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Freshman walk-on named Minnesota’s starting QB for season opener

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

A freshman walk-on will take the first snap of the 2018 season for Minnesota’s opener against New Mexico State.

Monday, the official Twitter account of Golden Gophers football announced that head coach P.J. Fleck had named Zack Annexstad, a true freshman walk-on, the Week 1 starter.

Annexstad is a Norseland, Minnesota native but attended IMG Academy in Florida while at the high school level. As a recruit, Annexstad was a 3-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class and was ranked the No. 45 pro-style quarterback.

Fleck wasn’t afraid to use multiple quarterbacks last season and could rotate again this fall if he deems it necessary. But the true freshman will be the one to see the field first for the Golden Gophers.

Minnesota’s clash against New Mexico State will be on Thursday, Aug. 30.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB