TCF Bank Stadium should be rocking Thursday night as the Gophers kickoff a new season filled with high expectations against South Dakota State.
On offense, Tanner Morgan will start at quarterback and be surrounded by a huge offensive line, two productive running backs in Rodney Smith and Mohamed Ibrahim, and a pair of high-end wide receivers, Tyler Johnson and Rashad Bateman.
Defensively, the Gophers have some studs, led by potential All-American defensive end Carter Coughlin, and last year’s leading tackler, linebacker Thomas Barber.
Here’s how they’ll line up for the 8 p.m. kickoff (televised on FS1) on offense, according to the depth chart released by the team.
Quarterback
Starter: Tanner Morgan
Backup: Cole Kramer or Jacob Clark
Running back
Starter: Rodney Smith or Mohamed Ibrahim
Backup: Bryce Williams or Cam Wiley
Wide receivers
Starter 1: Tyler Johnson
Starter 2: Rashad Bateman
Starter 3: Chris Autman-Bell or Demetrius Douglas or Harry Van Dyne
Backups: Seth Green, Clay Geary
Tight end
Starters: Jake Paulsen, Ko Kieft
Backups: Bryce Witham or Brevyn Spann-Ford
Offensive line
LT: Sam Schlueter, 6’6”, 325 lbs.
LG: Blaise Andries, 6’6”, 325 lbs.
C: Conner Olson, 6’5”, 305 lbs.
RG: Curtis Dunlap Jr., 6’5”, 345 lbs.
RT: Daniel Faalele, 6’9”, 400 lbs.
This is how Minnesota plans to line up on defense and special teams.
Defensive line
DE: Winston DeLattiboudere
DT: Sam Renner
DT: Micah Dew-Treadway
DE: Carter Coughlin
Linebackers
OLB: Thomas Barber
MLB: Kamal Martin
OLB: Thomas Rush or Braelen Oliver
Secondary
DB: Coney Durr or Terell Smith or Philip Howard
DB: Kiandre Thomas or Benjamin St-Juste
DB: Chris Williamson
DB: Antoine Winfield Jr.
DB: Jordan Howden
Special Teams
Special Teams
K: Michael Lantz or Brock Walker
P: Jacob Herbers
LS: 37 Brady Weeks
KR: Rodney Smith or Demetrius Douglas
PR: Antoine Winfield Jr. or Demetrius Douglas
Holder: Jacob Herbers
