The Minnesota Gophers pose a serious threat to the Oregon Ducks with talented players on both offense and defense that Dan Lanning will have to keep under control
Here are five Minnesota players Duck fans should know.
As the Oregon Ducks gear up for a rare Friday night clash with Minnesota, this matchup has all the makings of a classic trap game. Coming off a stretch of high-stakes conference battles and with the College Football Playoff race tightening, it would be easy to overlook a middling Gophers squad. But that would be a mistake. Despite their record, Minnesota has talent across the board—from disruptive pass rushers to steady offensive playmakers—capable of making things uncomfortable if the Ducks aren’t locked in. As Oregon looks to keep its playoff hopes intact, here are five Minnesota players every Duck fan should know before kickoff at Autzen.
Drake Lindsey Quarterback
Minnesota’s redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey will be one of the most inexperienced signal-callers to take the field at Autzen this season, but he’s got the tools to make an impact. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Lindsey has the size and arm strength coaches love, especially when he’s throwing from a clean pocket. After seeing limited action last year, he took over as the Gophers’ Week 1 starter and has had a roller-coaster first season. He has been up and down, but the highs are very high, and there are some NFL-type characteristics to his game.
Darius Taylor Running Back
Minnesota running back Darius Taylor, the Big Ten’s top returning rusher, hasn’t been able to build on his breakout sophomore season due to injuries. After piling up 986 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, his junior campaign has been interrupted by a lingering hamstring issue that’s kept him out for most of the season. Taylor left the Iowa game after just three snaps, and while it’s been nearly three weeks since that setback, his status for Friday remains uncertain. When he’s been healthy, though, he’s shown why he’s such a key piece of the Gophers’ offense—rushing for 141 yards in the opener and 148 against Nebraska, numbers that make up the bulk of his production this fall.
Le’Meke Brockington Wide Receiver
The senior wide receiver has stepped up as Minnesota’s top receiving option this season after serving in a supporting role in past years, hauling in 10 more catches than anyone else on the roster. He’s not a deep threat, nor does he play with any level of explosiveness, but he’s been a reliable possession receiver who does most of his damage within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. What he lacks in explosive plays, Brockington makes up for with physicality after the catch, using his strength and toughness to move the chains and extend drives.
Anthony Smith Defensive End
Smith has been one of the Big Ten’s most disruptive defenders this season, sharing the conference lead in sacks and sitting just a half-tackle behind the leader in tackles for loss. He also ranks third in the Big Ten with 33 total pressures, demonstrating his consistent ability to collapse the pocket. This level of production is nothing new for Smith, who led Minnesota last season with 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, he combines impressive size and athleticism to overwhelm blockers and set the tone for the Gophers’ defense.
Koi Perich Safety
A two-way standout last year at receiver and safety, Perich came into the season regarded as Minnesota’s most talented player. In 2025, he has primarily focused on safety and has performed very well on the defensive side of the ball. He is instinctive, rangy, and has a nose for the football. He has been prone to missed tackles this season, as he has 13 missed tackles compared to just six last year. With that said, if the Gophers need to get big plays on defense, they will likely come from Perich.
