Rhoda starts at quarterback for Gophers

Senior Conor Rhoda took the first snap under center in coach P.J. Fleck's Minnesota debut.

August 31, 2017 at 11:10PM
Minnesota's quarterback Conor Rhoda warmed up before the Gophers took on the Buffalo Bulls at TCF Bank Stadium, Thursday, August 31, 2017 in Minneapolis, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES � liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota's quarterback Conor Rhoda warmed up before the Gophers took on the Buffalo Bulls at TCF Bank Stadium, Thursday, August 31, 2017 in Minneapolis, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES � liz.flores@startribune.com (Brian Stensaas — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The suspense is over. The Gophers' starting quarterback for Thursday night's season opener was Conor Rhoda.

Rhoda, a fifth-year senior from Eagan, and sophomore Demry Croft battled to a draw during training camp, so coach P.J. Fleck declared them co-starters. And it was Rhoda who took the first snap under center against Buffalo at TCF Bank Stadium.

The start was the second of Rhoda's career. He started in place of an injured Mitch Leidner in a 31-10 win at Maryland.

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about the writer

Randy Johnson

College football reporter

Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Minnesota Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.

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