Gameday Preview: Minnesota vs. Rutgers

GAMEDAY HOMECOMING PREVIEW MINNESOTA VS. RUTGERS OCTOBER 22 @ 11:00AM

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Thursday, October 20, 2016

GAME RECAP

MARYLAND

MINNESOTA

total yards

311 291

RUSHING PASSING

229

82

RUSHING PASSING

130 161

18 carries 144 rushing yards 2 rushing touchdowns 1 reception 10 receiving yards

RB SHANNON BROOKS 22 carries 86 rushing yards 1 reception 17 receiving yards 1 touchdown

S ANTOINE WINFIELD 5 tackles 1 tackle for loss 1 interception 1 touchdown

MINNESOTA

41,465

RB RODNEY SMITH

MARYLAND

attendance

top performers

maryland stadium, college park, md october 15, 2016

FINAL SCORE

31 10

Thursday, October 20, 2016

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Quick Hitters from last week: Maryland Minnesota: 31, Maryland: 10 Oct. 15, 2016 Maryland Stadium

BY MIKE HENDRICKSON mhendrickson@mndaily.com

Recap: Running back Rodney Smith ran for two touchdowns and 144 yards to lead Minnesota to a 31-10 victory over Maryland on Saturday, Oct. 15 for its first Big Ten win of the season.

The Gophers and Terrapins were both without their starting quarterbacks. Mitch Leidner did not travel with the team after suffering a concussion against Iowa.

Minnesota’s offense didn’t miss a beat, however. The Gophers replacement quarterback, Conor Rhoda, only threw for 82 yards with one touchdown, but Smith and running

back Shannon Brooks combined for 230 yards on the ground and three total touchdowns.

The Gophers held the Terrapins to zero points in the first half and didn’t allow a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.

Maryland was close to making it a one-possession game with 1:08 left, but Jr. intercepted quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome and returned it for a touchdown to set the final score.

It was over when: Smith ran for a 70-yard touchdown about midway into the fourth quarter.

The touchdown put Minnesota up 24-3 with over nine minutes left. With th e way the G oph ers def ens e wa s

playing, a three-possession lead was safe.

Key play: The Gophers were up 7-0 and got the ball with 2:06 left in the first half on Maryland’s 47-yard-line.

Rhoda threw a 17-yard touchdown screen pass to Brooks with 14 seconds remaining to put Minnesota up 14-0 before the end of the first half.

Five observations: 1. Rodney Smith is one of the best running backs in the Big Ten. Injuries slowed him down a bit last year, but Smith has proven he belongs among the Big Ten elite.

He is third in the conference in rushing yards per game, and also has the third-most rushing touchdowns.

2. Conor Rhoda’s play wasn’t a factor.

The Gophers won the game with Rhoda behind center but he didn’t have much of an impact.

The quarterback only threw 15 pass attempts, as the r unning backs and defense were the main reasons for victory.

3. The defensive backs had their best game.

Minnesota’s passing defense had a good game against Iowa, but their game against Maryland was even better.

The group allowed Pigrome to complete only 48.6 percent of his passes, they had two interceptions and returned one of them for a touchdown. It helps when all of the key members of the secondary are healthy. u See QUICK HITTERS Page 10

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Thursday, October 20, 2016

Questions from the Other Side: RU football writer

BY JACK WHITE jwhite@mndaily.com

For this weekly column, the Daily will interview someone knowledgeable about Minnesota’s next opponent. Brian Fonseca, the sports editor for Rutgers’ student newspaper the Daily Targum, was interviewed this week.

Fonseca is a junior at Rutgers University.

He has covered Scarlet Knights football since January as a beat writer.

Q: What has led to Rutgers’ struggles?

A: [Chris Ash] has done well in his first ten months or so of turning the program around, but the reality is his predecessor, Kyle Flood. In his three years as a head coach, [he] didn’t do a good job of recruiting and as a result of that, the team is not ver y deep. They lost all three starting linebackers to graduation last year and ...two of their starters … are injured.

They lost two of their best players, one on each side of the ball. Janarion Grant on offense and Quanzell Lambert on defense to injur y against Iowa. They’ve played three of the top-5 teams in the countr y in their first six games of the season, so all [of] that kind of just culminated into all of the trouble they’ve been having.

