Gophers running back David Cobb was questionable because of a hamstring injury for the regular-season finale at Wisconsin, and he wound up rushing for 118 yards.

With nearly three more weeks to heal, Cobb said he felt good Wednesday, as he geared up for the Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl against Missouri.

"I think I'm getting back to where I was when I started the season," said Cobb, who this year set the Gophers single-season record with 1,548 rushing yards.

Wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky, out since Oct. 25 because of a high-ankle sprain, was back at practice. But coach Jerry Kill said Wolitarsky still was working out the soreness, and tackle Ben Lauer remains out due to mononucleosis.

Etc.

• The Gophers landed a verbal commitment from Colton Beebe, a consensus two-star linebacker/fullback from Kansas City, Kan., who reportedly had offers from Kansas and Air Force. The Gophers announced that four of their 19 commitments — Charlie Rogers, Jacob Huff, Julian Huff and Tyler Moore — will enroll in January.

• The Gophers have sold 7,300 tickets to the Citrus Bowl and expect that number to continue climbing with Sun Country Airlines offering five new round-trip flights from Minneapolis to Orlando.

• Former NBA All-Star Grant Hill will be the grand marshal of the Citrus Bowl Parade in Orlando on Dec. 30. Minnesota's VIP guest for the parade will be Glen Perkins, the All-Star closer for the Twins who won 19 games in two seasons pitching for the Gophers. Missouri's VIP guest will be its chancellor, Dr. R. Bowen Loftin.

JOE CHRISTENSEN