Chris Autman-Bell jogged onto the Huntington Bank Stadium turf Saturday morning in maroon shorts and a gold T-shirt, just like his Gophers teammates preparing for the game against Miami (Ohio). Out since Aug. 12 because of a lower leg injury, Autman-Bell looked much more active than he did on Sept. 2, when he missed the season opener against Ohio State.
He also went through the full-pad warmups, but when the Gophers came out to start the game, Autman-Bell again was on the sideline in a jersey and sweatpants, missing his second game in a row as the Gophers beat the RedHawks 31-26.
"We've just got to get healthy,'' said Gophers coach P.J. Fleck, whose team plays Colorado on Saturday in Boulder. "I'm not in charge of bringing them back. Hopefully, day-to-day becomes now he's back, where we can get 'Crab' back.''
Autman-Bell's absence saw the further development of wide receivers Dylan Wright and Daniel Jackson. Wright, a sophomore transfer from Texas A&M, caught three passes for 73 yards, including a 25-yard TD grab, as the Gophers took a 21-3 halftime lead. He also drew 30 yards in pass interference penalties against Miami. Jackson, a sophomore, caught four passes for 30 yards, including a 6-yard TD reception.
"I thought Daniel played really well today,'' Fleck said. "… I liked the receiving corps. We have to continue to build ourselves mentally and build that mental toughness.''
Wright left the game in the third quarter after taking a hit on a slant pattern. He went to the medical tent, returned to the sideline but did not re-enter the game as the Gophers focused on the run in the fourth quarter.
"You have to be able to fail to grow. What I saw from Dylan was big plays, then he failed,'' Fleck said. "The response has to be better.'' Fleck did not have an update on Wright's condition.
On defense, safety Jordan Howden (thigh) did not play. Fleck had expressed optimism leading up to the game that Howden would play.
