There were two main objectives going into the Gophers’ final nonconference game of the season on Saturday:

1. Beat Nevada. 2. Avoid any serious injuries going into the rivalry game against Iowa next week.

The U completed the first goal with a 27-0 win over the Wolf Pack at Huntington Bank Stadium, but weren’t so fortune on the second aim.

Top cornerback Justin Walley suffered a right knee injury in the first half and didn’t return.

The senior limped off the field and went into the injury tent midway through the first half. He then put on a brace and attempted to test out his knee, but didn’t play again. He changed out his pads at halftime and was seen limping along the sideline in the second half.

“Hopefully (with) Walley, it’s nothing, but we will find out here soon,” coach P.J. Fleck said.

Given the attempt to come back, the best-case scenario for the U is Walley being scratched while up 20-0 was a precautionary step going into the Battle for Floyd of Rosedale next Saturday in Minneapolis.

Walley is the U’s best cover corner, producing a 70-yard interception return in the 19-17 loss to North Carolina in the season opener on Aug. 29. Walley also had a pick in the 12-10 win over the Hawkeyes in Iowa City last October.

Without Walley, the Gophers turned to second-year corner Zaquon Bryan to play opposite Ethan Robinson.

The Gophers, however, did have two secondary members return to action on Saturday: safety Darius Green and nickel back Jai’Onte’ McMillan. Green had missed the first two games after a preseason issue, while McMillan came back after getting hurt against the Tar Heels in Week 1.

But on Robinson’s interception in the fourth quarter, he collided with safety Aidan Gousby, who was favoring his left shoulder and went into the injury tent. The U defense didn’t take the field again Saturday.

Redding out for season

The Gophers’ football program on Saturday ruled out Quentin Redding for the rest of the season, opening up an expanded opportunity for precocious freshman Koi Perich.

Redding, who was injured on the opening punt return in the 48-0 win over Rhode Island last week, has been a regular on both units for years. His specific injury is unknown, but his status was confirmed in the U’s unavailability report before the U’s 27-0 win over Nevada.

When Redding went out last Saturday, Daniel Jackson was the first to step in on punt returns. But this Saturday, it was only Perich, who went on to have two returns for 22 yards, including a long of 16. The U was often not looking to return the Wolf Pack’s six punts.

“I love seeing Koi,” Fleck said. “I’ve never really had a freshman that — I don’t know what the word is —enlightens me, makes me feel calm, but also like, how did he just make me feels so calm that quickly. He’s a real special talent.”

Perich, a four-star prospect from Esko, Minn., had an entertaining 28-yard return in the 48-0 win over Rhode Island last Saturday. It was the Gophers’ longest punt return since Demetrius Douglas had a 69-yard return for a touchdown at Wisconsin in 2018.