Backup QB Chris Streveler showing he can play well at other spots

The Gophers football team continued to experiment with Chris Streveler at positions other than quarterback during Thursday night's scrimmage, and coach Jerry Kill came away impressed.

"Somebody said he's like a Tim Tebow-type guy," Kill said. "He's lining up at tight end, he's lining up at H-back, he's playing quarterback. I mean, he's that smart. So that's a real weapon for us."

Streveler was the Gophers' No. 2 quarterback behind Mitch Leidner last year and made one start, completing one of seven passes and rushing for 161 yards in a victory over San Jose State.

Asked if Streveler is still the No. 2 quarterback, Kill said: "We haven't talked about it too much. We know what he can do at quarterback, and he came to me this summer and said he wants to play.

"And he's just a great team player. He never complains. He goes, 'Is there anything I can do to get on the field?' And I said, 'We'll take a look at it.' "

Redshirt freshman Jacques Perra and true freshman Demry Croft would be the two leading candidates for the No. 2 quarterback spot if it's not Streveler.

The 6-2, 223-pound Streveler is one of the fastest players on the team. A third-year sophomore, he worked on catching passes from Leidner over the summer.

"I've never had a quarterback be able to play this many positions, and not have to teach him anything," Kill said. "He's that smart because when he played quarterback, he studied the whole thing."

Injury updates

Kill said wide receiver Jeff Jones is recovering from a concussion. Jones was in an orange nonparticipation jersey for the scrimmage but was also in full pads, an indication he could be close to playing again soon.

Kill said another wide receiver, Isaiah Gentry, remains sidelined because of a hamstring injury, and running back Berkley Edwards is out because of an ankle injury.

Left tackle Ben Lauer returned from knee surgery and is practicing, and the team still hopes to get tight end Duke Anyanwu back from his knee surgery before the opener.

Kill mentioned defensive linemen Robert Ndondo-Lay as a key player the Gophers need back from injury soon.

Scrimmage report

Leidner said the offense had a slow start to the scrimmage before finding a good groove.

"I thought early, the defense just dominated," Kill said. "I didn't say a whole lot, and all of a sudden, the offense fights back, which sometimes that hasn't happened with adversity."

Leidner said Eric Carter and Brian Smith both had touchdown receptions.

Kill said true freshmen Rashad Still and Hunter Register both caught multiple deep passes.

"We had some guys make some big plays which we need," Kill said. "We've got some guys we need to get coached up in a hurry. I think we'll get better as the year goes. We'll be playing some youth on offense."

Setting the depth chart

Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys said his staff will meet Monday to finalize the depth chart and then define each defensive player's role by Tuesday — nine days before the season opener against Texas Christian.

One key decision will be picking a starting middle linebacker between Everett Williams and Cody Poock.

"Both are doing good, and we're going to need them both," Claeys said.