University of Minnesota Athletics
Captains Announced, Cross Promoted
5/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
University of Minnesota head football coach Tim Brewster announced the 2008 Gopher captains Monday. The captains were chosen by a vote of the team.
Serving as team captains for the upcoming season will be senior linebacker Steve Davis, junior wide receiver Eric Decker, senior defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg and sophomore quarterback Adam Weber.
“Leadership is extremely important and great teams have great leaders,” Brewster said. “As we enter our summer conditioning program, the leadership that we receive from these four men will be critical. I believe each of them has the qualities necessary to be outstanding leaders.”
Davis has started 31 of his 35 career games and is tied for 10th all-time at Minnesota with 11 career sacks. He made eight starts last season and recorded a career-best 54 tackles. Davis tallied three tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one forced fumble last season.
Decker has started 15 of 25 career games and enters the 2008 season ranked in the top 15 in four Gopher career receiving categories. He was awarded the 2007 Bruce Smith Award as Minnesota’s top offensive player. Decker set a school record for single-season receptions with 67 in 2007. He spent this spring as the starting left fielder for the Gopher baseball team.
VanDeSteeg is the only returning captain on the squad. He has started 20 of his 33 career games and enters the 2008 season tied for 10th all-time at Minnesota with 11 career sacks. VanDeSteeg played through a broken wrist last season and still managed to record 29 stops and eight tackles for loss. He was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore. His 10 sacks in 2006 rank fifth in school history and were the most ever by a Gopher sophomore.
Weber was a Third-Team Freshman All-America and Freshman All-Big Ten selection by The Sporting News last season. He started all 12 games, passed for 2,895 yards and 24 touchdowns, setting school records for pass completions, attempts, yards and TD passes. Weber ranked second nationally among freshmen and third overall in the Big Ten with 241.2 passing yards per game. His 617 rushing yards led the team in 2007, while his five rushing scores tied for the team lead. He also set school records for total offensive yards (3,512) and total plays (595).
In addition to the team captain, Brewster has also announced the promotion of Tim Cross to Associate Head Coach. Cross is in his second season with the Gophers and will continue to coach the defensive line.
“Tim Cross has done an exceptional job since arriving at the University of Minnesota and I am pleased to reward him with this promotion,” Brewster said. “He has proven himself to be an excellent recruiter and an outstanding coach. I look forward to him having an expanded role with our defense.”
