:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3905388/123495056.jpg)
The Minnesota Golden Gophers do not intend to limit quarterback MarQueis Gray's running, according to the Pioneer Press. Before the season, Gray indicated he would put more emphasis on staying in the pocket and passing, but in the Gophers' season-opening 30-27 win over the UNLV Rebels, he had a team-high 17 carries.
Offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said they were not going to cap the number of carries:
"We never put a limit on that because so much of our offense, you don't know if he's going to carry the ball or not on a given play. There are a lot of reads going on. It could be 17 [carries] one week, and 11 the next and 22 the following week ... If he's got it and he's feeling it; he's 6-5 and 250 pounds and he's getting down hill, we're not going to hold back, if that's what is moving the chains."
Gray was 17-for-30 for 269 yards through the air in the triple-overtime Week 1 win over UNLV. He picked up 68 yards on his 17 rushes, second only to Donnell Kirkwood's 81 yards on 13 carries. Gray should have plenty of opportunity in the passing game this Saturday against the New Hampshire Wildcats, who gave up 271 passing yards in their Week 1 win over the Holy Cross Crusaders.
For more on Gophers football, visit Minnesota blog The Daily Gopher, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire and SB Nation Minnesota.