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Joe Christensen's Blog before heading into the twelveth day of Spring Practice

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/blogs/Gridiron_Gold.html

The Gophers football team moved Saturday's 10 a.m., practice from TCF Bank Stadium to their Bierman indoor complex, but they still plan to hold their second full-contact scrimmage.

Like all spring practices, it'll be open to the public.

"It'll be similar to [last] Friday night," Coach Jerry Kill said. "Maybe not as long, a little shorter, but we’ll get some crisp work and get out."

The Gophers have been stuck inside for every spring practice, but there is still hope of playing the April 27 Spring Game at TCF Bank Stadium.

The Gophers have given Philip Nelson and Mitch Leidner a large majority of the snaps this spring, and it figures to be more of the same through the spring game. Third stringer Chris Streveler still has a lot to learn as an early enrollee.

"Chris is right where we need him to be right now as a kid coming in," Kill said. "He’s learning what to do and so forth. Right now, Philip and Mitch need to get as many reps as they can get. And really, Chris is like they were a year ago."

Continued injury concerns

Kill noted that 16 players did not practice Thursday. Unofficially, from my observation, that list included offensive linemen Ed Olson (ankle surgery), Zach Mottla (broken leg), Jonah Pirsig (knee-cap injury) and Brian Bobek (illness). All were there wearing orange non-participation jerseys.

Two players who'd been out -- LB Nick Rallis and CB Jeremy Baltazar -- were back in action.

But others wearing orange jerseys were WR Devin Crawford Tufts (reason uncertain) and WR Devon Wright (shoulder surgery), and I don't recall seeing DT Cameron Botticelli. RB James Gillum will miss the rest of the spring with a knee injury. CB Marcus Jones is recovering from knee surgery.

Kill didn't want to go through the entire list of everyone who was out and why, but it's clearly on his mind. Heading into the 11th spring practice, there were signs on the wall that said "10-0 PERSISTENCE."

"We’ve practiced well throughout spring," Kill said. "The coaches feel good about the players. The kids have worked hard and we’ve got a lot done and we’ve gotten better.

"I think the biggest concern right now is we had 16 guys not practice today. We’ve got flu, strep throat, you name it, we’ve had it. Nothing that’s going to keep us out until Aug. 1, but we’ve gotta let those kids heal. ... You want to get more physical, and you want to improve your football team, but you want to get as healthy as you can. We’re limited on some things we can do because of health issues, but every school has that in the spring."
 

STrib: Gophers RB Cobb emerging after two frustrating years

Junior running back David Cobb has played little for the Gophers so far, but his moves and vision still impress others.

“Everybody’s apple turns red at a different time,” head coach Jerry Kill said. “I think injuries have held [Cobb] back, as he’s had a hamstring or something’s always happened. His concentration and focus have been good. But it’s a growing-up process. Some kids come in and they’re not ready to mature as quickly as others.”

Cobb acknowledged as much himself. The junior looks back on two hard seasons of learning experiences.

“As a competitor, it’s tough,” he said. “I mean, you come to college and you want to play. You don’t want to waste any years sitting on the bench. But at the same time, it kind of humbles you. It lets you know this is not high school. You have to come out and compete every day. It’s not so much about who’s the fastest and who can run the ball.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/203865421.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!
 

Gophers' Scott Ekpe key part of budding depth across the D-line

Spring practice notes

• Three practices remain until the Gophers conclude the spring next Saturday in their annual spring game at TCF Bank Stadium. The long-range forecast is calling for temperatures that actually resemble the current season, but with snow still on the ground the Gophers aren't likely to practice outside until then. A scrimmage is slated during practice this Saturday at the team's indoor facility.

• The injuries and the flu outbreak that started to surface throughout the team last week haven't dissipated. The Gophers' injury list continues to grow.

"We're headed in the other direction (injury-wise), but that's pretty much how spring ball goes," coach Jerry Kill said.

Senior running back James Gillum was knocked out of last Saturday's scrimmage with a right knee injury. He is not expected to return to this spring. Junior wide receiver Devin Crawford Tufts has been sidelined in an orange non-contact jersey and was seen earlier in the week with a walking boot over his foot.

