IOWA CITY – Gophers coach Tracy Claeys tries not to dwell on injuries, believing his best focus is on the players who are on the field.
But as Claeys has found since replacing retired coach Jerry Kill, it's nearly impossible to talk about this team in big-picture terms without stating the obvious.
With starting tailback Rodney Smith missing Saturday's game at Iowa with an ankle injury, the Gophers have now had 24 players combine to miss 94 games because of injuries. That includes 14 starters, who've combined to miss 55 games.
"It's part of the game," Claeys said. "Since I've been with Coach Kill [over 21 years], it's the most [injuries] we've had in a season, where kids have missed so many games. It's just one of those years. Since we haven't had a lot, I guess they are going to happen to us this year."
Claeys mentioned senior safety Damarius Travis as one of the biggest losses. The Gophers consider him an NFL prospect, and he suffered a severe hamstring injury, trying to block a punt late in the season-opening loss to TCU.
Travis will get a medical redshirt, so the Gophers can look forward to having him back next year, at least. Starting tight end Lincoln Plsek is another sure bet for a medical redshirt; the senior has been out all season with a back injury.
The Gophers would have preferred to have both of them this season. They still had 10 starters missing against Iowa: Smith, Travis, Plsek, Josh Campion, Ben Lauer, Brian Bobek, Steven Richardson, Scott Ekpe, Craig James, Jalen Myrick.
"I think our two D-tackles that are sitting out [Richardson and Ekpe] are All-Big Ten guys," Claeys said after the 40-35 loss to Iowa. "We are starting to wear down in the middle, and they controlled the line of scrimmage in the middle and that was the difference in the game."