Minnesota junior defensive tackle Scott Ekpe suffered a knee injury during the opener and might miss the remainder of the season.
Coach Jerry Kill called the unspecified injury to Ekpe's right knee a major blow for the Gophers, who defeated Eastern Illinois in their first game of 2014 last Thursday. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that Ekpe tore the anterior cruciate ligament.
The 6-foot-4, 293-pound Ekpe sustained the injury in the first quarter. He was trying to take over the spot vacated by Ra'Shede Hageman, a second-round NFL draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2014.
Defensive linemen Alex Keith and Yoshoub Timms also left Thursday's game with leg injuries, but Kill did not indicate whether the two would be available for Saturday's home game against Middle Tennessee.
Freshmen Steven Richardson, Gaelin Elmore and Andrew Stelter are expected to see more playing time on the defensive line.
