Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner had surgery on his left foot Wednesday morning and the junior isn't expected to be 100 percent until late spring.
"Mitch's surgery went well," Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said in a statement. "We will be careful with his recovery process, but hope to have him back at full strength in four months or so."
Leidner, who started all 13 games this season, will be limited in spring practices, giving more snaps to freshmen Demry Croft and Seth Green.
Leidner played through the injury since at least mid-November and won the MVP award in Monday's 21-14 win over Central Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit.