MN Daily: As the Gophers approach Big Ten play, an improved running game is pivotal

BleedGopher

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per the Daily:

Youth is the potential reason for the offensive line's struggles so far. This Gophers team is young, especially on the offensive line.

A pair of underclassmen are starting on the right side of the offensive line: redshirt freshman right guard Curtis Dunlap, who is 6-foot-5 and 345 pounds, and sophomore right tackle Daniel Faalele, who is 6-foot-9 and 400-pounds. Faalele from Melbourne, Australia is only in his third year of ever playing football. According to Fleck, the only way for them to get better is by gaining experience, but the starting five offensive linemen are the best ones they have.

“Time with those guys is the number one thing for them, which we don't have when they are really young,” said Fleck before the Fresno State game. “You've got to do everything you can, more film study and give them more looks and just continue to get them that much better every single day.”

The continued improvement of the offensive line and the health of the running back core is what Fleck and the Gophers are counting on heading into Big Ten play, where they will see stronger run defenses than they have faced so far.

Ibrahim hurt his leg in practice leading up to the Georgia Southern game, and Smith got hurt during the game.

"They'll all be back very soon," Fleck said after the Georgia Southern game.

https://www.mndaily.com/article/201...-ten-play-an-improved-running-game-is-pivotal

Go Gophers!!
 




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