No position group has been hindered more by injuries than the offensive line -- a common refrain in the last year. Center Brian Bobek has been out for more than a week due to illness. Jon Christenson, who Bobek is competing with for the starting center role, is also out with an ankle injury. Bobek and Christenson are two of five offensive lineman currently shelved -- Ed Olson (ankle), Zach Mottla (broken leg) and Jonah Pirsig (knee).

To fill the openings, the Gophers have shifted utility lineman Zac Epping back from guard to center. Redshirt sophomore and newly established center Ernie Heifort has also seen a significant jump in his reps.

"Ernie, all of sudden he's been thrown into the mix, because the other two are out," Kill said. "That's happened during the season the last two years I've been here. The great thing is that Ernie is getting a lot of reps and he's going to get better."

After missing time with the flu, cornerback Jeremy Baltazar returned to practice Thursday. Sophomore Eric Murray has taken on the bulk of the first team reps in Baltazar's absence. Saturday's scrimmage may reveal if Murray will hold on to his spot or yield to Baltazar.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/..._part_of_budding_depth_across_the_Dline041913

Go Gophers!!
 

I went to today's scrimmage/practice. The first I've been to this season. I have see practices in Kill's previous seasons and spring games for many years. I have not seen any other college team scrimmages. With that caveat, I was really impressed. The team seemed noticeably stronger, faster,more agile and athletic than previous years. They showed great spirit despite being cooped up inside and appeared well-conditioned and well-coached. The punters all seemed to have changed numbers from 38 - Eldred in 94, the holder Mortell is 37 and Orseske is 41. Also, it looked like Hageman was wearing 90, but he had some kind of apron on so it was hard to tell. I was very encouraged.
 

Thanks for the comments Goofer. I couldn't make Thursday's or today's practice and I now feel like I am going through withdrawal. Is there anybody out there with any comments from today's practice to help me get through this? Otherwise I will definitely be at Tuesday's practice.
 


Joe Christensen's Blog from the twelveth day of Spring Practice

I found my fix! Thanks Joe!

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/blogs/Gridiron_Gold.html

Gophers running back Donnell Kirkwood set the tone for Saturday’s full-contact scrimmage on the second play, when he burst through a huge hole for a 46-yard gain.

It was the first of five runs for at least 20 yards in the team’s second scrimmage of the spring. David Cobb had a 38-yarder, Cole Banham had a 64-yarder and quarterback Mitch Leidner had runs that went for 21 and 24 yards.

“I was encouraged we popped some big plays because we didn’t have much of that last year,” offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said.

It was less encouraging for the defense, which made big strides overall last year but still needs work against the run.

“I don’t mind seeing a run break every now and then because then we get a tackle in the secondary,” defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys said. “But at the same time, it shouldn’t get there.”

Nelson looks solid

Philip Nelson completed eight of 14 passes for 80 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown strike to Isaac Fruechte capping the first drive.

“He made some hot throws against blitzes, he kept the chains moving, he made a great touchdown throw early,” quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski said. “I thought he got in a great rhythm."

Leidner had some impressive runs but finished just 1-for-5 passing on the day.

“I thought Mitch played well in the [April 12] scrimmage,” Zebrowski said. “I felt like he got more reps in some tougher situations [Saturday] and did some really good things. He still ran well ... and made some good decisions.”

Etc.

* Chris Hawthorne hit field goals from 28 and 36 yards during the scrimmage. Afterward, Coach Jerry Kill invited about 300 spectators onto the field to add chaos for Hawthorne’s last two kicks, and he drilled both 42-yarders, finishing a perfect day.

* Claeys said he will limit the reps for defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman, safety Brock Vereen and cornerback Derrick Wells through the April 27 spring game. The coaching staff knows their abilities and wants to be sure they are healthy heading into fall camp.

* Very cool moment at the end of practice. The crowd on the field included about 60 kids from the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. Kill shouted encouragement to the group, telling the kids never to give up chasing their dreams. "You can do it!" Kill said. "And don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it!"
 

Gophers football: Minnesota shows explosive running ability in spring scrimmage

"We've been able to develop an identity to where we're still going to run the quarterback," Limegrover said. "But I think probably more than any time, last year we started relying on that. That started being the focal point. That's when you really get nervous. That's when bad things started happening."

http://www.twincities.com/gophers/c...rce=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!
 


