Spring Game Preview: What to look for on Saturday
- Inside Gopher Nation
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The game will be played at 12:45 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium. The Gophers will split into two teams – Gold and White – and will play two 40-minute halves. There will be a 10-minute halftime. The game can be seen live on Big Ten Network and heard live on 100.3 KFAN.
1. Demry Croft. With Mitch Leidner out this spring, Croft has taken reps as the first string QB and he's spent learned the offense from the perspective of a starting QB as Jay Johnson's prototype. Johnson said he will be paying close attention to how Croft manages the game on Saturday. What I think we want to see is how well Croft goes through his progressions, if he's able to read the defense call an audible if he senses a blitz, can he run the hurry up offense and is he turnover prone. Croft will probably play the majority of the game and will be replaced by Seth Green.
2. The 3-4 defense. A 3-4 formation was installed this spring and it will be interesting to see when and how often the defense goes to the 3-4. All spring, the linebackers have been praised as the best unit on defense and this formation plays to the team's strengths.
3. Gary Moore. Moore is a player whose name has surfaced plenty of times in interviews, by coaches and players, as someone who has stood out this spring. Moore, who redshirted last season, has practiced with a lot of motivation this spring and is looking to prove himself. One several occasions, defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel said it was a smart decision to redshirt Moore last season and fans will be able to see what he's capable of. Merrick Jackson did not practice Thursday due to a fever, and he's another player that's been named as a standout at camp, so to see both in action tomorrow should be a treat.
4. Brooks and Smith together. Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith have lined up in the backfield together on occasion this spring so keeping track of how successful that is Saturday will give us a clue of how much the coaches will continue that idea this summer.
5. Wright and Calhoun. Junior college transfers and offensive lineman Garrison Wright and Vincent Calhoun have made significant impacts on the offensive line this spring, not just as far as adding depth, but with the energy they bring. Jonah Pirsig that they have elevated the play of the line with their work ethic and physical nature.
6. Who will step up in the secondary? Damarius Travis will not play much Saturday and with Duke McGee and Ace Rogers out due to injury, Saturday could be a day we see the potential of younger players Ray Buford and Zo Craighton.
7. Physical play of the offensive line. The first team and second team guys are mixed, so fans won't see how well the first team has transformed this spring. Being physical and controlling the battle in the trenches was the number one priority for Minnesota this spring. Tracy Claeys said it and that's why Bart Miller is here. The offensive line has looked better when running the ball, in my opinion, than pass protection, but we'll see on Saturday.
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Other Notes:
Here is the list of in-state 2017 prospects who confirmed to me they will attend tomorrow's game:
Malik lofton
Thomas hennessy
Nico Bolden
Eric Wilson
Eric Abojei (maybe)
Blaise Andries (maybe)
Jermaine Johnson,
Luke Chuol,
Kolade Amusan
Gavin Blomberg
Tanner Sundt
Denzel Fondungallah
Wilson is the only confirmed player to attend who has an offer from the Gophers. As far as out of state prospects, Cam Thomas, a QB from Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights, will visit. Thomas doesn't have an offer but has offers from several schools.
Mykelti Williams did not return messages seeking confirmation if he was going to attend practice tomorrow. Some of the more high profile targets in nearby states, -- LeShaun Minor, the standout DE from Indianapolis, Andrew Van Ginkel, the DE from Iowa Western CC, said they will not attend.
Spring Football: 4.7.16 practice
- Inside Gopher Nation
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Players were allowed to tackle on Thursday and did plenty in goal line situations.
Rodney Smith did well using his agility to make people miss in small amounts of space. While Brooks and Johannesson bring a power running style, Smith's speed and array of moves makes him more versatile.
Smith had a touchdown in the goal line drills and for a small running back, did well in block protection. Brooks hit the hole hard, as usual, as did Johannesson in short yardage situations. Johannesson caught a short screen and nearly scored in another situation. If Minnesota didn't run many screen plays in goal line last season, it looks like they will this season.
During one third and goal situation, Demry Croft was forced to throw the ball away after being blitzed by Winston DeLattiboudere and Scott Epke. Don't know if he didn't see it coming or if the plan was not to audible in that scenario. On the next play, he threw to Rashad Still on the far side corner and Still made an unbelievable one-handed catch, but was called incomplete because he did not have possession while still in bound.
Jalen Myrick intercepted a pass from Conor Rhoda in the end zone. Not sure who the intended target was.
Hunter Register also made a standout catch and run after today.
Wish I could give more description but I arrived late and today was a light practice.
Looking ahead, how the teams will be divided on Saturday was the main topic after practice. The coaches will draft players into two teams and the prize for the winner, as we were told, has something to do with food. Offensively, Jay Johnson said the coaches will finalize those teams Friday and everyone who is able to play on offense will play, including the running backs.
Perhaps the biggest question entering Saturday's spring game, and this is the question I asked Johnson, is how will they use the three quarterbacks in camp during the game. Johnson said the idea will be to have one QB play the duration of the game on one team while two quarterbacks will split time on the other team, Johnson said he may also switch one quarterback, I'm assuming the third string guy, who is Seth Green, to the other team in the second half. I'm assuming Croft will probably play the majority of the game and will be replaced by Green.
Johnson said the main thing he will be focusing on for Croft is his game management, how he stays aware in the pocket, knowledge of the play clock, etc. In the practice that we've seen, Croft has been able to rely on his athletic ability to escape pressure in the pocket, but that was during drills, so it'll be interesting to see if he has the poise to stay in the pocket and let plays develop on Saturday, because he certainly has talented receivers to throw to.
Johnson said he will stay on the field Saturday, rather than calling plays from the booth.
Brandon Lingen did not practice Thursday but Johnson said he's probably for Saturday.
Johnson said he's been most pleased with the running backs this spring an Register and Still as receivers.
Defensively, coordinator Jay Sawvel also said every player capable of playing is going to play. Damarius Travis may be pulled earlier in the practice because he's coming off a season-ending injury.
Sawvel went into detail when evaluating some guys on the defense. He said linebacker Julian Huff is a "unique talent" and talked about Huff's progression from being an every down type LB or just a situation guy. "He has a high motor, but sometimes he plays out of control." Of DeLattiboudere, Sawvel said he could be the guy to replace Alex Keith.
Thomas Barber is another guy Sawvel likes. Sawvel likes his physique, saying he has a "real dense body type" and there's "not a lot of give" when trying to move him. Barber has been played some OLB this spring, but Sawvel said that's not a long term plan.
Sawvel said this year's group of defensive tackles could be the best the program has had since he arrived six years ago because of its depth and number of guys with enough talent to be a starter. As far as defensive ends, Sawvel said he's not sure who the standout players will be just yet.
Due to injuries to Duke McGee and Ace Rogers, the safety position is still not settled.
Overall, Sawvel said he's satisfied with the level of play of the defense to this point.
"We've not had a lot of missed assignments, which is always a big thing. I think we played physicial with a lot of guys."
Merrick Jackson did not practice today due to a fever and Sawvel said he's questionable for Saturday, as is DB KiAnte Hardin.