Q: What do you make of the recent quarterback switch to Giovanni Rescigno?

A: I think it is a long time coming. Ash really wanted to see someone other than Chris Laviano behind center. The reality is that he was the star ting quar terback because he was the most experienced and the coaching staf f felt like he knew the playbook the best, but he didn’t really have the right skill set to perform under the spread offense that Drew Mehringer and Chris Ash are implementing here. I think Geovanni Rescigno … doesn’t have

that much game experience but [in] the experience he has, he’s impressed … The coaching staff said [Monday] that they’ve seen him be more loose and more comfor table in practice. I don’t think they have that much to lose considering their chances of making a bowl game are pretty much dead. They would have to win four of their last five games and I really don’t see that happening.

Q: What can people expect from Rescigno in terms of a skill set?

A: Gio is much more of a mobile quarterback than Chris Leviano. I wouldn’t call him exactly a dual threat and neither did his of fensive coordinator when he was asked about it [Monday]. But he’s miles better than Leviano in scrambling out of the pocket when it collapses … he’s really good at making stuf f up with his feet and kind of improvising on the spot.

His arm isn’t all that good. You probably

won’t see too many deep shots mostly because his arm isn’t that strong and also because the Rutgers’ wide receiving core isn’t that talented. So I expect a lot of runs from running back Rober t Mar tin, a lot of shor t bubble screens to Jawuan Harris and some designed runs, but probably a lot of scrambles.

Q: Do you think the quar terback switch will reduce tur novers on offense?

A: They had a lot of turnovers against Illinois. They were mostly fumbles. Laviano turned the ball over two or three times since the season opener against Washington. I think he’s only thrown one pick since then. The coach said ball security is going to be the main concern this week. I think they’re going to have less turnovers but I don’t think that [is] necessarily u See Q&A Page 9

Thursday, October 20, 2016

5

SPEED ROUND WITH BRIAN FONSECA OF THE DAILY TARGUM

BY JACK WHITE HOW MANY WINS WILL RUTGERS GET? RUTGERS' BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER?

THREE

DARIUS HAMILTON

RUTGERS COMMIT OVER/UNDER 2.5 TURNOVERS? BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR?

OVER

JABRILL PEPPERS

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER?

ALABAMA

RUTGERS' BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER?

ROBERT MARTIN

RUTGERS GAINS OVER/UNDER 200 YARDS? BIG TEN CHAMPION?

OVER

OHIO STATE

HEISMAN WINNER?

JABRILL PEPPERS

SCORE PREDICTION?

28-21 GOPHERS

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Thursday, October 20, 2016

Minnesota’s Depth Chart

MINNESOTA COACHES

OFFENSE

Tracy Claeys Brian Anderson Jay Johnson

QB

Bart Miller Dan O’Brien

Jeff Phelps Pat Poore Rob Reeves Jay Sawvel Mike Sherels Keith Jordan Eric Klein

Head Coach Wide Receivers Coach Offensive Coordinator Quarterbacks Offensive Line Coach Asst. Defensive Backs Co-Special Teams Cord.

Asst. to the Head Coach Defensive Line Coach Running Backs Co-Special Teams Coordinator H-Backs Tight Ends Coach Defensive Coordinator Linebackers Coach Special Teams Quality Control Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

RB

TE

X-WR H-WR Z-WR LT LG C RG

15 11 1 23 22 80 44 86 88 9 82 24 26 6 73 74 62 61 77 60 76 55

RT

Conor Rhoda (6-3, 215, R-Jr.) Demry Croft (6-5, 200, So.) Rodney Smith (5-11, 205, R-So.) Shannon Brooks (6-0, 210, So.) Kobe McCrary (6-1, 235, Jr.) Nate Wozniak (6-10, 275, R-Jr.) Colton Beebe (6-3, 270, R-Fr.)

Garrison Wright (6-4, 320, R-Jr.) Chad Fahning (6-6, 290, R-Jr.)

