It looks like Gophers running back Rodney Smith may see his role increase during this weekend’s game against Colorado State.
Smith ran for 88 yards on 16 carries Thursday night against TCU, and after having a chance to review the film Gophers coaches were very happy with what they saw.
"He wasn't nervous. He's the only back I've had in a long time that played 46 plays with no errors." Coach Kill, on Rodney Smith.
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 8, 2015
But it wasn’t just the Gophers head coach calling for the red shirt freshman to play a bigger role in the offense.
"I believe so. I believe he's proven he can be a three-down back." Coach Limegrover, on Rodney Smith's role.
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) September 8, 2015
The test won’t get much easier for Smith and the Gophers though, they travel to Colorado State on Saturday. Colorado State comes into the game at 1-0 after a decisive 65-13 victory. They were 10-3 last season, with two of their three losses coming against ranked opponents #16 Boise State and #21 Utah.
“You’re always looking for a test, to get tested and strained and put through some adversity,” said Colorado State coach Mike Bobo during his Monday press conference. “I talked about it last week, I hoped we had some adversity in that ball game. We really didn’t have any when they snap the ball over the head twice and (we) go up seven and score 14-0.”
But Bobo doesn’t expect Saturday to be like last week for them. “We’re going to get tested this week. It’s going to be a fight.”
Tough opponents are nothing new for Minnesota, the Rams are the first non-ranked opponent for the Gophers since Nov. 8, 2014, a span of five straight contests against top 25 teams.
There isn’t a lot of history between the two programs. The last time they met, Minnesota rolled 56-24, but that was a decade ago.
The Rams though have beaten a power five conference opponent in each of the last three years.
