Gophers Running Back Looks Ready to Return

P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota Gophers are coming off an overtime victory against the Michigan State Spartans. Drake Lindsey’s end zone scamper thwarted a second-straight poor result for the football rodents.

Coming off a bye week, Minnesota is hoping the additional time off will help them return to a cleaner bill of health. Star running back Darius Taylor has missed plenty of time this season. That was again the case against Michigan State.

It appears he’ll be active for Friday night however.

Darius Taylor gives MN Gophers offense a boost

The Gophers very clearly hid an injury for Darius Taylor against the Iowa Hawkeyes. He had one carry and never was back on the field after just three plays. He sat out against Michigan State, but has made it look as though he’ll be active against the Oregon Ducks.

The @GopherFootball availability report will be out later, but expect Darius Taylor to go. pic.twitter.com/tNRm3N0FJq

— Ted (@tlschwerz) November 14, 2025

Taylor has played in just six of Minnesota’s nine games this season. Injuries have been a problem for him throughout his collegiate career, and this season it has been a nagging hamstring issue. This season he has turned 80 carries into 354 yards, but has just a single touchdown.

With Taylor missing so much time, head coach P.J. Fleck has turned to freshman Fame Ijeboi, and Washington transfer Cam Davis. Ijeboi broke out against Michigan State with 108 yards on 17 carries including a 49 yard scamper.

When Taylor has been in the lineup, he has been the clear lead back. That should be expected to take place on Friday night, but it’s also clear Ijeboi has earned an opportunity.

The Ducks talented defense held Iowa to just 2.3 yards per carry last weekend. Drake Lindsey brings his team in as a 25.5 point underdog, and the goal will be to look more competent than the unit did against Ohio State at The Horseshoe earlier this season.

Minnesota and Oregon kick off at 8pm central time. The contest is one of just two ranked matchups on Friday night, and is a national telecast on Fox.