Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Nebraska: 5 Players To Watch

[caption id="attachment_32258" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrnThe Minnesota Golden Gophers will welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers to TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Minnesota is coming off a 41-13 route of Purdue last week, while Nebraska has lost their first two Big Ten games by a total of three points and their four losses this season have been by a total of 11 points.rnrnHere are five players to watch during Saturday's game, which will start around 2:30 p.m. local time.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32260" align="aligncenter" width="495"] Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 5. Nebraska RB Terrell Newby rnrnNewby has just 74 yards on 20 carries over the last two games, but he is averaging 5.3 yards per carry this season and he's also a factor in the passing game for Nebraska (10 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown) .rnrnThe Cornhuskers' ability to get back on track will be partially driven by Newby and the ground game, and if Minnesota is able to limit his impact they will gain an advantage.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32262" align="aligncenter" width="423"] Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn rnrn 4. Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner rnrnLeidner accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) last week against Purdue, but don't let that obscure the bad interception that he threw and a run-heavy game plan that kept him from being exposed (8-for-12 for 59 yards).rnrnLeidner is sure to get the start against Nebraska, but he should cede more playing time to freshman Demry Croft during the game. If Leidner can't pose a threat with his arm, the move to Croft could come very early in the game.rnrnThere's some chance that Saturday will be last time Leidner starts a game, this season or his career at Minnesota. If he plays the way he did over the first four games and the Gophers lose, Leidner could go to the bench until further notice.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32264" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 3. Minnesota QB Demry Croft rnrnCroft has seem action in each of the past two games, with lackluster results as a passer. But he has shown some ability as a runner, with a long-run of 34 yards last Saturday against Purdue, and Croft is an excellent fit for the run-first formula the Gophers need to lean toward.rnrnMinnesota has an off week after Saturday's game, which could provide an opportunity to prepare Croft as a starter heading into the game against Michigan on Oct. 31.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32270" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 2. Nebraska QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. rnrnArmstrong is the dual threat driving force for the Cornhuskers' offense, with 1,500 passing yards and 12 touchdowns (with six interceptions) and 206 rushing yards and two touchdowns so far this season.rnrnAfter starting the season with at least 270 passing yards and multiple passing touchdowns in each of the first four games, including over 300 yards through the air three times, Armstrong has just 234 total passing yards over the last two games with one touchdown and one interception over that span.rnrnArmstrong needs to get back on track on Saturday, or Nebraska will start their Big Ten schedule 0-3.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_32267" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rnrn 1. Minnesota RB Shannon Brooks rnrnBrooks made the highlight reels with a 71-yard touchdown run against Purdue last Saturday, and his 17-carry, 176-yard performance earned him Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.rnrnBrooks and Rodney Smith should be the focal point of Minnesota's offense on Saturday, even against a Nebraska defense that has been stout against the run (95.3 yards per game; eighth in the country).rnrn[related-category][recentposts align="right" thiscategory="no"]

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