Offensive Players to Watch
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Demry Croft: Croft is 32-of-75 passing (42.7 percent) this season for 412 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. His breakout game came in a three-point loss against Michigan State, where he threw for 163 yards, three touchdowns and one pick on 11-of-20 passing after relieving the starter, fifth-year senior Conor Rhoda. He is a dual threat quarterback, but passing hasn’t quite been his strong suit lately. Against Illinois, Croft completed five of 14 passes, threw for only 47 yards and added two interceptions. Against Iowa last week, he finished 9 of 29 through the air with an interception. Not ideal for P.J. Fleck and his team.
Redshirt junior running back Rodney Smith: Minnesota is a running team. It has three different running backs that can be the guy. Smith is the leader of the three. He’s rushed for 627 yards on 153 carries and has scored twice. Senior Kobe McCrary will also see plenty of action. He’s carried 58 times for 290 yards and five touchdowns this season. McCrary is more of the power back to Smith’s speed and elusiveness.
Sophomore wide receiver Tyler Johnson: Johnson has been dynamic as a receiver this year, but he doesn’t have much help around him. He’s caught 31 passes for 591 yards and a whopping seven touchdowns this year, and is often found on crossing routes. He has more than double the receiving yards of Michigan leading receiver, junior Grant Perry.
Defensive Players to Watch:
Sophomore linebacker Thomas Barber: The linebackers are the strength of the defense and Barber is the best one of the bunch. He has a team-high 75 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one interception, half a sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended, a pass breakup and a quarterback hit. Needless to say, he’s all over the field and will be counted on to stop Michigan’s rushing attack.
Junior safety Jacob Huff: Huff is fourth on the team in tackles with 39. He also leads the defense in interceptions with three. He has defended six passes and has three pass breakups. He and fellow safety, fifth-year senior Duke McGhee, have been outstanding playing being a depleted cornerback group.
Senior linebacker Jonathan Celestin: Another one of the talented linebackers, Celestin is second on the team in tackles with 60. He also has a sack, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception and three passes defended. The Minnesota defense is ranked No. 20 in the country, so it won’t be an easy time for the Wolverine offense.
Special Teams Player to Watch:
Redshirt junior kicker Emmit Carpenter: Last season, Carpenter was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist, won Big Ten Kicker of the Year and made 22-of-24 field goals. This season, he’s off to another good start, despite having missed more kicks than last year. He is 11-for-15 on field goals and hasn’t missed an extra point. He has a season long of 49 yards and a career long of 53 yards.
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