Pregame: Gophers LB coach Mike Sherels reinstated from medical leave

Gophers linebackers coach Mike Sherels, who was clinging to his life with an intestinal illness during August, has been reinstated from his medical leave and will be on the sidelines for Saturday's game against Iowa.

Sherels had multiple surgeries in August, but he has been regaining strength, doing more and more around the football complex. Keith Jordan served as interim linebackers coach while Sherels recovered. Here's the story Chip Scoggins wrote about Sherels' harrowing illness the way he defied the odds.

Battle for Floyd

It's always a black and blue battle, when the Gophers and Iowa compete for Floyd of Rosedale, and this game will feature two teams that have been good in the red zone.

The Gophers have turned 14 of 19 trips inside the 20-yard line (73.7 percent) into touchdowns, and Iowa has turned 15 of 18 trips (83.3 percent) into touchdowns.

The Gophers know they left some points on the board in last week's loss at Penn State, though, as Mitch Leidner through that fourth quarter touchdown pass from the 12-yard line. Just his second interception of the season.

Both these teams have been good at minimizing turnovers (two for Iowa, three for Minnesota), and that will be key, of course, today. The Gophers have said they won't be afraid to challenge Iowa's All-American cornerback Desmond King, but we'll see about that. His receivers have only been targeted 13 times through five games.

Update: KiAnte Hardin, back from suspension, worked out with the first-team defense at cornerback. RG Vincent Calhoun (turf toe), WR Rashad Still (clavicle) and DE Tai'yon Devers (ankle) were all moving around pretty well in warm-ups.

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