RE: Gopher Football

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Jim Frenette -> RE: Gopher Football (2/4/2009 6:51:35 PM)
One football rating has the Gophers with the 5th best class in the Big 10, #46 overall

So.Mn.Fan -> RE: Gopher Football (2/4/2009 6:57:02 PM)
Not good enough then. I'm hoping the players Tim mentioned earlier make up for it. There's some impact guys in there, and being a year older can only help them. What a cool day for those kids all over the country. Its gotten out of hand in some areas, with all the hype and goofy press-conferences, but there are still plenty of great stories happening out there, the kids who wouldn't get college educations any other way. Those are the stories that make today great.

TJSweens -> RE: Gopher Football (2/5/2009 11:19:09 AM)
Rivals actually moved the Gophers into the mid 30’s overall when the 2 late recruits (Michael Carter and his teammate) were factored in. The overall rankings are a bit deceiving. The Gophers finished a little higher when you rate them by the average star rating of the class (4th in the Big Ten). What held the Gophers back a little is that they only had 20 recruits this year as opposed to 31 recruits last year. What is very positive is that the Gophers added impact recruits at key positions: 1. Brewster landed his first 5 star recruit in Hayo Carpenter the Juco wide receiver. This gives them a deep threat play maker and opens the field for Decker. 2. They got a high 4 star RB Hasan Lipscomb out of Texas who should grab the starting job right away. He’s a tough compact between the tackles runner with break away speed. 3. Carter could potentially compete for a starting job right away. 4. There are a few other 4 stars that could contribute this year even if they don’t compete for starting jobs. 5. Five of the top 6 Minnesota recruits stayed home. I think they are poised for another year of progress. Add this year’s key recruits to the fact that the 3 freshman starters on last years O-Line now have a year of experience and will be joined by Carufel. The offense figures to be much more balanced and consistent. The defense should continue to improve with Maresh joining the mix. Marquis Grey is a big X factor. He may be good enough to just take the QB job, whether we have a pretty good experienced QB or not..

Jeff Jesser -> RE: Gopher Football (2/5/2009 12:35:26 PM)
I'm stoked but the guy I want to see more than anyone is Gray.

