After removing his redshirt against Northwestern and playing late against Purdue, backup quarterback Demry Croft didn’t play in Minnesota’s most recent game, a 48-25 loss to Nebraska on Oct. 17.
“We wanted to use him in the Nebraska game, but there wasn’t a point in time where we felt like, ‘OK, this is the right time to do it,’ ” offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said Tuesday. “That’s always the challenge.”
Starter Mitch Leidner was 16 for 17 passing for 156 yards and a touchdown in the first half and finished the game with career highs in completions (26) and yards (301).
Head coach Jerry Kill has suggested Croft could be used in the same way his staff employed QB Jordan Lynch as a freshman at Northern Illinois. Kill would have Lynch play a few plays in almost every game.
“One of the things that we’re working on this week is having some things where we can get them revolved,” Limegrover said. “If Mitch continues, it’s hard. It’s hard to pull a guy out when you feel like there are things that are going right. But we’ve got to make sure that we have the plan in place and feel comfortable doing that when the time basically presents itself.”
Kill missed Tuesday’s news conference because of an appointment with his wife, Rebecca, that lasted into his noon time slot with the media. He is scheduled to meet with the media after Wednesday’s practice, per his weekly routine.
INJURY UPDATE
Senior tackle Josh Campion remains out because of a concussion.
“That’s a shame because he has given so much, and it’s frustrated him, not going to be able to go,” Limegrover said.
Senior center Brian Bobek, recovering from an unspecified injury, is improving.
“Hopefully, Brian Bobek continues to be on the mend,” Limegrover said. “Hopefully, we can get him back and add him into the mix — an older kid, stronger kid.”
Freshman Tyler Moore has started the past two games at center.
‘PRETTY SAD’
Limegrover said he wishes he had known Flip Saunders, the former Gophers basketball player and Timberwolves president and head coach who died Sunday.
Saunders was a topic in Monday’s coaching staff meeting, Limegrover said, “With him being a former Gopher and everything and being an icon here in the city.”
The coaches took time to speak about how cancer has affected their lives. Saunders, who played at Minnesota from 1974-77, died at age 60 from complications of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“He was a young guy,” Limegrover said. “That was pretty sad.”
Follow Andy Greder at twitter.com/andygreder.
