FRESNO, CALIF. – The availability of Carter Coughlin for the Gophers' game at Fresno State on Saturday night was a subject of much scrutiny this past week.
And warmups were a little heartening for the senior defensive end's status.
Coughlin 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.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said earlier this week that Coughlin was dealing with a similar issue to the "tightness" he felt early in training camp that limited his participation. The injury similarly limited him toward the end of the season opener against South Dakota State on Aug. 29. But while Coughlin was "bothered," as Fleck put it, the coach wasn't too concerned about the player making a speedy recovery.
Senior linebacker Kamal Martin also participated in his first warmups of the season after sitting out the South Dakota State game in a continuation of a suspension last year for violating team rules.
Pass-rush package
Gophers defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and Fleck have hinted since spring about the personnel the team has on the defensive line allowing for creative packages.
That came to fruition in Week 1, with a new pass-rushing setup with four defensive ends. Twice in the first quarter, South Dakota State failed to convert a third-and-long when up against Devers, Coughlin, Esezi Otomewo and Boye Mafe.
Fleck said the package helps put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks with just the defensive line.