So.Mn.Fan -> RE: Gopher Football (2/5/2009 2:07:52 PM)
Updated: February 4, 2009Big Ten signing day breakdown Email Print By Scouts Inc. ESPN.com Scouts Inc. breaks down and grades the recruiting classes of each team in the Big Ten, including three top-25 classes. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/194.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_aminus.jpg[/image] 1. Ohio State Buckeyes The Buckeyes did a good job of retaining most of the state's top players and landed a few key out-of-state prospects. Landing the explosive Jaamal Berry (Miami/Palmetto), the No. 3-rated running back, softened the blow of Chris "Beanie" Wells' leaving early for the NFL. The Buckeyes also signed three top-30 linebacker prospects, highlighted by Dorian Bell (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway), the No. 4-rated outside linebacker who can run and hit as well any backer in this class. His presence will help Ohio State ease the pain of losing linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman. The Buckeyes signed several good receivers, including ESPNU 150 prospect Duron Carter (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas). Ohio State has a solid class that filled up quickly, but we question the future impact of some of OSU's lower signees. The failure to sign athlete Justin Green (Louisville, Ky./Male), who will play for Illinois, was significant as well. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/130.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_aminus.jpg[/image] 2. Michigan Wolverines Although Michigan had a disappointing first season under head coach Rich Rodriguez, fans have to be pleased with the team's successful signing day. The Wolverines got their much-needed second quarterback in Denard Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla.), who is a difference-maker with the ball in his hands and has deceptively good passing skills. They also were able to sign QB Tate Forcier (San Diego/Scripps Ranch). Snagging top-10 receiver Je'Ron Stokes (Philadelphia/Northeast), who also had considered attending Tennessee, also was huge because he will make the Wolverines faster. Michigan also signed some prospects with great upside, including DE Anthony LaLota (Princeton, N.J./The Hun School) and OT Taylor Lewan (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral). LaLota is fairly new to the game of football but has the tools to be a good college defensive end, while Lewan has a great frame and wonderful potential. The addition of No. 6 guard Quinton Washington (Saint Stephen, S.C./Timberland) will improve offensive line. The Wolverines' defense will get a boost from disruptive edge rusher Craig Roh (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) and 6-foot-1 safety Isaiah Bell (Youngstown, Ohio/Liberty). [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/213.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_b.jpg[/image] 3. Penn State Nittany Lions Joe Paterno has taken a lot of heat for his age, but continues to prove he can win and recruit, as reflected in this top-15 class. Penn State didn't make a lot of significant noise on signing day, but the addition of top-25 wide receiver Justin Brown (Wilmington, Del./Concord) was huge. He brings great size (6-foot-3) to a position in need of some talented youth. WR Shawney Kersey (Woodbury, N.J.) also was a solid pickup down the stretch, but we thought PSU could have done better to help compensate for the loss of its three key playmakers. Paterno hopes he found Daryll Clark's successor in Kevin Newsome (Hargrave Military Academy), especially now that Pat Devlin has transferred. The Nittany Lions' incoming class also features some talented offensive linemen, including top-25 tackle prospects Eric Shrive (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton) and Mark Arcidiacono (Philadelphia/St. Joseph's Prep), and the No. 5-rated center, Ty Howle (Bunn, N.C.). The defense and special teams also needed to be replenished because several upperclassmen are manning the secondary, and accomplished kicker Kevin Kelly moved on. Adding No. 6 corner Darrell Givens (Indian Head, Md./Lackey) and No. 2 kicker Anthony Fera (Houston/Saint Pius X) were crucial signings. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/127.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_bminus.jpg[/image] 4. Michigan State Spartans Head coach Mark Dantonio led the Spartans to a 9-4 record this past season. Now he has led them to their first top-25 recruiting finish in the Scouts Inc. era. The Spartans boast two ESPNU 150 prospects and a key in-state prospect, top-five tight end Dion Sims (Orchard Lake, Mich./Saint Mary's Prep). Michigan State has lost Javon Ringer, one of the nation's top rushers, but two top-25 running backs will come aboard: Larry Caper (Battle Creek, Mich./Central) and Edwin Baker (Oak Park, Mich.), the No. 11-rated back in the nation. The Spartans signed four offensive-line prospects, including ESPNU 150 offensive tackle David Barrent (Clive, Iowa/Valley), who will help open holes for their incoming running backs. Michigan State also signed top-20 quarterback prospect Andrew Maxwell (Midland, Mich.), who's a poised and talented pocket passer. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/356.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_bminus.jpg[/image] 5. Illinois Fighting Illini Coming off a Rose Bowl appearance following the 2007 season, Illinois had a disappointing 2008 but bounced back with a solid recruiting class. The Fighting Illini lost ESPNU 150 Kraig Appleton (East St. Louis, Ill.) to Wisconsin but picked up top-20 athlete Justin Green (Louisville, Ky./Male) from Ohio State. The Illini did well in-state, led by their top overall prospect, WR Terry Hawthorne (East St. Louis, Ill.). Hawthorne is an Under Armour All-American who has great hands and route-running skills. The defensive line will get big help from tackle Lendell Buckner (Chicago/Leo). Coach Ron Zook has also been busy in Ohio, where he landed Bud Golden (Cincinnati/Sycamore), a tough north-south runner. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/275.