Gophers Star Running Back is a Surprise Go vs Rhode Island

The Minnesota Gophers can get their first win of the 2024 season on Saturday with the Rhode Island Rams in town. They will do so with a player they definitely missed against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Star running back Darius Taylor is back and ready to rock.

Darius Taylor changes Minnesota Gophers dynamic

In their season opening game against the Tar Heels, P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota Gophers were without the services of running back Darius Taylor. He suffered a leg injury during practice in the leadup to the game and was not available. Max Brosmer made his FBS debut and threw 21 times while Marcus Major carried the rock 20 times. Those numbers are sure to shift with Taylor back in the saddle.

Sources: Minnesota star tailback Darius Taylor will return for the Gophers today. Taylor missed the season-opener against UNC with a leg injury but will come back and start today against Rhode Island. pic.twitter.com/GCitArqAkE

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 7, 2024

The Gophers saw Taylor for just six games during his freshman season, but that was enough to see he was among the best in the country. Taylor racked up a whopping 799 yards while averaging nearly six yards per carry. He found the end zone five times, and established himself as a player Fleck can build around.

Thank you Gopher fans for supporting me during my time in Minnesota.Thank you to my TEAM who has made this a world class experience. After talking with my family and taking time to think I have decided to come back for another year with Dinkytown Athletes. Who's going to join me? pic.twitter.com/VZTOqXrsPX

— Darius Taylor💫 (@Dariustay1or) December 2, 2023

Related: Former Viking on the Minnesota Gophers Call this Weekend

Taylor joins Brosmer in the backfield for the first time this season. Gophers fans will get a glimpse at what their offense can look like with a full complement of skill position players. Star wide receiver Daniel Jackson played against North Carolina last week.

What to expect from Darius Taylor against Rhode Island

Darius Taylor has a chance to wind up as one of the best running backs in the nation. He’s a week behind from a statistical perspective, but the Rams are a soft landing spot. Rhode Island started 2023 as a Top 25 team and finished just 6-5. The Rams are breaking in a new quarterback this season, and they struggled to stop the run against Holy Cross in Week 1. That was a probably last season as well.

Minnesota's Darius Taylor is a RISING STAR in the Big Ten | Elite RB ready to IGNITE Gophers offense

Minnesota's Darius Taylor (@Dariustay1or) joins @Andy_Staples to discuss a big year ahead in Minneapolis for the Golden Gophers pic.twitter.com/sVGiTb18oI

— On3 VIDEO (@On3Video) July 30, 2024

Holy Cross running back Jordan Fuller put up 144 yards with a yards per carry average of five. Taylor is an exponentially more skilled player, and he has to be licking his chops at the matchup. Taylor put up 193 yards against Eastern Michigan last season, and nearly broke 200 (coming just two shy) against Northwestern. If Fleck avoids easing him back in, Taylor could be looking at a career day. It does seem much more sensible that the Iowa game remains a focus, and Taylor’s carries are limited on the afternoon.

Related: Max Brosmer is Not to Blame for Gophers Loss vs Tar Heels; Neither is PJ Fleck

Marcus Major will likely get a handful of touches against Rhode Island. He filled in nicely during Week 1 against North Carolina. His ability to be a change-of-pace contributor can keep Taylor fresh. Jordan Nubin and Sieh Bangura will be options on the ground also.