Rashod Bateman
FILE - Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II participates in the school's Pro Day football workout for NFL scouts in Evanston, Ill., in this Tuesday, March 9, 2021, file photo. Newsome is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
The Latest: SEC, Alabama dominate first round of NFL draft

By The Associated Press Apr. 29, 2021 06:59 PM EDT

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) throws as pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Gophers, missing 33 players, stun Huskers 24-17 after layoff

By Eric Olson Dec. 12, 2020 03:47 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) throws against Purdue during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Nebraska defeated Purdue 37-27. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Huskers look to stack wins; Gophers play after virus layoff

By Eric Olson Dec. 10, 2020 03:52 PM EST

Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras is pressured by Illinois defensive lineman Roderick Perry II during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 25 Wisconsin at No. 19 Iowa in Big Ten's premier game

By Eric Olson Dec. 10, 2020 06:04 AM EST

Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (0) falls after catching a pass, next to Purdue safety Cory Trice (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 34-31. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota WR Bateman ends season early out of virus concerns

Nov. 25, 2020 04:41 PM EST

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) runs around Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. Garrett injured his knee in the first quarter in the Browns 16-6 loss to the Raiders. (AP Photo/David Richard)
The Latest: Air Force-Army football rescheduled to December

By The Associated Press Nov. 25, 2020 10:36 AM EST

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck looks at the scoreboard during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Gophers going through growing pains, as Boilermakers up next

By Dave Campbell Nov. 19, 2020 06:16 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, right, celebrates with wide receiver Tyler Johnson (6) after Johnson caught a touchdown pass during the second half of an NCAA football game against Northwestern, in Evanston, Ill. Fleck has never lacked for clever ways to connect and motivate his players. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)
Light reading: Fleck regaling Gophers with pregame kid books

By Dave Campbell Nov. 16, 2020 12:25 PM EST

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson (15) scores on a 9-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Pig out: Ground-heavy Gophers try to regain Floyd from Hawks

By Dave Campbell Nov. 12, 2020 06:57 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. With another Gophers player opting out of the season Monday, coach P.J. Fleck warned more could follow before the Oct. 24 opener. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
No. 18 Michigan faces difficult opener at No. 21 Minnesota

By Dave Campbell Oct. 22, 2020 05:45 PM EDT

North Carolina defensive back Trey Morrison (4) celebrates after running the ball back on an interception of a two-point conversion attempt by Boston College during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: ACC milestone with 4 top-10 teams

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 05, 2020 02:39 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P. J. Fleck looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, in Piscataway, N.J. The coronavirus outbreak and the Big Ten's cancellation of fall football stood to hurt Minnesota as much as any team, with the Gophers finishing 10th in the 2019 postseason Associated Press poll and most of their offense coming back. (AP Photo/Sarah Stier, File)
Fleck, Gophers dismiss momentum loss: 'Kind of make-believe'

By Dave Campbell Aug. 18, 2020 09:43 PM EDT

The Latest: Clemson pauses DE Xavier Thomas for virus-plus.

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 01:09 PM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Clemson starting defensive end...

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) turns upfield against Auburn during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football gam in Tampa, Fla. Bateman has opted out of the 2020 season amid concerns about the coronavirus, forgoing his remaining two years of eligibility to enter the 2021 NFL draft. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Gophers WR Bateman skips season amid virus worries, goes pro

By Dave Campbell Aug. 04, 2020 10:27 AM EDT