Minnesota Golden Gophers star running back Mohamed Ibrahim will miss the rest of the season due to the lower-leg injury he suffered in the season-opening loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes last week, according to Andy Greder of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Gophers coach P.J. Fleck announced the news on Monday morning, with Ibrahim unfortunately needing to undergo surgery.

Ibrahim had a monster game against the Buckeyes before suffering his season-ending injury. He carried the ball 30 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-31 loss.

Minnesota was expecting big things out of Mohamed Ibrahim this season. The running back has been a consistent force in the backfield ever since he ran for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman. In 2020, he rushed for 1,076 yards and 15 touchdowns. He did this in just seven games, so he was primed for a monster 2021.

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Despite Ibrahim's monster numbers, the Golden Gophers went just 3-4 in the shortened 2020 campaign. This came after Minnesota went 11-2 in Fleck's best season to date as head coach. The Gophers beat the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl to cap off that excellent 2019 season.

With Mohamed Ibrahim now done for 2021, Fleck's Gophers will need to navigate this campaign without their offensive star. It will take a team effort to make up for Ibrahim's loss. Treyson Potts had 10 carries for 34 yards against Ohio State as the second-leading rusher on Minnesota.

It has been a tough day in the Big Ten, with Michigan Wolverines star wide receiver Ronnie Bell also out for the season with his own injury.