Gopher Football Spring Game set for April 13
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Coming of its first bowl victory under PJ Fleck, the University of Minnesota football team will hold its annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 13.
The game will be free for the general public and will be held at TCF Bank Stadium. The Gophers will announced a complete spring practice schedule and Spring Game details at a later date.
In his second year as head coach, Fleck led the Gophers to a 7-6 record and a 34-10 win over Georgia Tech in the Quick Lane Bowl.
The Gophers went 3-1 in their last four games, highlighted by a 37-15 win at Wisconsin. It was their first win over the Badgers in 14 seasons, and gave them their sixth win to solidify a bowl berth. The Gophers were exceptional on defense in their final four games after Fleck parted ways with defensive coordinator Robb Smith and promoted Joe Rossi.
The Minnesota defense allowed just 14.75 points per game in its last four games, including the bowl win, as well as about 318 yards of total offense. The Gophers limited the Georgia Tech, the top rushing offense in the country, to 260 yards. Rossi was named the permanent defensive coordinator after the Wisconsin victory.
The Gophers should have heightened expectations with plenty of talent returning for the 2019 season. Running backs Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith are both expected to return after season-ending knee injuries. Wide receiver Tyler Johnson also will return for his senior season after rumblings he might leave school early for the NFL Draft.
Antoine Winfield Jr. is also expected to return to the defense after a season-ending foot injury.