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P.J. Fleck explains how Gophers are handling QB situation during camp
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Minnesota is in a unique position as it pertains to quarterback entering the fall. The Gophers don’t have just one guy with experience, they’ve got two.
It’s not a bad problem to have.
Both Zack Annexstad and Tanner Morgan saw a significant amount of snaps during the 2018 season. Annexstad got the nod to start the year and Morgan finished off the season. That creates a little competition heading into the fall.
Right now, both guys — really every quarterback on the roster — will have an equal opportunity to prove they deserve to be the No. 1 guy for Minnesota.
“To start, it’s 50/50,” Fleck said in a video posted by GopherHole.com. “I even say 50/50 for the other quarterbacks, too. They’re going to get just as many reps as Tanner and Zack. So, everybody has an opportunity.”
It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which it’s not Annexstad or Morgan who wins the job during camp, but then again, nobody expected Annexstad — a true freshman walk-on last season — to start the year under center for the Gophers.
Morgan finished the year as the team’s leading passer, throwing for 1,401 yards and nine touchdowns. Annexstad had 1,277 yards and nine touchdowns. Both appeared in nine games for the Gophers.
Fleck made it clear, though, that it’s about what happens during camp. Last year’s numbers and performances are irrelevant at this point.
“What you do with those opportunities at the beginning of camp, they affect the next day of camp,” Fleck said. “Everybody’s treated fairly but not everything gets treated equally as you go perform.”
Minnesota will open the season on Aug. 29 against South Dakota State at TCF Bank Stadium.
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