COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Gophers will be without starting left tackle Ben Lauer and defensive tackle Steven Richardson for Saturday night’s game against No. 1 Ohio State. Both Lauer and Richardson are out with undisclosed injuries.
With defensive tackle Scott Ekpe already out, the Gophers defense will be without both interior tackles against Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott, a Heisman Trophy candidate, has 1,130 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games.
Minnesota’s starting defensive tackles will likely be Yoshoub Timms and Andrew Stelter, with defensive end Gaelin Elmore probably seeing some time at tackle, too.
Richardson, who has been a force in the middle of the Gophers defense, has 26 tackles, eight tackles for lost yards and 3.5 sacks in eight games this year.
Stelter, a sophomore, has started two games this season, Timms, a junior, would be making his first career start.
Stelter has 12 tackles and 0.5 tackles for lost yards in eight game. Timms has five tackles, 1.5 tackles for lost yards and a sack in three games.
On offense, Foster Bush will start at left tackle, with Jonah Pirsig remaining the starting right tackle.
Bush, a senior, will be making the 10th start of his career. He has played on the line in six games this season, including extensively against Texas Christian in the season opener when Lauer couldn't play with a knee injury. Lauer has also been playing with a broken left hand.
Without Lauer, the Gophers are down three starters along the offensive line, including tackle Josh Campion and center Brian Bobek. Campion and Bobek have been out with undisclosed injuries since the Northwestern game on Oct. 3.
Also, backup right guard Isaac Hayes will be out Saturday, meaning Jared Weyler is now the backup.
-- Andy Greder
The post Gophers football: Lauer, Richardson out vs. Ohio State appeared first on Gophers Now.