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_bminus.jpg[/image] 6. Wisconsin Badgers The Badgers had big expectations in 2008, but things did not unfold the way Wisconsin fans had hoped. Yet signing day had its bright spots, one of them being the addition of ESPNU 150 WR Kraig Appleton, a prospect who should make an immediate impact for the Badgers. Wisconsin also is looking to replace some key departing players. The program is losing a good receiving target at tight end in Travis Beckum, and although Brian Wozniak (Cincinnati/Loveland) might not be able to match Beckum's skills, he is a solid receiver and a good blocker. The fullback position is far from glamorous, but Wisconsin does employ one. Because both of its fullbacks are moving on, the addition of Tyler Dippel (Slinger, Wis./Union), the No. 1-rated player at the position, is a good one. With Allan Evridge gone and Dustin Sherer going into his senior season, the Badgers wisely brought another quarterback into the mix in top-20 signal-caller Jon Budmayr (Woodstock, Ill./Marian Central Catholic). Although most of the Badgers' recruiting focus is in the Midwest, they did sign a few key prospects from Florida, led by Conor O'Neill (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Saint Thomas Aquinas), a good prospect at the outside linebacker position. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/135.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_bminus.jpg[/image] 7. Minnesota Golden Gophers Although the Golden Gophers ended their 2008 season poorly, they still can sell recruits on a fine overall turnaround in which they improved from one win in 2007 to seven in 2008. Coach Tim Brewster is known as a tireless recruiter and has really upped his game in-state. The Golden Gophers lost out on the state's top overall prospect but landed Nos. 2 through 4, including big tight end Ra'Shede Hageman (Minneapolis/Washburn) and defensive end Matt Garin (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview). They also signed a pair of good safeties, led by Kerry Lewis (Lancaster, Texas), an undersized but good player. Plus, Kendall Gregory-McGhee (Aurora, Colo./Cherokee Trail) is a promising tight end prospect. The Golden Gophers are hoping they found their signal-caller of the future in Moses Alipate (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson), a big, strong-armed passer who is the lone ESPNU 150 member of the class and should have a bright future at Minnesota. Stealing great cover corner Michael Carter (Pompano Beach, Fla.) from West Virginia on signing day will really improve the defense. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/77.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_cplus.jpg[/image] 8. Northwestern Wildcats The Wildcats surprised many with their 9-4 finish and a near upset of Missouri in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Coach Pat Fitzgerald signed a solid class off that strong season that can keep the program on an upward swing. With senior quarterback C.J. Bacher leaving, the Wildcats inked Evan Watkins (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North), a top-30 quarterback prospect with a strong arm. The linebacker position was filled with upperclassmen this season, so Northwestern has added three linebackers, led by No. 25-ranked inside linebacker Will Studlien (Sunbury, Ohio/Big Walnut). Thinking special teams, Northwestern has brought aboard kicker Jeff Budzien (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) to try to replace Amado Villarreal. Northwestern landed the state of Illinois' top in-state offensive tackle prospect, Patrick Ward (New Lenox, Ill./Providence Catholic). Ward should be able to contribute early. The class is solid, even though it doesn't have any ESPNU 150 prospects, but the biggest hole is a lack of needed youth along the defensive front and at wide receiver. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/2509.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_c.jpg[/image] 9. Purdue Boilermakers More than half the Boilermakers' class hails from either Florida or Georgia, and they also signed two players from Texas and Kentucky. They have been especially busy and successful in the Sunshine State. Purdue inked a productive and well-rounded tight end out of a successful program in Gabe Holmes (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Saint Thomas Aquinas), as well as Antwon Higgs (Pompano Beach, Fla.), a versatile defender who has good speed and an attacking style. The class also consists of defensive tackle prospect Brandon Taylor (Miami/Dr Krop), who's the son of Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. Fellow defensive tackle Eric McDaniel (Calhoun, Ga.) is the Boilermakers' top prospect and, along with Taylor, should help improve a run defense that finished last in the Big Ten in 2008. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/2294.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_c.jpg[/image] 10. Iowa Hawkeyes The Hawkeyes were able to rebound from a subpar 2007 season by going 9-4, spoiling Penn State's national title hopes and making it to a New Year's Day bowl. They also signed some significant prospects. The class has two solid running backs in the speedy and exciting Brandon Wegher (Sioux City, Iowa/Bishop Heelan Catholic) and Brad Rogers (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic), but it remains to be seen whether they can help fill the void left by the departure of Shonn Greene, who led the Big Ten in rushing in 2008. The Hawkeyes have added a trio of receivers to help boost the passing attack. One is Jordan Cotton (Mount Pleasant, Iowa), a high school running back who projects as a receiver in college. The other is their top prospect, Keenan Davis (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington). The Under Armour All-American is a key in-state keep, as the Iowa passing attack could use a little punch. [image]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/84.gif[/image][image]http://espn.go.com/i/nfl/grades/grade_cminus.jpg[/image] 11. Indiana Hoosiers After snapping a 13-year bowl drought in 2007, the Hoosiers quickly fell back to Earth and finished last season with a 3-9 record. After a disappointing season, there is not a whole lot for Hoosiers fans to get excited about in this class, because Indiana's top-rated prospect is a kicker. Although this may not elicit cheers, Mitch Ewald (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) is a top-five kicker prospect and a need with Austin Starr graduating. The Hoosiers have been busy in-state, and more than half their class hails from Indiana or Ohio. They signed the No. 3-rated player in Indiana, Edward Wright-Baker (Jeffersonville, Ind.), who is listed as an athlete but is an underrated dual-threat quarterback. With some development, Wright-Baker could fit the mold of Hoosiers QB Kellen Lewis. The team also inked another in-state quarterback, Dustin Kiel (Columbus, Ind./East), as well as a pair of solid receivers, Jamonne Chester (Redford, Mich./Covenant) and Kiel's teammate, Duwyce Wilson (Columbus, Ind./East).

