Minnesota RB Taylor Doubtful to Play at California with Hamstring Injury

Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor is doubtful to play in Saturday night's game against California due to a right hamstring injury sustained early in their previous game against Northwestern State. Taylor, the team's leading rusher for the last two seasons, left the game after a 17-yard run and has a history of hamstring issues that caused him to miss multiple games in recent seasons. Coach P.J. Fleck noted that the injury is not considered long term, but with Taylor sidelined, the Gophers plan to use a committee of running backs including A.J. Turner, Cam Davis, and Fame Ijeboi to handle carries. Minnesota has performed strongly in its first two games and holds a top-ranked defense nationally, but faces a tougher opponent in Cal, who is 2-0 this season. The official injury report for Taylor will be released two hours before kickoff, and Minnesota hopes to have him back after their upcoming week off before conference play. The Gophers are favored by 2.5 points in the matchup, which marks their first visit to Berkeley since 2006.