Minnesota’s defense will be without a key contributor for Friday night’s game vs. rival Iowa, according to a report from Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press.

Friday night, just before Minnesota and Iowa are set to kickoff, Greder reported that starting cornerback Benjamin St-Juste will not be playing for the Gophers. He’s been one of the starting cornerbacks for Minnesota through the first three games of the season.

No specific reason was provided for St-Juste’s absence in Greder’s report.

So far this year, St-Juste is credited with 7 tackles and a pair of pass break-ups in three contests. The Gophers are 1-2 on the season an have had enough trouble defensively through the first portion of the schedule. The loss of a starting defensive back doesn’t bode well for the Gophers.

Minnesota has lost 5 straight games to Iowa in the battle for Floyd of Rosedale. Last season, the Hawkeyes handed the Gophers their first loss following an incredible 9-0 start. Iowa also enters Friday night’s rivalry game with a 1-2 record.

Both teams won their first game of 2020 in Week 3.

Kickoff for the Iowa-Minnesota game is set for 7 p.m. ET and will air on FS1.