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University of Minnesota Athletics
Camp Blog: Closing Time
8/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
The University of Minnesota football team officially put the wraps on its 2010 Preseason Training Camp Wednesday night at TCF Bank Stadium. The Gophers practiced for two-plus hours during the evening with the lights on in the stadium.
Head coach Tim Brewster said it was the best camp the Gophers have had during his tenure in Minneapolis.
"It has been a great camp," Brewster said. "The guys have worked extremely hard. It all goes back to the winter conditioning program. That's where it all started. This has been a very hard-working group."
According to Brewster, the relationships between members of this team is one reason why the Gophers have worked so hard during the preseason.
"That's been evidenced by the way that camp has gone and the way these guys feel about each other," Brewster said. "A team that really feels good about each other - that chemistry will take you a long way."
Senior center D.J. Burris wrapped up his fifth preseason training camp Wednesday night. He echoed Brewster's sentiments.
"Being a fifth-year senior and getting this fifth camp in the books feels awesome," Burris said. "I definitely think it has been the best camp we've had since I've been here. Everyone's on the same page."
Notes:
- Wednesday night's practice was a mock game. The squad hit the field and warmed up in the same fashion it will one week from Thursday night in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The Gophers then ran through situational scrimmage work, in addition to numerous special teams situations.
In fact, Coach Brewster said many of the situations they worked on may never come up in a game. But the Gophers will be prepared if and when they do.
"We put our players in every possible situation that can come up in a game," Brewster said. "Most situations we went through tonight don't come up in a game. But we want our guys to be prepared for any and all situations that present themselves."
- Gopher men's basketball coach Tubby Smith took in Wednesday night's practice, as did Minnesota Athletic Director Joel Maturi.
- The Gophers wrapped up the workout with a number of 100-, 80-, 60- and 40-yard sprints.
- Coach Brewster is giving the team Thursday and Friday off. But they were instructed to be ready for "game week" to begin on Saturday.
"You put so much time and effort into your preparation and the reward comes when you play the game," Brewster said. "Our goal is to be 1-0 after our first game. It is the only goal we have as a football team. Game week is finally here and that's exciting for all of us."
-Associate Athletic Communications Director Andy Seeley
