Gary Andersen took a conference call with reporters Thursday, four days before the start of spring practice.
Among the news to come out of the call was that running backs Chris Brown (medical retirement) and Deltron Sands (team dismissal) were no longer with the program. For more information on that development and where it leaves the running back position, click here.
Andersen was also asked about the defense after the recent transfers of linebacker Rommel Mageo (Mississippi) and safety Justin Strong (Montana), two of the team's leading tacklers from last season. While the second-year coach did not address either by name, he said the following:
"There was competition.