On Tuesday morning, the Gophers football team released its depth chart for Saturday night's game, and among the changes listed was an interesting one at quarterback.
No, coach P.J. Fleck isn't making a change to his starting QB. It will remain Conor Rhoda. "He's the best quarterback we have right now," Fleck said of the fifth-year senior.
But behind Rhoda, the Gophers listed Demry Croft as backup, ahead of true freshman Tanner Morgan and redshirt freshman Seth Green, in that order. Last week, Green was listed as Rhoda's backup, while Croft, coming off a two-game disciplinary suspension, was listed as third string. Morgan was not on the depth chart for the 31-17 loss at Purdue.
Fleck downplayed the significance during his afternoon news conference.
"After Conor, it's kind of up in the air," he said. "You can put an 'or' by any of them, just based on where we're at. … If something ever happened to Conor, I would have to make a decision on who goes in the game."
Rhoda and Croft began the season as what Fleck called co-starters, but Rhoda earned the starter's job on Sept. 11 after two games. Croft was then suspended Sept. 12.
Other changes
Fleck said center Jared Weyler will return after missing three games because of a foot injury. The coach said there would have to be moving pieces along the offensive line, but did not want to divulge them.
The depth chart lists redshirt freshman Sam Schlueter, who took over for the injured Nick Connelly, as the starter at right tackle. True freshman Blaise Andries, who has yet to play, is listed as backup at both tackles.
