Minnesota-WR/QB MarQueis Gray

NIU’s defense had its hands full with Illinois’ Nathan Scheelhaase last week and could face a similar quarterback this Saturday. MarQueis Gray, listed as Minnesota’s backup quarterback, mainly splits out to wide receiver. Through three games this season, he has compiled 14 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

The sophomore is coming off two straight 90-yard receiving performances against South Dakota and then-No. 18 USC.

What makes Gray even more of a danger is the chance of him getting under center in place of starter Adam Weber. Gray appeared in one game last year at quarterback and was 6-of-15 for 62 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Running the ball from under center is a different story though. Gray gained 265 yards on 47 carries (5.6 yards a carry) in 2009, including a breakout game against Ohio State where he rushed for 81 yards on 11 carries and went 5-of-6 passing for 51 yards.

“That’s probably the toughest thing about this game,” said NIU sophomore linebacker Devon Butler. “You try to always force them into passing. We try to eliminate the run.”

NIU-Offensive line

Trevor Olson, Scott Wedige, Joe Pawlak, Logan Pegram and Keith Otis, this one is on you guys. For the past six quarters, running back Chad Spann has been shut down to the tune of 28 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown.

NIU typically wins if it runs the ball and Minnesota isn’t going to make running easy by loading up the box and making Chandler Harnish win the game.

“Defensively, they’re a 52 front with two linebackers,” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill. “They’re going to make sure that they stop the run. They’ve been very good at stopping the run.”

Spann had a breakout year last season with 1,038 yards and 19 touchdowns. Through three games in 2010 he has picked up 235 yards and two touchdowns on 51 carries. That’s an average of just over 78 yards a game and 4.6 yards a carry.

The Huskie line has some inexperience on it but all have now seen two opposing BCS defensive lines. The Golden Gophers are the last learning block before entering Mid-American Conference play and a good showing would go a long way in providing confidence for this group going into Akron.

“There’s quite a bit we can work on,” Olson said. “We could have ran the ball a lot better I feel as an offensive unit. Protecting the passer, that was a positive we took from [Illinois].”