Developments from Gophers football practice

As promised, here is what I have heard from Saturday's Gophers intrasquad football scrimmage (that was closed to the media).

Mike Maciejowski has possibly passed Hutchinson's Tony Mortensen as backup to quarterback Adam Weber. Maciejowski went 7 for 16 for 64 yards with an interception Saturday, finishing right behind Weber in passing numbers. Mortensen went 2 for 9 with 21 yards.

"I've got a comfort level with Mike," Brewster said. "He's one of those guys with very limited reps seems to be able to step in and assimilate your offense and execute your offense. And that's a really positive trait for a backup."

One player that looked like his old self was Silver Lake native Willie VanderSteeg, who had three of the defense's nine sacks.

"We have a lot of (new) guys that are going to help us out in individual positions," said senior defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg. " (Marcus) Sherels, the kid can play. You watch him on the basketball court, and he's a stud. You watch him on the football field and you know he can play football. ... He's just a solid player you can count on for anything."

Another G-SL player, sophomore safety Jon Hoese, had some carries on offense as the Gophers are very thin at running back. Brewster said it wouldn't be surprising to see him carry the ball some this year.

Junior wide receiver Ben Kuznia of Olivia finished with a team-leading seven catches for 64 yards. Kuznia said he expects talented freshman receivers like Brandon Green, Brodrick Smith and Xzavian Brandon to learn from their mistakes. Several of them were having problems lining up properly Saturday.

"I relate to (the freshmen) so much from two spring balls ago," he said. "Trying to learn this offense is tough, but it's just slowed down for me so much. Ralph (Spry), Eric (Decker) and I are trying to help them out as much as we can, because we need everyone this year."

Still early to figure out this team, but it should be fun to watch local roots from the area.

In other news:
* You have to be kidding? Wow, those are ugly.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/27088924.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUo...