Cold, run-heavy game could help Ozigbo boost numbers against Gophers

By Tommy Rezac

Devine Ozigbo has been the go-to running back since Tre Bryant went down early in the season. After gaining only eight yards on ten carries against Purdue, Ozigbo took a step in the right direction against Northwestern, gaining 72 yards on 23 carries.

Running backs coach Reggie Davis said after Monday’s practice at the Hawks Championship Center that there’s still room to grow for Devine.

“He could have done better,” Davis said. “There was no doubt the guy did some good things for us. There were definitely some plays out there we did a really good job. And like every game, there’s some stuff we’d like to correct. He knows what those things are, we talked about them (Monday) and we got to see some of those things on film.”

Minnesota surrendered a season-high 371 rushing yards in a 33-10 loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor this past Saturday. The Gophers have given up an average of 172 yards on the ground this season. That ranks 57th in the country and ninth in the conference.

Langsdorf said running the ball in a cold, physical Big Ten West-type game will be important. It could provide the opportunity for Ozigbo to get his numbers back up. He had over 100 yards against Rutgers, Illinois and Wisconsin.

“(Ozigbo) continues to run hard,” Langsdorf said. “We’ve got to get him, especially in the zone game, to really press the hole. I think there are times where he might have been a little wide in having to get back to where that hole is created.”

“I think there were a couple of times where he probably made a cut maybe a little (too) quick. He’s doing a nice job of getting back to where he should be. If we could get him into that hole a little faster, I think we could get a little more production out of him.”

Jaylin Bradley

Bradley didn’t play against Northwestern as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle suffered against Purdue. He remains “hopeful” for this Saturday’s Minnesota game.

“He’s been maybe a little slower to come back lately,” offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf said. “If we can, we’ll get him in the rotation. We’ll have to see how much practice he gets. We’ll have to see where he’s at tomorrow and for sure Wednesday.”

Weather

Minneapolis could expect wintry precipitation on Saturday during the game. Forecasts have been shifting a bit, but as of Monday evening, there was a 40 percent chance of a mixture of rain, freezing rain, and possibly snow.

Langsdorf mentioned they’ll incorporate “wet ball drills” with the quarterbacks by soaking the football and practicing outside in the cold to try and simulate playing in a game where it’s snowing.

Worth Noting

It appears that true freshman Brendan Jaimes is still the leader in the clubhouse at right tackle, despite senior David Knevel being available for Northwestern.

“I’ve really been impressed with how mature (Jaimes) has played,” Langsdorf said. “I’m really impressed with how mature he’s played. I think that anytime you get a true freshman who’s playing as many minutes as he is, you’re going to have some growing pains in there, and I don’t think there’s been many.”

Wide receivers coach Keith Williams was unavailable for comment after Monday’s practice.

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