BleedGopher
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per Randy:
Imagine you were just handed the keys to a new Corvette and were getting ready to take it on a spirited drive. Suddenly, all roads are closed and will open only sporadically over the next seven months.
That’s the situation Mike Sanford Jr., the Gophers’ new offensive co-coordinator and quarterbacks coach, has faced since the coronavirus pandemic rocked the sports world in mid-March. The team’s play-caller got to briefly test-drive that speedster early in spring practice, but when sports shut down, he didn’t get to see how that machine would perform in the spring game or the usual start of training camp.
Finally, on Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium, the 21st-ranked Gophers, with Sanford behind the offensive wheel, will face No. 18 Michigan in the season opener. He’ll rev up an engine that includes the reigning Big Ten receiver of the year, one of the nation’s top returning quarterbacks and a former 1,000-yard rusher who’ll operate behind a veteran offensive line.
For the detail-oriented Sanford, the desired outcome will happen only after proper preparation.
“If we treat every single game and each practice as a game and in a gamelike mentality, then the results are going to happen on Saturday,” said Sanford, a former Western Kentucky head coach and Notre Dame offensive coordinator. “The big thing is not having any fear as in, ‘I hope we do this. I’m praying we have a great game.’ ”
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
Imagine you were just handed the keys to a new Corvette and were getting ready to take it on a spirited drive. Suddenly, all roads are closed and will open only sporadically over the next seven months.
That’s the situation Mike Sanford Jr., the Gophers’ new offensive co-coordinator and quarterbacks coach, has faced since the coronavirus pandemic rocked the sports world in mid-March. The team’s play-caller got to briefly test-drive that speedster early in spring practice, but when sports shut down, he didn’t get to see how that machine would perform in the spring game or the usual start of training camp.
Finally, on Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium, the 21st-ranked Gophers, with Sanford behind the offensive wheel, will face No. 18 Michigan in the season opener. He’ll rev up an engine that includes the reigning Big Ten receiver of the year, one of the nation’s top returning quarterbacks and a former 1,000-yard rusher who’ll operate behind a veteran offensive line.
For the detail-oriented Sanford, the desired outcome will happen only after proper preparation.
“If we treat every single game and each practice as a game and in a gamelike mentality, then the results are going to happen on Saturday,” said Sanford, a former Western Kentucky head coach and Notre Dame offensive coordinator. “The big thing is not having any fear as in, ‘I hope we do this. I’m praying we have a great game.’ ”
Mike Sanford Jr. eagerly awaits debut as Gophers offensive coordinator
New offensive boss Sanford gets acclimated, helped by talking shop with veteran QB Morgan.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!