BleedGopher
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Per Dylan:
Backing up Tanner Morgan last year, Kaliakmanis played quite a significant role in Minnesota's 2022 campaign, playing in 11 games. He completed 60-of-111 passing attempts for 946 yards and three touchdowns to four interceptions. It was a solid season overall for Kaliakmanis, who showed several flashes throughout the season of the quarterback that he could be.
Now, Kaliakmanis is the starting quarterback and unquestioned leader of the Gophers offense. A large chunk of the Gophers' success will ultimately fall on his shoulders. The Kaliakmanis era officially begins on Thursday, and all eyes will be on the third-year quarterback out of Illinois.
We've been discussing Spann-Ford all offseason, so seeing him on our list of players to watch on Thursday shouldn't be surprising. One of the best tight ends in the country, Spann-Ford, is coming off a 42 receptions, 497 yards, and two touchdowns and could be in for an even bigger season this fall. Spann-Ford has elite size, great athleticism, and all the makings of a potential All-American tight end. Last season, Spann-Ford was kept to a season-low one reception for nine yards against the Cornhuskers. It seems highly unlikely that will be the case again on Thursday.
One of the top safeties in the country, Nubin is our lone defensive player on this week's players to watch. The Illinois native recorded a career-high 55 tackles last season, including two tackles for loss and four interceptions. He also had three pass deflections and one forced fumble. Nubin has excellent athleticism and a knack for consistently finding himself around the ball. With a Nebraska offense that should be relatively balanced, the Gophers will need Nubin to be productive both in assisting against the run and also being the last line of defense against the Cornhuskers' passing attack.
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Go Gophers!!
QB Athan Kaliakmanis - Minnesota
Backing up Tanner Morgan last year, Kaliakmanis played quite a significant role in Minnesota's 2022 campaign, playing in 11 games. He completed 60-of-111 passing attempts for 946 yards and three touchdowns to four interceptions. It was a solid season overall for Kaliakmanis, who showed several flashes throughout the season of the quarterback that he could be.
Now, Kaliakmanis is the starting quarterback and unquestioned leader of the Gophers offense. A large chunk of the Gophers' success will ultimately fall on his shoulders. The Kaliakmanis era officially begins on Thursday, and all eyes will be on the third-year quarterback out of Illinois.
TE Brevyn Spann-Ford - Minnesota
We've been discussing Spann-Ford all offseason, so seeing him on our list of players to watch on Thursday shouldn't be surprising. One of the best tight ends in the country, Spann-Ford, is coming off a 42 receptions, 497 yards, and two touchdowns and could be in for an even bigger season this fall. Spann-Ford has elite size, great athleticism, and all the makings of a potential All-American tight end. Last season, Spann-Ford was kept to a season-low one reception for nine yards against the Cornhuskers. It seems highly unlikely that will be the case again on Thursday.
S Tyler Nubin - Minnesota
One of the top safeties in the country, Nubin is our lone defensive player on this week's players to watch. The Illinois native recorded a career-high 55 tackles last season, including two tackles for loss and four interceptions. He also had three pass deflections and one forced fumble. Nubin has excellent athleticism and a knack for consistently finding himself around the ball. With a Nebraska offense that should be relatively balanced, the Gophers will need Nubin to be productive both in assisting against the run and also being the last line of defense against the Cornhuskers' passing attack.
UGASports: Georgia Bulldogs Football & Basketball Recruiting - Minnesota vs. Nebraska: Five players to watch for Thursday's season opener
Gophers Nation takes a look at five players to watch for in Thursday night's contest
Go Gophers!!