Minnesota, Nebraska release availability report ahead of season opener Thursday night
Minnesota is set to host Nebraska on Thursday night in the season opener for both teams in Minneapolis.
Ahead of kickoff, the Golden Gophers and Cornhuskers released their gameday availability report. The B1G is mandating that all teams do so within 2 hours of kickoff; if not, programs could face disciplinary measures. It’s the only Power 5 program to issue such a requirement thus far, and it’s not out of the question to think that others could decide to follow the B1G’s lead in coming seasons.
Below, you can see the availability report for both teams:
If you were wondering what the Big Ten availability reports look like… pic.twitter.com/NNTwuFhkrd
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Among the absences for the Gophers will be Cody Lindenberg, the team’s 2nd-leading tackler a season ago (71). Clemson transfer Darnell Jeffries and ex-Auburn DB Craig McDonald are out as well. Chris Autman-Bell, who played just three times in 2022, is questionable, as is kicker David Kemp.
Meanwhile, the Huskers only list 2 players out: linebacker Nick Henrich, a team captain who was lost for the season part-way through 2022, and linebacker Jimari Butler.
Minnesota was 9-4 overall (5-4 B1G) and won the Pinstripe Bowl against Syracuse a season ago. Meanwhile, Nebraska begins the Matt Rhule era on Thursday, seeking their first winning season since 2016.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on FOX.