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As expected, Minnesota Golden Gophers senior quarterback MarQueis Gray did not travel with the team to Iowa for its Big Ten opener, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Gray was carted off the field after spraining his left ankle Sept. 15 against Western Michigan and was not active last Saturday against Syracuse. Wide receiver Andre McDonald and offensive lineman Tommy Olsen also did not make the trip to Iowa City.
Sophomore signal-caller Max Shortell, who threw for 231 yards and no interceptions in a 17-10 victory over the Orange, will start against the Hawkeyes. It will be Shortell's first start against a conference opponent since last year's 58-0 thrashing at the hands of Michigan. Freshmen backups Philip Nelson and Mitch Leidner will also be available.
On the season, Gray has completed 26-of-44 passes for 398 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. But Shortell has filled in nicely, completing 31-of-53 passes for 491 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.