STrib: Gophers DE Cockran aiming for big things

The Gophers like the pass-rush potential of growing defensive end Theiren Cockran.

“Last year [Cockran] ended up getting a foot injury, and it slowed him down,” Claeys said. “He worked extremely hard in the offseason to put on some weight, and his strength really jumped up. So if we keep him healthy, he should have a big year because he’s not a coward.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/203941241.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!
 





ESPN: Gophers' Vereen provides safety blanket

"Yeah, we had Troy Stoudermire, yeah, we had Michael Carter, and Michael Carter had a really good year," Gophers defensive backs coach Jay Sawvel told ESPN.com. "But Brock was the most valuable of all our DBs last year. ... Just from a calming influence, from maturity, from a steadiness of play.

"When he wasn't out there, we weren't the same."

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/78377/gophers-vereen-provides-safety-blanket

Go Gophers!!
 

Is VAmes going to post his usual list of recruits from this Saturday? Saw a lot of new faces and some familiar ones. Even some big kids from smaller towns in MN. Just curious.
 



Gophers football: Freshman QB Chris Streveler is going through a similar growing process

It has been overwhelming at times for Streveler, who had a rough practice earlier in the week. He forgot the snap count.

“But he made some good plays today,” Zebrowski said. “He looked a little more comfortable. If you watched Mitch last year, I remember we put him in there sometimes and he looked like a robot.”

http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers...l-freshman-qb-chris-streveler-gets-more-reps/

Go Gophers!!
 

HopherGole said:
Is VAmes going to post his usual list of recruits from this Saturday? Saw a lot of new faces and some familiar ones. Even some big kids from smaller towns in MN. Just curious.
Click to expand...

Recruits that I saw in attendance on Saturday were Connor Wilkie QB (6'5 210) from Andover, Greg Menard LB (6'2 220) from Lakeville North, Keaton Studsrud QB (6'2 185) from Benilde St. Margaret's, Blake Weber LB (6'1 210) from Prior Lake, Jake Busse DE (6'3 235) from Waseca, and sophomores Ryan Schlichte QB (6'1 185) from Mankato West and Alex Hart LB (6'2 210)from Prior Lake.
 

vames said:
Recruits that I saw in attendance on Saturday were Connor Wilkie QB (6'5 210) from Andover, Greg Menard LB (6'2 220) from Lakeville North, Keaton Studsrud QB (6'2 185) from Benilde St. Margaret's, Blake Weber LB (6'1 210) from Prior Lake, Jake Busse DE (6'3 235) from Waseca, and sophomores Ryan Schlichte QB (6'1 185) from Mankato West and Alex Hart LB (6'2 210)from Prior Lake.
Click to expand...

A potential Gopher recruit from my home town? That's got to be a first.
 

Joe Christensen's Blog about Spring Game

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/blogs/Gridiron_Gold.html

The Gophers have been stuck indoors throughout spring practice, but the forecast looks terrific for Saturday, so the team is sticking with its plan to hold the annual spring game at TCF Bank Stadium.

At last look, the forecast on Weather.com calls for a high of 70 degrees.
Admission to the spring game is free, but the Gophers are asking for a $1 donation toward the Gary Tinsley Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The University will sell beer, as it did at Gophers games last season. Here's a list of the events:

9 a.m. -- Maroon, Gold & Ski-U-Mah lots open for tailgating
10 a.m. -- Doors open / Gopher Fan Fest
10:45-11:30 a.m. -- Gopher Alumni Flag Football Game (featuring Rickey Foggie and MarQueis Gray)
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. -- Warm-ups
1-2:30 p.m. -- Spring Game
2:30-3:00 pm -- Player autographs on the field
 

Spring Alumni Game Roster

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042313aaa.html

It's been more than a quarter century since Rickey Foggie suited up for the Maroon and Gold, but Saturday he'll get the opportunity to show his stuff on the field at TCF Bank Stadium! He'll join former greats Tyrone Carter, Ben Utecht, Ron Johnson, Thomas Tapeh and many more.

For the first time, Gopher Football will be hosting a flag football game with over 20 alumni players before the 2013 Spring Game on April 27, beginning at 10:45 a.m. at TCF Bank Stadium.

