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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Gopher Football News, Notes
12/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Some news and notes regarding Minnesota Football, the Gophers' preparation for the Insight Bowl, Eric Decker's trip to New York for the National Football Foundation Awards Ceremony and some honors that have come in for a handful of Gophers.
Bowl-Game Preparation
Preparations for Minnesota's New Year's Eve Insight Bowl matchup with Iowa State have been taking place at the Gibson-Nagurski Complex and the Bierman Building ever since the Gophers became bowl eligible back on Nov. 14.
But things will really begin to heat up Wednesday, when the Gophers hit the practice field for their first official bowl practice Wednesday afternoon. The squad will hold 10 practices here in Minneapolis over the course of the next two weeks. The student-athletes will get a couple days off to wrap up their finals and maybe spend some time with family for those in close proximity to the Twin Cities.
Then on Christmas Day, the Gophers will unwrap the gift of warm weather as they will board a plane bound for Phoenix. The Gophers will have four full practices and a walk-through in the days leading up to the Insight Bowl.
Mr. Decker Goes to New York
Numerous luminaries in the world of college football were introduced to the media at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City as part of the National Football Foundation (NFF) Award Ceremonies, which will officially take place Tuesday night.
Among those introduced at a press conference was Minnesota senior wide receiver Eric Decker, who is an NFF Scholar-Athlete, winning an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. By virtue of being an NFF Scholar-Athlete, Decker is also a candidate for the Campbell Trophy (known as the Academic Heisman), which will be handed out tonight in NYC.
"I want to say it's an honor to be recognized with these great young men," Decker said. "This award means more than on-the-field performance. It encompasses what we've done in the classroom, in the community ... really what it means to be a young man in this world. I want to thank my university. I'm
representing my teammates, my coaches and what we're trying to do at the University of Minnesota. It's a great honor to be here."
The other NFF Scholar-Athletes include Illinois offensive lineman Jon Asamoah, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Decker is among a total of 16 football student-athletes to be honored from all divisions of NCAA and NAIA football.
Men of Steele
Phil Steele, who produces one of the country's best college football preview magazines, has released his All-Big Ten teams and his All-Freshman teams. Steele honored a handful of Gophers on his All-Big Ten teams and recognized a Minnesota rookie on his All-Freshman team.
Decker was named a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection by Steele. Senior linebacker Lee Campbell was also recognized on the Second Team by Steele. Third-teamers were kick returner Troy Stoudermire and punter Blake Haudan.
Steele's All-Freshman Teams included Minnesota's D.L. Wilhite. The red-shirt freshman defensive end had a solid campaign, tallying a pair of sacks, a pair of fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown.
-Andy Seeley
