Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson, who missed last week's game with a strained right hamstring, continues to make progress, but all signs still point toward Mitch Leidner starting Saturday's game against Iowa.

"I could tell [Nelson] pushed himself a little bit today," Coach Jerry Kill said after Tuesday's practice. "After his workout [Monday], he wasn't real, real sore, which is a good sign."

But Kill pointed to the way Ohio State has handled starting quarterback Braxton Miller's knee injury. Buckeyes backup Kenny Guiton has thrown for 12 touchdowns over the past three weeks.

"I think Ohio State's done the same thing," Kill said. "Their No. 2's pretty dang good, too, so they've kind of stuck with him until that other kid's truly ready to go. And you're always better off playing a player that's 100 percent."