.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Football Players Preview the Bowling Green game
8/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Press Conference
8/28/2007
Player quotes
Linebacker Mike Sherels
On Saturday
I’m so ready. This last month has been such a tease. Coming into my last year, I’m just chomping at the bit to get out there and make some plays.
On Adam Weber being named the starting quarterback
He’s done a tremendous job with the offense the past couple weeks and he’s been getting a lot of reps with the ones and he’s done and excellent job. It's very nice to see the progression and how well he’s been able to learn the offense.
On Brewster’s challenge to rally around young quarterback
We’ve accepted that just like we’ve accepted every one of Coach Brewster’s challenges. Whether it's been to buy into the strength and conditioning, whether it's getting after it during the summer workouts, whether it's academically or approaching the game by taking notes and watching film. Everything that Coach Brewster has challenged our team to do we’ve done so far. This is just the latest in a long line.
Wide receiver Eric Decker
On quarterback Adam Weber
He’s excited to go. He’s just waiting to step onto that field Saturday and this week you can tell that all the coaches are pretty excited and pretty intense and they’re ready to get out there because its been a long camp and I think we’re ready to go.
On the spread offense
You can tell a big difference from Day 1 back at St. John’s; we feel much more comfortable as an offensive unit. I think guys know their role and they know what to do. We’ve studied the playbook a lot and that’s one thing that is to our advantage this year, with more meetings and preparation, I think we’re ready to go.
On Weber adapting to the offense
He’s a great quarterback, he’s an athletic quarterback. I think since he’s so dynamic he’s going to be able to run the option and do some of those things for us. He’s got a great arm. With Dunbar and his expertise, he’s got a good play-caller too, so he should be alright.
On Weber’s play yesterday, after the decision had been made
I guess he saw it coming a little bit, but I’m excited for him and this is a good opportunity for him and hopefully he can get the best out of it.
Running back Amir Pinnix
On his role in the spread offense
In the passing game, blocking is very important as well as receiving the ball coming out of the backfield and catching the ball.
The offense is called “spread,” and I didn’t really know what “spread” means, but Coach Dunbar has talked about that a lot, because its not just a passing offense, its made to run the ball as well. The spread just gives you an opportunity to open up different running lanes. The running backs will get their fair share of touches.
It gives you, as a running back, an opportunity to show your talents in the open field because you can keep you eyes on that second level because when you break through that first line, you have nothing but daylight, so you have to be precise with your movements and where you want to go.
On being the feature back
The offense is very balanced. The defense won’t be able to overplay the run or the pass, but we still have a number of plays in the running game. In college football, you have to be able to establish the run, so we’ll still run the ball.
On Adam Weber
He’s a great guy. He’s had an excellent camp, and I can’t wait to get out there Saturday and play with him and see how he handles the atmosphere because its going to be a brand-new atmosphere for him.
On whether Weber gives the team a better chance to win
That’s the coach’s decision and we’ll see how it turns out Saturday, but I have the utmost confidence in him because he’s done a great job in fall camp.
On Coach Brewster’s preparation for his first game as head coach
The preparation is really big around here. Executing the game plan, executing your assignments. If you know what you have to do at all times, you’ll be just fine. You can go out on Saturdays and play fast.
Every day [Coach Brewster] emphasizes how important it is to study. Study, study, study. Study your playbook, take your playbook home with you, study the gameplan and know what you have to do at all times, so you are able to adjust to anything that the defense throws at you. It's great to have a coach like Coach Brewster because he understands the importance of a game plan and understanding what you have to do at all times.
Quarterback Adam Weber
On his goals against Bowling Green
I want to come out, stay relaxed and just play football just like I’ve been doing my whole life. I have to realize that its just a game, it hasn’t changed. It's just a little bit bigger and a little bit faster. I want to go out there, be successful and come out with a win.
