Getting ready for Saturday's dry run

Turns out everybody involved with the Gophers football program will be using Saturday's scrimmage as a dry run.

Everyone will

The fans -- the scrimmage will be open to season ticket holders, those who worked on the stadium and students with a valid studend ID -- will be getting a first game-like look at the place.

The players will get a taste of what it's like to play in TCF Bank in front of so many people. The coaches will be testing communications from the both, game-day preparation. Every detail, really, down to the pre-game victory walk.

And those in stadium ops will be treating like a game day, getting used to what challenges game days will bring.

Don't look for too much on the field, though. Coach Tim Brewster will keep it bland, vanilla. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch is looking for crisp execution if not a wide range of play calling.

I don't think the starters will play very long.

--Wide receiver Xavian Brandon has an injured right knee and has had surgery, according to Brewster, who wouldn't speculate on a timetable for Brandon's return.

--Running back Kevin Whaley remains sidelined with a boot on his right foot.

--Brewster is very excited about his depth at tight end. The Gophers will be using both a tight end and a pro-styled H-back in their offense, with most of the tight ends being asked to learn both positions so they can line up either on the line or in the backfield or go in motion. That allows the Gophers to get another blocker at the point of attack.

Brewster said Nick Tow-Arnett is having a great camp, as is Collin McGarry, Curtis Hughes and freshman Ra'Shede Hageman are as well. Hageman, being a freshman, is currently focusing on just tight end. Hughes is more of a blocker but could be seen a lot in two tight end sets.

--Tony Dungy met with the coaches and their wives Thursday and was scheduled to spend an hour talking to the players. "It's not about football, it's about life," Brewster said of the talk. "Tony is a tremdous life coach."