Gophers’ Darius Taylor Wins Big Ten Freshman of the Week Again

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The Minnesota Gophers offense hasn’t looked very good, to start the 2023 season schedule, and that’s in spite of their running back, Darius Taylor, being named Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice in the first three weeks.

Darius Taylor: Big Ten Freshman of the Week (again)

Taylor followed up his 193 YD, 1 TD performance from week 2 with a 138 YD, 1 TD performance in Saturday’s loss vs the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Get this: The last true freshman running back at Minnesota, to rush 100 yards in back-to-back games to start his career, is the legendary Laurence Maroney back in 2003. If you’re a 30-something year old lifetime Gopher football freak, like me, that gave you chills.

Related: Athan Kaliakmanis is Disgusted with Himself; Wants All Blame for UNC Loss

Historic start and legendary comparisons…

Debate all you want about the greatest running back in University of Minnesota history. There is no right answer. But without a doubt, Laurence Maroney is in the conversation. What else is funny about this random fact? Taylor reminds me of Maroney, who I’d argue is the most electric and exciting of all those backfield legends.

I said it early in week 2. The Minnesota Gophers have something special in Darius Taylor. I do not yet expect him to be the next Laurence Maroney or Mohamed Ibrahim but I do expect big things from him after watching his first two games.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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