On growing up as a Gopher fan
I remember coming to games with my dad as a little kid and watching Asad and watching Cupito go out there and perform. I guess it was a reality that I always dreamt would come true. Today, sitting out here with you guys, its kind of an overwhelming feeling, but it’s a good feeling.
On whether his dad, a former Gopher, gave him any advice
Not really. He’s always kind of been the guy to pat my shoulder and stay there with me. I kind of asked him some questions about how it was for him. That’s kind of fun but when it comes down to it, you just have to go out there and do your own thing.
On the offense and on learning it on the fly
It's one of those things that as you learn, it's like a snowball. As you learn, it gets rolling but to get it rolling in the first place took a long time. Once you get the concepts down, you kind of get an idea and you can throw in new plays and everything will make more sense. Things kind of overlap really well.
On his feelings being named the starting quarterback
I was really happy. I was happy for a little bit, but then there was the realization that Ok, now that he’s named the guy, its time to step up and to start preparing for Bowling Green.’ It was a good feeling, but then it became Wait, we’ve got to get ready for practice, and get out there and keep doing what we’ve been doing.’
On the quarterback competition and whether he had an inkling that he’d be the starter
They kept it pretty quiet and they always kind of kept the competition open and that’s what I really respect the coaches for, is that they gave everybody a fair shot at it. I think that until just about yesterday it could’ve gone either way.
On what Tony Mortensen had to say following their meeting with Coach Brewster
Tony’s been really great about everything. He’s a great guy and he’s going to be a big part of this team, whether its on or off the field. I owe a lot to him, because he’s taught me a lot and I think he’s going to do a great job.
Comparing his position to being named quarterback at Mounds View High School
I was just a nave little guy that was just going out there and knew how to play a little bit of football, but now there’s a little bit more involved here at Minnesota. There’s a little bit more at stake, but it's still just football. You have to kind of look at it like just another football game, but I wasn’t talking to this many media people when I was named quarterback in high school.
8/28/2007
Player quotes
Linebacker Mike Sherels
On Saturday
I’m so ready. This last month has been such a tease. Coming into my last year, I’m just chomping at the bit to get out there and make some plays.
On Adam Weber being named the starting quarterback
He’s done a tremendous job with the offense the past couple weeks and he’s been getting a lot of reps with the ones and he’s done and excellent job. It's very nice to see the progression and how well he’s been able to learn the offense.
On Brewster’s challenge to rally around young quarterback
We’ve accepted that just like we’ve accepted every one of Coach Brewster’s challenges. Whether it's been to buy into the strength and conditioning, whether it's getting after it during the summer workouts, whether it's academically or approaching the game by taking notes and watching film. Everything that Coach Brewster has challenged our team to do we’ve done so far. This is just the latest in a long line.
Wide receiver Eric Decker
On quarterback Adam Weber
He’s excited to go. He’s just waiting to step onto that field Saturday and this week you can tell that all the coaches are pretty excited and pretty intense and they’re ready to get out there because its been a long camp and I think we’re ready to go.
On the spread offense
You can tell a big difference from Day 1 back at St. John’s; we feel much more comfortable as an offensive unit. I think guys know their role and they know what to do. We’ve studied the playbook a lot and that’s one thing that is to our advantage this year, with more meetings and preparation, I think we’re ready to go.
On Weber adapting to the offense
He’s a great quarterback, he’s an athletic quarterback. I think since he’s so dynamic he’s going to be able to run the option and do some of those things for us. He’s got a great arm. With Dunbar and his expertise, he’s got a good play-caller too, so he should be alright.
On Weber’s play yesterday, after the decision had been made
I guess he saw it coming a little bit, but I’m excited for him and this is a good opportunity for him and hopefully he can get the best out of it.
Running back Amir Pinnix
On his role in the spread offense
In the passing game, blocking is very important as well as receiving the ball coming out of the backfield and catching the ball.
