Gophers' Tanner Morgan doing 'very well,' status for Penn State to be determined

When the Gophers take on No. 16 Penn State on Saturday night in Happy Valley, they will have a quarterback under center to start the game. Who will that be? The answer will play out this week after sixth-year senior Tanner Morgan took a shot to the head during the fourth quarter of Minnesota's 26-14 loss at Illinois and missed the remainder of the game.

The starter still might be Morgan, who "woke up Sunday and surprisingly felt really good, which is great,'' coach P.J. Fleck said Monday.

"We have other quarterbacks that can play if he's not able to go,'' Fleck added, "but that's not necessarily ruled out just yet.''

If Morgan can't play, redshirt freshman Athan Kaliakmanis and fourth-year sophomore Cole Kramer are the candidates to take the reins of the offense.

Kaliakmanis took over for Morgan in the fourth quarter Saturday, completing two of six passes for 17 yards with two interceptions and one sack taken.

Kramer, who's played in 16 career games mostly as a QB in the Wildcat formation, was not available to play at Illinois because of a "small injury,'' according to Fleck. Kramer did go through practice Sunday, Fleck added.

"I like them both,'' Fleck said. "Cole's got a lot more experience, but when you look at Athan, he's really talented, but what will he be able to process, bring all in and go out and execute?''

Fleck stressed that Morgan needs to be cleared by the medical staff this week before he could play. The coach was awaiting a medical update on Monday afternoon. "We've got some decisions to make today as we keep going forward,'' he said.

Fleck wasn't sure if Morgan would be able to practice Tuesday but said the QB would at least attend practice. The determination of his playing status will come later in the week.

"My policy, especially with quarterbacks, is somebody that's played a ton of football, you don't have to practice throughout the week until you get to the end of the week, and then you have to be able to show that you can do something,'' Fleck said. "… It's a case-to-case basis, so we'll see how he feels. But I know this: Our medical staff is not going to do anything that puts Tanner's life, safety, health in jeopardy.''

Morgan was injured while trying to convert a third-and-7 situation from the Illinois 44. After taking a shotgun snap, he found a clear path forward and tried to run for the first down. He was tackled by Illinois linebackers Isaac Darkangelo and Gabe Jacas, with Jacas hitting Morgan's helmet with his right fist and forearm. Morgan briefly writhed in pain before medical personnel tended to him.

After walking off the field, Morgan went to the injury tent on the sideline before being taken by cart to the locker room and later transported to a hospital for observation. He was cleared to fly home with the team on Saturday.

The injury capped a difficult day for Morgan, who completed only four of 12 passes for 21 yards — his career low as a starter — with one interception.

As for the hit on Morgan, Fleck didn't believe there was ill intent by Jacas, rather the linebacker was just trying to punch the ball out and hit Morgan's helmet instead. No penalty was called on the play.

"I have a ton of respect for Coach [Bret] Bielema, and he called me right after the game,'' Fleck said. "He saw the hit, and we talked about it. I said, 'That's football.' The guy's going for the ball. There was no intent, and Tanner didn't take it that way.''