DEFENSE DE DT DT

Brandon Lingen (6-5, 250, Jr.) Rashad Still (6-5, 205, So.) Eric Carter (5-11, 195, R-Jr.) Drew Wolitarsky (6-3, 220, Sr.) Adam Mayer (6-1, 215, R-Fr.) Brian Smith (6-4, 210, R-Jr.) Tyler Johnson (6-2, 185, Fr.) Donnell Greene (6-7, 345, R-So.) Nick Connelly (6-7, 300, R-Fr.) Jared Weyler (6-4, 305, R-So.) Bronson Dovich (6-5, 300, R-Fr.) Tyler Moore (6-4, 305, So.) Matt Leidner (6-2, 290, R-Jr.) Vincent Calhoun (6-4, 330, Jr.) -ORConnor Mayes (6-5, 330, Jr.)

78 70

DE LB

LB LB

CB CB

95 94 97 52 96 99 46 87 13 20 49 56 41 50 20 45 3 34 5 30

Hendrick Ekpe (6-5, 240, Sr.) Jerry Gibson (6-3, 245, R-So.) Scott Ekpe (6-4, 285, R-Sr.) Yoshoub Timms (6-2, 295, R-Sr.) Steve Richardson (6-0, 300, Jr.) Andrew Stelter (6-4, 290, Jr.)

S S

Damarius Travis (6-2, 215, R-Sr.) Jacob Huff (5-11, 205, So.) -ORAntoine Winfield Jr. (5-10, 195, Fr.) Duke McGhee (6-1, 205, R-Jr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS K P

Winston DeLattiboudere (6-3, 240, R-Fr.)

Gaelin Elmore (6-6, 275, Jr.) Jonathan Celestin (6-1, 220, Jr.) Julian Huff (6-0, 225, So.) -ORKamal Martin (6-3 225 Fr.) Nick Rallis (5-11, 240, R-Sr.) Thomas Barber (6-1, 240, Fr.) Jack Lynn (6-3, 240, R-Sr.) Julian Huff (6-0, 225, So.) -ORCarter Coughlin (6-4, 220, Fr.) KiAnte Hardin (5-10, 175, So.) Antonio Shenault (5-11, 180, So.) Jalen Myrick (5-10, 205, Sr.) Eric Amoako (5-11, 195, R-Sr.)

7 17 11 8

LS KR PR H

38 37 18 47 34 25 39 3 1 5 82 47 18

Emmit Carpenter (6-0, 199, R-So.) John Mack (6-0, 185, Fr.) Ryan Santoso (6-6, 250, R-Jr.) Jacob Herbers (6-2, 215, R-Fr.) -ORLogan McElFresh (6-1, 205, R-So.) Payton Jordahl (6-2, 225, R-So.) Trey Hansen (6-2, 205, R-Fr.) KiAnte Hardin (5-10, 175, So.) Rodney Smith (5-11, 205, R-So.) Jalen Myrick (5-10, 205, Sr.) Drew Wolitarsky (6-3, 220, Sr.) Jacob Herbers (6-2, 215, R-Fr.) Ryan Santoso (6-6, 250, R-Jr.)

Thursday, October 20, 2016

7

Rutgers’ Depth Chart

RUTGERS COACHES Chris Ash Drew Mehringer Jay Niemann Vince Okruch AJ Blazek Shane Burnham Bill Busch Zak Kuhr Jafar Williams Kenny Parker

Head Coach Offensive Coordinator Defensive Coordinator Special Teams Coordinator Offensive Line Defensive Line Defensive Backs Running Backs Wide Receivers Head Football Strength and Conditioning

OFFENSE QB

RB

WR WR WR TE LT LG C RG

17 5 12 7 8 32 88 13 3 84 84 87 42 81 65 79 60 75 69 73 70 71

Giovanni Rescigno (6-3, 224, So.) Chris Laviano (6-2, 221, Jr.) -ORZach Allen (6-3, 210, Jr.) Robert Martin (5-11, 210, Jr.) Josh Hicks (5-10, 213, Jr.) -ORJustin Goodwin (5-11, 215, Sr.) Andre Patton (6-3, 210, Sr.) Carlton Agudosi (6-6, 220, 5th-Sr.) Jawuan Harris (5-9, 192, R-Fr.) John Tsimis (5-11, 194, Sr.) John Tsimis (5-11, 194, Sr.) Vance Matthews (6-3, 213, 5th-Sr.) Nick Arcidiacono (6-4, 244, Sr.) Matt Flanagan (6-6, 258, Jr.) Tariq Cole (6-6, 313, So.) Zack Heeman (6-7, 304, So.) Dorian Miller (6-2, 294, Jr.) Zach Venesky (6-3, 290, R-Fr.) Derrick Nelson (6-3, 295, 5th-Sr.) Jonah Jackson (6-4, 295, R-Fr.) Chris Muller (6-6, 312, 5th-Sr.) Marcus Applefield (6-5, 305, So.)

