Gopher fans get their first look at the 2010 football team Saturday morning, when Minnesota holds its lone public scrimmage.
Gates at TCF Bank Stadium will open at 10 a.m. (use Gates A or E), and the scrimmage will begin around 10:45, after the team goes through its usual warmup drills. (Fans who need a little tailgating practice are in luck, too -- tailgating lots will open at 8 a.m.)
Players will be available for autographs for 30 minutes after the scrimmage, and the university is planning several other interactive activities. There's no admission.
Speaking of which, admission to TCF Bank Stadium will be free on Sept. 2 as well, when fans will be allowed to spread blankets on the turf and watch the Gophers' season opener against Middle Tennessee State on the stadium's scoreboard. (The school asks that no food, drink or high heels be brought onto the field.) Gates will open at 5 p.m.; the game, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., kicks off at 6.
And once the home season opens on Sept. 11, don't forget that the university will host an "official" pregame party at McNamara Alumni Center, beginning three hours before kickoff. It's also free, and food, beverages and beer will be available for purchase.
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My apologies for the lack of posts on the blog in the past week; I'm out of town on a family obligation that was scheduled months ago. New posts will resume next week, though, and continue throughout the season, so be sure to check back often.
