him a role model.

"When I was in the training room, he was in there right along with me," Gray said. "His injury was more serious than what I've had so far. He's a great guy for the younger guys to look up to. He's very positive, especially the way he's working hard to come back from injuries. Those guys look up to him a ton."

As a fifth-year player who has faced adversity, Green is naturally looked to as a leader. By his teammates' accounts, he has fulfilled that responsibility admirably.

"I just lead by example," he said. "That's all that matters. I always had to be a leader in high school, so it really didn't faze me."

The nickname is another story. At this stage in his life, Green is not quite ready to be called "Grandpa."

"I don't go for it, but that's what they call me now," he said. "So I've just got to go with it."

Along with the nickname come ribbings during practice or film sessions. If Green's knee buckles when he makes a cut, or if he moves a little slower than others, he can be sure he will catch an earful--"anything to get him mad," Jones said. But as a grandpa cannot stay mad at his grandchildren, Green knows his counterparts' jibes are all in fun.

"BG is funny," Jones said. "He's a funny dude. He's nice. He tries to be mean, tries to come off like a tough guy persona. But he's as sweet as a teddy bear. It doesn't get any better than BG."

Green reciprocates the affection. While he shares his football knowledge with his younger teammates, he also gets to enjoy their company.

"They keep you energized, keep telling jokes and stuff like that," he said. "It's pretty funny."

Though he does not particularly like his nickname, Green sees no need to be ornery about it. In fact, despite his distaste for it, there are times when it truly seems to fit. In summing up his mindset for his senior season, Green offered some words of grandfatherly advice that anyone can follow.

"Take it seriously, because you never know," he said. "Play every play like it's your last play, because you never know when you'll get your last one. Just go out there and give it your all."

Former Minnesota Gopher Ben Utecht (@BenUtecht) will sing the National Anthem at TCF Bank Stadium prior to Saturday's 11 a.m. game against Michigan. Utecht will also be honored as a Gopher Great during the first quarter. Utecht will be the first person ever to sing the National Anthem at a Gopher football game at TCF Bank Stadium.

Utecht, who won a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts, was a star tight end for the Gophers from 2000-03. He caught 82 career passes for 1,201 yards and 15 touchdowns during his career as he helped revive the Minnesota program. The Gophers went 10-3 during his senior season - a year where he also punted three times - and he ended his career with a 31-30 win against Oregon in the Wells Fargo Sun Bowl.

While a student at Minnesota, Utecht often sang the National Anthem before Minnesota hockey and basketball games. He also partnered with teammate Dan Nystrom and sang the National Anthem prior to Minnesota's first home football game against Purdue (9/29/01) after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Utecht, who has performed the National Anthem for every major pro and college team in Minnesota, is an accomplished musician and is working on his next album. You can learn more about Utecht at his website benjaminutecht.com.

Minnesota hosting Go-pher Epilepsy Awareness game against Michigan this Saturday (GopherSports)

Gophers to raise epilepsy awareness Saturday (AP)

U depth chart, injury report for Saturday (GopherSports)

Denard Robinson is a unique talent (KFAN and Pioneer Press)

Limegrover, Kill were on the radio yesterday (KFAN)

A look at the Wolverines (Star Tribune)

Is Ra'Shede Hageman as mean as he looks? We asked him (GopherSports)

Stuff you should read before Saturday's game (GopherSports)

MarQueis Gray likes to have to his shoes laced up tight (Michigan Daily)

Jerry Kill won't miss a chance to make an impact (CoachingSearch.com)

Philip Nelson hoping to start a Minnesota revival (FSN)

Q&A with Wolverine beat reporter (GopherSports)

The Little Brown Jug is on the line this week when Michigan visits TCF Bank Stadium for the first time. The Gophers last won the Jug in 2005 and their last home victory was in 1977. We chatted with Michael Spath, who is the Associate Editor of The Wolverine to learn more Michigan. You can follow Spath on Twitter @Spath_Wolverine.

GopherSports: Can you give us a brief scouting report on Michigan?

Michael Spath: Michigan runs a hybrid spread/pro-style offense, though more spread than anything else because of the presence of Denard Robinson. The senior quarterback has accounted for 74.9 percent of the Wolverines' total offense this season, and 15 of 26 touchdowns, and as we saw a week ago when he went out of the game with an injury, U-M is completely reliant on the dynamic athlete to generate the majority of its offense.

The Maize and Blue have struggled to produce a rushing attack all year sans Robinson, with its running backs averaging only 82.5 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry, though Robinson, who has 946 yards in eight games and is averaging 7.2 yards per rush, is expected to play this weekend so that is not a significant issue.

