MarQueis Gray checks in on victimized Gophers guard

Last night, the Minnesota Golden Gophers opened their 2014 college football season. Welcoming in Eastern Illinois from the FCS, the Gophers looked to trounce their lesser opponent. While the game started slow as the Gophers offense struggled, they hit their stride when it mattered. However, a Panthers player took exception to the drubbing.

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Late in the game, as the Gophers had already put up a few scores, Eastern Illinois guard Kamu Grugier-Hill gave Gophers guard Zac Epping a not so nice shot below the belt. Unfortunately for the Panthers and Grugier-Hill, the move ended his night as he was tossed from the contest.

As college players typically do, a former well-known Gophers quarterback, and current Cleveland Browns fullback, stopped by on Twitter to check in on his former protector. MarQueis Gray, former star quarterback for Minnesota reached out to see if Epping was ok.

Noting he had just seen the hit, Gray made sure that Epping was doing alright to which the guard replied that he “sure wobbled a bit,” but that he held his own just fine.  Gray then commented on the offensive line, making sure they were set out to keep quarterback Mitch Leidner upright this season.

Although Eastern Illinois was an FCS opponent, the Gophers power run game was able to handle its own on the night.  The offensive line had their way with the Panthers and should show well in the Big Ten.

Minnesota is back on the field against Middle Tennessee Saturday September 6.  The Gophers should once again find themselves in a lopsided matchup, and should be just fine as long as the Blue Raiders only go after balls wrapped in pigskin.