Gopher Football
Glen Mason and the Minnesota Gophers officially opened spring practice today with a noontime press conference. Nothing too earth shattering was revealed, other than Mason’s announcement that Adam Ernst’s career as a Gopher player is over due to injury. Mason didn’t spent a lot of time talking about specific players or even positions, but rather focused on the ‘big picture’ of what kinds of things he hopes the team will improve on during the spring. Here is a summary of some of the major points he made:
Player Notes:
- Everett Pedescleaux is officially on the team. He has recovered from a knee injury suffered last summer and will be practicing.
- John Pawielski is 100% recovered from a broken leg suffered against Iowa and is listed as the starting free safety.
- Adam Ernst’s playing days are over because of the shoulder injury he suffered last year. Ernst is still in school and may switch to being a student coach.
- Wide receiver Adam Galbreath and Samad Cain have left school.
- Offensive lineman Brian Goblirsch has left the team, but remains in school.
Position Changes:
- Junior Eugene has switched positions once again; he is at linebacker this time.
- Tommy Leavitt has switched from tight end to drop linebacker.
- John Carlson has been switched from quarterback to safety.
- Amir Pinnix has been switched back to running back after a brief stint as a defensive back.
- Brandon Owens has been moved to strong safety, after having played linebacker last year and being listed as cornerback for the Music City Bowl.
Other comments about the team objectives this spring:
- He thinks the defense should’ve been better than they were last year, and he EXPECTS a big improvement this year.
- Improve defensive fundamentals, especially tackling and pursuit. He said that the Alabama game was indicative of what he wants the defense to do every game.
- Improve the 3rd and long defense. Alabama was 0-13 on 3rd downs against us, so again, he wants to build off of this game.
- Mason wants to develop the quarterback position this year. He is very excited about the depth that we have this year after having only Bryan Cupito and an injured Ernst last year.
- Mason mentioned that even thought the running game is already good, it must continue to improve so that they’re prepared for whatever new things defenses will be throwing at them. Mason also wants to improve the goal line offense even more.
- Becoming a more efficient passing team will be a big goal, especially improving the play of the wide receivers.
- Fix everything with the special teams. Mason said that other than the couple of fake punts, Minnesota was not a threat on special teams in any way last year. Specifically, he wants the return game, punt block team, and kicking game to improve.
- Mason emphasized that he’s not going to be the defensive coordinator, but he will take a more hands on approach with the defense this year. He did this for the Music City Bowl and liked the results.
- Mason is confident that Gary Russell and Amir Pinnix can pick up the slack from the early departure of Marion Barber.
- Mason couldn’t say enough good things about Bryan Cupito’s performance during the Music City Bowl. Despite injuring his knee in the first half, Cupito toughed it out and continued to show poise, even though Minnesota had to drastically alter their game plan because of it.
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