Tanner Morgan, Mariano Sori-Marin return to Gophers as volunteer analysts

Throughout the 2022 season, coach P.J. Fleck would mention that players such as quarterback Tanner Morgan and linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin could make good coaches someday. That someday is now because Morgan and Sori-Marin have joined the Gophers staff as volunteer analysts.

Both Morgan and Sori-Marin spent time with NFL teams after being signed as undrafted free agents this spring. Morgan was with the Pittsburgh Steelers during training camp and played in three preseason games. He was released in late August. Sori-Marin participated in minicamp for the San Francisco 49ers before being waved in June with a knee injury designation.

"We've got so many guys who come to this program, love their experience and then want to coach when they're done playing,'' Fleck said Monday. "There's no greater feeling than knowing that when you're coaching guys, they want to get into this profession. I think it's the greatest profession in the world. It's a challenging profession. It's a demanding profession.''

Taylor earns repeat honor

Gophers running back Darius Taylor was named Big Ten freshman of the week for the second consecutive week after rushing 22 times for 138 yards and a touchdown in a 31-13 loss at North Carolina on Saturday. Taylor, a true freshman from Detroit, rushed 33 times for 193 yards and a TD in a 25-6 win over Eastern Michigan the previous week.

Taylor's 111.3 rushing yards per game — and he had only one carry in the opener against Nebraska — rank ninth nationally among FBS backs. He's tied for seventh with 18.7 attempts per game but leads all FBS backs in nonconference play with 27.5 per game.

"He's very good, but if you analyze his runs, there are so many things that he can do so much better,'' Fleck said. "You see the 138 or you see the 193, and you're like, 'OK, he's fine.' Now he's got to develop just like everybody else.''

Louisiana game time set

The Gophers' final nonconference game, Sept. 30 vs. Louisiana at Huntington Bank Stadium, will be an 11 a.m. kickoff on BIG, the conference announced.