Kirkwood listed in lineup but not expected to play; Edwards out another week

Nov 10, 2012; Champaign, IL, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Donnell Kirkwood (20) avoids a tackle by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Michael Buchanan (99) and defensive lineman Akeem Spence (94) on his way to a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

Freshman running back Berkley Edwards will not make his debut against the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium, according to the pre-game Gopher depth chart.

Fellow tailback Donnell Kirkwood, who did not travel with the team to New Mexico last weekend, is listed in the starting lineup but will likely sit out another game while recovering from a sprained ankle suffered against UNLV two weeks ago.

“Unless there’s a miracle that takes place, he’s not 100 percent,” said head coach Jerry Kill to the Pioneer Press. “You don’t play a back when he’s not 100 percent.”

Sophomore Rodrick Williams is listed behind Kirkwood on the depth chart. Williams will look to follow up on a career performance last week in which he rushed 16 times for 148 yards and a touchdown.

In Other News…

• Injuries to running quarterbacks have been the story of the Big Ten this season. Despite the trend, Kill said he will not change the plan on running the read option with Philip Nelson this Saturday. Nelson has the most rushing yards of all players on the roster.
• Xavier commit and former Gophers’ target JP Macura said he felt the most comfortable with the Cincinnati college. The Lakeville North basketball star weighed scholarships from the likes of Minnesota, Creighton, Butler and Purdue.

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