BleedGopher
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Per Randy:
When the Big Ten released its availability report Saturday, two hours before the Gophers' 49-30 loss at Purdue, one name stood out that suggested Minnesota's defense could have a challenging afternoon on its hands.
Linebacker Cody Lindenberg was listed as questionable.
In many cases, a player listed as questionable ends up playing, such as running back Zach Evans last week against Illinois. In Lindenberg's case, however, he was back on the availability report after missing the season's first seven games because of a leg injury. He played in the previous two games — in a limited role against Michigan State and full-go against Illinois, against whom he made 11 tackles and forced a fumble that led to a fourth-quarter touchdown for the Gophers.
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said he thought Lindenberg had his best career game against Illinois. So, when the fourth-year sophomore from Anoka wasn't taking part in early pregame warmups with his fellow linebackers and was walking with a limp, it was clear the Gophers were getting bad news.
The news quickly got worse. Redshirt freshman Maverick Baranowski, Lindenberg's backup, suffered an apparent shoulder injury on the Gophers' first defensive series and did not return to the game. That left true freshman Matt Kingsbury and redshirt freshman Tyler Stolsky to man a position that's so important for the Gophers.
"We're decimated right now at the linebacker position," Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said. "We've got some guys playing that position right now who haven't played college football. … Kingsbury played tonight as a true freshman. That's not where we want to be."
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
When the Big Ten released its availability report Saturday, two hours before the Gophers' 49-30 loss at Purdue, one name stood out that suggested Minnesota's defense could have a challenging afternoon on its hands.
Linebacker Cody Lindenberg was listed as questionable.
In many cases, a player listed as questionable ends up playing, such as running back Zach Evans last week against Illinois. In Lindenberg's case, however, he was back on the availability report after missing the season's first seven games because of a leg injury. He played in the previous two games — in a limited role against Michigan State and full-go against Illinois, against whom he made 11 tackles and forced a fumble that led to a fourth-quarter touchdown for the Gophers.
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said he thought Lindenberg had his best career game against Illinois. So, when the fourth-year sophomore from Anoka wasn't taking part in early pregame warmups with his fellow linebackers and was walking with a limp, it was clear the Gophers were getting bad news.
The news quickly got worse. Redshirt freshman Maverick Baranowski, Lindenberg's backup, suffered an apparent shoulder injury on the Gophers' first defensive series and did not return to the game. That left true freshman Matt Kingsbury and redshirt freshman Tyler Stolsky to man a position that's so important for the Gophers.
"We're decimated right now at the linebacker position," Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said. "We've got some guys playing that position right now who haven't played college football. … Kingsbury played tonight as a true freshman. That's not where we want to be."
Gophers are running out of time to get bowl eligible as injuries mount, competition toughens
College Football Insider: The loss of key players certainly wasn't the only reason for Saturday's loss to the Boilermakers, but the Gophers still need a victory to reach bowl eligibility with No. 1 Ohio State and Wisconsin ahead on the schedule
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!