Gopher seniors will be missed - thanks!!

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Gold Rush

Gold Rush

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Perhaps this is a week or two early, but just wanted to extend my thanks to the Gopher seniors who will be playing their last Big Ten away game this Saturday with their last home game next week. And they will be playing it with a shot at playing for the Big Ten championship on the line in a few weeks, which is flat out amazing. Each of these young men came to the U hoping to make a difference - and the ones that stuck around really did!! Although PJ Fleck has recruited quality players to step in and hopefully fill their shoes next year, we do lose some very good players this year- maybe the most quality and quantity in one year than I have seen around here in a very long time.

These were kids who really went through an awful lot - they were recruited by Jerry Kill and Tracy Klaeys as well as PJ Fleck, made it through the scandal and were able to lead the Gophers to one of their most successful years in history under PJ Fleck. Without these men, our success this year would not have been possible. They all have their stories, but it was a hell of a ride for all of them. They will be missed by all of us but never forgotten.

From Shannon Brooks, Tyler Johnson and Rodney Smith we lose three explosive weapons on offense, we lose Sam Renner, Winston DeLattiboudre and Taiyon Devers on the defensive line, linebackers Thomas Barber, Carter Coughlin, and Kamal Martin, and defensive back Chris Williamson. And finally, punter Jacob Herbers, specialists K Michael Tarbutt and P Alex Melvin. Also, we could very well lose Antoine Winfield, Jr. so all in all - a lot of quality players but also quality young men.

Sometimes Gopher fans disagree with others on here about how or why things happen but one thing we can all agree on is we are all thankful for these players who grew from being boys who suffered some trials and difficulties along the way and grew into young men and enjoyed great success by perseverance and their talents. It's a great story worthy of a book or movie. Again - thanks so much for everything you have done!! You have helped lay the cornerstone which this team will build on and hopefully continue for many years to come!
 
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I'm really glad to see this guys go out with a great season.

I remember standing around on senior day with sparse-ish crowds, feelin kinda sorry for some for the seniors who ended their years slogging it out while the program ebed here and there.

If anything these guys show how much a high school student has no clue what they're picking when they pick a school. Nobody would have believed 4 or 5 years ago they'd be racking up wins and such in their senior year with ... people they had no clue would even be running the show.
 

I too wish to thank the seniors for what they have done for Gopher football and the U of M. Hats off to thee!!

And I would also agree with Gold Rush regarding the number of impact players being lost. Many, many times in the past I have watched the seniors run out onto the field on Senior Day thinking "how will we replace those particular five, six or seven starters??" This year I'm already thinking "these ten or eleven". What a great senior group!
 

This could end of being the best Senior Class ever. Win 3 of the next 4 and it will be.
 

Great post Gold Rush.

I don't know this for certain, but my guess is that the Sr's., especially the MN players, are the heart and soul of this squad. Players who have been leaders, role models, mentors and great examples for the young players to follow.

It saddens me to know that Mrs Bayfield and I won't be at the Wisky game so we will miss not able to show our appreciation to these young men. It will be an emotional time.
 



This year's senior class is the first class to be a part of two 9+ win seasons since the first decade of the 1900s.
 

bleedsmaroonandgold said:
This year's senior class is the first class to be a part of two 9+ win seasons since the first decade of the 1900s.
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Take it easy there. Many, many of those years we did not play ten games. And "best senior class ever" would also be a real stretch. I remember the players from the 1960-61 years and they were a national championship lot. Bobby Bell is still probably the best player ever to play here.
 

And, what about Bronco Nagurski? Bell is great. But, Bronko played both sides of the ball and was dominant on both sides and is regarded by everybody as being one of the 50 greatest players in all of football, if not the greatest.
 



Nice post Gold Rush.

Agreed, these men have been the cornerstone of what could be the beginning of a truly great program. Time will tell about that, but we can all be thankful for the effort and the dedication they have shown.
 

The commitment they made and the dedication through all the changes combined with this season makes them a special group. Thanks Seniors .
 

Dean S said:
And, what about Bronco Nagurski? Bell is great. But, Bronko played both sides of the ball and was dominant on both sides and is regarded by everybody as being one of the 50 greatest players in all of football, if not the greatest.
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I forget the gentleman's name but he was the athletic trainer here for 40 years when he retired. He said that Bell was the best athlete he ever saw here. To give you some idea, Bell played DT ( College Football Hall of Fame Guy) and went on to be an outside LB for the excellent KC Chiefs teams of that era. All Pro every year and on the side did their long snapping. Pro Football Hall of Fame. What DT today could come close to doing that? His pro coach said he would have been All Pro at any position on the team. Perhaps an exageration. Nothing wrong with Bronco at all. He was from the pre African American, pre big money days of early football. A wall disguised as a human.
 

