Gophers’ Darius Taylor Wins B1G Freshman of the Week

Minnesota Gophers freshman running back, Darius Taylor, broke onto the Dinkytown scene over the weekend, when he took 33 carries for 193 yards and a touchdown vs the Eastern Michigan Eagles, lifting the Gophers to a 20-6 victory and himself to the top of the depth chart.

Darius Taylor honored with B1G Freshman of the Week Award

On Monday morning, Taylor was rewarded with Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.

🏈 #B1GFootball WEEKLY AWARDS 🏈

🔵 Offensive: @MSU_Football's Noah Kim
🔵 Defensive: @HawkeyeFootball's Sebastian Castro
🔵 Special Teams: @RFootball's Jai Patel
🔵 Freshman: @GopherFootball's Darius Taylor

➕ https://t.co/osaHWAdK51 pic.twitter.com/FibwwEcftj

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 11, 2023

Taylor’s gained more rushing yards (196) vs Eastern Michigan than almost any other freshman running back in program history, trailing only Darrell Thompson, who ran for 205 yards vs Bowling Green in 1986.

Darius’ 196 yards were the most of any running back in the country last week, who didn’t play any overtime periods. Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) — who the Gophers will see this weekend when they travel to Chapel Hill — gained 234 yards vs Appalachian State but it took two overtimes.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙪𝙨 𝙏𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚 😤

Relive the freshman RB's breakout performance in tonight's win. ⤵️@Dariustay1or x @GopherFootball pic.twitter.com/SXP2uS5Bgu

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 10, 2023

Gophers B1G Football Player of the Week Notes:

• The last Gopher to win B1G Freshman of the Week was Athan Kaliakmanis (Nov. 28, 2022)

Other 2023 Winners:

Week 1: Dragan Kesich (Special Teams), Tyler Nubin (Defense)