Defensively, Michigan has improved considerably since allowing 431 yards and 417 yards to Alabama and Air Force the first two weeks of the season. In the past six games, the Wolverines have yielded an average of only 245.8 yards and 12.0 points per game.

U-M ranks first nationally in pass defense, giving up 145.3 yards per game, thanks to an experienced secondary and aggressive cornerbacks. However, Michigan began experiencing success when its front seven, especially its defensive line, found its rhythm, and it's that front four that continues to befuddle opponents and provide the entire defense the opportunity to stymie offenses.

GS: As you mentioned, everyone is expecting Robinson to play, but if he cannot or is limited, how does that affect Michigan and does their game plan change at all?

MS: It would affect Michigan considerably. A week ago, in two-plus quarters without Robinson, U-M had 44 yards of offense as backup QB Russell Bellomy completed 3 of 16 passes for 38 yards and three interceptions. Admittedly, getting thrown into the fire against a top team, on the road, at night, was no easy task, but no one expected the kid to struggle that badly.

If Robinson cannot play, Bellomy or junior Devin Gardner, who like Minnesota's MarQueis Gray has been converted into a wide receiver, would take the snaps. Gardner can run the offense the same way Robinson does, in a spread-like formation that relies as much on his legs as his arm to move the chains, but Bellomy would be better suited for a pro-style scheme, and U-M could alter its approach if the redshirt freshman is indeed called upon.

Whether either backup would be effective remains to be seen.

GS: The Gophers have not beaten Michigan at home since 1977. Is that something Michigan talks about at all or is this more of a rivalry game to Minnesota because the wins have been more scarce on this side?

MS: Perhaps if Michigan was coming off a win, the Jug talk this week would have been more jovial, but the Wolverines have been ticked off since their loss and their focus has been entirely on getting back into the win column this weekend, and not the Little Brown Jug.

In any rivalry, when it becomes so one-sided, the impact lessens for the winning side and heats up for the losing side. We saw that this year with Michigan State; U-M hadn't beaten the Spartans since 2007 and there was full-bore rage as the Maize and Blue prepared for that game. During the six-game winning streak Michigan had over MSU prior to four straight losses, the passion had subsided greatly.

There is only one foe that consistently drums up Michigan's intensity year after year after year - Ohio State.

GS: Michigan has three defeats on the year, so what is the key to beating the Wolverines?

MS: Red-zone defense. Admittedly, that's not a strength this season for Minnesota; the Gophers rank 95th nationally, allowing opponents to score on 20 of 23 occasions, including 16 touchdowns. But it has been Michigan's Achilles heel the past two weeks. U-M has entered the red zone four times and has come away with four field goals.

The Maize and Blue are scuffling in the red zone thanks to a passing attack that lacks a go-to wide receiver and a running game that seems to lose ground closer to the goal line. Michigan has to snap out of its funk and put up touchdowns, not field goals, with opportunities this weekend, but if Minnesota can bear down and limit U-M to three points instead of seven, it will keep this one close and give its offense a chance.

GS: Who is an under-the-radar player that Gopher fans should keep an eye on Saturday?

MS: Offensively, freshman tight end Devin Funchess was targeted five times last Saturday against Nebraska, up from just twice against Michigan State a week earlier and twice against Illinois Oct. 13. A big-play threat in September, when he had eight catches for 151 yards and two scores, Funchess inexplicably saw his opportunities disappear in October, but it's clear the game plan is intent on getting him involved again, taking advantage of his elite athleticism and 6-4, 229-pound frame.

Defensively, sophomore cornerback Raymon Taylor will be one to keep an eye on. Minnesota had such great success a week ago with the double-move, burning Purdue's cornerbacks for 34-, 38- and 63-yard touchdown passes, and the Gophers will undoubtedly try again Saturday. Taylor is a very aggressive corner, playing tight coverage, and willing to gamble a little bit. That tendency could come back to bite him or it could be of benefit as the second-year Wolverine has a pair of interceptions this season, returning one 63 yards for a score.

GS: Last year's game ended 58-0 and that is a pretty hard score to forget. Care to give us a prediction on this year's game?

MS: I see Michigan winning thanks to stout defensive play that held Nebraska below its pre-game scoring average by 18 points, Michigan State by 11 points, Illinois by 21 points and Purdue by 29 points. The Gophers may have discovered the right formula offensively last weekend against the Boilermakers, but they probably won't score more than 14-17.

