"We made so many mistakes out there that are absolutely driving me crazy right now," Mason said. "Even though I feel good I don't feel good, if that makes sense."

The Gophers didn't seem to make as many mistakes as Mason and his players insisted they did. QB Bryan Cupito threw one interception, but the Gophers did not fumble once. They committed 6 penalties, but that was nowhere near as many as the Rams, who were flagged for 10 penalties.

Cupito was inconsistent and missed open receivers and kicking game was a struggle -- PK Jason Giannini missed two extra points and had another blocked -- but the team appears powerful.

In addition to the running of Heisman contender Laurence Maroney, backups Gary Russell and Amir Pinnix are both capable. Maroney ran 26 times for 133 yards and had two more TD runs, while Pinnix and Russell combined for 131 yards.

But the passing game is not where Mason wants it to be. Dropped passes and the inability of Cupito to hit open receivers has Mason concerned. "I don't want to pin it on any one guy," Mason said. "I'm just not pleased with our passing game as we sit here right now. There were some passes right on the mark that were dropped, and there were some guys who were wide open and Cupito didn't get the ball there. I don't have to say that for him to realize that. He knows that."

There is room for improvement and the Gophers will have a chance to work on that aspect against Florida Atlantic this week.

KEEP AN EYE ON: RB Gary Russell -- He has shown that if anything happens to Laurence Maroney, Russell would be an adequate backup. He carries seven times for 66 yards and had 2 TD runs vs. Colorado State.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We definitely haven't hit our peak. We have to come out with our best shot, and we really haven't done that just yet." -- Center Greg Eslinger on Minnesota's performance in the first two games of the season.

--Dominique Barber blocked the first punt of his career in the third quarter. Freshman Alex Daniels recovered the loose ball and returned it 13 yards for the first TD of his career.

-- FS John Pawielski leads the team with 18 tackles through the first two games of the season. MLB Mike Sherels is second with 16 stops.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: The Gophers have rolled to impressive wins in their first two games, but nobody on the coaching staff thinks the team has played like it can. Glen Mason wants to see more consistency and fewer mistakes as the team prepares for its Sept. 24 Big Ten opener vs. Purdue.

-- PK Jason Giannini missed two extra points and had a third blocked. While those errors didn't matter in a 32-point win over Colorado State, they will have to be corrected when the Gophers play the better teams in the Big Ten.

-- QB Bryan Cupito is very inconsistent at this point. He was 9-of-21 vs. Colorado State for 159 yards. He threw 2 TD passes but misses several open receivers.

ROSTER REPORT: Offensive tackle Joe Ainslie had surgery on his right hand this week and was not in uniform. He is out indefinitely.

DT Mark Losli was unable to play against Colorado State after suffering back spasms in a non-football related injury.