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Report: Three Gophers not dressed for Minnesota season opener
Published:
Minnesota is about to start the 2019 season, but it will reportedly be without three players for the season opener against South Dakota State.
A few minutes prior to kickoff, Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press reported that senior linebacker Kamal Martin, freshman defensive tackle Rashad Cheney and graduate transfer kicker Michael Tarbutt were all not dressed for Thursday night’s contest. The decision was reportedly Fleck’s.
There was no specific reason given as to why the players were not suited up.
#Gophers senior linebacker Kamal Martin is not dressed for the season opener against South Dakota State. It is coach PJ Fleck's decision, per a program spokesman.
— Andy Greder (@andygreder) August 30, 2019
Two other notable absences for #Gophers were true freshman defensive tackle Rashad Cheney, one of highest-rated recruits in 2019 class, and graduate transfer Michael Tarbutt, a walk-on from UConn beat out for kicker job in fall camp.
— Andy Greder (@andygreder) August 30, 2019
Minnesota opens the season at TCF Bank Stadium against one of the top FCS programs in South Dakota State. The Gophers are coming off a 7-6 campaign and are hoping to challenge for a division title in the B1G West.
The Gophers kick things off at 9 p.m. ET on FS1.
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