Prepping for South Dakota State

Greetings.

I was surprised to see Jeff Tow-Arnett in pads and at practice today. What, just over four weeks after having surgery to repair a broken leg? This guy really wants to play, and he wants to do it Saturday. Coach Tim Brewster said no way this week. Tow-Arnett, who did some individual stuff but will do more with the team tomorrow, said he'll start lobbying his coach to change his mind.

What else?

I have to admit I don't know a lot about the SDSU Jackrabbits. I know they use multiple sets on offense. On defense they don't do a lot of different things, especially with coverage, but they do what they do very well. Still I don't think you have to worry about a repeat of the NDSU game two years ago. I think the Gophers win rather easily.

Though I could be wrong.

Talked with Adam Weber about the glove he's been wearing on his throwing hand the past two games. Said he experimented with it in practice and loved it in the MSU game. Says he allows him to hold the ball better and get a tighter spiral.

It was interesting that the gophers were in full pads today, something that haven't done every week as the season has gone on.

Meanwhile, how many of you fans remember Thomas Town?

It was a family tailgating area in the Metrodome Parking lot when the Gophers were playing there. When the Gophers moved on campus, the more spread-out nature of tailgating meant Thomas Town -- it was run by the family of Gophers senior Jay Thomas -- didn't move with the team.

But now, to celebrate Jay's last home game, Thomas Town is ready for one last hurrah. Prior to the Gophers Victory Walk this Saturday, the folks from Thomas Town will be handing out about 100 Gophers practice jerseys to kids under age 16. They will be located in front of Goldy's Locker Room and across the street from Station 19. They'll start handing out the jerseys at 8:45 a.m. All they ask in return is that, when Jay's name is announced during the senior day celebration, that fans wear or wave the jersey and make some noise.