Rodney Smith
Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) carries the ball as Purdue cornerback Cam Allen defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Gophers, Illini square off looking for first win of season

By Terry Towery Nov. 05, 2020 09:51 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) carries the ball as Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien (12) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Sarah Stier, File)
Getting Bateman back could be game-changer for Gophers

By Dave Campbell Oct. 14, 2020 04:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Iowa place kicker Keith Duncan (3) celebrates with teammate Colten Rastetter after kicking a 45-yard field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Iowa City, Iowa. Duncan was selected to The Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference team, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Ohio State leads the pack in AP All-Big Ten top honors

By Eric Olson Dec. 11, 2019 12:06 PM EST

Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
As Gophers aim for title game, Badgers seek to take back Axe

By Dave Campbell Nov. 29, 2019 10:21 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) passes against Illinois in the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Minneapolis. Penn State (8-0) plays against Minnesota (8-0) on Saturday, Nov. 9. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
No. 7 Minnesota making major strides in Ciarrocca’s offense

By Dave Campbell Nov. 13, 2019 07:56 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2019, file photo, Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) scrambles during an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, in State College, Pa. Penn State (8-0) plays against Minnesota (8-0) on Saturday, Nov. 9. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
No. 5 Penn State at No. 13 Minnesota, matchup of unbeatens

By The Associated Press Nov. 07, 2019 05:03 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Fleck believes keeping an open line of communication is the key to allowing him to redshirt a player without resistance, and avoid having an athlete make the decision himself. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
No. 5 Penn St., No. 13 Minnesota set for clash of unbeatens

By Eric Olson Nov. 07, 2019 03:00 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Fleck believes keeping an open line of communication is the key to allowing him to redshirt a player without resistance, and avoid having an athlete make the decision himself. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Illinois has shot to earn bowl bid for 1st time under Smith

By Larry Lage Oct. 31, 2019 04:54 PM EDT

Maryland defensive back Marcus Lewis (8) holds onto the ball after making an interception against Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
No. 17 Minnesota routs Maryland 52-10 to stay unbeaten

By Brian Hall Oct. 26, 2019 06:49 PM EDT

Minnesota running back Rodney Smith stays on his feet as Nebraska linebacker Mohamed Barry tries to tackle him during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Rodney Smith, unbeaten Gophers run over Huskers 34-7

By Dave Campbell Oct. 12, 2019 11:09 PM EDT

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) passes against Illinois in the first quarter at an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Brrrr: Unbeaten Gophers embrace cold night game vs. Huskers

By Dave Campbell Oct. 11, 2019 01:14 PM EDT

Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, left, outruns the Michigan State defense to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 10 Penn St. facing night road test against No. 17 Iowa

By Eric Olson Oct. 10, 2019 03:00 AM EDT

Michigan linebacker Cameron McGrone (44) sacks Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley (4) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Michigan won 10-3. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
STAT WATCH: Penn State, Wisconsin lead Big Ten sack attack

By Eric Olson Oct. 07, 2019 02:47 AM EDT

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor runs past Kent State safety Elvis Hines during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Oct. 05, 2019 10:41 PM EDT

Rodney Smith, Gophers run over Illinois on way to 40-17 win

By Brian Hall Oct. 05, 2019 07:10 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tanner Morgan saw the defense sink towards the line of scrimmage preparing to stop Minnesota's surging rushing attack. The Gophers quarterback...

Minnesota wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell (7) heads to the end zone past Purdue cornerback Dedrick Mackey (1) after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Gophers follow near-perfect script in 38-31 win at Purdue

By Michael Marot Sep. 28, 2019 07:14 PM EDT

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) passes under the pressure of Georgia Southern linebacker Lane Ecton (7) in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Johnson lifts Minnesota late to beat Georgia Southern 35-32

By Dave Campbell Sep. 14, 2019 07:53 PM EDT

Fresno State's Kevin Atkins, right, with Fresno's Justin Rice, top right, tackles Minnesota's Rodney Smith, left ,during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Fresno, Calif. (Eric Paul Zamora/The Fresno Bee via AP)
Winfield's INT seals Minnesota's 38-35 OT win vs Fresno

By Josh Dubow Sep. 08, 2019 02:28 AM EDT

Fresno State quarterback Jorge Reyna, left, escapes a tackle by Southern California defensive lineman Jay Tufele, below, as defensive lineman Christian Rector, second from right, gives chase and tight end Jared Rice runs in during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Fresno St. looks to bounce back in home opener vs. Minnesota

By Josh Dubow Sep. 06, 2019 01:42 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 2018, file photo, Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) runs past Wisconsin cornerback Rachad Wildgoose (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Madison, Wis. Minnesota takes a stacked offense and increased confidence into the third season under coach P.J. Fleck, but the Gophers better be prepared for their opener against neighbor South Dakota State, which is ranked fourth in the FCS poll. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)
Gophers will send deep backfield at SDSU in opener

By Dave Campbell Aug. 28, 2019 12:15 PM EDT