Three straight losses, but Big Ten play must go on

Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson (9) rushes with the football as Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Ethan Armstrong (36) defends during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

It’s been a tale of two months for Gopher football.

September, Minnesota hoisted a 4-0 record against a fairly easy non-conference schedule; and in October, the beat-up Gophers suffered through three straight losses to open their Big Ten slate.

Minnesota hobbles with its’ 4-3 record into TCF Bank Stadium against Purdue. Both programs have yet to win a conference game this season.

But someone will on Saturday.

“Sure, we came out 4-0, but we were beat up,” Kill said at his weekly Tuesday press conference.

Starting left tackle Ed Olson Jr. will miss his second straight game this week, though they’ll have receivers Devin Crawford-Tufts and Isaac Fruechte back from concussions.

Kill said he expects freshman quarterback Philip Nelson to get his second start of the season against Purdue. Despite starting three quarterbacks already in seven games this season, the second-year Gophers coach said he’s not worried about his quarterback situation.

“[Nelson] got out of some very difficult plays Saturday with his feet and arm,” Kill said.

Nelson went through some growing pains against Wisconsin, throwing two interceptions. But the Mankato-native made some impressive plays on the ground. Nelson finished with what looked like a typical Marqueis Gray stat line: 16 attempts for 64 yards rushing and only threw 13-for-24 for 149 yards.

Nelson’s flashy feet weren’t a fluke. While Kill said the freshman has “the quickest release of all three quarterbacks,” he will continue to let Nelson run it, whether it’s by design or to continue a play. Bottom line: Jerry’s not micromanaging his quarterbacks.

“We’re not doing much with the quarterback,” Kill said. “We’ve had injuries to our offensive line, we haven’t had the same group [this season].”

Expect Nelson at quarterback and Gray at wide receiver to stay the same for the remainder of the season. But Kill said Gray is not “progressing as fast as we wish he would,” and still has issues making cuts with his injured left leg.

Olson Jr. will remain out and his brother, guard Tommy Olson, is improving but is still questionable for Saturday.

Center Zac Epping moved to guard last week because of an injured hand and offensive lineman Zach Mottla played through an ankle injury against Wisconsin.

Injuries aside, Kill sees promise in his young group of guys. He estimated the program is redshirting 20 guys and playing 8 or 9 freshmen each week.

He said there was hidden value in pulling the redshirt off of Nelson because of the six Big Ten games he’ll be expected to play in this season.

“We wouldn’t have done it if there were only three games left,” Kill said.

What’s left to fight for this season?

“Our goal is to try and get [the seniors] to a bowl game.”