RT

77 54

J.J. Denman (6-5, 315, 5th-Sr.) Kamaal Seymour (6-6, 294, R-Fr.)

DEFENSE DE

NT DT DE WLB MLB SLB CB FS

59 98 90 51 99 75 95 53 12 15 35 26 40 44 5 11 21 9 2 17

Darnell Davis (6-2, 250, Jr.) Jimmy Hogan (6-4, 258, So.) -ORRon’Dell Carter (6-2, 275, R-Fr.) Sebastian Joseph (6-4, 295, Jr.) Kevin Wilkins (6-2, 295, So.) Darius Hamilton (6-3, 286, 5th-Sr.) Jon Bateky (6-3, 287, So.) Julian Pinnix-Odrick (6-5, 274, 5th-Sr.)

Myles Nash (6-5, 254, Jr.) Trevor Morris (6-1, 226, So.) Eric Margolis (6-3, 239, So.) Deonte Roberts (6-1, 238, So.) Kevin Marquez (6-1, 241, 5th-Sr.) Tyreek Maddox-Williams (6-0, 214, Fr.)

Ronnie James (6-0, 198, So.) Isaiah Wharton (6-1, 202, So.) Ross Douglas (5-10, 195, Jr.) Saquan Hampton (6-1, 207, So.) Kiy Hester (6-0, 203, So.) -ORK.J. Gray (6-1, 198, Fr.)

SS CB

31 29 10 18

Anthony Cioffi (6-0, 203, Sr.) Lawrence Stevens (5-8, 185, Fr.) Blessuan Austin (6-1, 198, So.) Damon Hayes (6-1, 198, Fr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS K P LS

98 97 94 99 85 62

David Bonagura (6-0, 229, Jr.) Jared Smolar (5-10, 220, Fr.) Michael Cintron (6-3, 220, So.) Tim Gleeson (6-2, 200, 5th-Sr.) Alan Lucy (6-0, 220, Jr.) Matthew Sportelli (6-1, 245, Fr.)

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Thursday, October 20, 2016

Daily Breakdown: Gophers have easy matchup ahead

BY MIKE HENDRICKSON mhendrickson@mndaily.com

FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Minnesota’s (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten) Homecoming game against Rutgers (2-5, 0-4) will be by far its easiest conference game of the season. A full breakdown and prediction can be found below.

When Minnesota runs the ball: The run game is Minnesota’s strongest part of its offense and possibly the best part of the entire team. Running back Rodney Smith is playing at an elite level and Shannon Brooks isn’t far behind.

The Gophers’ mobile quarterback Mitch Leidner is likely out again with a concussion for Saturday’s game, but it didn’t affect the Gophers ground game against Maryland. The group rushed for 229 total yards and scored two touchdowns. They are now fifth in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game and 35th in the FBS. Rutgers’ rushing defense is horrendous. It is 123rd in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game with 263.7, and have allowed 19 rushing touchdowns in seven games. Rutgers has been outscored 160-7 over their last three games, and that’s mostly due to its poor rushing defense. The Gophers may very well rush for season highs against the Scarlet Knights.

Matchup to watch: RB Rodney Smith vs. DL Julian Pinnix-Ordick Advantage: Minnesota

When Rutgers runs the ball: Rutgers rushing offense is solid. Junior running back Robert Martin is seventh in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game and has been a bright spot for a struggling Rutgers offense.

Overall, the group has struggled at times this year but a lot of that can be attributed to tough competition. The Scarlet Knights have averaged 170.3 rushing yards per game this season. When the team isn’t facing a ranked opponent, that number rises to 237 yards per game. Quarterback Giovanni Rescigno runs the ball a lot and the team could see some big numbers Saturday.

