Minnesota’s starting quarterback is in need of a tune-up, but it won’t keep him in the garage as the Gophers put a wrap on the 2015 season in the Motor City.
Head coach Tracy Claeys confirmed yet again that Mitch Leidner will play in the Dec. 28 Quick Lanes Bowl against Central Michigan despite a lingering foot issue. In fact, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes, “Leidner has had time to recover since the regular season finale against Wisconsin and will actually go into the Quick Lane Bowl healthier than he’s been for much of the season.”
That said, Leidner will be forced to undergo surgery to repair the damage in his foot at some point after the bowl game. As a result, he’ll be limited for the Gophers this spring.
The senior-to-be should, though, be 100-percent healthy when summer rolls around.
Whether Gopher fans will take comfort in that medical positivity remains to be seen. Of the 115 quarterbacks listed on the NCAA’s official stats page, Leidner, with 13 passing touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions and a 57-percent completion rate, was 92nd in passing efficiency.
Leidner was, though, third on the team in rushing (251 yards) and second in rushing touchdowns (five), so he has that going for him. Which is nice.