The offense is called “spread,” and I didn’t really know what “spread” means, but Coach Dunbar has talked about that a lot, because its not just a passing offense, its made to run the ball as well. The spread just gives you an opportunity to open up different running lanes. The running backs will get their fair share of touches.
It gives you, as a running back, an opportunity to show your talents in the open field because you can keep you eyes on that second level because when you break through that first line, you have nothing but daylight, so you have to be precise with your movements and where you want to go.
On being the feature back
The offense is very balanced. The defense won’t be able to overplay the run or the pass, but we still have a number of plays in the running game. In college football, you have to be able to establish the run, so we’ll still run the ball.
On Adam Weber
He’s a great guy. He’s had an excellent camp, and I can’t wait to get out there Saturday and play with him and see how he handles the atmosphere because its going to be a brand-new atmosphere for him.
On whether Weber gives the team a better chance to win
That’s the coach’s decision and we’ll see how it turns out Saturday, but I have the utmost confidence in him because he’s done a great job in fall camp.
On Coach Brewster’s preparation for his first game as head coach
The preparation is really big around here. Executing the game plan, executing your assignments. If you know what you have to do at all times, you’ll be just fine. You can go out on Saturdays and play fast.
Every day [Coach Brewster] emphasizes how important it is to study. Study, study, study. Study your playbook, take your playbook home with you, study the gameplan and know what you have to do at all times, so you are able to adjust to anything that the defense throws at you. It's great to have a coach like Coach Brewster because he understands the importance of a game plan and understanding what you have to do at all times.
Quarterback Adam Weber
On his goals against Bowling Green
I want to come out, stay relaxed and just play football just like I’ve been doing my whole life. I have to realize that its just a game, it hasn’t changed. It's just a little bit bigger and a little bit faster. I want to go out there, be successful and come out with a win.
On growing up as a Gopher fan
I remember coming to games with my dad as a little kid and watching Asad and watching Cupito go out there and perform. I guess it was a reality that I always dreamt would come true. Today, sitting out here with you guys, its kind of an overwhelming feeling, but it’s a good feeling.
On whether his dad, a former Gopher, gave him any advice
Not really. He’s always kind of been the guy to pat my shoulder and stay there with me. I kind of asked him some questions about how it was for him. That’s kind of fun but when it comes down to it, you just have to go out there and do your own thing.
On the offense and on learning it on the fly
It's one of those things that as you learn, it's like a snowball. As you learn, it gets rolling but to get it rolling in the first place took a long time. Once you get the concepts down, you kind of get an idea and you can throw in new plays and everything will make more sense. Things kind of overlap really well.
On his feelings being named the starting quarterback
I was really happy. I was happy for a little bit, but then there was the realization that Ok, now that he’s named the guy, its time to step up and to start preparing for Bowling Green.’ It was a good feeling, but then it became Wait, we’ve got to get ready for practice, and get out there and keep doing what we’ve been doing.’
On the quarterback competition and whether he had an inkling that he’d be the starter
They kept it pretty quiet and they always kind of kept the competition open and that’s what I really respect the coaches for, is that they gave everybody a fair shot at it. I think that until just about yesterday it could’ve gone either way.
On what Tony Mortensen had to say following their meeting with Coach Brewster
Tony’s been really great about everything. He’s a great guy and he’s going to be a big part of this team, whether its on or off the field. I owe a lot to him, because he’s taught me a lot and I think he’s going to do a great job.
Comparing his position to being named quarterback at Mounds View High School
I was just a nave little guy that was just going out there and knew how to play a little bit of football, but now there’s a little bit more involved here at Minnesota. There’s a little bit more at stake, but it's still just football. You have to kind of look at it like just another football game, but I wasn’t talking to this many media people when I was named quarterback in high school.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ FootballQB
/ FootballRB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballWinter Agility Testing
Wednesday, March 04
Gopher Football at the Barn
Wednesday, February 18
Speed is Strength | Winter Workouts
Tuesday, February 17
Winter Workouts Week Two
Monday, February 09