Gophers quarterback Conor Rhoda is returning to the team for his fifth season. New coach P.J. Fleck met with Rhoda on Saturday and got him to stay.

Rhoda, a redshirt junior who was the Gophers' No. 2 QB last year behind Mitch Leidner, had been granted permission to speak to other schools about moving on as a graduate transfer.

Now, the strong-armed Rhoda will have a chance to compete for the 2017 job.

"Excited to be back!" Rhoda tweeted. "Coach Fleck is going to bring this place to new heights. Row the Boat!"

Jones update

Former Minneapolis Washburn star Jeff Jones said he plans to enroll at Kansas Garden City Community College on Jan. 15. He had a short stint with the Gophers in 2015 before transferring to Iowa Western Community College and falling into trouble with the law.

Joe Christensen