With so much attention paid to Ohio State’s quarterback situation — Cardale Jones or J.T. Barrett? — running back Ezekiel Elliott can seem like a supporting cast member. Yet he’s a Heisman Trophy candidate. Elliott has run for at least 100 yards in each of his past 13 games. The last team to hold him to fewer was Minnesota. “Ezekiel Elliott didn’t do as much or as well against us,” Gophers linebacker Jack Lynn said. The rematch is Saturday night when the Gophers (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten) face the top-ranled Buckeyes (8-0, 4-0) in a nationally televised night game at Ohio Stadium. Elliott ran ran 19 times for 96 yards in a 31-24 victory over Minnesota last November at TCF Bank Stadium, but he was overshadowed by Barrett, who split open the Gophers with 17 carries and 189 rushing yards, including an 86-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He also completed 15 fo 25 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns. But the Gophers won’t have to worry about Barrett this weekend; he will be replaced by Jones while he serves a one-game suspension after being cited for driving a vehicle while impaired last weekend. Minnesota will focus on stopping Elliott. …
Continue Reading: Gophers football: Barrett out, but Buckeyes have plenty of offense
