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University of Minnesota Athletics
Camp Blog: Players React to Scrimmage, Fan Fest
8/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
"We're really sending a great message to the fans that have been able to watch today," senior running back Duane Bennett said. "Just showing them what we've been going through as far as minicamp is concerned."
Fans in attendance had the opportunity to see how Minnesota's veterans and newcomers have meshed over the last month of preseason camp as well as seeing several possibilities for this year's starting lineups.
One of the most highly anticipated players coming into this season has been sophomore linebacker Mike Rallis. The Edina native missed nearly all of last season with a broken leg and converted back to linebacker over the offseason. Rallis received high praise during the offseason from his coaches, who are encouraged by the possibility of him being a leader on the young defense.
"I love a challenge, and I'm going to step right up to a challenge," Rallis, who tallied a handful of tackles in the scrimmage, said. "I've got great expectations for myself and -- more importantly -- for the team."
Rallis wasn't the only defensive player to turn heads in today's practice. Playing in a young defensive secondary, junior cornerback Johnny Johnson made his claim for a more playing time with three highlight reel tackles - all three stopping the ball carrier dead in his tracks.
"I just came out and made some plays, put in some work for my team," Johnson said. "It was a good scrimmage."
-Athletic Communications Assistant Brian Deutsch
