Coach Jerry Kill spent several minutes after the Gophers' 38-14 loss to Nebraska on Saturday with linebacker Brendan Beal, and the topic wasn't a particularly happy one. The junior linebacker had limped off the Memorial Stadium field in the fourth quarter because of an injury to the knee that has twice been surgically repaired.

Beal will undergo an MRI exam to look for new damage, Kill said Sunday, but the former Florida Gator figures to be out for at least Saturday's regular-season finale against Michigan State.

He's not the only one facing a potentially serious injury, either. Offensive tackle Marek Lenkiewicz and receiver Marcus Jones also will have MRIs performed on their knees, after being injured against the Huskers. Like Beal, Jones missed most of last season rehabbing a similar injury.

Tight end Drew Goodger suffered a dislocated shoulder in Saturday's game, and Kill said it's too early to tell how serious that injury will be.

"We don't have some of the able bodies out there we wish we had," Kill said, "but you still have to line up and play and be physical. The more physical team won Saturday."

PHIL MILLER