Gophers running back David Cobb has come a long way in a year

August 27, 2014 at 1:59PM

The Gophers listed two tailbacks on their official depth chart heading into last year's season opener against UNLV. David Cobb wasn't one of them.

They had Donnell Kirkwood, coming off a 926-yard rushing season in 2012, listed as the starter with Rodrick Williams listed as the No. 2 tailback. Cobb had sat mostly idle his first two years on campus, but that night against UNLV changed everything.

Kirkwood sprained an ankle, and Cobb took advantage of his chance. In the fourth quarter, he took a handoff and raced 60 yards in what would be the team's longest carry of the season.

"Last year I didn't know when I would get into the [first] game or what quarter," Cobb said. "I just knew when I got into the game, I wanted to do something so I could maybe have a chance of staying in the game."

He never looked back, finishing the season with 1,202 yards. Now he's a senior, heading into another opener Thursday against Eastern Illinois, carrying a much different status.

"He's not the same back he was a year ago at this time, not even close," coach Jerry Kill said Tuesday. "He's worked very hard. He's had a tremendous camp, and he's just different. His body's changed. He's increased his speed. I think he gained confidence throughout the year, and we gained more confidence in him."

Jones moves into dorm

Gophers running back recruit Jeff Jones has moved into a university dorm and is getting ready to start class when fall semester begins Tuesday.

The NCAA still needs to weigh in on Jones' eligibility status, but people close to the situation said Tuesday that Jones has been assured he'll get his scholarship. Though no one with the program is expecting Jones to play this season, this bodes well for the top recruit's 2015 playing status.

Last month, coach Jerry Kill said the most important thing was getting Jones into school so he'd be ready to compete next season, after David Cobb and Donnell Kirkwood graduate.

Jones, who was admitted to the university this month, came just short of qualifying academically for Division I when he graduated from Minneapolis Washburn. He took summer school courses, and he was prepared in July to appeal for an NCAA initial eligibility waiver. It's unclear exactly where that process stands.

Unless the NCAA gives full approval to an eligibility waiver, Jones wouldn't be able to practice or play with the team this fall. The NCAA could grant Jones partial approval of an initial eligibility waiver, in which case he would need at least a 2.50 GPA in the fall semester before he'll be able to eligible for spring practice.

In the meantime, he'd be able to work out with the team's strength and conditioning staff.

Injury updates

The Gophers listed wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky and defensive end Michael Amaefula as questionable on their first official injury report.

Left tackle Ben Lauer, who is coming back from a high ankle sprain, wasn't on the injury report, but he was listed on the second team on the depth chart. As expected, Josh Campion is listed as the first-team left tackle, with Jonah Pirsig set to get his first career start at right tackle.

The Gophers listed Cobb as their starting tailback, with Williams, Kirkwood and Berkley Edwards listed as options for the No. 2 tailback spot. Edwards likely will line up as a receiver when other tailbacks are on the field.

The Gophers list Tyler Hartman as their starting fullback with Miles Thomas as the backup.

For the starting secondary, the Gophers listed Antonio Johnson and Cedric Thompson at safety, with Eric Murray and Derrick Wells at cornerback.

Also notable: The Gophers listed true freshman Brandon Lingen as the backup to Maxx Williams at tight end.

Chilly start

The weather forecast calls for a high of 67 degrees Thursday with a 60 percent chance of rain. That would be considerably different from last year's season opener against UNLV. It was 92 degrees for kickoff that night.

Senior running back David Cobb, who was the Gophers' first 1,200-yard rusher in eight years in 2013, carried the ball during drills Monday night.
Senior running back David Cobb, who was the Gophers' first 1,200-yard rusher in eight years in 2013, carried the ball during drills earlier in the month. (Randy Johnson — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
University of Minnesota runningback David Cobb (27) finds an opening after taking a handoff from quarterback Mitch Leidner during a scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.] (DAVID JOLES/STARTRIBUNE) djoles@startribune University of Minnesota Gophers football team scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Gophers running back David Cobb, who rushed for 1,202 yards last year, has improved in the eyes of coach Jerry Kill. “He’s not the same back he was a year ago at this time, not even close.” Kill said. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports team leader

Joe Christensen, a Minnesota Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.

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