Recent content from Megan Ryan
Two cheers: O'Brien makes emotional debut as Gophers roll Rutgers 42-7
Four-time cancer survivor Casey O'Brien made his first on-field appearance for the Gophers, who had little trouble Saturday moving to 7-0 and into first place in the Big Ten West.
Martin suffers lower leg injury in Gophers win, will have more tests
Kamal Martin buckled just before contact on a third-quarter play and needed help limping off the field in the Gophers' 42-7 victory at Rutgers on Saturday.
Gophers-Rutgers gameday preview
The Gophers are 28-point favorites in this game. They haven't had that big of an advantage since playing South Dakota State in 2010.
Beyond the stars: 6-0 Gophers getting big help throughout roster
Unheralded blockers and special teams performers might not get much credit from the average fan, but coaches and their teammates know and appreciate their efforts.
Undersized Renner is 'unsung hero' of Gophers defensive line
Sam Renner has risen from wait-listed walk-on to a starter on the defensive line who can handle a variety of tasks as needed by the Gophers.
Gophers tight ends are dinged up
That unit endured some problems last Saturday against Nebraska, when Jake Paulson and Ko Kieft left early because of injuries.
Position of strength: Fleck has nice problem on Gophers offensive line
The offensive line, which struggled early in the season, is coming off its two strongest games in which the Gophers scored 40 points against Purdue and 34 more vs. Nebraska.
Is it worth it? No. 20-ranked Gophers answer Fleck with 6-0 start
The Gophers are 6-0 and ranked 20th, their first AP ranking since 2014, and that makes the coach's question an easy one.
Gophers trample Nebraska 34-7 to remain undefeated at 6-0
Mohamed Ibrahim ran for three touchdowns, part of Minnesota's 322 rushing yards against the injury-riddled Cornhuskers.
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Gophers face another backup quarterback
The Gophers have yet to face an established quarterback for an entire game. Against the Cornhuskers, they matched up with Noah Vedral, who started in place of injured Adrian Martinez.
Gophers land hidden Canadian gem in Michigan transfer St-Juste
Québécois cornerback Benjamin St-Juste found his way to the Gophers via Big Ten rival Wolverines
Still running: Gophers' Smith, Brooks show the kids how it's done
The best may be yet to come for Gophers redshirt seniors Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith, who have been with each other on the college journey.
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Gophers prepare for chilly, wet game against Cornhuskers on Saturday
"We love it when it's cold," quarterback Tanner Morgan said.
Gophers defense goes into Nebraska game with budding confidence
Last week the Gophers held Illinois to just 91 rushing yards and 248 total yards of offense.
Nebraska joins list of Gophers opponents with QB injury situations
Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez is questionable for Saturday's game at TCF Bank Stadium.
Gophers are 5-0 but not projecting too far ahead on the schedule
It's the first time since 2004 the Gophers have started a season with five wins. And that streak could grow with a favorable schedule ahead.
Ibrahim sits out again in Gophers' victory over Illini
For the third consecutive game, Gophers sophomore running back Mohamed Ibrahim warmed up in full pads, only to not play.
Gophers stay perfect, steamroll their way to 40-17 rout over Illinois
Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks on Saturday moved the ball for a combined 322 yards and the Gophers moved to 5-0 on the season with Saturday's Homecoming victory.
Gophers QB Morgan defying doubters in a big way
Even with praise and records and awards raining down upon him after last week's game at Purdue, Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan believes he can be better.
Lopsided loss to Illinois last year led to major Gophers shake-up
The 55-31 drubbing to the team that finished last in the Big Ten West last season will not be a treasured memory. But it created lasting change.
Gophers' Coughlin plays through injuries, gets healthier
After playing against Purdue, linebacker Carter Coughlin said for the first time this season he finished a game without feeling like he had endured an injury setback.
Unbeaten but imperfect: Gophers know there's still lots to clean up
Even though football is a team game, individual players may need to look inward and ponder one of coach P.J. Fleck's favorite sayings: 'Change your best.'
Gophers football success hasn't erased skepticism from Big Ten foes
Opening the Big Ten season with a victory "sets the bar high for us," receiver Rashod Bateman said.
Riled-up Gophers hang on to beat Purdue in Big Ten opener
Bulletin-board material propelled the Gophers to a 21-point lead, and they withstood a Boilermakers' rally to win 38-31 and improve to 4-0 on the season.
Gophers defense lags as offense drives the show
Purdue freshman Jack Plummer made it tough on the Gophers, guiding the Boilermakers to 414 yards of offense in a losing effort.