TJSweens -> RE: Gopher Football (2/6/2009 8:51:27 AM)
More on Hayo Carpenter. Looks like the Gators wanted him in a big way. http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_11639694 Gophers recruit Hayo Carpenter, a wide receiver from College of the Canyons Junior College (Courtesy to Pioneer Press: rivals.com) Imagine a young football recruit who refused to accept repeated telephone calls from the coach of the national champion Florida Gators. Wouldn't even say hello. Among Gophers coach Tim Brewster's incoming recruits is wide receiver Hayo Carpenter, out of College of the Canyons in California. Carpenter was a highly regarded junior college player last season who officially became a Golden Gopher on Wednesday. He took a recruiting visit to Minnesota and, like several others, was enthralled by the new stadium being built on campus. Carpenter also liked the idea of playing alongside established receiver Eric Decker. So he committed to Minnesota right after his visit. End of story, right? Wrong. "Teams don't stop recruiting a kid just because he made a commitment," Brewster said. "His junior college coach called me and said Urban Meyer has been calling him every day for two weeks." Meyer is the coach of the Florida Gators. The mighty BCS champion Florida Gators. The team with all-everything quarterback Tim Tebow returning for another season. Apparently Meyer finally decided that Tebow should be throwing to Carpenter. I guess that should have been quite an honor. Carpenter didn't want to hear it. "Urban Meyer called me every day," said Garett Tujague, Carpenter's junior college coach. "He kept trying to get me to put Hayo on the phone. But Hayo wouldn't answer." Not even to hear the flattering sales pitch? "Here's the deal," Tujague said. "He took two recruiting trips, to Minnesota and Reno. Those were the only two schools that recruited him right along. Then others tried to get in late under the wire. He didn't want anything to do with them. He's very loyal." Said Brewster: "He said he made his commitment, and he was sticking with it. He's a special kid." It's very important that Brewster get as many special players as he can for 2009. It's equally important that a good number of them are Minnesotans. Because next year he will want to tap into the mother lode. The state of Minnesota is loaded with football prospects, more so than it has been in a while. Some of the top high school football players in the country are right here in the state. Our humble tundra is about to become a battleground for college football recruiters. We will be tripping over them on the way to the mailbox. "It's going to be a huge year in the state of Minnesota," Brewster agreed. "There's going to be some really, really good players. And some of the players we got this year are going to help us get those players next year. "You know, our stated goal is to keep the kids at home. And they want to play at home. They want to stay. They don't want to leave. The only time they want to leave is if we disappoint them somehow." Brewster can't imagine disappointing them. He said recruits have been awe-struck by the new football stadium. Plus, he's convinced he's added some key players, such as Carpenter, who will make the Gophers better and more attractive. "It's been huge. I can't overestimate how important it's been," he said of the stadium. "They walk through there, and their jaw just falls open. The way they've built this stadium is just unbelievable. "Nobody else in the country has a brand-new stadium like we do. Nobody has the opportunity that we do. It's spectacular." If Brewster sounds excited, it's because he wakes up that way after being plugged into an electrical outlet all night. But he has a right to be excited. He's finally been able to add playmakers and depth to his roster. "Now we're getting to the point where we're starting to get a little bit of depth," Brewster said. "Take a player like Decker. Who do we replace him with? Is it someone of similar ability? Up until now, we haven't been able to." Now it looks as if he might be able to do just that. By the way, here's coach Tujague's scouting report on Carpenter: "He's as good as they come." Sounds like quite a kid.