A lot of fine young men in this senior class. They will all go a long way in life.
 



Hats off to the seniors! Best group of the last 25 years? Can we comfortably say that? They have been stellar!

Frankly, I am worried how we replace them. Hopefully, PJ isn’t.
 

Veritas said:
I forget the gentleman's name but he was the athletic trainer here for 40 years when he retired. He said that Bell was the best athlete he ever saw here. To give you some idea, Bell played DT ( College Football Hall of Fame Guy) and went on to be an outside LB for the excellent KC Chiefs teams of that era. All Pro every year and on the side did their long snapping. Pro Football Hall of Fame. What DT today could come close to doing that? His pro coach said he would have been All Pro at any position on the team. Perhaps an exageration. Nothing wrong with Bronco at all. He was from the pre African American, pre big money days of early football. A wall disguised as a human.
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Lloyd Snapper Stein
 

Empire class turned this thing into the next level IMHO. Thanks so much! Been a great time watching you all!
 

Forgot to mention how strong it is in local kids, I love it when our best stay home and shine!
 

I will be particularly interest in exactly who runs out that tunnel on Senior Day. Will #11?
 

60's Guy said:
Hats off to the seniors! Best group of the last 25 years? Can we comfortably say that? They have been stellar!

Frankly, I am worried how we replace them. Hopefully, PJ isn’t.
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Hopefully we can recruit so well that we can just reload with very little drop off. We have a long ways to go before that happens, but I am confident in the players Fleck is bringing in and I believe we have got some good ones ready to step in next year! This year had some very special talent though, that's for sure!!
 

Veritas said:
I forget the gentleman's name but he was the athletic trainer here for 40 years when he retired. He said that Bell was the best athlete he ever saw here. To give you some idea, Bell played DT ( College Football Hall of Fame Guy) and went on to be an outside LB for the excellent KC Chiefs teams of that era. All Pro every year and on the side did their long snapping. Pro Football Hall of Fame. What DT today could come close to doing that? His pro coach said he would have been All Pro at any position on the team. Perhaps an exageration. Nothing wrong with Bronco at all. He was from the pre African American, pre big money days of early football. A wall disguised as a human.
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The trainer you are thinking of might be Jim Marshall. Bobby Bell was also the long snapper for the Gophs as well!
 

These seniors will be missed. They are all really good football players, leaders, and are on track to have continued success in the future.
Looking forward to getting in the stadium early.
 

I was a Senior at the U when this class had just signed, and our house was hosting a big Spring Jam party. At some point, Coughlin, Martin and Barber showed up and were standing on the lawn on the fringe of the festivities.
Me and a few friends realized who they were, invited them inside and we talked about gopher football for at least an hour. They all talked about how excited they were to turn Gopher football around, and how proud they were to rep the U. I specifically remember Coughlin promising us that they’d get the Axe back. Pretty cool to see those guys battle through all the adversity, have great gopher careers, and most importantly follow through on their promises. We owe these guys a lot, and hopefully their Senior day is one to remember!
 

60's Guy said:
Hats off to the seniors! Best group of the last 25 years? Can we comfortably say that? They have been stellar!

Frankly, I am worried how we replace them. Hopefully, PJ isn’t.
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Not going to go class by class but I doubt you will find a better group of in-state seniors in the last 25 years or more.

Lots of young guys getting experience this year and more waiting in the wings. I think we will be able to replace the guys that are departing but that doesn't diminish what they have meant to the program or how vital it was that they stayed in regards to the run we are on right now.
 

I've been a little back-and-forth this week about what i expect to actually happen on Saturday. However, considering very deliberately that this is the last home game for most of the key contributors of the Empire Class, i feel a little better about who i think will show up to play. Just can't see Carter and co. going out with a loss in front of a sold out, adulating crowd that's been starving for this sort of competence. Saturday's game will ultimately help fashion the final stamp they can put to their legacy and i expect them to rise to the occasion. This season has been the most fun as a fan that i've had since i began following in the mid 80's and i'd still consider it a huge success even if they don't win another one...but i really do hope these guys are able to get this one for themselves, if not all of Gopher Nation.
 



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