The Gophers football program will recognize over 20 players during Senior Day against Penn State at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday.
The seniors being honored include Aireontae Ersery, Jah Joyner, Daniel Jackson, Justin Walley, Cody Lindenberg, Max Brosmer, Danny Striggow, Quinn Carroll, Tyler Cooper, Jack Henderson, Dragan Kesich, Nick Kallerup, Ethan Robinson, Elijah Spencer, Mark Crawford, Marcus Major, Derik LeCaptain, Logan Richter, Darnell Jefferies, Jaren Mangham, and others.
Twelve of these players have appeared in over 36 games for the Gophers, including cornerback Justin Walley, who has played in 47 games over four seasons.
“Time flies, man,” Walley said this week. “It feels like just yesterday I was one of the young guys in the room with Coney Durr, T-Time (Terell Smith), and Phil Howard, but I’ve truly enjoyed my time here and made a lot of great friends. … I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Ersery has received an invitation to the Senior Bowl and is a potential high draft pick. Joyner and Lindenberg still have one year of eligibility left, but it seems they are likely to pursue NFL opportunities next year.
Injury Report
Gophers left guard Tyler Cooper is not listed on the unavailability report for Saturday, indicating he is set to return after missing two games.
Minnesota’s offensive line had to adjust without Cooper against Illinois and Rutgers, with Ashton Beers stepping in at left guard, Quinn Carroll shifting from right tackle to right guard, and Phillip Daniels making his first start at right tackle.
The offensive line struggled during the 26-19 loss to Rutgers on Nov. 9, but Cooper’s return should provide some veteran leadership.
Unfortunately, the Gophers will be without starting safety Aidan Gousby, who left the Rutgers game with a suspected hamstring injury. They will also miss safety Darius Green and tight end Pierce Walsh for the matchup against the Nittany Lions.
Running back Darius Taylor is not listed as unavailable, but he has not been at full strength recently. The bye week following the Rutgers loss should allow Taylor to recover some health.
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