Jim Frenette -> RE: Gopher Football (2/6/2009 9:33:02 AM)
Good story Tim

So.Mn.Fan -> RE: Gopher Football (2/6/2009 9:56:09 AM)
There are a couple "program-changers" on the roster suddenly. Hayo and Gray. I agree with the earlier comments, Gray intrigues me. Glad to see the Gopher recruiters are relentless and consistent, you will get good kids that way.

DMueller -> RE: Gopher Football (2/6/2009 1:38:39 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Jeff Jesser I'm stoked but the guy I want to see more than anyone is Gray. I agree. I'm not so sure about Weber. In any case they need 2-3 guys that can play QB next year. They signed anther Juco QB last year - David Pittman who was 4 stars out of Pasedena, CA. He is still listed as a QB. I wonder where he fits in? http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=38606&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=1431420&Q_SEASON=2009

DMueller -> RE: Gopher Football (2/6/2009 1:59:42 PM)
What's also encouraging about the last two years is that they are signing a lot of guys with speed. Lipscomb claims to run a 4.3, Hayo is 4.37, Bryant Allen (WR from Mo) shows a 4.3. Plus, the DB's are all around 4.5-4.6 which is pretty good I think for the Big Ten. Matt Garin from Eastview is listed as a 4.6 which would be great for a DE - a position from which they have really been lacking in production through the years. They'll have one or two guys who can rush the passer but never, ever have they had any depth from my recollection.

Jeff Jesser -> RE: Gopher Football (2/6/2009 2:23:08 PM)
Yeap, we've had 1 solid rusher every year for a while but it's always been one guy, VDS, White..ect..

TJSweens -> RE: Gopher Football (2/11/2009 11:44:37 AM)
Pending SAT result the Gophers add another 4 star RB after signing day. http://www.twincities.com/ci_11663900?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

Mr. Ed -> RE: Gopher Football (2/17/2009 12:54:32 PM)
More best wishes to Sam Maresh: http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/gridirongold/2009/02/17/difficult-news-for-sam-maresh/?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUI It looks like Sam Maresh has another battle on his hands. The former Champlin Park star linebacker and Gophers recruit had just recently been cleared to resume his football career after recovering from heart surgery that cost him his 2008 season. He had enrolled in school and was anticipating taking part in spring practices. Now doctors have found a tumor in his left calf. The news was disclosed by the Maresh family on the CaringBridge.com website in a post written by Sam’s father, Bill. ”With all the focus on Sam’s heart and his lifting going so well, we were not really focusing on Sam’s left calf hurting him,” Bill Maresh wrote. ”We just kept icing and riding the bike instead of running. Sam called me the other day and said it just wouldn’t get better and asked if I would take him in to get it checked out. Through x-ray, ultra-sound and MRI the doctors came in and said ‘Well Sam, I guess with you it’s never easy’ …They found a tumor in his left calf.” The good news, according to the post, was the bone in Maresh’s leg looks good. There is a very low chance that the tumor is cancer.

Lynn G. -> RE: Gopher Football (2/17/2009 1:25:49 PM)
Oh man! What a tough time for that kid. I hope and pray it's a benign tumor that they can remove completely.

Jim Frenette -> RE: Gopher Football (2/17/2009 4:04:02 PM)
Thanks for posting that Ed. I wish this kid luck, for being young, he has had some sh*ty luck

So.Mn.Fan -> RE: Gopher Football (2/22/2009 7:09:48 PM)
Some good news for the Maresh familyPosted on February 22nd, 2009 – 12:00 PM By Kent Youngblood Gophers recruit Sam Maresh and his family received some good news over the weekend with the results of the biopsy of the tumor in his left calf. According to a post on the family’s CaringBridge web site, it was ”a dense tissue of no significance …scar tissue,” according to Sam’s father Bill. ”What great news. Thanks to all the prayers and faith, things are working out very well again. I called Sam as soon as I hung up and he was very happy. we will be talking with the doctors to discuss how they will remove it.” GREAT NEWS!

