Minnesota will be without starting quarterback Mitch Leidner this week against Rutgers. Leidner will be sidelined due to lingering concussion symptoms. Conor Rhoda will get the start in place of Leidner this week.
This will be the second straight game Leidner will miss due to concussion symptoms. He was officially ruled out for this week’s homecoming game against the Scarlet Knights, although he has been cleared for light activity during practices.
“We put a lot more on the quarterback’s plate now than what we have in the past, and you need to practice,” Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys said when asked about the possibility of getting Leidner involved enough this week to have him ready for Saturday’s game. “So I’m not saying that he won’t, but I think it’s extremely difficult for that.”
Rhoda started last week in place of the concussed Leidner and led the Gophers to a 31-10 victory over Maryland. With Rutgers coming in having lost nine straight Big Ten games dating back to last season, it looks pretty favorable for Rhoda to go 2-0 as Minnesota’s starter.