Minnesota will already be down a pair of starters for the postseason because players have decided to get a head start on their draft preparations. Now, it appears decisions of another kind will lead to even more postseason personnel attrition for the Golden Gophers.
According to both the Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press, multiple Gopher football players will be suspended for the Dec. 26 Quick Lane Bowl matchup with Georgia Tech. The Star Tribune reports that the number of suspended players is at least six, with as many as eight possibly sidelined as a result of the disciplinary actions.
The names of the players facing suspension have not been divulged.
Head coach P.J. Fleck has not yet addressed the postseason status of any member of his football team. A school spokesperson declined to comment on the reports.
In December of 2016, the year before Fleck’s arrival, Minnesota suspended 10 players ahead of the Holiday Bowl as a result of sexual assault allegations. A subsequent boycott by players threatened the school’s participation in the bowl before the group ultimately acquiesced and played in the postseason game.