VS MINNESOTA 4-2, 1-2 Big Ten

RUTGERS 2-5, 0-4 Big Ten

WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday WHERE: TCF Bank Stadium SOURCE: GOPHERSPORTS.COM

Even so, finding consistent success on the ground will be difficult for Rutgers. Minnesota’s running defense has faced tougher rushing offenses — Iowa and Maryland — and has done a good job of limiting those teams. The Scarlet Knights’ ground game shouldn’t be ignored but Minnesota should contain them.

Matchup to watch: RB Robert Martin vs. LB Jonathan Celestin Advantage: Minnesota

When Minnesota passes the ball: Quarterback Conor Rhoda only threw 15 pass attempts in his first career start against Maryland so a lot is still unknown about him.

The Gophers mostly stuck to their ground game and that’s what they’ll probably do again.

Teams have mostly run the ball against Rutgers. Opponents average 45 attempts a game on the ground and only 23.9 passing attempts against the Scarlet Knights. They have only allowed 170.4 passing yards a game — 12th in the FBS — but that rank drops to 91st if you go by quarterback rating.

Don’t expect Minnesota to test Rutgers’ passing defense a lot this game, but that’s more due to the strength of Minnesota’s running backs. Rhoda’s play won’t be a factor in this game, unless he throws far more pass attempts then he did against Maryland.

Matchup to watch: WR Drew Wolitarsky vs.

S Anthony Cioffi

u See BREAKDOWN Page 11

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Q&A u from Page 4

going to be because of the quar terback change.

Q: You recently wrote in an article that Ash is still optimistic about the team. Do you still see this team improving at all year as the year progresses?

A: The second half of the season is much more manageable than the first.

They’re not playing Washington, Ohio State, or Michigan. I definitely think they can improve, especially because of the injuries. I can see the team pulling out a win or two at the end of the season. To answer your question, I can see [some] improvement, just [not a lot of it].

Q: How do you think the Scarlet Knights stack up against the Gophers heading into this game?

A: Rutgers’ main par t of their of fense is their rushing attack. Rober t

Mar tin, Josh Hicks, Justin Goodwin, [are] pretty solid … If they can stop Rutgers at the line of scrimmage, that is going to be a huge key for Minnesota … Their rushing attack is the strength of their of fense, which Rutgers has str uggled to contain. The numbers are a bit skewed just because of how much they suf fered against Michigan and Ohio State. Like I said before, they are replacing three linebacers and two of [the new linebackers] are already injured. One of them is out for the season. And they’ve str uggled to contain the rush so if Minnesota can get the run going I don’t see how Rutgers could really pull this game out.

“I definitely think they can improve, especially because of the injuries. I can see the team pulling out a win or two at the end of the season.”

BRIAN FONSECA Football beat writer for the Daily Targum

9

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Thursday, October 20, 2016

Quick Hitters from last week’s game: Maryland Quick Hitters u from Page 3

impor tant for ending the season above .500 and getting a bid to a respectable bowl game.

4. Penalties are still a problem.

The Gophers committed seven penalties against Mar yland. It didn’t cost them the game, but this has been a season-long problem.

The team now averages 8.3 penalties a game — the second most in the Big Ten — which has given their opponents 68.5 yards a game.

Quote of the game:

5. This game was a must win.

Back-to-back losses to star t out the Big Ten season was not an ideal start for the Gophers.

Their chances of winning the Big Ten West are slim, but winning this game was

Up next:

“Defensively, we continue to play aggressive and get after people and so it’s good to get the first Big Ten win on the r oad. Hopefully it’s a good star t and we can keep it going,” head coach Tracy Claeys told repor ters after the game.

The Gophers (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten) will play Rutgers (2-5, 0-4) for their Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11:00 a.m. at TCF Bank Stadium.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Gophers to continue with Rhonda as QB next game Rhoda will start the game against Rutgers as Leidner is still out with a concussion.

BY MIKE HENDRICKSON mhendrickson@mndaily.com

Minnesota only needed 15 pass attempts from replacement quarterback Conor Rhoda in order to win on the road against Maryland, and the team will look to him again Saturday against Rutgers.

Quarterback Mitch Leidner, who started the team’s first five games of the season, is still listed as out, and head coach Tracy Claeys said it will be hard for Leidner to play Saturday even if he is cleared before the game.

