This past offseason, the NCAA changed the redshirt rule for football. Previously if a freshman (really any class, but typically freshmen) played in one game, that year counted as a year of eligibility gone. If there was an injury to that player and he had only participated in a few games, he could often get a medical redshirt and still have 4 years to play football.
The new rule is that players can play in 4 games while still retaining the current year as a redshirt year. This a great move by the NCAA and this rule could not have come at a better time for the young Gophers.