Jeff Jesser -> RE: Gopher Football (2/23/2009 9:38:20 AM)
I can't wait to see that kid on the field. With all the crap he's had to deal with he is going to unleash it on some poor running back [8\|]

So.Mn.Fan -> RE: Gopher Football (3/16/2009 5:41:17 PM)
Very cool look at the new stadium on the Strib page today. Memories of looking out of the old Memorial Bowl and seeing the Barn. Just a sweet looking stadium. Looking forward to taking in some games there. Had no interest in watchign the Gophers in the Dome. Used to take in 2 or 3 a year at Memorial, saw 2 or 3 the entire time they were in the Dome. They belong on campus and outside. I cannot wait to smell the leaves and the beer and the grills as you walk across the campus on a Fall day.

Karl Juhnke -> RE: Gopher Football (3/16/2009 6:51:49 PM)
Not long ago before a Gophers bb game I was in the Williams Arena Club on the east end of Williams Arena. There is a great view into the new stadium. It's magnificent. This will be one of the gems of the big 10 for years to come.

Lynn G. -> RE: Gopher Football (3/16/2009 6:54:14 PM)
Love to hear how great it's looking. Is there concern that it seats too few? I know there are expansion possibilities, but isn't it starting out as one of the smaller stadiums?

Karl Juhnke -> RE: Gopher Football (3/17/2009 12:38:53 PM)
I think it's OK to have a smaller stadium. Filling up the dome was a chore for the Gophers. True, that could change, and I hope it does, and someday the smaller stadium could cost them some ticket sales. But I'd rather that be the case occasionally and Gophers tickets being a 'hot item', than the reverse and playing in a half empty stadium when interest wanes. I don't remember if there was an added cost or not with building a bigger stadium, but I bet that was probably a factor too. They probably determined that this size would suit their needs 90% of the time, so wasn't worth adding more. But like you said, make it compatible to add on at a later date if the situation changes dramatically.

Lynn G. -> RE: Gopher Football (3/17/2009 12:44:06 PM)
On the upside, there will be fewer tickets available for visiting fans. [:D]

So.Mn.Fan -> RE: Gopher Football (3/17/2009 12:58:51 PM)
I've always hoped for smaller stadiums. I know, totally against capitalistic ideals, but I love the idea of a jam-packed 40,000-some stadium rocking with die-hard HOME fans. The tickets players on opposing teams get should be all they get. Same with baseball for me, make it small and intimate instead of expansive and cold. I don't want a $10 ticket where I can't tell who is who. Hockey arenas hold 18Gs and they are the loudest and rocking-est places in the world when things are going well.

So.Mn.Fan -> RE: Gopher Football (3/25/2009 2:55:51 AM)
This is extremely cool news .... MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota freshman linebacker Sam Maresh participated in his first practice as a college player Tuesday, less than nine months after undergoing open heart surgery to replace a faulty valve. Maresh took the field with his teammates for the first of 15 practices this spring. He ran mostly with the third-team linebackers but had 12-14 repetitions during team drills, according to linebackers coach John Butler. "He really did a nice job for his first day," head coach Tim Brewster said. "When you think about what he's gone through to get to today, it's incredible. I was so proud of him. It was a little emotional for me to stand there and look at No. 17 in full uniform playing middle linebacker for the Gophers." Maresh had heart valve replacement surgery June 26 at the Mayo Clinic and went through extensive rehab to return in time for spring practice. Doctors also discovered a small, benign tumor in Maresh's left calf in February but are not opting for surgery, which would have once again jeopardized his football career. Tuesday marked Maresh's first practice since his senior year at Champlin Park High School, where he earned all-state honors. Maresh seemed to be holding back at times with his running, but Butler said he hasn't lost his instincts for the game. "We're dealing with a total unknown here," Butler said. "Sam Maresh will be the first guy ever to come back from this type of surgery and play football again. The first day was good. With his conditioning, we're still a long, long way away there from being able to play a lot of plays in a row. "But some guys are natural football players, and you can see after the first practice, Sam Maresh is a natural football player."

Jeff Jesser -> RE: Gopher Football (3/25/2009 9:49:06 AM)
benign tumor in Maresh's left calf in February but are not opting for surgery Hugh? Am I missing something (totally possible). I thought it turned to be scar tissue.

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