Gophers showing strength on late downs, sustaining drives
The Gophers rank 13th of 130 FBS teams on third downs, converting 52.4% of them. On fourth downs, they're tied for 27th at 75%.
Undefeated Gophers travel to Purdue for Big Ten opener
A look at Saturday's game, with matchups and a prediction.
Green relishing position changes with Gophers
From tight end to wide receiver to wildcat quarterback, Seth Green has done it all.
Fleck looking at options to improve offensive line play
The Gophers rank among the worst teams in the nation in yards per carry and the offensive line yielded 11 quarterback sacks in the team's three nonconference victories.
'A powerful picture': Fleck turns key rally into keepsake
P.J. Fleck had a picture made of a third-down play from September 14th, saying it "shows what type of team we have."
Brooks ready for 2019 Gophers debut Saturday at Purdue
Running back Shannon Brooks tore a left knee ligament before spring practice in 2018 and made then played in one game that before suffering a right knee injury.
Fleck: Gophers happy to be 3-0 but bye week came 'at perfect time'
The Gophers survived the nonconference season but barely. Going into a week off with the Big Ten opener at Purdue looming Sept. 28 and not having a dominant performance in their 3-0 start isn't exactly comforting
Fleck, Gophers busy 'self-scouting' during bye week before Purdue game
The main reason their three victories have been by narrow margins so far this season has been self-inflicted errors, such as turnovers and penalties.
Tyler time: Gophers use Johnson's 3 TDs to squeeze by Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern took a fourth-quarter lead at TCF Bank Stadium before the Gophers answered to win in the final seconds thanks to Tyler Johnson's third touchdown of the game.
Injuries dictate playing time for Gophers running backs
The Gophers have touted their running back depth all season, and they needed all of it Saturday.
Devers giving Gophers a blast from the past this season
Tai'yon Devers has been quiet on the field since a big freshman impact in 2016.
Gophers have survived two close calls, while others stumbled
The Gophers aren't the only football team that has shown flaws so far in the nonconference slate, but least they have the luxury of a still-unmarred record. Nebraska and Tennessee are among the teams not so fortunate.
Just like Dad: U's Winfield picked up pick-off skills from tapes of father
Gophers defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. started studying his father's cornerback game film at a young age, which helped cultivate an ability to make instinctual plays.
Fleck: only one Gophers penalty vs. Fresno State was undisciplined
Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck acknowledged there were numerous errors the team needs to 'clean up.'
Without touching the ball, Brooks plays role for U in Fresno State win
Shannon Brooks successfully stared down four Fresno State players all alone in his season debut on Saturday night. Why did coach P.J. Fleck send him on a solo mission?
Drama after dark: Late catch, overtime INT seals Gophers victory over Fresno State
A nimble fourth-down catch by Chris Autman-Bell gave the Gophers life on the road to set up overtime, and a game-sealing interception by Antoine Winfield Jr. pushed Minnesota to 2-0 on the season.
Gophers' Coughlin ready to roll after question about availability
Defensive end Carter Coughlin on Saturday participated in all the warmups. But fellow senior Tai'yon Devers took the first rep at the rush end position with the first team before Coughlin cycled into the unit.
Bateman hoists the Gophers, while honoring a father figure
Rashod Bateman grieved the loss of an uncle during training camp but found his focus when the Gophers needed him most.
Winfield seeking more game-turning plays for Gophers
Antoine Winfield Jr. is understandably thrilled to be playing again after suffering back-to-back season-ending injuries.
Gophers vs. Fresno State: What to watch for
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said he thinks Bulldogs senior Jared Rice is an NFL-caliber tight end.
Gophers running back Smith finds old form and a new hairstyle
Rodney Smith started looking like his old self last week in the win over South Dakota State and aims for more against Fresno State.
Morgan gives Gophers something to build on heading to Fresno State
Gophers sophomore quarterback Tanner Morgan learned from an interception and otherwise made good choices in the season opener.
Gophers realize less is more after shaky opener
P.J. Fleck's film review session tried to show his players how there is a fine line between playing with an edge and being overzealous.
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Fleck: Gophers can learn some lessons from Batman
The Gophers coach traced a path from the old Batman comic books to the movie character played by Christian Bale, and came up with a comparison that he thinks could apply to his team.
Photography is more than casual hobby for U's Douglas
Gophers football teammates and their surroundings are all fair game for wide receiver Demetrius Douglas and his penchant for photography.
Fleck sits senior linebacker Martin for Gophers' season opener
Kamal Martin missed the team's bowl game last season for a violation of team rules and Thursday's benching was a continuation of that punishment.
