A gopher eats in the steppe in Almaty region, Kazakhstan March 8, 2020. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

A gopher appears from his burrow in a park in the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, March 19, 2016. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Gophers line the city sidewalks after their homes were flooded in the East Village area of Calgary, Alberta June 22, 2013. The flooding Bow River shut down all of the centre of Calgary, Canada's oil capital, and will remind closed until mid week The flood forced tens of thousands of residents to leave their soggy homes. Heavy rain also closed roads and brought down bridges elsewhere in the province of Alberta, and there are reports of up to 4 deaths from the flooding. Many communities across southern Alberta are on mandatory evacuation orders because of severe flooding. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA - Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT ANIMALS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate their team's win as Minnesota Golden Gophers' Austin Hollins (2nd R) walks off the court during their NCAA men's college basketball game at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Illinois Fighting Illini's coach John Groce calls out plays to his team during the second half of their NCAA men's college basketball game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Illinois Fighting Illini's Nnanna Egwu (R)and Myke Henry (20) celebrate the game winning basket by Brandon Paul (3) against the Minnesota Golden Gophers their NCAA men's college basketball game at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Illinois Fighting Illini's Brandon Paul celebrates a play against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half of their NCAA men's college basketball game at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Illinois Fighting Illini's Nnanna Egwu (L) celebrates his team's win over Minnesota Golden Gophers' Austin Hollins during their NCAA men's college basketball game at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Minnesota Golden Gophers' Trevor Mbakwe (L) tries to make a pass from the floor as he is guarded by Illinois Fighting Illini's Nnanna Egwu (C) and Tyler Griffey during the second half of their NCAA men's college basketball game at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)

Illinois Fighting Illini's Brandon Paul (L) shoots the game winning basket over Minnesota Golden Gophers' Trevor Mbakwe (C) and Austin Hollins during the second half of their NCAA men's college basketball game at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Illinois Fighting Illini's Nnanna Egwu dunks the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half of their NCAA men's college basketball game at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Illinois Fighting Illini's Joseph Bertrand (C) goes to the basket against Minnesota Golden Gophers' Rodney Williams (3rd L) during the first half of their NCAA men's college basketball game at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Illinois Fighting Illini's Joseph Bertrand (R) goes to the basket agianst Minnesota Golden Gophers' Rodney Williams during the first half of their NCAA men's college basketball game at the 2013 Big 10 tournament in Chicago, Illinois, March 14, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 6 OF 30 FOR PACKAGE 'LIFE IN SLAB CITY'
The first hole of the Gopher Flats golf course is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California February 17, 2012. A former military base that was closed after World War II, Slab City is a place on the fringe both geographically and philosophically and attracts a variety of people, including jobless and financially struggling recession refugees who can no longer pay for food and housing. Picture taken February 17, 2012. REUTERS/Eric Thayer (UNITED STATES - Tags: SOCIETY)

Professor Avi Gopher (L) and Dr. Ran Barkai, researchers from Tel Aviv University's Institute of Archaeology, stand at Qesem cave, an excavation site near the town of Rosh Ha'ayin, east of Tel Aviv, December 27, 2010. A group of International and Israeli researchers discovered pre-historic artefacts and human remains at the site that may prove the earliest existence of modern man was about 400, 000 years ago. If proven, it would change the currently accepted perception that modern man originated on the African continent about 200,000 years ago. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (ISRAEL - Tags: SOCIETY SCI TECH)

Professor Avi Gopher, a researcher from Tel Aviv University's Institute of Archaeology, holds a pre-historic tooth at Qesem cave, an excavation site near the town of Rosh Ha'ayin, east of Tel Aviv December 27, 2010. A group of international and Israeli researchers have discovered pre-historic artefacts and human remains at the site that may prove the earliest existence of modern man was about 400,000 years ago. If proven, it would change the currently accepted perception that modern man originated on the African continent about 200,000 years ago. REUTERS/Baz Ratner (ISRAEL - Tags: SOCIETY SCI TECH)

A gopher runs alongside the car of McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the afternoon practice session at the Canadian F1 Grand Prix in Montreal, June 6, 2008. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA)

Red Bull Formula One David Coulthard of Britain drives past a gopher during the afternoon practice session at the Canadian F1 Grand Prix in Montreal June 6, 2008. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA)

McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain drives past a gopher during the afternoon practice session at the Canadian F1 Grand Prix in Montreal, June 6, 2008. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA)

Saskatchewan Roughriders mascot Gainer the Gopher sits on the sidelines during the CFL Western Conference Final against the BC Lions in Vancouver, British Columbia November 12, 2006. REUTERS/Andy Clark (CANADA)

Saskatchewan Roughriders fans dress as gophers since the Calgary Stampeders banned the Roughriders mascot Gainer the Gopher from performing in their CFL game in Calgary, Alberta, November 5, 2006. REUTERS/Patrick Price (CANADA)

A gopher tortoise walks down the road in front of the space shuttle Atlantis sitting on pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida August 25, 2006. Atlantis is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on August 27. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES)

A gopher tortoise moves towards the space shuttle Discovery, seen sitting on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, July 3, 2006. NASA inspectors found a crack in the foam insulation of space shuttle Discovery's fuel tank and managers were meeting on Monday to decide how the crack might affect Tuesday's launch.

