Michigan is a frightful sight for young Nelson

Oct 27, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson (9) is congratulated by fans following the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Gophers defeated the Boilermakers 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Unleashing freshman quarterback Philip Nelson from his redshirt may have been coach Jerry Kill’s best decision since he started his tenure at Minnesota two years ago.

While Kill has garnered headlines for ducking a so-so opponent in North Carolina, the true scare for the coach and his young quarterback will be this Saturday’s match-up against Michigan’s top-ranked pass defense.

The Wolverines have allowed an average of 145 yards per game through the air this season – tied with Alabama for best in the nation.

But Minnesota fans needn’t relive the horror flick that was the 58-0 slaughter in Ann Arbor, Mich. last year. This year’s Gopher team is sounder on defense and has an offensive game plan that is actually capable of putting up points.

The Gophers have put up more than 40 points twice this year while they couldn’t top 30 last season.

“Our defensive guys weren’t very happy last year,” Kill said at his weekly press conference. “Nobody was.”

Fresh off of a 44-28 blowout win against a much improved Purdue team, in which Minnesota ran off 44 unanswered points, the Gophers aim to take down the Wolverines for the first time since 2005.

The Gophers might catch a break this week: Michigan star quarterback Denard Robinson left last week’s game with an arm injury.

But Kill said “there’s no doubt” the former Heisman candidate Robinson will play at TCF Bank Stadium this weekend.

“They’re just not telling the media,” Kill added.

However, storylines in the Twin Cities aren’t talking about how Robinson, who totaled three touchdowns against the Gophers last year, could tear up Minnesota.

Instead, it’s about Nelson, who is in his third start of his career, and how he has the talent to throw the rock against one of the stingiest defenses in the Big Ten.

“In my opinion, this is the toughest defense we’ve faced,” Kill said.

Nelson has surprised everyone except his coach. The true freshman put up a veteran’s stat line last week against Purdue: 15-for-22, 246 yards and three touchdowns against no interceptions.

But Kill said it’s part of playing the position.

“I think [Nelson’s] teammates have helped him out a lot,” Kill said. “But when you’re a quarterback, [Nelson’s] doing what he’s been expected to do.”

Nelson’s available weapons will play a big role in how much he can gash the Wolverines. The Gophers emerging leader at receiver, A.J. Barker, is not practicing Tuesday after rolling his ankle in last week’s game.

Kill said he would give Barker (577 yards and seven touchdowns this season) the day off. Kill said he did the same for MarQueis Gray last week and it helped get him back on the field.

Nelson will also be without veteran left tackle Ed Olson Jr., who is expected to miss his third straight game.

As they deal with injuries, the young Gophers simply need to have the type of breakout performances they had against Purdue last weekend.

Senior cornerback Michael Carter tied a program record with six pass breakups and returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown against Purdue and was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week.

Nelson’s three touchdowns earned him Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week and Kill said he was “most impressed” with true freshman offensive lineman John Christenson, who made his first start at center last week.

Minnesota has shown it can overcome its inexperience by making plays. And with only one win in the way of a bowl game – these Gophers might grow up quicker than anyone expected.