One of coach Tracy Claeys' battle cries for his Gophers playing in the Quick Lane Bowl despite a 5-7 record is how much the extra practices benefit his redshirt freshmen players.
The Gophers were granted up to 15 practices to prepare for Central Michigan (7-5) for Monday's game in Detroit, with six practices having freshmen scrimmaging as an appetizer.
"Those kids come out earlier than everybody else and they are in full pads. We are getting after it and tackling," Claeys said. "Those six days that they get to do that and run our offense and our defense at full speed will pay a huge benefit.