Gopher Radio Network voice Mike Grimm will be the on-field emcee for the contest and will interview several alumni during the game. The game will feature two, 20-minute halves and have a 5-minute halftime.

Following the alumni game (at approximately 11:30 a.m.,) there will be an alumni autograph session directly under the main video board on the West Plaza.

The 2013 Gopher Football spring game is set to get underway at 1 p.m. Admission is free for all 2013 Spring Game events; for more info, visit www.GopherSports.com/SpringCentral.

Team #1

Duane Bennett
Bryan Cupito
Ukee Dozier
Jared Ellerson
Rickey Foggie
Ed Hawthorne
Ron Johnson
Eric Lair
Dan Nystrom
Tellis Redmon
Sam Richter
Ernie Wheelwright


Team #2

Asad Abdul-Khaliq
Tony Brinkhaus
Antoine Burns
Tyrone Carter
Donny Dalton
Omar Douglas
Crawford Jordan
Simoni Lawrence
Tony Patterson
Kim Royston
Thomas Tapeh
Ben Utecht

Alumni coaches will be Dave Schwartz (Kare 11) and Chris Long (KSTP TV)

Rosters subject to change

Additional players may participate in game or autograph session
 


Cupito and Khaliq in TheBank?! That's awesome. I love this idea. Khaliq was the QB of our Gophs when I started to become a HARDCORE fan. I liked the Gophers prior to Asad, but when I started going to the games annually, it was during the Khaliq era. So to see him play again, even a flag football game, in TheBank, will be a nice nostalgic moment for me.
 

Report from Gopher Spring Football Practice Central

Weather Forecast for Saturday's Spring Game: 71, Sunny

As the Minnesota weather finally starts to feel like spring, the Gopher football team’s spring season is winding to a close. The Gophers have used their 13 practices so far to build off of their first bowl game since 2009.

“I feel like we’ve just been getting better and better ever since that game,” running back Rodrick Williams said. “Everybody just came together that game.”

The Gopher offense will look to show how much it has grown at the scrimmage this Saturday. Coaches and players alike believe that the team has done what it needed to do during the spring.

“I think our receivers have stepped it up and made some plays,” head coach Jerry Kill said of the offense’s practice efforts. “Our young quarterbacks have done a good job. They’ve seen a lot of different coverages. They’re learning a lot. We’ve been pleased.”
In addition to returning quarterbacks Philip Nelson, Mitch Leidner and Dexter Foreman, true freshman Chris Streveler has been participating in practice after enrolling early at the U. Leidner said that the high number of reps spread among the quarterbacks will help them as captains’ practices start later in the offseason. All will likely see snaps in Saturday’s spring game.

“Getting one more time with the young quarterbacks, one more time getting in a game-like situation, is a good thing,” Kill said.

The Gophers’ earlier indoor scrimmages helped give them an idea of what they need to improve heading into the outdoor finale. Nelson said that they know what they need to do, but just need to do a better job executing it perfectly.

“We always talk about putting ourselves in a reasonable third-down situation, if not getting it before then,” he said. “I think a lot of our goals this offseason have revolved around third down and being able to move forward from them.”

While the quarterbacks’ progress and chemistry with their experienced wide receivers (like Derrick Engel and Isaac Fruechte) will be a focal point of the spring game, Gophers fans can expect to see a lot of running plays, too. The ground game is a big part of Minnesota’s identity, and Kill said that Williams, Donnell Kirkwood, David Cobb and Cole Banham have had a good spring. The run game will be the key to the Gophers’ attack, especially now that the offensive line has another year of experience.

“When you have a young team, it’s fun, because they grow in front of you every day,” Kill said.

Not only will the spring game provide one more opportunity for improvement, but it will also be a chance to just play outdoors.

“We just want to get out there, have some fun in front of the fans and get in a game-like atmosphere,” Nelson said.

http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/spring-football-central.html
 


Killjoy said:
http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042313aaa.html

It's been more than a quarter century since Rickey Foggie suited up for the Maroon and Gold, but Saturday he'll get the opportunity to show his stuff on the field at TCF Bank Stadium! He'll join former greats Tyrone Carter, Ben Utecht, Ron Johnson, Thomas Tapeh and many more.