“We put a lot more on the quarterback’s plate now than what we have in the past,” Claeys said. “You need to practice, so I’m not saying that he won’t [play], but I think it’s extremely difficult for that.”

Rhoda said Leidner congratulated him

Breakdown u from Page 8

Advantage: Rutgers

When Rutgers passes the ball: Rutgers has had quarterback problems this season, causing head coach Chris Ash to make a switch by benching Chris Laviano and starting Rescigno. Like Rhoda last week, he will be making his first career start.

Rescigno has just 18 pass attempts this season and 13 rushing attempts — all coming in his second career game against Illinois. He and his running backs will probably run a lot more then they will pass. Their best offensive player, wide receiver Janarion Grant, suffered a season-ending injury after four games and would’ve been a help to his team here.

Par t of Rutgers’ plan for r unning more than passing will be due to Minnesota’s improved, and now-healthy secondar y. The group has per formed

after his performance in the Maryland game.

Leidner was mostly worried about the team getting back on track after the two losses to Iowa and Maryland, Rhoda said.

In the likely event that Leidner does not play Saturday, Rhoda said he is preparing to start and believes the Maryland game was huge for gaining self-assurance.

“Showing our team that I can go out there and do it and we can win a Big Ten road game with me back there, just gives me a ton of confidence,” Rhoda said. “I know it gives the rest of the guys confidence in me, too, so it’s a huge help.”

The game against Rutgers will be the first home start for Rhoda, an Eagan, Minnesota native.

Luckily for him and the rest of the team, the homecoming matchup against the Scarlet Knights will be one of their easier games this season. u See UPDATE Page 12

well after a rough star t, grabbing four interceptions in their last two games after only getting one in their first four.

Cor nerbacks KiAnte Hardin and Ray Buford have been key after missing games due to suspension. Freshman Antoine Winfield Jr. has already been an important part of the group’s overall performance.

Matchup to watch: WR Jawuan Harris vs.

CB Jalen Myrick Advantage: Minnesota

Prediction: Minnesota 41, Rutgers 14.

Rutgers won’t have a chance to win this game, as it probably won’t ever be close.

Minnesota will improve to 2-2 in the Big Ten and get a win on Homecoming at TCF Bank Stadium.

Prediction record: 4-2

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Update u from Page 11

Rutgers is one of two teams in the Big Ten without a conference win. They have been outscored 160-7 in their last three games against No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Michigan and Illinois.

Claeys didn’t point to those three games, but instead talked about Rutgers’ game against Iowa, where the Scarlet Knights lost 14-7.

Minnesota lost to Iowa by the same score Oct. 8.

“You worry about yourself, and if you want to have an opportunity towards the end of the year, you got to play your best each and every Saturday,” Claeys said. “Have respect for your opponent. You prepare for them, and if you don’t, then something’s going to happen.”

Redshirt senior linebacker Nick Rallis said the Gophers’ game plan doesn’t change at all against Rutgers, despite their record.

“Rutgers has been struggling, but you don’t know if it’s the week they’re figuring it out,” Rallis said. “Maybe they just need to

Thursday, October 20, 2016 catch a groove. They have good players and everything like that, so we’re preparing like we normally do.”

The main part of Rutgers’ team that will be different from its last game will be its quarterback.

Redshir t junior quar terback Chris Laviano was benched Monday in favor of Giovanni Rescigno, a redshir t sophomore who will be making his first career start.

Claeys said Sunday that the team will be preparing for both quarterbacks.

“I think they’re tr ying to figure out what’s best for them,” Claeys said. “There will be a little bit unknown, but there’s still film of all the guys that they’re playing [at] quarterback.”

Notebook: Right tackle Jonah Pirsig remains out for the Rutgers game. Garrison Wright is listed in his place.

Middle linebacker Cody Poock, who has missed the last two games against Iowa and Maryland, is no longer listed on the injury report. Claeys said Poock has been cleared

MADDY FOX, DAILY

Redshirt junior quarterback Conor Rhoda hands the ball to redshirt freshman running back James Johannesson during the Gophers’ Spring Game at TCF Bank Stadium on April 9, 2016.

to practice but he isn’t listed on the depth chart.

Saturday’s game will be Minnesota’s

96th Homecoming game and marks the first time the event pits Minnesota against Rutgers.