Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said Wednesday during his weekly radio show on KFAN that he’s still not sure if quarterback Tanner Morgan will be cleared in time to play in Minnesota’s Big Ten showdown with Northwestern on Saturday.
“He’s doing well. He’s in (concussion) protocol, so whenever our athletic trainers tell me he’s cleared, he’ll be clear. But he’s in protocol,” said Fleck.
Morgan was injured late in last Saturday’s 23-19 loss at Iowa, being sacked on back-to-back plays. At this point, Fleck says the concussion protocol keeps Morgan in a “day-to-day” status.
If Morgan isn’t cleared to play, the Gophers will be forced to start a true freshman at quarterback, be it Cole Kramer or Jacob Clark.
“We’ll get ’em both ready. That’s about it,” said Fleck, not going into any further details.
Seth Green, a quarterback converted to tight end, could also see some more time at quarterback. But Fleck indicated that Green staying in his current role as a dynamic, short-yardage wildcat quarterback is more realistic than asking him to start throwing passes.
“We’ll see. That’s part of our game plan and what we’re going to continue to discuss and look at every option based on what Tanner can and cannot do,” said Fleck. “Seth is a viable option as well, but again he does a really good job in the position that he’s in right now.”
Minnesota and Northwestern play at 11 a.m. Saturday. It could set the stage for the newest, biggest game of the season when the Gophers host Wisconsin in the regular season finale Nov. 30, with the winner possibly claiming the Big Ten West Division title and a spot in the conference title game against Ohio State or Penn State.
