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P.J. Fleck addresses Minnesota’s RB situation with Rodney Smith out
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Minnesota received some tough news on Monday, as it was reported that starting running back Rodney Smith will miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Head coach P.J. Fleck addressed how Minnesota will move forward without its top ball-carrier on the roster.
On the depth chart for this week’s game against Miami (OH), both Mohamed Ibrahim and Bryce Williams are listed as potential starters for the third game of the year. Ibrahim was banged up last weekend and didn’t see any action against Fresno State.
Fleck mentioned in the press conference that Shannon Brooks, who was injured prior to the start of the spring season, will not play more than four games this year due to the redshirt rule.
Here’s what else Fleck had to see about Minnesota’s running back situation headed into the team’s final non-conference matchup on Saturday.
"Any adversity we've ever had has always brought us closer together."
-Fleck, on the team's reaction to losing a key player.— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 11, 2018
#Gophers coach PJ Fleck said backup running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who missed the Fresno State game, went through individual drills Tuesday and is expected to play Saturday vs. Miami (Ohio), but it's a matter of how much.
— Andy Greder (@andygreder) September 11, 2018
#Gophers coach PJ Fleck said Shannon Brooks (knee) won't play more than the four games allotted in new redshirt rule — regardless of Rodney Smith's injury — adding Brooks did some semi-contact drills Tuesday.
— Andy Greder (@andygreder) September 11, 2018
"Our last game our leading rusher, our leading passer, and our leading tackler were all true freshman. That's what we have, so we're expecting them to rise to that level."
-Fleck, on young players stepping up.— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 11, 2018
"He is a high culture guy, he's going to find a way to get it done. He's got a low center of gravity."
-Fleck, on Mohammed Ibrahim's skill as a running back.— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 11, 2018
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