Gophers still aiming for postseason
Headed on the road for the third time in four weeks, Minnesota meets up with another team struggling to win games: Illinois.
The Gophers (4-4 1-4) have to beat the Illini (3-5, 1-4) to keep their fading hopes alive for a bowl berth. After winning all three of their nonconference games, the Gophers lost their first four Big Ten games until defeating Indiana 38-31 last Friday.
The most encouraging aspect of the home victory over the Hoosiers was the play of Tanner Morgan. The redshirt freshman, in his first career start, completed 17-of-24 passes for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Starting in place of injured true freshman Zack Annexstad, Morgan’s 67-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman with 1:34 left in regulation was the winner.
For his efforts, Morgan was named the Big Ten football co-freshman of the week. Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck also named Morgan the starter for this week’s game against the Illini. Morgan provided another element to Minnesota’s offense with his scrambling ability, and he spread the ball around to six different pass-catchers.
“We still have two freshman and one’s not healthy,” Fleck said. “The other comes in and plays extremely well. You give an opportunity to the guy who is playing really, really well. Not that Zack wasn’t playing well, but he’s got to get healthy.
Annexstad’s status remains unclear, as Fleck said his midsection injury suffered in the second half of the blowout loss at Nebraska is still bothering him. With Morgan set for his first start on the road, Fleck said the extra day of preparation will help the offense, especially considering Illini defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson resigned on Monday.
The Gophers will look to attack the Illini’s defense, which is allowing 47.6 points and 569 yards per game in conference play.
“I loved our response the last few days,” Fleck said.
“We’ve been almost (using) it as another bye week, playing on Friday. We’ve been getting a ton of film in without getting as much contact. We’re short on bodies. We’ve got to make sure on this four-game stretch that we’ve got our guys as healthy as possible.”