Pasadena Bound!

The Gopher's have kicked off their 2009 football season 0-0-1 after grinding to a 17-17 tie in their Spring Game. The game, held at the University of St Thomas' O'Shaughnessy Stadium this previous Saturday presented fans with a first look at the new pro-style offense led by Jed Fisch, and the dazzling talent of Troy Stoudermire, Marquis Gray and co.

Overall, the newcomers like those listed above stole the show from the returning 18 starters on offense and defense. Kevin Whaley impressed at running back, showing a possible flash of lightning to complement the incoming thunder of Hasan Lipscomb. With wideouts Eric Decker (baseball), Ben Kuznia (owie) and incoming Hayo Carpenter all absent from the practice, sophomores Troy Stoudemire and Broderick Smith had a time to shine. Stoudemire continued his development as a home run threat at every touch, racking up over 270 all purpose yards between his two touchdowns returning kicks, lining up in the slot and executing end-arounds.

The crowd favorite on offense however, came in the form of QB phenom Marquis Gray. Gopher fans have waited two years to see him under center, and he did not dissapoint. Despite playing touch football on the qb's, Gray showed his Terelle Pryor like ability to escape defenders in the pocket, as well as a very unexpected (but very welcome) touch in the passing game. Demonstrative of this ability was him laying it in to a streaking Broderick Smith, catching him perfectly in stride en route to a 60 yard touchdown. This observer wouldn't be surprised to see Gray push returning starter Adam Weber for playing time this fall.

Speaking of Weber, he didn't show much in this spring game. Hampered by off-season surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, Weber dispalyed an alarming lack of arm strength and touch on most of his throws over 10 yards, including underthrowing an open Marquis Gray on a trick play in the third quarter. He failed in looking off wide receivers, and even redshirt freshman Tim Dandridge came a blink of the eye away from a pick six in the first series. Although Weber still has a summer to learn the playbook and rebuild arm strength, that his struggles came against the second team defense while his backup Gray shined against the number one squad should help to spur him onward in his offseason preperations.

On the defensive side of the ball, newcomers were again the story. While returning end Cedric McKinley continued his development as the line's top replacement for Willie VanDeSteeg, redshirt freshmen Keanon Cooper as well as speedy Becky transfer Kim Royston showed a pop in their hits which had the crowd buzzing. Cooper is a new hybrid linebacker that Brewster is in love with, runs a 4.45 and can hit like a ton of bricks. It will be fun to see him in blitz packages this fall and also cycling out into coverage.

The player of the game award from me goes to someone on special teams. Eric Ellestad, the incoming replacement for Joel Monroe, showed flashes of consistency in an area of the Gopher's squad which has been overlooked for far too long. Hitting all four of his extra points and two field goals, Ellestad could be the answer at kicker. Did you catch that? He hit all four of his extra points.

The dogs of the game continue to be the o-line. This team will rise and fall with this squad of under-achievers. If these five guys get it together and become just adequate, I see a mid-tier bowl game for this team. However, if performance continues like last year, getting to .500 could be a struggle, and Coach Brewster could find himself on the hotseat.

All together, this spring was a time of optimism for the Gophers. Despite the absence of their best player, the offense showed flashes of brilliances, as well as a steady improvement in implementing the new pro-style offense of Jed Fisch. The defense will continue to be merely adequate, but could face some depth challenges in the secondary if injuries become an issue.