Running back injuries have caused the Gophers to shuffle ahead of Michigan State.
Nobody knows who will start for the Gophers, but coach P.J. Fleck says the team heard some good news following the injuries to Darius Taylor and Zach Evans.
The Gophers are a football team that runs the ball 63.9% of the time, so when both Zach Evans and Darius Taylor were injured in last weekend’s game against Iowa, coach P.J. Fleck was forced to make a decision for Saturday’s home game against Michigan State.
Taylor, a true freshman, left Minnesota’s 12-10 win over Iowa in the fourth quarter. On his final carry, he gained 11 yards but was tackled and held his left hamstring. Taylor led the Gophers in rushing with 59 yards on 16 attempts.
Evans, a redshirt freshman, departed the game late in the second quarter after suffering a right leg injury on his tenth and last carry, finishing with 44 yards. He limped off the pitch with the help of trainers.
On Monday, Fleck was asked what his backfield may look like if Taylor and Evans are unable to play.
“We’ll see what happens.” The good news is that we have some excellent news on certain guys,” Fleck added, without naming the players. “Jordan Nubin must be able to be ready to go; he was ready last week.” Sean Tyler as well. Hopefully, one of [Taylor or Evans] will be available. ”The next man up.”
Fleck also stated that linebacker Cody Lindenberg, who has not played this season due to a leg injury, might return in November, play four games, and still qualify for a redshirt season.
The Big Ten will release its availability report two hours before Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. kickoff, which will provide the final word on injuries.
ASSOCIATED PRESS MATTHEW PUTNEY
On Saturday at Kinnick Stadium, Gophers running back Darius Taylor (1) got around Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean.
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The Gophers are a football team that runs the ball 63.9% of the time, so when both Zach Evans and Darius Taylor were injured in last weekend’s game against Iowa, coach P.J. Fleck was forced to make a decision for Saturday’s home game against Michigan State.
Taylor, a true freshman, left Minnesota’s 12-10 win over Iowa in the fourth quarter. On his final carry, he gained 11 yards but was tackled and held his left hamstring. Taylor led the Gophers in rushing with 59 yards on 16 attempts.
Evans, a redshirt freshman, has departed the team.
The Illinois game time has been established.
The Gophers’ game versus Illinois at Huntington Bank Stadium on November 4 will begin at 2:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on BTN, according to the conference. It will be Minnesota’s fourth 2:30 p.m. start of the season, following games against North Carolina, Iowa, and Michigan State.
Regards, Ibrahim
Fleck took time on Monday to recognise former Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who had surgery on Monday to repair a dislocated hip suffered while returning a kickoff for the Detroit Lions against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Ibrahim, the all-time leading rusher for the Gophers, was having his first touch of the season when he was tackled.
“I got to talk to him [via FaceTime],” Fleck said. “He’s doing fine. He’s in a cheerful mood, which is fantastic.”
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