Gophers concerned with offensive line play

While fans and media fixated over Mitch Leidner's knee injury and David Cobb's ankle injury after Saturday's loss to TCU, Gophers offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover was more concerned with the offensive line.

"I wasn't really happy going back and taking a look at film," he said. "We're not playing the way we're able to right now up front. For me that's where it all starts. You talk about David being banged up, you can talk about this or that, but we've got to play better up front."

Left guard Zac Epping played with a high ankle sprain, and the Gophers have issues at right tackle with Ben Lauer and Jonah Pirsig both nicked up. One change Limegrover made midgame was replacing right guard Foster Bush with Isaac Hayes.

"I really liked when [Hayes] got in there," Limegrover said. "That gave us a little lift."

Cobb played through a sprained left ankle, and two backup options were limited. Berkley Edwards and Donnell Kirkwood suffered shoulder injuries, though coach Jerry Kill said both would practice Tuesday.

Edwards had three carries for 6 yards, and Kirkwood had one carry for minus-1 yard. Rodrick Williams had four carries for 16 yards, but Kill said Williams struggled in pass protection.

"You can ask Brandon Jacobs," Kill said of the running back who played for him at Southern Illinois before starring for the Giants. "You've got to pass protect. There is a lot more to playing running back than just running the football."