The question becomes how much will U-M score? If Robinson is healthy, Minnesota may have a difficult time containing the Wolverines' ground game. If he's not, and either doesn't play or misses a few series, the Maize and Blue will have to scrap and claw their way to a victory. However, I believe he'll play enough to provide a comfortable margin.

Michigan 34, Minnesota 14. (23-14 if he doesn't play)  

GS: Michael, thanks for your time. We certainly appreciate it.

Minnesota's depth chart and injury report for Nov. 3 against Michigan.

OFFENSE
Left Tackle
74 - Marek Lenkiewicz    6-5    281    R-So.    Tinley Park, Ill. (Victor J. Andrew)
53 - Tommy Olson    6-4    298    So.     Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mahtomedi)
Left Guard
52 - Zac Epping        6-2    306    R-So.     Kenosha, Wis. (Tremper)
73 - Joe Bjorklund    6-5    293    R-Fr.     Rosemount, Minn. (Rosemount)
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)
75 - Ernie Heifort     6-5    273    R-Fr.     Bemidji, Minn. (Bemidji)
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     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)
47 - Alex Bisch        6-6    249    R-So.     Northfield, Minn. (Northfield)
Z
14 - Isaac Fruechte     6-3    205    So.     Caledonia, Minn. (Rochester CTC)
1 - Brandon Green    6-0    189    R-Sr.     Chicago, Ill. (Robeson)
OR
82 - A.J. Barker    6-1    191    R-Jr.     St. Paul, Minn. (De La Salle)
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)
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)
82 - A.J. Barker    6-1    191    R-Jr.    St. Paul, Minn. (De La Salle)

INJURY REPORT
Derrick Wells, Questionable
Ed Olson, Questionable
A.J. Barker, Questionable
D.L. Wilhite, Questionable
James Gillum, Questionable

The facemask. Number 99. The punishing hits. Ra'Shede Hageman is certainly an imposing figure on the football field. He loves chasing down opposing quarterbacks and making them feel his wrath. But what is he like off the field? Turns out he is the biggest - literally and figuratively - goofball on the team.

GopherSports: You are a large man. Have you always been bigger than your peers or when did you really begin to grow?
Ra'Shede Hageman: I reached my growth spurt in eighth grade. I was a little taller than all the kids I played basketball and football with. I was pretty tall and skinny, so I was definitely abnormal from the beginning. That was one of the main reasons why I played sports because I was too big to do some of the other things. I just tried to stay active.

GS: We know you were an accomplished basketball player. Do you remember the first time you dunked?
RH: Eighth grade. It was a basketball tournament at Concordia. It was a fast break and I just closed my eyes and the next thing I know I am just hanging from the rim. I remember it like it was like yesterday. It was like reaching a manhood or brotherhood that I was able to dunk. I definitely felt that I was able to improve the rest of my game after I was able to dunk. I was the only one in eighth grade who could do it. I was in a tournament once and the other team saw me dunking in the layup line. Everyone was watching me and it was one of those "Aah" moments. Everyone was scared of me because I could dunk, so I used that to my advantage.

GS: You were taller than everyone in eighth grade, but when did you put on the weight and bulk up?
RH: I was always skinny in high school, especially my senior year. I was 6-6 with a six-pack and I miss those days because I was fit. I loved going to the beach and showing off my physique. When I got to college and the food and the lifting started, I lost track of the sit-ups and was focusing on the McChicken with cheese and Mesa pizza.

GS: So you keep your shirt on at the beach now?
RH: Oh no. I am too big. I have tattoos as well, so I still like to show off. I don't have the six-pack but I am still big and abnormal. There is no point in trying to hide what God gave you.

GS: Tell us about the sack competition among the defensive line?
RH: We just want to be competitive as a defensive line. We are a tight group. If one person is doing better then we hold a grudge and the best thing to do is compete and see who can get the most sacks. Right now D.L. (Wilhite) has the most sacks. I am eager and looking forward to the games to get some more sacks so I can catch him.

GS: Are you going to catch him?
RH: Yeah, that is my goal. I don't want him in front of me. Just the fact that he gets to show off and brag about it...I want to be better than him. It is all about competing.

GS: What does it feel like to hit somebody?
RH: I love it. It is am empowering feeling. You can be angry and go full speed. Then the coaches pat you on the butt and tell you to do it again.

GS: Is it a similar feeling to dunking a basketball for the first time?
RH: No, it is most definitely different. If I am having a bad day I can put the pads on and give somebody my wrath and let them know how I am feeling. Then the coaches congratulate you. Sometimes basketball does not go your way. You can miss a couple shots and may not dunk every ball. I think I stay more consistent running full speed at somebody than dunking a ball. That is why I chose football.

