The Big Ten season started with four grueling games for the Gophers, who had a week of rest to help get them ready to face Ohio State.

"Three of those four games were nail-biters; it takes a tremendous amount out of you," Mason said. "And when it's a nail-biter that you lose...I know pity doesn't get you anywhere, but I feel sorry for those kids."

Three of the Gophers' four conference games have been decided in the final minute, most recently the 38-34 loss to Wisconsin that Minnesota had all but sealed until Justin Kucek's punt was blocked into the end zone and recovered for a touchdown with 30 seconds left.

Previously, the Gophers had a 42-35, double-overtime victory over Purdue on Sept. 24 and a 23-20 victory at Michigan on Oct. 8. In between those two was a 44-14 loss to Penn State.

Injuries have also played a role as starting quarterback Bryan Cupito and middle linebacker Mike Sherels did not play vs. Wisconsin.

Despite the loss, the Gophers played some extraordinary football against the Badgers. Minnesota was at its best on a 19-play drive that ate up nearly eight minutes of the fourth quarter and was capped by a Gary Russell touchdown run with 3:27 left. That put Minnesota up 34-24 and appeared to salt the game away.

What made the march even more impressive is that it was clear Minnesota was going to run the ball on nearly every play and the Badgers did everything they could to stop it. Nevertheless, the Gophers kept pounding it, picking up first downs and eventually the score.

"That becomes something that goes into the excellent category, yet goes unnoticed because we lost the game," Mason told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "If we had won, we would have looked back and said, 'What a drive that was!' It was still the same drive."

Mason will count on that drive to give the team confidence as it prepares for the Buckeyes. The running attack of Laurence Maroney and Gary Russell appears to be without peer in the Big Ten and it will be up to Mason to have his team looking ahead to what it can still accomplish and not look back at what might have been.

His ability to do that may determine the book that will be written about Minnesota's season.

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: "Tony Mortensen did a real fine job. Not only was it his first start, but it was against one of our biggest rivals. I thought he did enough to help up to win the game and that's all we asked from him. We expect to have (Bryan) Cupito back for Ohio State." -- Minnesota head coach Glen Mason on the play of backup QB Tony Mortensen against Wisconsin and the status of the QB position as the team readies itself for Ohio State

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) will be able to play this week vs. Ohio State barring any setbacks. ... Defensive back Brandon Owens (shoulder) is sidelined indefinitely. MLB Mike Sherels did not play vs. Wisconsin but he may be able to return vs. the Buckeyes.