MADISON, WIS. – Gophers running back David Cobb tested his injured left hamstring with some jogging during the team's walk-through Friday, but the chances of him playing against Wisconsin on Saturday appear slim.
Cobb, who has 1,430 rushing yards, strained the hamstring last week at Nebraska and was unable to practice full-speed this week. Coach Jerry Kill said Wednesday that Cobb was "big-time questionable," adding, "you just can't throw somebody in that hasn't practiced in a week."
Here are the single-game rushing highs of three tailbacks the Gophers could use in Cobb's place: Donnell Kirkwood (152 yards vs. Illinois in 2012); Rodrick Williams (148 yards vs. New Mexico State in 2013); Berkley Edwards (60 yards vs. Eastern Illinois on Aug. 28).
Elmore feels at home
The Gophers made Somerset, Wis., native Gaelin Elmore a big priority in this year's recruiting class, and he became the first Wisconsin native in several years to turn down a Badgers offer and come to Minnesota.
The 6-6, 270-pound Elmore switched from tight end to defensive end during training camp and has been a key reserve, recording 10 tackles, including one sack and two tackles for a loss.
"I guess people kind of wrote me off as soon as I got a Wisconsin offer, just saying, 'We don't have a shot at this kid,' " Elmore said. "But I think Coach Kill changed everything. He was the biggest factor in my decision. This is where I wanted to be. I felt close to home, and I got a chance to play right away — and win."
Different scheme
Wisconsin switched from a standard 4-3 to a 3-4 defense last year under coach Gary Andersen and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. The Badgers rank third in the nation in scoring defense (16.1 points per game), second in total defense (259.3 yards per game) and fifth in rushing defense (97.1 yards per game).
"There's a uniqueness to [the 3-4 defense]," Gophers offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said. "All of a sudden now, you're having to reprogram all 11 kids on your offense because looks are different, reads are different, blocking combinations are different.
