The Gophers clearly know how to follow a script. Given an early-season game against a non-conference opponent, they know how to take care of business.

In the season opener against an undermanned but well-coached Tulsa team, Minnesota came prepared and motivated and flew home with a 41-10 win. There was quite a bit for Glen Mason to feel good about -- the running of Laurence Maroney, the passing of Bryan Cupito, the ball-hawking ways of DB Brandon Owens (two interceptions) -- but the Gopher head coach also knows that this team has to improve significantly to have a chance once it gets into the Big Ten iron.

Start with Maroney, who ran for two long TDs in the first quarter and looked even better than he did in 2003 and 2004. His first carry of the season was a 67-yard TD run over the left side in which he broke a number of tackles. Later in the first quarter, he went 73 yards over the right side for another score.

As the Tulsa defense focused its attention on Maroney and adjusted to his speed and surprising power, Cupito and the passing game got involved. He did not dominate the game, but Cupito completed 14-of-25 passes for 233 yards and his one-yard TD pass to Ernie Wheelwright gave the Gophers a 24-3 lead and complete control of the game.

Minnesota rolled up 529 yards of total offense and that was a significant development for a team that believes it can be an explosive offensive team. More impressive was a defense that played with more speed, aggressiveness and ferocity than it did a year ago. New defensive coordinator David Lockwood was brought to bring in a more physical approach and the results were quite positive for Game One.

"I think we got into a trap on defense where we were assignment-oriented," Mason told Minneapolis Star Tribune. "The word everybody uses now on defense is 'fit.' Forget the fit. I want to hit on defense and not, 'I fit here, you fit there.' You become a schemer instead of relying on the old principles of defensive football."

There was plenty of hitting in the opener, but Tulsa's 17-play TD drive bridging the third and fourth quarters gave the Gopher defense something to work on. During that drive, the Golden Hurricane used its running attack to push the Gophers around a bit and that has to be a concern for the coaching staff.

GAME BALL GOES TO: RB Laurence Maroney -- He is one of the top running backs in the Big Ten and perhaps the nation. Maroney showed off his explosive speed on the first play of the game vs. Tulsa with a 67-yard TD run and added a 73-yard scoring burst before finishing the game with 206 yards on 21 carries. Maroney's rushing total was the most for the Gophers since Terry Jackson II rushed for 238 yards against Michigan State in 2002.

KEEP AN EYE ON: SS Brandon Lockwood -- The Gophers have tried to install a more punishing and aggressive defense. In the opener against Tulsa, Lockwood became a ball hawk with two interceptions.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think we got away from what football was all about last year and that's lining up and beating the guy over you. This is Big Ten football, smashmouth football. You better be tough." -- Minnesota LB John Shevlin on the effort the Gophers played with in the opening win over Tulsa.

LOOKING GOOD: The Gophers figure to have an explosive offense this year, led by the running game. That was the case against Tulsa as Minnesota seized control early and won easily.

--RB Laurence Maroney is an explosive back who could be a Heisman Trophy contender. He scored on a 67-yard run on the first play of the game and ran for 203 yards on 21 carries. It marked the first time Maroney had been over 200 yards in his career.

--SS Brandon Lockwood was sharp, alert and in the right place at the right time as he registered two interceptions in the season opener.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: The Gophers did not have much of a test against Tulsa and rolled to an easy win. Head coach Glen Mason has to be concerned with overconfidence as the team gets prepared for its second game vs. Colorado State.

DT Mark Losli and DE Keith Lipka are two of the most important players on the defensive side. During Tulsa's second-half TD drive, the Golden Hurricane pushed the Minnesota defensive line around on a 17-play march.

--WR Jakari Wallace needs to be a big-play performer for the Gophers. He caught one pass for eight yards and needs to be more of a downfield threat.

ROSTER REPORT: Jamal Harris started at cornerback in place of freshman Dominic Jones, who won the job in fall camp but suffered a hip injury last week that limited his mobility. Jones was able to play and returned punts. ... Backup defensive end Eric Clark did not make the trip. Clark returned to his home in Tampa, Fla., this week to be with his sick parents.