PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Zack Annexstad showed he was ready to play in a hostile environment in Columbus last weekend. He completed 13-of-23 passes for 218 yards but also threw two interceptions. For the season, he has passed for 1,142 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.
–RB Mohamed Ibrahim had a career effort against Ohio State, and that bodes well for the second half of the season. He carried the ball 23 times for a career-high 157 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He leads the team with 415 yards rushing.
–WR Tyler Johnson caught eight passes for 119 yards against the Buckeyes. With the second-half schedule slightly easier, especially the next five games, Johnson is one pace for a 1,000-yard season. He has 36 catches for 521 yards and six touchdowns.
–DB Antonio Shenault recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including 10 solo stops, against Ohio State.
SERIES HISTORY: Minnesota leads Nebraska 32-24. The Gophers defeated the Cornhuskers, 54-21, last season in Minneapolis.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I thought he played outstanding. To do what he did in this environment as a true freshman, forget it. I’m not sure what we are expecting but everybody else picked us 12th out of 14 in the Big Ten, and they played outstanding.” — Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck on quarterback Zack Annexstad’s performance in the defeat at Ohio State.