Injuries piling up for Gophers heading into Iowa showdown
For most teams, the bye week is a blessing. For Minnesota, the bye week started with some bad news that will affect the team’s chances to land a bowl spot.
After losing star running back Rodney Smith in the opener, the Gophers’ were dealt another blow when safety Antoine Winfield Jr. was ruled out for season with a foot injury. The injury marked the second straight season that Winfield, a third-year sophomore, will miss the remainder of the season because of a left foot injury. He injured his foot in a Sept. 22 road loss to Maryland.
“We are heartbroken for Antoine,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said.
“Like Rodney Smith, I know he will keep his oar in the water, keep moving forward and will work tirelessly to return to the field next season. We believe Antoine meets the waiver requirement for a sixth year of eligibility and we will file that waiver with the NCAA at the conclusion of the season.”
If the waiver is granted, Winfield will have three years of eligibility remaining. Losing Winfield is a huge loss, not only in the secondary but on special teams. He had 17 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery on defense while producing a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown against New Mexico State. He sealed a win over Fresno State with a highlight-reel interception in the end zone.
How Minnesota (3-1) responds to losing another key starter against Iowa might shape its season. The Gophers enter a critical part of their schedule, almost a make-it-break-it portion, with road games against Ohio State and Nebraska before hitting a softer spot in the schedule when they play Indiana, Illinois, Purdue and Northwestern before ending at Wisconsin.
Fleck said the bye week arrived at an ideal time.
“Every time I’ve had a bye week as a head coach, it always comes at a perfect time,” he said. “It was a perfect time for us … Our team understands exactly what we did over the first four games. We know why we had success, why we had failing. They came out with the mentality that we’re going to change it.”
Considering quarterback Zack Annexstad was hobbled by a left ankle injury the last two games, the bye week will help the freshman heading into a difficult game against Iowa.
“It’s feeling a lot better,” Fleck said of Annextstad’s ankle. “He’s had four great practices, hasn’t missed a practice at all. It’s healing up nicely.”
In addition, the bye week allowed the Gophers to heal up emotionally following the death of former offensive tackle Nick Connelly on Sept. 19. Connelly had an aggressive form of cancer and died following a four-month battle.
“It’s been a very emotional two weeks for a lot of the guys on the football team,” Fleck said. “Hopefully, it put closure in their minds where they can have peace and now feel like they have the ability to move on and live his life for him in a very inspiring way.”