Gophers coach Jerry Kill said there was a bad omen during warmups.
"It sums up some things when (defensive end) Alex Keith breaks his hand in warmups," Kill said. "That's the way we started the day."
The Gophers ended the day without being able to slow down Nebraska in a 48-25 loss Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.
Minnesota was without starting middle linebacker Cody Poock and starting outside linebacker DeVondre Campbell for unspecified reasons.
The Gophers especially missed Poock, who leads the team with 45 total tackles and provides strength of formation calls and other alignment tips.