Gophers set date for spring football game; Kenisha Bell honored again

The Gophers football program announced Monday that its spring game will be played April 14 at TCF Bank Stadium. The game will begin at noon and will be free to the public.

Minnesota's spring practice schedule and events surrounding the game will be announced later.

The Gophers posted a 5-7 record in coach P.J. Fleck's inaugural season in 2017. The Gophers open 2018 on Aug. 30 against New Mexico State at TCF Bank Stadium.

Nine early enrollees joined the Gophers for spring semester, and they will participate in spring practice. Included in that group are quarterbacks Vic Viramontes of Riverside (Calif.) City College and Zack Annexstad of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., along with offensive linemen Curtis Dunlap, a four-star recruit, and Daniel Faalele, a 6-9, 400-pounder, both from IMG Academy.

Gophers junior guard Kenisha Bell received her second Big Ten player of the week honor, sharing the nod with Katelynn Flaherty of Michigan.

Bell, a Bloomington Kennedy grad, averaged 22.5 points, 7.5 assists, seven rebounds and three steals per game last week in leading the Gophers to two conference wins.

Three Minnesota teams are in the top 10 of the U.S. College Hockey Online men's poll released Monday, and two of them moved up significantly in the rankings ahead of a Tuesday night intrastate showdown.

St. Cloud State dropped two spots to No. 5, while the Gophers remained at No. 13 after sweeping Michigan State.

Notre Dame (19-4-1) remained No. 1. The Fighting Irish visit the Gophers on Friday and Saturday.

• The Gophers women's team dropped two spots to No. 7 in the USCHO poll after being swept at Ohio State. Wisconsin remained a unanimous No. 1.

• Jeff Schlieff, the winningest football coach in Spring Lake Park history, has resigned after 25 years. He will remain in his teaching position at Spring Lake Park, the school district said in a news release. Schlieff compiled a 184-79 record and led the Panthers to the Class 5A Prep Bowl in 2016, where they finished as runners-up.

• The Gophers' Lexy Ramler notched the top all-around score in the Big Ten this past weekend with a 39.450 and was named both the gymnast and freshman of the week, the conference announced.