Spring Practice Report: Pads Popping on Day 4

The intensity at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex ratcheted up a notch Tuesday. Spring practice No. 4 for the Golden Gophers was the first practice they were allowed to wear pads. Head coach Jerry Kill made sure hitting was occurred early and often in the workout.

The first drill the Gophers took part in, following walk-through and stretch, was the “board drill.” One offensive player and one defensive player lined up across from one another at either end of a rubber “board.” On a coach’s cadence, they went one-on-one to see who could get the upper hand.

“The big thing is in that particular drill, it’s not only a mentality thing, but that drill – the board drill – teaches football,” Kill said. “The first guy who can get his hands inside and keep his feet moving is going to win at the line of scrimmage. All football games are won down in the trenches.”

But the board drill isn’t just for intensity, or to see who can beat the other man. There are fundamentals and technique to be learned, as well.

“It’s a good for teaching fundamentals,” Kill said. “We’ll show them why you gotta keep your hands in. Everybody who got their hands outside the framework lost in that game right there. It’s a good teaching period, plus it’s a physical period.”

That physicality had the team excited even before they hit the turf inside the indoor practice facility.

“Today was definitely more physical,” cornerback Troy Stoudermire said. “The guys were excited in the locker room and ready to come hit somebody. It has definitely been a while. I couldn’t wait to come out here and lay some pads on someone.”

Ironically, a member of the media asked quarterback MarQueis Gray after practice if he enjoyed the physicality of today’s practice now that the pads were on and they were hitting one another. The irony comes from the fact that Gray wears the bright gold jersey of a quarterback, meaning he is completely off limits to contact. Gray was still gracious enough to answer.

“There were a lot of guys getting hit, lot of pads thumping out there,” Gray said. “We haven’t hit since the Iowa game, so I know the defense was happy about that.”

While all the physical stuff was happening indoors Tuesday, some work did get done outdoors as well. Early in the practice session, Coach Kill took his specialists outdoors for a little kicking work. The plan is for the Gophers to get outside with the full team for Thursday’s workout, weather permitting.