Carter Coughlin
FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh huddles with his players on the field during a time out in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich. Jim Harbaugh enters his sixth season as Michigan's coach with just two years left on his contract, adding another layer of interest in the 18th-ranked Wolverines as they kick off the season this week at No. 21 Minnesota. (AP Photo/Tony Ding, File)
No. 18 Michigan faces difficult opener at No. 21 Minnesota

By Dave Campbell Oct. 22, 2020 05:45 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) carries the ball as Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien (12) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Sarah Stier, File)
Getting Bateman back could be game-changer for Gophers

By Dave Campbell Oct. 14, 2020 04:56 PM EDT

Minnesota wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell (7) is tackled by Wisconsin cornerback Semar Melvin (20) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Badgers take back Axe in snowy 38-17 win vs. Gophers

By Dave Campbell Nov. 30, 2019 07:18 PM EST

Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
As Gophers aim for title game, Badgers seek to take back Axe

By Dave Campbell Nov. 29, 2019 10:21 AM EST

Iowa's Tyrone Tracy Jr. gets past Wisconsin's Jack Sanborn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 24-22. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 7 Minnesota takes its perfect season to No. 23 Iowa

By Luke Meredith Nov. 15, 2019 03:00 AM EST

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck cheers his team during an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 31-26. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
No. 7 Minnesota seeks new era for long-languishing program

By Dave Campbell Nov. 10, 2019 02:33 PM EST

Minnesota defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. (11) and defensive back Jordan Howden (23) celebrate after Winfield intercepts the ball for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Sarah Stier)
Unbeaten No. 17 Minnesota aims to avoid letdown vs. Maryland

By Dave Campbell Oct. 25, 2019 03:14 PM EDT

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) passes against Illinois in the first quarter at an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Brrrr: Unbeaten Gophers embrace cold night game vs. Huskers

By Dave Campbell Oct. 11, 2019 01:14 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson catches a pass against Miami (Ohio) in the second half of an NCAA football game in Minneapolis. Minnesota returns a major portion of its offense from the strong finish to last season that featured a dominant victory at rival Wisconsin, led by wide receiver Tyler Johnson and running back Mohamed Ibrahim. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
After strong 2018 finish, Gophers enter pivotal season

By Dave Campbell Aug. 13, 2019 06:09 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2018 file photo Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, left, and University of Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck pose with the NCAA college football Quick Lane Bowl trophy at a news conference in Allen Park, Mich. Johnson will lead Georgia Tech for the final time Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018 against Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl. Johnson is 82-59 at Georgia Tech over 11 seasons and 128-88 overall, including six seasons at Navy. Minnesota has a nation-high 52 percent of its roster filled by freshman. The young became bowl eligible by beating Purdue 41-10 and Wisconsin 37-15 in November. (Max Ortiz/Detroit News via AP)
Ga Tech aims to send Johnson out as winner against Minnesota

By Larry Lage Dec. 25, 2018 01:53 AM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) looks to throw during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Northwestern, in Indianapolis. Haskins was named offensive player of the year when The Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference team was released Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Haskins, Bush receive top honors on AP All-Big Ten team

By Eric Olson Dec. 05, 2018 12:18 PM EST

Minnesota running back Bryce Williams (21) runs for a touchdown against Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Madison, Wis. Minnesota won 37-15. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Progress for Minnesota gets big boost from Paul Bunyan's Axe

By Dave Campbell Nov. 26, 2018 05:49 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Minnesota linebacker Carter Coughlin (45) celebrates his sack against Miami (Ohio) with Tai'yon Devers (12) and Julian Huff (20) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Minneapolis. Purdue needs one more win to become bowl eligible, but the Boilermakers are chasing more than that, still with an outside chance at winning the Big Ten West Division, where Minnesota sits at the bottom thanks to a reeling defense. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Gashed by long gains, Minnesota D seeks rebound vs. Purdue

By Dave Campbell Nov. 09, 2018 03:02 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2018, file photo, Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo (22) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, in Lincoln, Neb. His 493 yards and three touchdowns led the woeful Cornhuskers in rushing last season, but he’s become the team’s most-improved player this year. He’s compiled 710 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through eight games, while averaging 7.4 yards per carry. He’s reached the 100-yard mark in four of the past five games. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Ozigbo, Coughlin head list of Big Ten's most improved

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 01, 2018 11:41 AM EDT

Indiana running back Mike Majette controls the ball against Minnesota's Blake Cashman during an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 38-31. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Morgan, Minnesota top Indiana 38-31 on late 67-yard TD pass

By Dave Campbell Oct. 26, 2018 11:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 file photo, Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins plays against Tulane during an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio. No. 3 Ohio State is looking to get more out of its ground game as Minnesota visits. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins has piled up a nation-leading 25 touchdown passes, but the Buckeyes averaged just 3.2 yards per carry against Indiana last week. Injury-riddled Minnesota will try to rebound after dropping its first two Big Ten games. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Buckeyes seeking more from ground game vs Minnesota

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 12, 2018 11:55 AM EDT

Iowa's Julius Brents intercepts the ball intended for Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Minneapolis. Iowa won 48-31. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Stanley's 4 TD passes send Iowa past Minnesota 48-31

By Dave Campbell Oct. 06, 2018 07:56 PM EDT