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Three things learned, three questions emerge from Gophers spring game

April 16, 2017 at 4:45AM
Gophers running back Jonathan Femi-Cole broke through a tackle by defensive back Duke McGhee (8), center, and linebacker Thomas Barber (41), bottom left, for a touchdown in the first half Saturday. ] AARON LAVINSKY ï aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football team played their annual spring game on Saturday, April 17, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn.
Jonathan Femi-Cole broke through a tackle by defensive back Duke McGhee (8) and linebacker Thomas Barber, bottom, for a Gophers touchdown in the first half Saturday. Femi-Cole scored two touchdowns. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

3 things the Gophers learned Saturday

Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks remain potent

Smith had two carries for 18 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown. Brooks had two carries for 12 yards. That was all P.J. Fleck needed to see from those two standouts.

The backup running backs are strong, too

Kobe McCrary managed only 19 yards on seven carries, but three of those brought first downs in short-yardage situations. Jonathan Femi-Cole had eight carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

The young offensive linemen are resilient

With just five healthy offensive linemen, Donnell Greene, Bronson Dovich, Conner Olson, Quinn Oseland and Nick Connelly had to take every single rep Saturday, just as they did for most of camp.

3 questions that remain

Can this team get healthy?

Twenty-two Gophers needed surgery after last season. Three starting offensive linemen — Vincent Calhoun, Garrison Wright and Jared Weyler – and starting tight end Brandon Lingen are among those expected back for fall camp.

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Can the offense survive quarterback growing pains?

Demry Croft, Conor Rhoda, Seth Green and Tanner Morgan have combined for one college start. Croft and Rhoda are competing for the starting job, and both had their up-and-down moments this spring, as expected.

Has cornerback become a sudden weakness

Two years ago, the Gophers had Eric Murray, Briean-Boddy Calhoun, Jalen Myrick and KiAnte Hardin. Now, all are gone. It's up to junior Antonio Shenault, freshman Kiondre Thomas and sophomore Coney Durr, who's recovering from knee surgery.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

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