Minnesota Football: Can Gophers build on 2018 bowl berth?
By Zach Bigalke
Plenty of production returns from 2018 squad
After averaging nearly 29 points per game in 2018, pretty much everybody of importance returns to the Gophers’ offense.
The one hitch comes on the offensive line, where Minnesota needs to replace two of its five starters from last year. Donnell Greene is gone at left tackle, and center Jared Wyler has also departed. Connor Olson looks likely to shift from left guard to center, while last year’s backup Sam Schlueter will step into Greene’s spot.
Other than the shifts on the offensive line, everyone else is back from last year’s starting unit. The Golden Gophers relied heavily on freshman running backs Mohamed Ibrahim (1,106 yards, nine touchdowns) and Bryce Williams (502 yards, four touchdowns) last year, and both look ready to step up once again for the ground game. Also back are seniors Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks, whose injuries opened the door for Williams and Ibrahim last year.
When Minnesota takes to the air, they employ one of the best receivers in the nation in Tyler Johnson. Last season Johnson ranked 17th nationally in receiving yards, and his 12 touchdowns put him in the top 10 among FBS receivers. The senior’s return to the receiving corps provides a dangerous threat for whoever steps up at quarterback.
Focusing on the quarterbacks
Speaking of quarterbacks, Minnesota has two freshman gunslingers returning for their second year of on-field eligibility this season. Last year the Golden Gophers alternated between Zack Annexstad, who got the nod at the start of the season, and Tanner Morgan. Once Annexstad was injured seven games into the 2018 campaign, Morgan stepped in and led the Golden Gophers through the back half of the schedule and into a bowl game.
The old adage in football is that having two quarterbacks is effectively like having no quarterbacks. But at the college level, we have seen in recent years that having a competent backup and/or two starter-level passers can mitigate the impact of any injuries that come along. The lack of drop-off last year between Annexstad and Morgan gives Fleck and his staff the assurance that they can weather any setbacks to one or the other.
Annexstad was the top guy last year when healthy, and he looked ready to retake his place as the starter. Then the sophomore suffered a foot injury in fall camp that could keep him out all season. Morgan will get the start against South Dakota State, and could be the starter all season depending on the timetable for Annexstad’s recovery.