A gopher tortoise moves down the road to the space shuttle Discovery, seen sitting on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, July 3, 2006. NASA inspectors found a crack in the foam insulation of space shuttle Discovery's fuel tank and managers were meeting on Monday to decide how the crack might affect Tuesday's launch. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES)

A gopher tortoise moves towards the space shuttle Discovery, seen sitting on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, July 3, 2006. NASA inspectors found a crack in the foam insulation of space shuttle Discovery's fuel tank and managers were meeting on Monday to decide how the crack might affect Tuesday's launch. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES)

Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Vincent Grier (L) scores on a layup and is fouled by Iowa Hawkeyes center Erek Hansen during the first half of NCAA basketball play in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana March 10, 2006. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Steve Alford (R) talks with Hawkeyes guard Jeff Horner during the second half of NCAA basketball play in Indianapolis March 10, 2006. Horner scored 26 points as Iowa defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the game. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Jeff Horner (2) moves the basketball while being guarded by Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Jamal Abu-Shamala during the second half of NCAA basketball play in Indianapolis March 10, 2006. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Steve Alford directs his team against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half of NCAA basketball play in Indianapolis March 10, 2006. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Iowa Hawkeyes forward Greg Brunner (44) puts up a shot despite Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Zach Puchtel hanging onto him during the second half of NCAA basketball play in Indianapolis March 10, 2006. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Vincent Grier (15) scores after getting past defending Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alex Thompson during the first half of NCAA basketball play in the quarter-finals of the Big Ten Mens Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis March 10, 2006. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Michigan Wolverines guard Daniel Horton (R) fouls Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Zach Puchtel as Puchtel attempted a pass during the second half of NCAA basketball play in the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis March 9, 2006. The Golden Gophers won 59-55. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Maurice Hargrow (L) collides with Michigan Wolverines forward Graham Brown during the second half of NCAA basketball play in the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis March 9, 2006. Hargrow led his team in scoring with 15 points as the Golden Gophers won 59-55. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Dan Coleman (R) puts up a shot defended by Michigan Wolverines center Courtney Sims and forward Graham Brown (25) during the second half of NCAA basketball play in the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis March 9, 2006. Coleman scored 10 points as the Golden Gophers won 59-55. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Michigan Wolverines forward Chris Hunter (31) defends a shot taken by Minnesota Golden Gophers center Spencer Tollackson during the first half of NCAA basketball play in the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis March 9, 2006. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Michigan Wolverines forward Brent Petway (23) shoots a jump shot over defending Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Adam Boone (31) and Golden Gophers forward J'son Stamper (21) during the first half of NCAA basketball play in the first round of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis March 9, 2006. REUTERS/Brent Smith

Minnesota Golden Gophers Adam Boone (L) loses the ball as he collides with Maryland Terrapins D.J. Strawberry (R) and Mike Jones during the second half of their NCAA game in College Park, Maryland November 30, 2005. Maryland won 83-66. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Maryland Terrapins Mike Jones (L) defends against Minnesota Golden Gophers Jamal Abu-Shamala during the first half of their ACC Big Ten Challenge at College Park, Maryland November 30, 2005. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Maryland Terrapins Nik Caner-Medley (R) is drives past Minnesota Golden Gophers' Jamal Abu-Shamala during the first half of their ACC Big Ten Challenge at College Park, Maryland November 30, 2005. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Maryland Terrapins' coach Gary Williams shouts to his team as they play the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half of their ACC Big Ten Challenge at College Park, Maryland, November 30, 2005. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Maryland Terrapins Nik Caner-Medley (L) is fouled by Minnesota Golden Gophers' Dan Coleman during the first half of their ACC Big Ten Challenge at College Park, Maryland November 30, 2005. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

Minnesota Gophers guard Aaron Robinson (L) gets trapped by the Iowa State Cyclones defense of forward Rahshon Clack (C) and Damion Staple, March 18, 2005 during First Round NCAA Men's Basketball action at the Charlotte Coliseum. REUTERS/Robert Padgett rdp/HB

Minnesota Gophers' guard Vincent Grier (L) knocks the ball away from Iowa State Cyclones center Jared Homan (R), March 18, 2005 during First Round NCAA Men's Basketball action at the Charlotte Coliseum. REUTERS/Robert Padgett rdp/HB

Minnesota Gophers' guard Aaron Robinson (3) breaks up a play by Iowa State Cyclones guard Curtis Stinson (R), March 18, 2005 during First Round NCAA Men's Basketball action at the Charlotte Coliseum. REUTERS/Robert Padgett rdp/HB

