For the third consecutive game, Gophers sophomore running back Mohamed Ibrahim warmed up in full pads, only to not play.
Ahead of the Georgia Southern game in Week 3, Ibrahim endured a noncontact leg injury in practice. He was supposed to return after the bye week for the Gophers' game at Purdue, but he just checked into the game briefly without making a carry. Again ahead of Illinois on Saturday, Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said Ibrahim seemed likely to return.
But instead, seniors Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks led the running game to its best performance all season.
"I thought we'd have him back by now," Fleck said of Ibrahim. "We're getting closer. I hope to have him back next week, but he's day-to-day, and I want to make sure he feels really good."
St-Juste starts
Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste played his best game so far at Purdue a week ago, and he followed it up with his first career start against Illinois.
The Michigan transfer started in place of Kiondre Thomas, who struggled against Purdue. St-Juste posted five tackles, including one for a loss, plus two pass breakups against Illinois.
"Ben has been doing a great job," sophomore safety Antoine Winfield Jr. said. "He's made a huge impact on the DBs on our side. … I hope he continues to do that."
Fleck talked last week about what he likes in St-Juste.