Rodrick Williams was atop the tailback depth chart for the Minnesota Golden Gophers going into the season opener against TCU, due in equal parts to his senior status and the fact he was the starter as recently as midway into the 2013 season. But a lackluster performance on Thursday night, most notably a momentum-killing fumble during the second quarter as the Gophers threatened to score, has given someone else an opportunity to emerge.
Redshirt freshman Rodney Smith made an immediate difference against TCU, with four carries on 22 yards on Minnesota’s first scoring drive, which resulted in a 42-yard field goal by Ryan Santoso.