Gophers’ Ibrahim named 2020 Big Ten Running Back of the Year

The Big Ten named Minnesota redshirt junior Mohamed Ibrahim the conference’s 2020 Running Back of the Year on Tuesday.

In six games, Ibrahim rushed 175 times for 925 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the conference in all three categories. He averaged 154.2 yards per contest and out-rushed Iowa’s Tyler Goodson, the conference’s second-leading rusher, by 163 yards despite playing two fewer games.

Ibrahim also collected 200+ rushing yards in two different contests, dropping 224 yards on 30 attempts against Illinois and 207 yards on 41 attempts vs. Maryland.

Ibrahim is the seventh different player to be named the conference’s Running Back of the Year since the award began in 2011. He joins Wisconsin’s Montee Ball (2011-12), Ohio State’s Carlos Hyde (2013), Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon (2014), Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliot (2015), Penn State’s Saquon Barkley (2016-17) and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor (2018-19) on the exclusive list. All six of those players went on to become either a first- or second-round pick in the NFL draft.

Additionally, Ibrahim was a consensus pick to the All-Big Ten first team. Also collecting hardware was receiver Rashod Bateman, who was a consensus All-Big Ten third team selection. Offensive guard Conner Olson and offensive tackle Blaise Andries were named to the All-Big Ten third team by the media.

Quarterback Tanner Morgan, center John Michael Schmitz and offensive tackle Sam Schlueter were consensus picks as All-Big Ten honorable mentions. Olson and Andries were also honorable mentions by the coaches.

Bateman, the 2019 Big Ten Receiver of the Year, caught 36 passes for 472 yards and two scores before opting out of the 2020 season after five contests.

Morgan has thrown for 1,215 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 58.9% of his pass attempts.

The conference’s defensive awards will be revealed Wednesday and special teams awards Thursday.

The Gophers wrap up their conference schedule Saturday with a clash against rival Wisconsin during “champions week.”