3 October 2023
Gophers running back Zach Evans spun out of a tackle, kept his feet and picked up 11 yards for a first down during Saturday’s game against Louisiana at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Where was that over the first month of the season?
Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck received questions on the whereabouts of Evans a few times as the redshirt freshman didn’t carry the ball a single time over the opening four games.
The simple answer is Fleck relied on who won the running back competition in preseason camp. That’s how Western Michigan senior transfer Sean Tyler started the season-opener against Nebraska and had the most carries in the win over the Cornhuskers.
Then, after Tyler had fumbling issues against Eastern Michigan, true freshman Darius Taylor took on a much bigger role. After one carry for three yards against Nebraska, Taylor put up 529 yards on 86 carries over the next three weeks and won three consecutive Big Ten freshman of the week honors.
Taylor took over the lion’s share of the carries, with 33 against Eastern Michigan, 22 versus North Carolina and 31 against Northwestern, until he injured his left leg in the fourth quarter against the Wildcats. He didn’t practice or play during the Louisiana week.
Now Taylor has company as a Big Ten freshman of the week; Evans received the honor Monday after he rushed for 85 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries in the 35-24 win over Louisiana.
“(Evans) didn’t do anything wrong; he just had to keep getting better and be more consistent,” Fleck told the Pioneer Press. “The minute he became more consistent, that was the only thing he was missing. Then he jumped guys and he had his opportunity, and took advantage of it.”
Evans was playing during Sunday Night Football, the Gophers’ underclassmen scrimmage a few weeks ago. Sixth-year senior Bryce Williams started against the Ragin’ Cajuns and also had 15 carries, but Evans was more explosive (5.7 yards per carry to Williams’ 3.5).
“Everybody has their different path; everybody has their different story; everybody has a different timeline of when they get it,” Fleck said. “Everything in our program is earned, period. I will always say that. He’s done a great job earning it.”
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is close friends with Evans, and said the slower start didn’t bother him.
“He’s willing to do whatever the team needs,” Kaliakmanis said Saturday. “Darius — you see our (running back) room is so talented. It doesn’t really affect (Evans). That’s the kind of kid Zach is. Zach is a very selfless person. That’s why he fits right in our program. … He had his opportunity, and he shined.”
Taylor praised Evans after his teammate won the Big Ten freshman award Monday. “The standard!!” Taylor wrote on social media.
Moving pieces
Gophers tight ends have played at a sub-par level this season — either in run blocking or being threats in the passing game.
And Fleck was asked Monday if he has made a change in position coaches. 247sports pointed out offensive quality control coach Brian Sheehan was working more with the tight ends on Saturday. Andrew Sowder has been in his first year as the U’s tight ends coach after serving five seasons as Kent State’s offensive coordinator.
“I’m just moving things around and finding ways to be able to find the right fit and get guys to play where they need to play,” Fleck acknowledged, without sharing specifics. “Everybody is still on our staff, but we’ve just moved some things around.”
Tight end is one of the most-experienced positions on the roster, with sixth-year senior Brevyn Spann-Ford, fifth-year senior Nick Kallerup and third-year player Jameson Geers mixing in. The Gophers like to use two-tight end personnel packages.
Four out of five
Big Ten freshman of the week in 2023 season:
Week 5 — Gophers RB Zach Evans
Week 4 — Gophers RB Darius Taylor
Week 3 — Taylor
Week 2 — Taylor
Week 1 — Purdue DB Dillon Thieneman
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