When right tackle Daniel Faalele left the 38-17 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, the hole his 6-9, 400-pound frame left on the offensive line wasn't the only gap the Gophers scrambled to fill.
Losing him to an apparent right knee injury in the first quarter also put a major dent in the Gophers' game plan. Coach P.J. Fleck has boasted all season of having six starting-caliber O-linemen, and the Gophers have used several rotations to their advantage with that versatility. But all of those blew away like the swirling snow throughout the game.
Fleck said the team planned to use its heavy package that features all six O-linemen on the field at the same time, something that would benefit both the rush and the pass. The Gophers accumulated only 76 rushing yards and 296 passing yards. The line also allowed five sacks.
"When we lost him … it took a whole package away from what we were going to do. Big piece of the game plan," Fleck said. "… It limits you in terms of types of protections when you get your six linemen on the field. We've had a lot of success with that."
Injury scares
Both teams endured in-game injuries, possibly because of the cold and slick conditions.
In the first half, Gophers linebacker Kamal Martin appeared to injure his right knee, and linebacker Braelen Oliver hurt his left knee. Both eventually re-entered the game. But some were not as lucky.
Wisconsin lost receiver A.J. Taylor on a catch that helped set up the Badgers' first field goal, and he hobbled to the injury tent without putting any weight on his left foot. Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim made a tackle on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter and stayed down on the field for several minutes. He eventually walked off holding his right arm gingerly.
Some Gophers players sat the game out entirely, including tight end Jake Paulson and running back Cam Wiley. Paulson was on crutches after leaving the Northwestern game Nov. 23 with an apparent right ankle injury. Wiley had his left leg braced and leaned on one crutch.
