Spring football game: Gophers take steps, but plenty remain

kyoungblood@startribune.com

As just about everyone involved stressed, over and over, the Gophers' annual spring football game might signal the end of spring practice but it is not an end in itself.

It's a snapshot. Saturday's field trip to the University of St. Thomas, attended by an announced crowd of more than 7,700, was a day to get some first impressions but not for drawing conclusions.

"We have a lot of work to do, guys,'' coach Tim Brewster said after the game that featured a slew of big plays and saw the first- and second-team offenses score 17 points each. "But, again, I feel we improved as a team this spring.''

After the Gophers ended last season on a five-game losing streak, Brewster made changes. He hired new coordinators on offense and defense and installed a new offense that included more emphasis on the running game. So the Gophers opened spring practices with several questions. Here are some tentative answers gleaned from Saturday's action:

Question: How will new coordinator Jedd Fisch's pro-style, multiset offense work?

Answer: As good as a rebuilt offensive line will let it.

And that, perhaps as much as at any position, is a work in progress. There were some highlights Saturday: Troy Stoudermire sprinting 54 yards on a roaring end-around for a touchdown. Running backs Kevin Whaley (12 carries, 63 yards, one TD) and DeLeon Eskridge (seven carries, 35 yards) also had their moments. But execution along the line was hit and miss. The Gophers have more size and more of a desire for a power game, but they need more work.

"I'm not satisfied, and they shouldn't be, either,'' offensive line coach/running game coordinator Tim Davis said. "But I look at spring as not being the end. When we open up against Syracuse next fall, that's when all the questions should be answered.''

Question: How much more explosive will this team be as last year's recruiting class takes another step?

Answer: Probably more explosive than last year.

Stoudermire, permanently entrenched as a wide receiver and kickoff returner, also added punt return duties this spring. The result: the 54-yard end-around for a score, a 47.7-yard average on three kickoff returns and 37 yards on two punt returns.

Then take Brodrick Smith, part of last year's deep class of wide receivers, who caught two MarQueis Gray passes for scores. They included a nice fade route in the end zone and a straight 59-yard "go'' route. Smith had four receptions, and Stoudermire and Da'Jon McKnight each caught three passes. Brandon Green and Xzavian Brandon had two receptions each.

And then there was Gray. Fans had waited two years to see him. He showed them fluid speed, a rifle arm and 8-for-10 passing for 141 yards and two scores. He and Adam Weber combined to complete 17 of 22 passes.

Defense? New faces such as safety Kim Royston (four tackles), lineman Brandon Kirksey (four tackles), safety Tim Dandridge (four tackles and a near-interception) and linebackers Spencer Reeves (three tackles) and Sam Maresh all showed flashes of talent and speed. The Gophers defense will have more speed than last year's, that much is clear.

Question: Who will pick up Willie VanDeSteeg's role as a pass-rushing defensive end?

Answer: Cedric McKinley had three sacks and another tackle for loss Saturday, and speedy linebacker Keanon Cooper had a sack on a blitz. Sophomore Terrell Combs had a sack as well.

Question: Is Eric Ellestad ready to take over as the team's kicker?

Answer: So far, so good. He made field goals of 48 and 21 yards and all four extra points. He had good hang time on kickoffs, though Brewster would like him to get those a little deeper.

• Running back Shady Salamon (concussion), running back Duane Bennett (knee), wide receiver Ben Kuznia (hamstring) and cornerback Johnny Johnson (concussion) did not play. Cornerback Marcus Sherels (shoulder) missed all of spring practice.