The Golden Gophers leaned toward experience by having senior Rodrick Williams as the No. 1 running back heading into this season, and that was probably the right move. But redshirt freshman Rodney Smith made an instant case for a big role, with 88 yards on 16 carries against TCU in the season opener, and he had 51 carries over the next two games.
Smith had a productive game last Saturday against Ohio, with 152 total yards (94 rushing) on 20 touches (16 carries), but true freshman Shannon Brooks also got the first substantial action of his career and produced well.