On the surface, the figures look daunting.
Zero: Collegiate passes thrown by the Gophers starting quarterback entering the 2018 season.
Zero: Collegiate hits absorbed by that QB.
And zero: Collegiate snaps taken by that QB.
Come Aug. 30, the Gophers will open their season with an unknown situation at quarterback. Either Tanner Morgan, a redshirt freshman, or Zack Annexstad, a walk-on true freshman, will begin under center against New Mexico State. It's not an optimal situation for any team — who wouldn't want a senior like Penn State's Trace McSorley? — but it's the situation the Gophers have and one that they will have to make work.
For coach P.J. Fleck, it's a challenge but one he relishes because of the type of QBs he has in Morgan and Annexstad, who both likely will play this season.
"They don't feel like freshmen,'' Fleck said. "When I stand back there, I don't sense any freshman nerves, anxiety. They make mistakes, but they're not freshman mistakes. They're making 400-level mistakes.''
Fleck hasn't decided on a starter, saying "they're neck and neck'' in the competition.