Gophers' offensive line is defying the odds despite mounting injuries
· Yahoo Sports
Improving the offensive line was near the top of the Gophers’ to-do list this season, and getting the job done has been tested by injuries through five games. Last week marked Minnesota’s third different starting unit this season, and the third in a row.
The first O-line injury happened in the summer, when third-year backup center Brett Carroll suffered a season-ending injury, which hurt their depth along the interior. Daniel Shipp earned the starting right tackle spot, and Tony Nelson earned the starting right guard spot, which gave them the same starting group for the first three weeks of the season.
Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.
Weeks 1-3 (Eastern Illinois, Mississippi State, Akron)- LT: Nathan Roy
- LG: Greg Johnson
- C: Ashton Beers
- RG: Tony Nelson
- RT: Daniel Shipp
Oddly enough, the second injury of the season also happened at center, when Beers went down against Akron in Week 3. He came back into the game, but he found himself on the injury report and was held out of the Washington game. Longtime offensive line coach Brian Callahan opted to move Johnson from left guard to center, a position he played in 2023. Former Purdue transfer Jaden Ball assumed the left guard spot in Week 4 against Washington.
Week 4 (Washington)- LT: Roy
- LG: Jaden Ball
- C: Johnson
- RG: Nelson
- RT: Shipp
Minnesota’s offensive line had a great performance on the road against Washington. The Gophers ran for 125 yards, and the Huskies had only one sack. Johnson looked comfortable at center, and the Gophers played well without Beers.
Week 5 (Michigan)Beers’ injury was ruled a season-ender before the Gophers hosted Michigan, and Ball joined him on the injury report. Minnesota played against Michigan with four of their five original starters on the line, but with Johnson at center for a second consecutive week and a third different starter at left guard.
- LT: Roy
- LG: Bennett Warren
- C: Johnson
- RG: Nelson
- RT: Shipp
Warren lost the right tackle battle to Shipp in the preseason, but he was thrust into a starting role against the Wolverines. He had never played guard in his college career. He recorded a 49.6 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade, but he only allowed one QB pressure. Minnesota ran for 126 yards as a team, and the O-line allowed zero sacks.
What’s next?Heading into Week 6 against Purdue, Ball remains out for a game against his former team. It appears that Warren is in line to make his second straight start at left guard. Whether Ball is able to return after the bye week for a huge clash against Iowa remains to be seen, but Callahan and the Gophers’ staff have done an admirable job given the circumstances.
Related Articles
- Gophers may have their best backcourt in years, and Niko Medved knows it
- Gophers 2027 cornerback commit announces Alabama offer
- Replacing Amaya Battle will be key for Gophers. Dawn Plitzuweit has a plan
- Cade Tyson, exhibitions and more: Why October matters for Gophers basketball
This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Oct 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.