.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Spring Ball Opens Under Sunny Skies
3/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Tuesday marked the beginning of spring football practice at the University of Minnesota. Mother Nature smiled on the squad, as the Golden Gophers were greeted by clear, blue, sunny skies and temperatures nearing 60 degrees.
The Gophers were excited to get back on the practice field. But the beautiful Minnesota afternoon made the workout that much more enjoyable.
"I love it," senior defensive back Kyle Theret said. "It's almost like it is summer out here. This weather is almost as warm as it was on my Spring Break trip. I'm loving it."
Theret is one of just two senior starters returning on the defensive side of the ball. As a senior and a veteran who will be looked to for leadership on a young defensive unit, Theret is embracing spring ball as a chance for the defense to come together.
"We (the seniors) know we've got to get the guys out there, get them ready, have them ready for every play, run to the ball, bust their butt every play and just execute," Theret said. "This is my last year. It's my last go-round. I want everybody to everybody to go their hardest. I'm going to go my hardest."
While the defense is adjusting to what will be nine new starters, the offense has nine returning starters. For the Gopher offense, this spring is about improving. Senior quarterback Adam Weber said there will be a great deal of emphasis on the running game.
"There have been games where we're leading at halftime and we need to come out and establish the run, even when teams know that we're going to run the ball," Weber said. "We have to get good at that and that's something that's going to be a huge emphasis for us this spring."
The Gophers will be practicing three times per week for five weeks throughout the spring, totaling the 15 workouts allowed by the NCAA in the off-season. Minnesota's spring practice will culminate with the annual Spring Game, which is set for 1:30 p.m. on April 24 at TCF Bank Stadium. Admission to the Spring Game is free.
-Andy Seeley