Gophers rally late, avoid season-opening upset vs. South Dakota State
The Jackrabbits had two touchdowns called back, and the Gophers needed a fourth-quarter fumble recovery and fancy two-point conversion to win in front of the announced crowd of 49,112 fans.
Gophers running back Smith returns to lead team's 'tightest-knit-group'
After playing only two games last season because of an injury, senior Rodney Smith has come back for a final season with the backfield he's helped mentor through good times and bad.
Faith carried Gophers QB Morgan through freshman year journey
Tanner Morgan's inner peace balances him. He focuses on positive thoughts like the confidence he has in his own ability, which repeatedly showed itself when he took over the starter's role last season.
Gophers to face numerous unknowns against South Dakota State
The Jackrabbits have replaced their starting quarterback and offensive coordinator from last season.
Dropping college football attendance is not just a Gophers thing
Numbers are down around the nation on autumn Saturdays, and even big-time programs are not immune to the concern.
Atop the Big Ten, big change is taking shape this football season
In the eight-year history of the Big Ten Championship Game, red and green have been the it colors. That could be about to change in 2019.
Fleck plans to attack U's opponents with plenty of running backs
When the Gophers play South Dakota State in Thursday's opener, fans could see as many as a half-dozen running backs get some time on the field.
Megan Ryan's five Big Ten players to watch
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor has that Heisman Trophy look.
Megan Ryan's picks in the Big Ten
Our Gophers football beat writer projects how the 14 teams will finish.
Gophers defensive coordinator Rossi is the caring kind
Joe Rossi already has an impressive, albeit small, sample size on the field. And coach P.J. Fleck is sure about him as a person off it.
A week away from opening kickoff, Fleck not ready to name starting kicker
P.J. Fleck has been deliberating between freshman Michael Lantz and redshirt freshman Brock Walker. On Thursday, Fleck still didn't have much clarity.
Building hype: Gophers have opportunistic path in Year 3 under Fleck
Without squinting too hard, an optimistic fan could see a scenario where Minnesota is among the division leaders heading into the Nov. 9 home game against Penn State.
Former Gophers QB Croft charged with multiple counts of rape
Croft, who left Minnesota for Tennessee State, was arrested for six felony counts of rape and two counts of sexual battery, according to a Nashville newspaper.
U receiver Bateman looks to build on record-setting freshman season
With both added weight and experience, Rashod Bateman says he believes he's taken his game to another level and is an all-around better player.
Gophers preparing for today's lone training camp scrimmage
Coach P.J. Fleck said he wants to find out what some of the younger players can do in a game-like situation.
Ibrahim proved himself with Gophers when given the ball
Mohamed Ibrahim is eager to build off his remarkable freshman season.
Injury ends Gophers quarterback battle. But who'll back up Morgan?
Zack Annexstad's foot injury means the starting QB battle is over, with Tanner Morgan behind center, and the backup will be a true freshman.
![] MARK VANCLEAVE • Gophers wide receiver Tyler Johnson photographed Tuesday, Jul 30, 2019 near Dundas, Minn.](http://stmedia.stimg.co/UFOT080419_cover.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
'Northside for life!' Gophers star Johnson an agent for hope
When Tyler Johnson earned a football scholarship to play for the University of Minnesota, north Minneapolis traveled the five miles to campus with him. The journey began with a choice he made well before arriving on campus.
Gophers lose QB Annexstad to 'serious' foot injury
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said quarterback Zack Annexstad felt a "pop" in his foot on Friday. Fellow sophomore Tanner Morgan becomes the likely starter, at least for the team's Aug. 29 opener vs. South Dakota State.
Five Gophers to watch at Saturday's open football practice
The Gophers opened training camp Wednesday, but Saturday will be their first practice in full pads, and one of three open to the public.
Gophers list reasons why football season should bring more success
With training camp opening Monday, the team's veterans and coach P.J. Fleck can't wait to see how the season unfolds - one that features a more experienced team and a favorable schedule.
Morgan, Annexstad neck and neck in 'very equal' Gophers QB duel
Tanner Morgan and Zack Annexstad split time last year, with Morgan taking over for injured Annexstad about halfway through the season.
Big Ten football considers getting rid of East, West divisions
First, there was Legends and Leaders. Now, there is East and West. Soon, there will be … nothing? Why do some people think this would be a good idea?
Axe is Fleck's latest motivational tool; Badgers don't see it that way
From P.J. Fleck's perspective, a 14-year drought caused Gophers fans to doubt that Paul Bunyon's Axe would ever return to Minnesota.
