Gophers QB Max Shortell wanted to go to Iowa

Minnesota Golden Gophers starting quarterback Max Shortell certainly isn't complaining now, but he once had hoped to become the quarterback for the Iowa Hawkeyes coming out of high school, as Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press writes.

This weekend, the Gophers are facing the Hawkeyes in the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale pig trophy, one of Minnesota's big annual rivalry games. Shortell will be leading the way as Minnesota looks to stay unbeaten following its Big Ten opener, but he once had dreams of standing on the other sideline.

As a senior in high school, Shortell worked out for Iowa coaches and apparently played well, but the Hawkeyes ultimately opted to not to offer the Mission Hills, Kan., native a scholarship. Now he's starting in place of injured Gophers quarterback MarQueis Gray, though, giving him the opportunity to exact some revenge on the Big Ten stage.

Appearing in three games this season, Shortell has completed 31-of-53 passes for 491 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He took over after Gray's injury in Minnesota's 28-23 win over Western Michigan and started last week in a 17-10 win over Syracuse.