Gophers wide receiver KJ Maye is expected to return for Saturday’s game against Kent State after injuring his midsection in last week’s game at Colorado State.
Maye took a big hit in the fourth quarter, before he caught his touchdown pass with 55 seconds remaining. He was spitting up blood on the sideline, so the training staff held him out of overtime.
“He’s OK,” coach Jerry Kill told KFAN (100.3-FM) on Thursday.
Kill said he’s not sure of the medical specifics but describe the injury as a bruised lung.
“I thought he broke his ribs,” Kill said. “But he’s practiced every day, and he’s a very, very tough kid mentally. He’s OK and that’s important to us.”
When the Gophers released their depth chart Thursday night, they listed both Maye and tight end Brandon Lingen as starters. So Lingen has been cleared after suffering a concussion at Colorado State.
On their official injury report, the Gophers list safeties Damarius Travis (hamstring) and Ace Rogers (knee) as out. So walk-on Adekunle Ayinde will get another start.
Kill also mentioned on the radio Joe Bjorklund is playing through a knee injury. Bjorklund is the starting left guard with Jon Christenson out. Josh Campion, who will start at right tackle, is also listed as the backup at left guard, behind Bjorklund.
If Campion moves to guard, senior Foster Bush is listed as the backup right tackle.
Here's a link to the full depth chart and injury report.
Megan Ryan is a sports reporter at the Star Tribune covering college sports, including Gophers football and hockey. Ryan covered Minnesota United FC during its first two years of existence. She previously spent two years at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette covering Penn State football, Robert Morris basketball and high school sports. Email Megan to talk about the Gophers.
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