BleedGopher
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per Greder:
David Cobb did it for him, so now Rodney Smith plans to pay it forward.
A link in the Gophers’ running back fraternity was established when Cobb passed on encouragement and pointers to Smith in the five years since he left in 2014.
Now, as Smith approaches his 52nd and final collegiate game when the Gophers play Auburn in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida, on New Year’s Day, the sixth-year senior will be in the ear and text message threads of U redshirt sophomore Mo Ibrahim.
In a way, Smith feels like he owes Ibrahim for how accommodating and supportive Ibrahim has been this season. When Smith and Shannon Brooks went down with torn anterior cruciate ligaments in their knees last season, Ibrahim filled in like a pro, rushing for 202 times for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns.
Now healthy, Smith took back his leading role, rushing 212 times for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns and setting the Gophers’ all-time all-purpose yardage record this season. That didn’t leave many carries for Ibrahim, who followed his stellar 2018 performance with 94 carries, 464 yards and six TDs. The load splintered even more with Brooks’ 73 carries for 408 yards and two scores.
“Having them on the field is just different,” Ibrahim said. “I understand that they are having a great season and we are all complimenting each other. ... I don’t think it’s a big difference from last year to this year.”
www.winonadailynews.com
Go Gophers!!
David Cobb did it for him, so now Rodney Smith plans to pay it forward.
A link in the Gophers’ running back fraternity was established when Cobb passed on encouragement and pointers to Smith in the five years since he left in 2014.
Now, as Smith approaches his 52nd and final collegiate game when the Gophers play Auburn in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida, on New Year’s Day, the sixth-year senior will be in the ear and text message threads of U redshirt sophomore Mo Ibrahim.
In a way, Smith feels like he owes Ibrahim for how accommodating and supportive Ibrahim has been this season. When Smith and Shannon Brooks went down with torn anterior cruciate ligaments in their knees last season, Ibrahim filled in like a pro, rushing for 202 times for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns.
Now healthy, Smith took back his leading role, rushing 212 times for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns and setting the Gophers’ all-time all-purpose yardage record this season. That didn’t leave many carries for Ibrahim, who followed his stellar 2018 performance with 94 carries, 464 yards and six TDs. The load splintered even more with Brooks’ 73 carries for 408 yards and two scores.
“Having them on the field is just different,” Ibrahim said. “I understand that they are having a great season and we are all complimenting each other. ... I don’t think it’s a big difference from last year to this year.”
Minnesota Gophers: From David Cobb to Rodney Smith and Mo Ibrahim, running backs stick together
David Cobb did it for him, so now Rodney Smith plans to pay it forward.
Go Gophers!!
