Gophers QB Mitch Leidner spoke to reporters after Thursday's scrimmage at TCF Bank Stadium. Here are some snippets of what he said:
Q: Thoughts on the offense from the scrimmage?
"It was a little bit of a slow start, but as things got going, it picked up a little bit. I thought we did well. I thought we moved the ball down the field pretty good and the two-minute situation went really well."
Q: Anybody in particular stand out?
"I'm just really proud of those receivers -- Eric Carter, KJ [Maye] and [Drew] Wolitarsky -- that I'm working with the most. I think those guys are doing a really good job. Obviously those young receivers have stepped up, made a lot of good plays this camp so far, and they continue to today."
Q: Who had some big catches in the scrimmage?
"Eric Carter caught a big touchdown pass early on, and Brian Smith as well. So a lot of guys are stepping up at the receiver position, so it's good for the quarterbacks."
Q: How did the running backs look?
"Those guys -- they run hard, and they work hard. And when you've got guys like Rodrick [Williams and Rodney [Smith] really leading the way right now, those young guys look at those guys and think, I want to run as hard as Rodrick does. And then you look at Shannon [Brooks], he's running like Rodrick."
Q: How is your chemistry with the offensive line?
"I'm close with all those offensive linemen. I've always been close. I love hanging out with those guys, so we have a really good relationship, and those guys want to protect me as best they can."
Q: How have fellow QB's Demry Croft and Jacques Perra looked in camp?
"They're competing, and as a starting guy it makes me want to keep getting better, keep pushing myself as hard as I can because you've got talent behind you. And those guys have done a good job throughout camp. You've just gotta keep getting better."
