After limping off the field last week against Michigan State – even though he didn't miss a play – Thayer Munford's injury was significant enough to keep him off the field for the start of Friday's game against Northwestern.
With swing tackle Joshua Alabi also out due to injury, redshirt freshman Nicholas Petit-Frere made his first career start at left tackle in Munford's place. A five-star prospect coming out of Tampa, Florida, Petit-Frere competed with Branden Bowen for the starting right tackle job in preseason camp and served as his backup for the first six games of the season.
Munford, though, ended up being healthy enough to play and replaced Petit-Frere in the lineup in the second quarter.
