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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Host Media Day, Push Through Practice 13
8/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Minnesota football team officially passed the midway point of its 2007 training camp as the Gophers worked through preseason practice No. 13 of 24 Wednesday afternoon on Rod Wallace Field.
Earlier in the day, Minnesota hosed its annual photo and media day. The Gophers took their 2007 team photo as well as several group and individual shots before meeting with some of the Twin Cities media.
The Gophers reconvened on the practice field at 4 p.m. for offensive and defensive walk-thrus and a two-and-a-half hour practices in full pads that saw both sides of the ball enjoy success in spurts as the team enters the dog-days of training camp.
“We understand that it’s hard right now and guys get mentally tired,” said head coach Tim Brewster following the workout. “We’ve had a very physical camp and when guys get mentally tired mistakes happen. There was effort there, but the focus and concentration was a little lax.”
Despite the lapses, Brewster said he has been pleased with the Gophers work through the majority of camp and credited his assistant coaches for keeping the team working at a high tempo.
Part of that tempo was on display during the late stages of practices when the Gophers worked on the 2-minuted drill. The defense held for much of the early going, which has been a emerging trend for Minnesota thus far in camp.
“I’m pleased with our defense,” Brewster said. “Our defense has been pretty darn good in the 2-minute. We’ve got to be a little more stout against the run, but overall I’m pleased with what we’re doing defensively.”
The offense began to move the ball late and capped one of its final drives with a mid-range field goal from Jason Giannini with the clock running down.
Brewster said that the success of the Gophers 2-minute offense will continue to be an emphasis for the team during training camp.
“We’ve got to be extremely proficient with the 2-minute drill,” Brewster said. “I want to be one of the best 2-minute teams in America because we’re going to have close games in the Big Ten and we are going to have to win games in the final two minutes. We’re going to work the 2-minute each and every day and I think it will pay off.”
Minnesota will return to the practice fields for two workouts on Friday in preparation for the team’s first live scrimmage of training camp on Saturday at 1 p.m.
