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Summarizing with Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said on Monday as the Gophers get set to host Western Illinois on Saturday

- Fleck says Saturday will be their Mental Health Awareness game
- Calls effort against New Mexico State "workmanlike" after watching film
- Could have done a lot of things better, also liked some things they did against NMSU
- Says Quinn Carroll's maturity level helped earn him the starting job at right tackle
- Expects Guedet, Lewis, and Boe to play as well - going to rotate 8-10 OL throughout Big Ten play
- Axel Ruschmeyer is available this week
- Plan to get Daniel Jackson back "very soon"
- Credits coaches and players for their defense only playing 33 snaps against NMSU
- Scheduling games 15 years in advance and looking for what fits us
- You get 12 guaranteed opportunities, every one counts as one
- Going to get Western Illinois' best shot
- Ciarrocca has done a really good job of studying the RPO game - a lot of ways to do it in many formations
- Doing everything they can to make the offense better, there are oldies but goodies and new things that you'll see moving forward
- More well-rounded skill talent on offense than they've had in previous years
- Says Tanner Morgan can create with his feet and is a better athlete than people give him credit for
- Going to be balanced, but also realize there are going to be games you have to throw it 50 times or run it 50 times
- Style of personnel on offense gives them the ability to do a lot of different things

Good to see Nick Kallerup and Kyler Baugh having strong showings.

Overall, Fleck was pleased with his team's efforts. Some work to do along the offensive line still. Discusses midfield handshake with Jerry Kill

Minnesota has had weaknesses in the recent years at the Middle Blocker positions. Today, they might have gone a long ways to some answers at Middle Blocker. Minnesota got a transfer from Michigan State named Naya Gros. She was the "shot in the arm" the Gophers needed today in the win over Florida, 3 games to 1. Ellie Huseman also played a significant role as a middle blocker for the Gophers. Carter Booth started strong as a middle blocker as well so Minnesota will be "MIDDLE BLOCKER BY COMMITTEE". Minnesota also has a transfer from Ohio State named Arica Davis that has been injured, who will also be a middle blocker. Gros and Huseman are seniors, Davis is a sophomore, and Booth is a freshman.

Gros is just a solid built girl with some length and a lot of talent. Very strong at the net.. Very personable in interviews, as well. I think she will grow quickly on Gopher fans. The confidence of Huseman and Booth continue to grow which is encouraging for the year.

That is good news for Minnesota. Taylor Landfair and Jenna Wenaas continue to lead the team as well as tremendous saves by CC McGraw.. Melani Sheffmaster helped in many ways in todays match, It was a competitive match and fun to watch. Minnesota will be on the Big Ten channel on Friday as they welcome a couple more ranked teams from the PAC 12 in Oregon and Stanford, this upcoming weekend. Minnesota will be on the Big Ten channel on Friday night against Oregon.

Minnesota now has a record of 3-1 where 2 of the victories have been against ranked opponents.

Iowa leading South Dakota State 5-3 in the bottom of the 6th…I mean end of the 3rd quarter

Minnesota is an elite volleyball program.. And we dont duck anybody.. We play in the roughest volleyball conference in the US in the Big Ten and our out of conference schedule is brutal. We are 2-1 with our only loss to #1 ranked Texas down in Austin.. We beat Baylor and TCU.. Wisconsin lost to Baylor already this year.

Obviously, the big loss from last year was Stephanie Samedy.. IF we needed a big point, we would go to Samedy for it, in the past 4-5 years. Now, our leaders will be Taylor Landfair and Jenna Wenaas with Melani Sheffmaster as our setter. CC McGraw is also a very important piece of our success.

Our freshmen are all talented as well as athletic and I think the outside hitters/middle blockers will all be early contributors...Carter Booth at 6-7 is already showing her impact as a middle blocker. Julie Hanson is very athletic and top recruit McKenna Wucherer is fighting for playing time.

If you look at the Big Ten this year, your normal 'big guns' of Nebraska and Wisconsin will be towards the top along with Minnesota. That does not mean there are not other threats.. Ohio State, Purdue, and Michigan will be tough along with Illinois and Penn State. It should be another great year for the Big Ten.

WE ARE RATED #4 in the nation right now and our first home game will be on the BIG TEN CHANNEL ON SUNDAY..... 12:30 central time(1:30 Eastern) on Sunday against Florida. If you cant get to the game at Maturi, watch it on the Big Ten channel, They are a very entertaining team!!!

I think from this season forth, we will be a program to be reckoned with. Our team lacks nothing, the offensive line looked real good too. And will only get better. Almost flawless football. You could feel the collective confidence of the players too. We can compete with anyone in the country. I think Kill himself realized the Fleck has built something special and has us on a much different plan.

Post your pre-game, in-game, and postgame thoughts here

More on the Gophers' win over New Mexico State on Thursday night

Gameday is here as Minnesota welcomes New Mexico State this evening, staff score predictions are as follows:

@Dylan Callaghan-Croley: 48-13 Minnesota
@Alex Carlson: 35-14 Minnesota
Myself: 42-6 Minnesota

Give us your score predictions for tonight

NEVER GET ME WRONG!! I NEVER like to see anyone injured on any team, let alone the team I cheer for and support. Isaiah Ihnen and Parker Fox are out for the season and that is horrible for those young men. I hope nothing but the best for their recovery.. But in some ways, that could be a blessing in disguise for the younger players this year.

I think the Kadyn Betts kid is going to be special.. He wont be able to crack the starting lineup, this year, unless there is injury or some incident. I think the starters in the front court will be Pharrell Payne at center, Dawson Garcia at power forward and Jameson Battle at small forward with Betts being the first off the bench at either forward spot. Olu Joseph might get some PT as well. Thompson will back up at the 5. The younger players will have to see playing time. They may not have gotten the same playing time with Ihnen and Fox playing more.

If Battle or Garcia leave early, Betts will be able to slide into the starting spot the next year with Ihnen and/or Fox off the bench. With Nolan Winter on the brink of a decision, that will add depth and who knows if a scholarship or 2 will open up for Dennis Evans or Taison Chatman, if they want to be Gophers. But the front court could get crowded, in a hurry, if Winter commits and Fox/Ihnen come back next year. Lots of talent that will be interesting to see how it plays out in the front court.

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Butler is the latest to join the race for the 2024 PG out of Cherry (Minn.). Xavier, Nebraska, Iowa, and Iowa State have also jumped in the mix recently

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At midnight last night, coaching staffs could begin direct contact with prospects in the 2024 class. Here is a look at Minnesota’s graphics they are sending out

@Alex Carlson breaks down what should be an easy season-opening win for Minnesota

@Alex Carlson takes a look at New Mexico State ahead of Thursday's matchup with the Gophers

Will the Vikes take a chance?

Bloomington (MN) native and dual athlete Daniel Frietag will be on campus on Thursday for the Gophers season opener vs New Mexico State. Frietag holds offers both from the mens basketball team and football team.

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Finally