Gophers right guard Vincent Calhoun has an unspecified injury and won't play Saturday against Colorado State. Sophomore Jared Weyler will take his place.
Calhoun was banged up two weeks ago in the Gophers win over Indiana State. Asked about Calhoun on Wednesday, coach Tracy Claeys said he thought Calhoun would be ready to play today. Weyler is one of the team's best backup linemen.
Crowded backfield
With the Gophers getting ready for another 11 a.m., kickoff (on ESPNU), it'll be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Jay Johnson doles out the rushing attempts between Rodney Smith, Kobe McCrary and Shannon Brooks.
After missing the first two games with a broken bone in his right foot, Brooks has been cleared to play. The Gophers would like to give him at least a few carries, so he's ready for next week's Big Ten opener at Penn State.
(By the way, Brooks has changed his number to 23.)
How will Johnson pick between three high-caliber running backs?
"I think it's challenging at times," he said. "I think it is sometimes a feel thing. Sometimes at that position, it's hard to mange it, but I think some guys get hot. I really do. They get in that flow, and it might not be that first or second or third carry, but all of the sudden that four, five and six, they've kind of got in that rhythm. So that's the hard part for me to balance."
The Gophers are wearing their maroon helmets, gold jerseys and maroon pants.
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