Iowa State Cyclone forward Damion Staple (22) passes the ball out under defensive pressure from Minnesota Gophers center Jeff Hagen (R), March 18, 2005 during First Round NCAA Men's Basketball action at the Charlotte Coliseum. REUTERS/Robert Padgett rdp/HB

Alabama cornerback Anthony Madison (9) breaks up a pass to Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Ernie Wheelwright (R) during second quarter NCAA action in the Music City Bowl, December 31, 2004, at The Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee. Minnesota beat Alabama 20-16. REUTERS/M. J. Masotti, Jr. MM/SV

Minnesota Golden Gophers tailback Marion Barber III (21) runs past Alabama Crimson Tide strong safety Charlie Peprah (26) during first quarter NCAA action in the Music City Bowl at The Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee, December 31, 2004. REUTERS/M. J. Masotti, Jr. MM

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive tackle Keith Lipka (C) picks up a Alabama Crimson Tide fumble for a touchdown before offensive tackle Wesley Britt (70) can bring him down during first quarter NCAA action in the Music City Bowl at The Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee, December 31, 2004. REUTERS/M. J. Masotti, Jr. MM/SV

U.S. President George W. Bush jokes alongside University of Connecticut basketball player Emeka Okafor (L) as his team mates look on in the East Room of the White House in Washington, May 19, 2004. Bush honored both mens and womens winning NCAA basketball teams from the University of Connecticut, the 2004 winning NCAA mens hockey team, the Denver Pioneers and the womens winning NCAA hockey team, the Minnesota Golden Gophers. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR

U.S. President George W. Bush poses for a picture with Maria Conlon from the University of Connecticut NCAA 2004 womens champion basketball team, as she presents him with a jersey at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, May 19, 2004. Bush honored both mens and womens basketball teams from the University of Connecticut, the Denver Pioneers mens hockey team and the Minnesota Golden Gophers womens hockey team at the ceremony. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR

U.S. President George W. Bush poses with Kelsey Bills from the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the 2004 NCAA womens champion hockey team, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, May 19, 2004. Bush honored both mens and womens basketball teams from the University of Connecticut, the Denver Pioneers mens hockey team and the Minnesota Golden Gophers womens hockey team at the ceremony. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR

U.S. President George W. Bush salutes as he honors the winning 2004 NCAA college basketball and hockey teams, including basketball player Emeka Okafor (L) from the University of Connecticut as his team mates look on in the East Room of the White House in Washington, May 19, 2004. Bush honored both mens and womens basketball teams from the University of Connecticut, the Denver Pioneers mens hockey team and the Minnesota Golden Gophers womens hockey team at the ceremony. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR/JDP

Minnesota University's running back Terry Jackson II (center) goes
airborne for yardage as Ohio State University's defensive end Simon
Frazier (left), middle linebacker Matt Wilhelm (right), defensive
tackle Tim Anderson (bottom right) and weak side linebacker Cie Grant
(center bottom) stop him at the line of scrimmage during second quarter
action November 2, 2002 in Columbus, Ohio. The Ohio State University
Buckeyes went on to beat the Minnesota Golden Gophers 34-3 at the Ohio
State University football stadium. REUTERS/Ronnie Bianco

RAB

Ohio State University's split end Michael Jenkins (12) takes a pass
reception 49 yards to the five-yard line as Minnesota University's
cornerback Ukee Dozier (R) makes the stop with the help of teammates
free safety Eli Ward (27), and strong safety Justin Isom (20) and
during second quarter action at the Ohio State University football
stadium in Columbus, Ohio, November 2, 2002. REUTERS/Ronnie Bianco

RAB

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Jerry Dunn rubs his head in
reaction to his team's play March 7, 2002 during a Big Ten Conference
Men's Basketball Tournament round one game at Conseco Fieldhouse in
Indianapolis. Dunn's squad lost 85-60 to the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
REUTERS/ Brent Smith

BS

Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Dusty Rychart (L) and Penn State
Nittany Lions forward Tyler Smith (35) fight for a rebound March 7,
2002 during a Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament round one
game at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. REUTERS/ Brent Smith

BS

University of Minnesota forward Dusty Rychart (L) dribbles past University of Illinois forward Marcus Griffin during the first half of their NCAA Big Ten game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, March 4, 2001. The Fighting Illini beat the Gophers 67-59.

EM/RCS

University of Minnesota guard Kerwin Fleming (15) tries unsuccessfully to intercept a pass to University of Illinois forward Lucas Johnson during the second half of their NCAA Big Ten game at Williams Arena in Minneapolis, March 4, 2001. The Fighting Illini beat the Gophers 67-59.

EM/RCS

Minnesota Golden Gophers' guard Kevin Burleson (L) grabs a rebound in front of Iowa Hawkeyes' forward Duez Henderson (R) during the first half of their Big Ten Tournament game in Chicago, March 9.

SUE/HB