DEFENSE -- The Gophers will be without starters DT Steven Richardson and DT Scott Ekpe for second straight game, although they held the Buckeyes 16 points below their Big Ten-leading season scoring average (37.3) without them. The Gophers also sacked QB Cardale Jones four times, a season-high. ... The Hawkeyes have given up three rushing touchdowns, fewest in the Big Ten, and CB Desmond King leads the conference with eight interceptions. DE Nate Meier leads team with nine tackles for losses and seven sacks. Iowa is a Big Ten-best plus-11 in turnover margin (Minnesota is minus-2). EDGE: Hawkeyes
SPECIAL TEAMS -- The Gophers' struggling return game took a blow when R Jalen Myrick (rib/lung) was lost for the season after the Buckeye's game.