EVANSTON, Ill. — The Nubin family had a dedicated fan group of 50 family and friends turn out to see Gophers teammates Tyler and Jordan Nubin play at Ryan Field on Saturday.
The brothers from St. Charles, Ill., took field together in their home state for the last time against Northwestern. Tyler is in his fifth and final season at the U, while Jordan is in his third season.
“It’s going to be a great homecoming — can’t wait,” Tyler Nubin said Wednesday.
Tyler entered Saturday’s game having played all 180 defensive snaps for the U this season, while Jordan played his first two offensive snaps of the year at running back in the 31-13 loss to North Carolina last Saturday.
“It’s awesome,” Tyler said of seeing Jordan play on offense. “He’s on kickoff with me, too. So that’s special to be on the field with him.”
But their mother, Sherese Nubin, is the most excited member of the family, Tyler shared. “You will probably hear her in the stands this week,” he said.
The Gophers have 15 players from Illinois, while Northwestern doesn’t have one Minnesotan on its roster.
Lindenberg remains out
Gophers top linebacker Cody Lindenberg was listed on the U’s status report as “questionable” for a second straight week Saturday, but remained out.
The fourth-year player has a leg injury that has kept him out of the opening four games of the season.
Lindenberg (leg) participated in early warmups for the North Carolina game last week in Chapel Hill, N.C., but didn’t play against the Tar Heels. He did not take part in pregame warmups for the Wildcats game at Ryan Field on Saturday.
Without Lindenberg, the Gophers defense has started two newcomers, Maverick Baranowski and Devon Williams, in the first four games. Going into Northwestern, Baranowski leads the team with 27 tackles as well as seven missed tackles. Williams has nine tackles.
Running back Bryce Williams and receiver Chris Autman-Bell were also listed as questionable, but played against the Wildcats.
The Gophers listed four players as out against the Wildcats: defensive tackle Darnell Jefferies, defensive back Craig McDonald and linebackers Derik LeCaptain and Lucas Finnessy.
The U said Jefferies (unknown) and LeCaptain (elbow) are out for the season.
Briefly
Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle visited the Big Ten Conference office’s command center for football officiating in Rosemont, Ill., on Saturday. He also went down to the Big Ten Network office in Chicago to see the production of the league’s games in the early slate Saturday. He told KFAN-FM that he was the first AD to go on that tour.