After ranking third in the Big Ten in punting last year at 43.3 yards per attempt, Gophers junior Peter Mortell has increased that average to 45.1 this year. That ranks second in the conference, right behind Illinois' Justin DuVernois.
But Mortell also has seven touchbacks, and he is hoping to pin more of those punts closer to the goal line in the season's second half.
"I still can get a lot better, especially when we get into that pooch range, to prevent those touchbacks from happening," Mortell said. "Those still get me upset. But that's all on me; that's not on the coverage. I've got to kick it a little bit higher. It's something I'm working on right now."
Gophers coach Jerry Kill said Mortell's ability to change field position is "the difference between winning and losing."
Getting stronger
Jon Christenson started nine games at center last year as a sophomore before breaking the tibia and fibula in his left leg on a gruesome play at Indiana. A similar injury ended the career for Christenson's predecessor at center with the Gophers, Zach Mottla.
Christenson lost 30 pounds and tons of strength within a few weeks of his injury, but he has worked himself back to play in five games this season on special teams. He moved to guard this season but has yet to play on the offensive line.
Backup center Brian Bobek was injured on an extra point last week, so the Gophers had Christenson working at center Tuesday.
"I think it's been his best day since camp started, so it's just a process," Kill said. "The leg's gotten a lot better."
