Monday, April 30, 2007

Gopher Matt Spaeth selected in NFL Draft

I was reading on Gopher Football Tickets .com that Gopher tight end Matt Spaeth was selected in the NFL draft by the Pittsburg Steelers - Way to go Matt! I knew he was a definite possibility; after all, he was named the 2006 Bronko Nagurksi Award winner as the Gophers’ Most Valuable Player! He was also selected as one of the honorees for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award and in 2006 Matt Spaeth was second on the team in receptions and receiving yards, catching 47 passes for 564 yards with four touchdowns.

I saw Matt on a local news station interview and he just seems so mellow and down to earth. He kept saying how playing football on Friday nights in Minnesota as a high school player you dream of playing at the University and then at the University you dream of playing in the NFL and how cool it is to see your dreams come to life. He said in an interview after he was selected, “I am so excited to be part of a great football tradition like the Pittsburgh Steelers,” said Spaeth. “I don’t think it has completely hit me yet, but I am looking forward to contributing to their new regime and helping the Steelers to future success.” I will definitely follow Matt Spaeth. Gopher Girl liked the Steelers before anyway and now I just have another reason to cheer them on. Congrats Matt!

Friday, April 20, 2007

Gopher Football

I was reading over on GopherFootballTickets.com that Gopher Football Coach Tim Brewster was recently highlighted in The Sporting News Magazine. The magazine covers all sports and I think it’s awesome that they took the time out to notice the once forgettable University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Football team. Brewster gave the magazine some solid quotes that are typical Brewster style. Tom Dienhart got Brewster to go on record stating, "We will win the Big Ten…I want my team and the fans to be dreamers so we can do big things in the great state of Minnesota." Let’s do it Brewster, Let’s win the Big Ten! Gopher Girl just hopes Brewsters promises aren’t empty and that he really does lead the University to the title it so rightly deserves! Go Gophers!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Gopher Football Spring Game Success

Behind their new head football coach, Tim Brewster, the Minnesota Golden Gopher football team entered the field at the Metrodome in Minneapolis last Saturday to show a crowd of 15,000 fans where a new coaching staff and hard work at spring practice has gotten them so far.

The Gophers had a total of 5 touchdowns and averaged a 5.4 yard gain on every carry, giving the Minnesota offense a total of 391 yards for the day. Quarterbacks Tony Mortensen and Adam Weber completed 17 of 28 passes for a total of 178 combined yards. The Gopher defense, however, wouldn’t go down without a fight. Early in the second quarter Lee Campbell blocked Blake Haudan’s punt, which was quickly recovered by Haudan for no gain. The Gopher defense ended the game with sophomore T.J. Wentzel intercepting senior quarterback Mike Frankberg’s pass and returning it ten yards.

“It was outstanding.” Minnesota head football coach Tim Brewster said, “We had a celebration today in the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Golden Gophers shared our football team with the state of Minnesota and it was awesome.”

As for what is next? “The next step for these guys is to get in the weight room, get bigger, stronger, faster and nastier,” said Brewster who is excited to get out and recruit, “We are going to get all over the state of Minnesota. We are going to get into every high school in the state.”

The Golden Gophers will kick off the regular football season in September when they host Bowling Green at the Metrodome – I can’t wait!

Monday, April 9, 2007

Gophers Football Players Released

University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Football Players were under a bit of a cloud on Friday night. The Gopher players should have been flying high with a big Gopher Nation scrimmage coming up on Saturday, but the team was feeling down after 3 of their own were accused of sexual misconduct.

Alex Daniels, 20, Keith Massey, 20, and E.J. Jones, 19, were arrested Friday after University police said an 18-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted at the University Village apartment complex where two of the players live. The University Police received the complaint Friday morning and began “an aggressive investigation.” Head Football Coach Tim Brewster was informed late Friday afternoon and immediately suspended the three players until the investigation is complete.

The players were held over the weekend at the Hennepin County jail. Authorities had until noon today to either charge the players, seek an extension to hold them without charges or release them. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced today that the three University of Minnesota football players are being released as authorities continue to investigate the matter.
Freeman said his office had "insufficient evidence" to charge the players. "We have concluded that additional investigation is necessary to determine whether charges should be sought," Freeman said. There has been no talk as to if or when the three will be reinstated with the Gopher Football squad.

Gopher Girl hopes this issue will be taken care of quickly and fairly. If the men assaulted the girl, I hope their punishment is swift and harsh, but if they didn’t, I hope Tim Brewster and Gopher fans are reasonable and supportive. Gopher Girl just has to worry about the timing of the charges. If the assault happened last week, then why did the victim wait until the day before the big game to come forward? Gopher Girl also hopes the events surrounding these three players will send a strong message to the other Gopher Athletes to watch who you hang out with and what you do – don’t mess around. Come on Gopher players, it’s time to walk the line!!!!!

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Gopher Football Spring Game

I was reading on GopherFootballTickets.com that the Gophers are having their big Spring Fling Gopher Football Game this Saturday, April 7th. The game will be broadcast live on FSN North, but Coach Brewster and the University football players are hoping for a good show of fan support at the Metrodome. Gopher Gal agrees, we need to show support for our University of Minnesota Football team. So bundle up the family in maroon and gold and head out to the dome this Saturday. Listen to the college rouser, win some prizes, eat a hot dog or two and cheer on your Minnesota football team. Let’s go Gophers! Let’s go! I look forward to spelling M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A a few times this Saturday!

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