For the first time, Gopher Football will be hosting a flag football game with over 20 alumni players before the 2013 Spring Game on April 27, beginning at 10:45 a.m. at TCF Bank Stadium.

Gopher Radio Network voice Mike Grimm will be the on-field emcee for the contest and will interview several alumni during the game. The game will feature two, 20-minute halves and have a 5-minute halftime.

Following the alumni game (at approximately 11:30 a.m.,) there will be an alumni autograph session directly under the main video board on the West Plaza.

The 2013 Gopher Football spring game is set to get underway at 1 p.m. Admission is free for all 2013 Spring Game events; for more info, visit www.GopherSports.com/SpringCentral.

Team #1

Duane Bennett
Bryan Cupito
Ukee Dozier
Jared Ellerson
Rickey Foggie
Ed Hawthorne
Ron Johnson
Eric Lair
Dan Nystrom
Tellis Redmon
Sam Richter
Ernie Wheelwright


Team #2

Asad Abdul-Khaliq
Tony Brinkhaus
Antoine Burns
Tyrone Carter
Donny Dalton
Omar Douglas
Crawford Jordan
Simoni Lawrence
Tony Patterson
Kim Royston
Thomas Tapeh
Ben Utecht

Alumni coaches will be Dave Schwartz (Kare 11) and Chris Long (KSTP TV)

Rosters subject to change

Additional players may participate in game or autograph session
Click to expand...


For all these years at TCF, I've been sporting a #3 Cupito jersey. To actually see him play at TCF will be a dream come true.

On a side note, holy God have we had some bad qbs in the past.
 

HouseOfHagen said:
For all these years at TCF, I've been sporting a #3 Cupito jersey. To actually see him play at TCF will be a dream come true.

On a side note, holy God have we had some bad qbs in the past.
Click to expand...

Being on the positive side, I choose to remember the good ones we have had in the past.
 

HouseOfHagen said:
On a side note, holy God have we had some bad qbs in the past.
Click to expand...

It's not like we have a list of recent QB's that are going to make people forget about Drew Brees, but I don't think it warrants a "holy God" statement.

Rickey Foggie:

Total Passing/Rushing yards: 6,941
Total TD's Passing/R/R: 58
Total Ints: 32

Bryan Cupito:

Total Passing/Rushing yards: 7,536
Total TD's Passing/R/R: 55
Total Ints: 25

Asad Abdul-Khaliq:

Total Passing/Rushing yards: 7,818
Total TD's Passing/R/R: 72
Total Ints: 25

Adam Weber:

Total Passing/Rushing yards: 11,315
Total TD's Passing/R/R: 82
Total Ints: 51
 

MN Daily: Offense focuses on play-action pass
Minnesota ranked 10th in the Big Ten in total offense last season.

“We want to be an aggressive team, a downhill running team, and be able to run [hard] at opposing defenses,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep that up.”

“Everybody talks about being great on third down,” quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski said April 12. “But if you’re great on first down, you’ve got a much better chance to be great on third down.”

http://www.mndaily.com/sports/athletics/2013/04/23/offense-focuses-play-action-pass

Go Gophers!!
 

Chip Scoggins blog: Kill pushes for more physical mindset

The Gophers football team hosts its spring game on Saturday and in several conversations I’ve had with coach Jerry Kill, it’s clear the head coach is pleased with the physical tone in practices this spring.

Granted, spring practice is completely different than regular season, but Kill believes his team is showing signs of becoming more physical on both sides of the ball. He thinks it’s a carryover from the Meineke Car Care Bowl, a 34-31 loss to Texas Tech.

“That’s who we want to be,” Kill said.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/204541371.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!
 



STrib: Gophers need to shore up linebacker corps

Aaron Hill is the only starting linebacker returning, but the Gophers have plenty of options to consider.

“We’ve been inconsistent at times, but it’s definitely going in the right direction,” Gophers linebacker coach Bill Miller said. “I like our group. I think that we’ve got a chance to have a good linebacker corps. Some of them may not be here yet, but I do feel that these guys have learned.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/204601611.html?refer=y

Go Gophers!!
 

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