The Gophers have a week to think about the devastating nature of their 38-34 loss to Wisconsin.

The Gophers have a bye week to either get over that defeat and prepare for Ohio State Oct. 29, or allow themselves to be consumed by it.

If Minnesota has learned from painful defeats the last two years, they won't fall apart. This year's version of the Gophers has registered breakthrough wins against Purdue and Michigan, so they appear to have the wherewithal to get over the pain of losing to Wisconsin.

Minnesota appeared to have the game in hand when Gary Russell scored on a one-yard run with 3:27 remaining to give the Gophers a 34-24 lead. But Wisconsin scored on its next possession and pinned the Gophers deep in their own territory following that score. After a three-and-out, Gopher P Justin Kucek dropped the snap and then saw his late punt blocked by Jonathan Casillas and recovered in the endzone for a Wisconsin touchdown by Ben Strickland with 30 seconds to play.

Head coach Glen Mason was left to reflect on the decision to punt the ball away rather than take an intentional safety. He had no second thoughts about his decision.

"Right, wrong or indifferent, my thought process was it wasn't the right thing to do because a field goal would beat you," he told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "Say I take the safety, say we kick it off, say they kick the field goal and beat you, what kind of questions [would I get]? I would be thinking to myself, 'What, am I crazy?' "

Mason's logic is sound and the Gophers likely would have won the game if Kucek had gotten the punt away. The team is still in a position for a memorable season if they can hold the dam and fend off Ohio State.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: It's all about the running game. Laurence Maroney leads the Big Ten with 1,133 yards and a mark of 5.4 yards per carry. Backup Gary Russell could start for a lot of teams. He has already rushed for 644 yards and is averaging 7.6 yards a crack. Starting QB Bryan Cupito did not play vs. Wisconsin because of a shoulder problem, but he should be back against Ohio State.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The defense has shown some improvement, but it could not stop Wisconsin late in the fourth quarter. The Gophers make big plays, but are not very consistent. Minnesota ranks fifth in the Big Ten by allowing 371.4 ypg and FS John Pawielski does a solid job of putting his teammates in a position to make tackles.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We kind of wish we didn't have the bye week so we can get the sour taste out of our mouths sooner. But we have to sit around with this loss for two weeks." -- DT Anthony Montgomery.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Bye -- The Gophers return to action Oct. 29 vs. Ohio State.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: C Greg Eslinger -- He continues to dominate in the middle of the offensive line. His sharp blocking paved the way for 411 rushing yards vs. Wisconsin last week.

QB Bryan Cupito -- He should be back in the lineup when the Gophers return to action against the Buckeyes. Cupito has a shoulder problem, so head coach Glen Mason has to be careful with him in practice the next two weeks. If Cupito suffers a setback, Tony Mortensen will once again get the call.

S John Pawielski -- He has 52 tackles, four TFL and three passes defensed. He is a solid hitter with great instincts.

ROSTER REPORT: Quarterback Bryan Cupito (shoulder) should play when the Gophers return to action Oct. 29 vs. Ohio State. Defensive back Brandon Owens (shoulder) is sidelined indefinitely.