Punter Peter Mortell earns full scholarship!

[GopherLady]

I know that this was in the Sports Huddle notes, but I think it kind of got buried, so I thought it would re-post it, as he just shot me a message. He is not taking this for granted, he told me that "I'm going to prove I deserved one as time goes on."

I have to tell you, I really like this kid. He's the epitome of a walk-on that you want to earn a full scholarship, he's bright, articulate, humble, and on top of - a terrific punter.

He was the Big 10 special teams player of the week this year. Here are some of his other accomplishments from Gophersports:

Played in 13 games and handled all punting and holding duties • punted 62 times for 2,687 yards (ninth all-time in team history) • average punt of 43.3 yards was third in the Big Ten and ranks third all-time in team history • recorded 15 punts of 50 yards or more and placed 21 punts inside the 20-yard line • had 12 punts fair caught, while six were touchbacks • named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media • named Academic All-Big Ten.

Congratulations to Peter, he certainly deserves this! I'm just glad he's only a sophomore.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

Great thread.

He definitely deserves the scholarship and GL is right, he's the epitome of walk-on success. Walk-ons have been a big part of our success the last few years, from Aaron Hill, Cameron Botticelli to Engel, Bak, and Christiansen. It's good to see these guys getting the scholarships they deserve.

 

[GopherLady]

Great thread.

He definitely deserves the scholarship and GL is right, he's the epitome of walk-on success. Walk-ons have been a big part of our success the last few years, from Aaron Hill, Cameron Botticelli to Engel, Bak, and Christiansen. It's good to see these guys getting the scholarships they deserve.

I agree, I feel like Kill really does reward these kids that have proved themselves.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

I agree, I feel like Kill really does reward these kids that have proved themselves.

Yep, he really does. It's pretty important for a program like ours to establish a strong walk-on program. For all of Brews bafoonery, he really did help turn around our walk-on program. Mike Rallis, Kyle Henderson, Mike Henry, Mottla, Bak, Botticelli, Hill were all walk-ons under Brew that have contributed to our turn around. Kill has done wonders since he's been here as well. I really believe Fahning will be a cog in our OL rotation, Jeff Borchardt is a guy who could very well emerge at WR, Dom Schultz is right there in the two deeps. These guys really help the program.

 

[MNSpaniel]

Too bad they can't give partial scholarships so the wealth can be spread to more players who walk-on.

 

[EE_Gopher]

I have BTN to Go and have gone back and watched games from the last two years. The improvement in punting is really a huge difference between the seasons. When your team struggles to put 20 points up per Big Ten game, field position is a big deal! I know he is just a punter, but had he gotten injured, the Gophers may not have won a Big Ten game.

Question: Had we not given him a scholarship, he could have transferred anywhere he wanted and played immediately, correct?

 

[MirandaB]

Thanks for the post. Congrats to Pete! He did a fantastic job this year, and as GL said, I'm so glad he's only a sophomore! Keep up the great work, Pete!

 

[Tim Riggins]

I have BTN to Go and have gone back and watched games from the last two years. The improvement in punting is really a huge difference between the seasons. When your team struggles to put 20 points up per Big Ten game, field position is a big deal! I know he is just a punter, but had he gotten injured, the Gophers may not have won a Big Ten game.

Question: Had we not given him a scholarship, he could have transferred anywhere he wanted and played immediately, correct?

If memory serves, only if he was given a scholarship. I think that is how we got Hawthorne, who didn't need to sit out a year.

 

[kisarazu]

Bravo! Mortell, you certainly earned it!

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Awesome news. Huge, HUGE underrated part of the game. It's a game of field position, largely, and Mortell was really, really good this year.

Congratulations, Pete!!!

 

[corcoran1]

Yep, he really does. It's pretty important for a program like ours to establish a strong walk-on program. For all of Brews bafoonery, he really did help turn around our walk-on program. Mike Rallis, Kyle Henderson, Mike Henry, Mottla, Bak, Botticelli, Hill were all walk-ons under Brew that have contributed to our turn around. Kill has done wonders since he's been here as well. I really believe Fahning will be a cog in our OL rotation, Jeff Borchardt is a guy who could very well emerge at WR, Dom Schultz is right there in the two deeps. These guys really help the program.

This actually a really good point, I think his hit rate for walkons was as good as it was for scholarship players, for O-linemen, it may have been better.
You forgot the two brothers with the hyphenated last names who played well, one turned into a really good TE..

 

[highwayman]

I have BTN to Go and have gone back and watched games from the last two years. The improvement in punting is really a huge difference between the seasons. When your team struggles to put 20 points up per Big Ten game, field position is a big deal! I know he is just a punter, but had he gotten injured, the Gophers may not have won a Big Ten game.

Question: Had we not given him a scholarship, he could have transferred anywhere he wanted and played immediately, correct?

If memory serves, only if he was given a scholarship. I think that is how we got Hawthorne, who didn't need to sit out a year.

You cannot have taken any aid of any kind. I think that includes grant in aid. That alone eliminates most walk-ons from transferring for "free".

 

[play hard]

Congrats Peter ! The brothers were from Redwood Falls. Center and Tight end Tow Arnett ?