.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
2003 Football Season Outlook - Part Three: Special Teams
8/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
SPECIAL TEAMS
The biggest concern for the Gophers will lie in the kicking game where veteran kicker Dan Nystrom and punter Preston Gruening were lost to graduation.
Junior Ryan Duffy is slated to handle kicking duties, while redshirt freshman Pete Ross will be called upon to fill Gruening's absence as punter. Senior Peter Prudden will return for his third consecutive season working as the team's long and short snapper.
"We have a large number returning in supporting roles in the kicking game, however, it will be a challenge to replace the production that we have received from Dan and Preston, who handled all of our kicking duties the past four years," said Mason.
The Gophers head into the 2003 campaign riding a wave of momentum generated from last season. Minnesota looks to build off their past success, which includes the best four-year win total (26 wins, 1999-2002) since 1940-43. With an experienced group returning on both sides of the ball and the commitment to compete for the Big Ten title, this season will serve as a proving ground for Minnesota as they continue to build a winning tradition.
SCHEDULE
The Gophers' schedule is highlighted by seven home games at the Metrodome this season, including the 100th anniversary of the first game played against Michigan for the "Little Brown Jug" on Oct. 11. Minnesota's homecoming game will be a showdown with Michigan State on Oct. 18, as the Gophers attempt to win their third straight game against the Spartans in front of their alumni.
The Gophers' rivalry games include hosting Wisconsin for "Paul Bunyan's Axe" in their home finale on Nov. 8, before traveling to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes for the "Floyd of Rosedale" in the final regular season game on Nov. 15. The Gophers return to the tradition of playing Iowa in the their final regular season game for the first time since 2000.
Due to the Big Ten scheduling format, Minnesota drops national champion Ohio State and Sun Bowl champion Purdue off its schedule in 2003. In their place, the Gophers pick up Penn State and Indiana. Minnesota will face the Nittany Lions in defense of the "Governor's Victory Bell" at University Park, Pa., for its Big Ten opener on Sept. 27. Minnesota will meet Indiana for the first time since 2000 when it hosts the Hoosiers on Nov. 1. The Gophers other two road games within the conference occur in Illinois against Northwestern in Evanston (Oct. 4) and in Champaign against Illinois (Oct. 25.).
The Gophers non-conference slate includes home dates with Tulsa (Aug. 30), Troy State (Sept. 6), and Louisiana-Lafayette (Sept. 20) and a road contest in Athens versus Ohio (Sept. 13).
This is part three of a three part series previewing the 2003 Golden Gopher Football team. Minnesota will open the season on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 6 pm against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The biggest concern for the Gophers will lie in the kicking game where veteran kicker Dan Nystrom and punter Preston Gruening were lost to graduation.
Junior Ryan Duffy is slated to handle kicking duties, while redshirt freshman Pete Ross will be called upon to fill Gruening's absence as punter. Senior Peter Prudden will return for his third consecutive season working as the team's long and short snapper.
"We have a large number returning in supporting roles in the kicking game, however, it will be a challenge to replace the production that we have received from Dan and Preston, who handled all of our kicking duties the past four years," said Mason.
The Gophers head into the 2003 campaign riding a wave of momentum generated from last season. Minnesota looks to build off their past success, which includes the best four-year win total (26 wins, 1999-2002) since 1940-43. With an experienced group returning on both sides of the ball and the commitment to compete for the Big Ten title, this season will serve as a proving ground for Minnesota as they continue to build a winning tradition.
SCHEDULE
The Gophers' schedule is highlighted by seven home games at the Metrodome this season, including the 100th anniversary of the first game played against Michigan for the "Little Brown Jug" on Oct. 11. Minnesota's homecoming game will be a showdown with Michigan State on Oct. 18, as the Gophers attempt to win their third straight game against the Spartans in front of their alumni.
The Gophers' rivalry games include hosting Wisconsin for "Paul Bunyan's Axe" in their home finale on Nov. 8, before traveling to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes for the "Floyd of Rosedale" in the final regular season game on Nov. 15. The Gophers return to the tradition of playing Iowa in the their final regular season game for the first time since 2000.
Due to the Big Ten scheduling format, Minnesota drops national champion Ohio State and Sun Bowl champion Purdue off its schedule in 2003. In their place, the Gophers pick up Penn State and Indiana. Minnesota will face the Nittany Lions in defense of the "Governor's Victory Bell" at University Park, Pa., for its Big Ten opener on Sept. 27. Minnesota will meet Indiana for the first time since 2000 when it hosts the Hoosiers on Nov. 1. The Gophers other two road games within the conference occur in Illinois against Northwestern in Evanston (Oct. 4) and in Champaign against Illinois (Oct. 25.).
The Gophers non-conference slate includes home dates with Tulsa (Aug. 30), Troy State (Sept. 6), and Louisiana-Lafayette (Sept. 20) and a road contest in Athens versus Ohio (Sept. 13).
