Acting head coach Tracy Claeys said Tuesday that quarterback Mitch Leidner is ill, which is keeping the team from naming a starter for Saturday's game against Nebraska at TCF Bank Stadium.
The Gophers have gone back-and-forth with Philip Nelson and Leidner this season. Nelson has made four starts, and Leidner has made three starts.
Leidner started last week's game at Northwestern, but the Gophers were forced to punt early in each of his five drives. Going into that game, Claeys had said Nelson would play in the first half, and when Nelson came in, the Gophers had a far easier time moving the ball.
The Gophers had to punt just two times in Nelson's eight drives, as they defeated Northwestern 20-17.
Nebraska, which was idle last weekend, is currently a 10 1/2-point favorite over Minnesota.
Come back to startribune.com later for more on this story and other Gophers football news.
Joe Christensen • @JoeCStrib