GS: You played tight end in high school. How did you end up on the defensive line?
RH: I was an All-American tight end coming out of high school and was recruited here as a tight end. I played tight end my freshman year when I was a redshirt. Then one day the coach saw me looking over at the defense and he knew right then and right there that I was a defensive player since I liked the contact. I did not totally like the blocking aspect of being on the offensive line. I like the physical aspect of defense and love trying to overpower everybody. Defense was the spot for me even though I was an All-American tight end.

GS: Have you ever asked coach Kill to give you some red zone playing time at tight end?
RH: Coach Kill knows I was a tight end, and I told him that if he ever needs me that I still have my hands. I am always going to have that talent. If he wants to do that then we can definitely work it out, but right now I just have to do my job on the defensive line.

GS: Your facemask has gotten a lot of attention this year? Why did you make the switch?
RH: I chose it because I needed something different, something nasty. When the new Batman movie came out this past summer I was a big fan of Bane. Bane beat Batman in the movie and he was the underdog and was able to overpower him. I just liked his whole swagger and how mean and calm he could be. I try to take that character to real life when I play football.

GS: Is that why you wear No. 99 as well, to go along with that nasty image?
RH: I had to pick it. No. 99 is what everyone looks for. All those small numbers are irrelevant. Ninety-nine is the biggest number on the field and I want to be the biggest person on the field. I want to represent that number and try to be a beast. Off the field I am just Ra'Shede, but on the field I am Big Shede.

GS: You keep talking about being mean on the field. How are you off the field?
RH: It's a man's game. You cannot show up every day smiling and laughing because then somebody is going to knock your head off. You have to have that mentality of being a man. When you cross those lines you have to have the mentality of being a man. Off the field, I am probably the goofiest guy on the team. I love telling jokes and goofing around with the defensive line because I am close with them. But when it comes to playing on Saturday, the other team does not care about you. They are going to go full speed, so you have to step your game up and become mean as well.

GS: A lot of people follow you on Twitter. You can get pretty deep with some of your Tweets. Where does that come from?
RH: That comes from within. People know you as an athlete before they know you as a student. I just want to keep it real. I have gotten a lot of compliments about how deep some of my Tweets are. I am not trying to sugarcoat anything. Everyone sees us with shoulder pads and cleats. They don't really see the real Ra'Shede outside of football. They just see a big, aggressive defensive tackle with a Bane facemask. They don't know about all the hard work I have put in or that I am also a father. They don't know that we have to maintain a certain GPA to play the game. They just see us as a football player. I just want people to know that we are student-athletes. We get up at 6 a.m. for a reason. Football is probably the longest internship I have ever had. Hopefully it works out for the long run. Plus, when you have the right music on you can Tweet about anything.

GS: You talked about being a father. Tell us about that.
RH: I have a 1-year-old little boy. His name is Zion and he definitely takes after his father. He is a knucklehead and goofy. That is definitely another motivation for me to keep grinding. I am blessed to have him.

GS: Is he going to be as big as you?
RH: He is definitely tall and lanky, but I think he is going to play baseball or maybe golf. There is no salary cap in baseball. I don't want him banging his head around in football like his father is doing.

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

Michael Carter is having a breakout season and Tyrone Carter is a big reason why (Pioneer Press)

Carter enjoying a successful senior season (Star Tribune)

Limegrover on Nelson: "When all his DNA was put together, it was put together to be a quarterback." (ESPN.com)

Gophers preparing to face Robinson (FSN)

You cannot forget a 58-0 game (Minnesota Daily)

Gray's diving catch against Purdue was a thing of beauty (Star Tribune)

Rickey Foggie recalls Gophers winning the Jug in 1986 (GopherSports)

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Today is Halloween, so we decided to catch up with a few Minnesota football players and find out what their favorite costume was growing up.

Peter Westerhaus: "I was always either a cowboy or a football player"

Joe Bjorklund: "When I was like four years old I was actually a pumpkin. I was painted all orange and had a full pumpkin suit."

KJ Maye: "Superman"

Jonah Pirsig: "I was an M&M"

Dan Orseske: "Sting from WCW"

James Gillum: "Power Rangers"

Andre McDonald: "I actually had a life size Barney doll and I cut the eyes out, took out the stuffing, and made it into a costume."

Josh Campion: "I was Scream back in the day."

Aaron Hill: "My favorite Halloween costume would probably be the Power Rangers."

Theiren Cockran: "Spiderman and Superman."