Quarterback Mitch Leidner appeared to be a more confident — and competent — quarterback for Minnesota a week ago, right up to the last play when he was stuffed on a sneak at the goal line trying to give the Golden Gophers an upset win over Michigan.
Minnesota interim coach Tracy Claeys no doubt is hoping to see Leidner carry the positives from last week into tonight’s game against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium. But as Claeys pointed out, it wasn’t just a one-man act a week ago.
“Obviously, Mitch has played better (the past few weeks), but quarterback, you’ve got to protect that guy and you’ve got to give him a chance to throw the ball from the spots it was designed to throw from,” Claeys said.