Gophers coach Fleck announces that RB Bryce Williams expected to miss rest of year

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Gophers coach P.J. Fleck met with reporters on Monday morning and provided an update on RB Bryce Williams. Unfortunately, a lower-body injury is expected to keep Williams out the rest of the year. The injury happened during Saturday’s win at Northwestern.

"Looks like it will be season-ending," Fleck said. "So it’s unfortunate. It’s just one of those years that that it’s kind of got us right now, but it’s the next man and in next man up and everybody’s on deck."

***Click the video box above to watch Fleck’s Monday news conference***

With Williams, Trey Potts, and Mo Ibrahim lost for the year, plus Cam Wiley electing to transfer, the Gophers are down to freshmen Bucko Irving and Ky Thomas to run the ball.

First place in the West Division of the Big Ten, the Gophers host Illinois at 11 a.m. next Saturday.

Illinois (3-6, 2-4 Big Ten) will look for its second straight road upset after taking down No. 7 Penn State in nine overtimes in their last road trip two weeks ago. The Illini dropped a 20-14 decision to Rutgers at home last week.

Minnesota (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) is one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten with four straight wins.