Minnesota News Network

  • Home
  • MNN Reporter Team
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Crime & Court
    • Health
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Weather & Natural Disaster
  • Sports
    • Gophers
    • Twins
    • Wild
    • Timberwolves & Lynx
    • Vikings
  • Minnesota Matters
  • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support
You are here: Home / Sports / Gopher QB Leidner out for Saturday’s game

Gopher QB Leidner out for Saturday’s game

October 11, 2016 By Minnesota News Network

leidner4

Leidner (photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)

Minnesota has ruled out quarterback Mitch Leidner for Saturday’s game at Maryland because of a concussion.

The depth chart for the week released by the team on Tuesday listed junior Conor Rhoda as the starter and sophomore Demry Croft as the backup. Leidner didn’t show symptoms until after the game last week, coach Tracy Claeys said, when the Gophers offense struggled through a 14-7 loss to Iowa.

”He’s on the concussion protocol, so whenever he gets through that, then he’ll be cleared to play,” Claeys said, adding: ”I don’t want him to play until he’s healthy, and I’ll rely on doctors to tell me that.”

Leidner completed only 13 of 33 passes for 166 yards, with two interceptions against the Hawkeyes. Wide receiver Rashad Still and defensive end Tai’yon Devers were listed as out on the depth chart a week ago, and both of them were able to play by Saturday. Concussions are unpredictable, though, and Claeys didn’t express any optimism that the fifth-year senior would progress in time to face the Terrapins.

Wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky was already touting Rhoda’s attitude and ability while preparing for the new look.

”Obviously we’re going to miss Mitch out there, but he’ll still be at practice, coaching Rhoda up, getting with him as well. We’re just going to take it with a grain of salt and go,” Wolitarsky said, adding: ”Just to see the amount of work he’s put in, and the amount of talent he came in with that he’s really crafted, it’s amazing.”

Rhoda joined the program as a walk-on from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, just a few miles east of campus. His only action this season came in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s 58-28 win over Indiana State, and he has attempted just two passes in his college career.

claeys

Claeys

”It’s going take us a couple days in practice to figure out the game plan and fitting it into what he does best,” Claeys said.

Claeys said the Gophers would prefer to use a redshirt season for Croft, who played a bit in relief of Leidner as a freshman. Leidner played through a painful left foot injury last year that required surgery, but he has started 27 straight games at quarterback for the Gophers since sitting out Sept. 20, 2014, against San Jose State.

”There’s other leaders on that offense,” said linebacker Nick Rallis. ”It’s nothing to worry about. That’s what we got a team for, you know?”

The matchup between Minnesota (3-2, 0-2) and Maryland (4-1, 1-1) is the first regular-season game between them. The Gophers will also be without senior right tackle Jonah Pirsig, who has a high sprain of his left ankle and will miss two to three weeks.

###

Copyright © 2016
TTWN Media Networks Inc.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Sports

Follow us on Twitter

My Tweets

Gophers add supports staff members to football coaching staff

Three additions have been made to the Minnesota football support staff, head coach P.J. Fleck announced Thursday. Shaq Vann has been named an offensive graduate assistant, while Keegan O’Hara is an offensive analyst and Dennis Dottin-Carter is joining as a senior defensive analyst. A native of South Bend, Ind., Vann comes to Minnesota after two […]

Wild Return Home Tonight

(St. Paul, MN)  —  The Wild are back on home ice for the final two games before they get a break in the schedule for their bye week and the All Star Break.  Tonight, they’ll host the Flyers followed by a Saturday night match up against the Sabres.  Minnesota just completed a four game trip […]

Halldorson honored by Wild with Legacy Award

The Minnesota Wild, in partnership with Minnesota Hockey and Bally Sports North, today announced Laura Halldorson as the 2022-23 State of Hockey Legacy Award winner. Halldorson becomes the first female to receive the honor. “Laura is a true trailblazer for our sport, both within Minnesota and beyond,” said Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold. “Her impressive […]

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Facebook

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC