Gophers honor more than 20 seniors before Penn State game Saturday
Nov 23, 2024
The Gophers football program honored more than 20 players for Senior Day against Penn State at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday.
Minnesota’s outgoing players are Aireontae Ersery, Jah Joyner, Daniel Jackson, Justin Walley, Cody Lindenberg, Max Brosmer, Danny Striggow, Quinn Carroll, Tyler Cooper, Jack Henderson, Dragan Kesich, Nick Kallerup, Ethan Robinson, Elijah Spencer, Mark Crawford, Marcus Major, Derik LeCaptain, Logan Richter, Darnell Jefferies, Marcus Major, Jaren Mangham and others.
Twelve of those players have made more than 36 appearances for the Gophers, including cornerback Justin Walley in 47 games across four seasons.
“Time flies, man,” Walley said this week. “It felt like a couple of days ago I was one of the young guys in the room with Coney Durr, T-Time (Terell Smith) and Phil Howard, but I’ve really enjoyed my time, made a lot of great friends here. … I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Ersery has accepted a Senior Bowl invitation and could be a higher draft pick. Joyner and Lindenberg also have one more year of eligibility remaining, but it appears they will pursue the NFL next year.
Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck had each senior sign the pair of white Nikes he wore during Saturday’s game.
Injury report
Gophers left guard Tyler Copper was not listed on the unavailability report Saturday, setting up his return after a two-game absence.
Minnesota’s offensive line reshuffled without Cooper against Illinois and Rutgers, with Ashton Beers filling in at left guard, Quinn Carroll moving from right tackle to right guard and Phillip Daniels making his first starts at right tackle.
The U struggled up front in the 26-19 loss to Rutgers on Nov. 9, but Cooper’s likely return to the lineup will bring a veteran presence.
The Gophers will be without starting safety Aidan Gousby after he exited the Rutgers loss with an apparent hamstring injury. Minnesota will also be without safety Darius Green and tight end Pierce Walsh against the Nittany Lions.
Running back Darius Taylor is not listed on unavailability report, but he has been less than 100 percent in recent weeks. The off week after the Rutgers loss should have helped Taylor get healthier.
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