At the beginning of the season, nobody could or would have predicted that David Cobb would lead the Gophers in rushing, much less reach 1,000 yards.
Donnell Kirkwood was the No. 1 running back on the depth chart, followed by Roderick Williams. Then came Cobb, a junior from Texas who carried the ball just one time for eight yards as a sophomore.
As it turned out, Kirkwood got hurt and Williams was unproductive and also suffered an injury. Cobb got his chance and he’s made the most of it.
After rushing for a career-high 188 yards last week in Minnesota’s win over Indiana, Cobb has become the feature back and he has a chance to become the first Gophers running back to finish with 1,000 yards in a season since Amir Pinnix did so in 2006.
“I would like to get it,” Cobb said, via the Pioneer Press. “I think it’s definitely attainable with a couple games left in the season. If not, I would be happy with a couple more wins, too.”
Cobb has 803 yards and six touchdowns this season, leaving him 197 yards shy of 1,000 with three games to go (plus a bowl game). He currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten in rushing yards.
Meanwhile, Cobb’s success caught the attention of the newspaper in his hometown of Killeen, Texas. The Killeen Herald asked Cobb what its like playing in the Big Ten.
“For a second, you almost have to catch yourself because you forget about the game and start looking around,” Cobb said. “It’s one of those times that you’re going to remember for the rest of your life.”
