STrib: Redshirt freshmen Mohamed Ibrahim, Blaise Andries power Gophers ground game

[BleedGopher]

per Randy:

When the Gophers hung with then-No. 3 Ohio State for most of four quarters before falling 30-14 last week, a slice of the future was developing before our eyes. Among the seven freshmen starting for Minnesota on offense were a pair of redshirt freshmen who helped make the running game go.

Running back Mohamed Ibrahim carried the ball 23 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Helping open those holes for Ibrahim to burst through was 6-5, 315-pound classmate Blaise Andries at right guard. Together, they are key contributors from P.J. Fleck’s recruiting Class of 2017 that the Gophers coach locked down only days after getting the job.

Andries, from Marshall in southwestern Minnesota farm country, and Ibrahim, from the Baltimore area, have disparate backgrounds but have become good friends.

“We’re pretty tight,” Ibrahim said. “We always hang out, we’re always chilling.”

http://www.startribune.com/redshirt...-andries-power-gophers-ground-game/498082651/

Go Gophers!!

 

[Gold Rush]

Next year if the Gophers get Brooks and Smith back healthy they will really have a stable of running backs to unleash on the Big Ten. It's good to see these freshmen emerging because it bodes well for the future.