Football

Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill had reason to be pleased with the Gophers’ annual spring game Saturday.

The weather held up. More than 10,000 fans were announced in attendance. And the Gophers’ offense — anemic for much of Kill’s first two seasons at Minnesota — scored a combined five touchdowns.

On the warmest day in Minneapolis since Oct. 3, 2012, the maroon team beat the white team 24-17 at the Gophers’ annual spring game at TCF Bank Stadium.

The Gophers football team discovered its offensive identity during its 34-31 loss to Texas Tech in the Meineke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 28.

Just ask offensive lineman Zac Epping, who helped Minnesota match the physical play of Texas Tech’s defense, allowing the team to gain 222 rushing yards on 54 attempts that day.

The Gophers controlled the clock during their bowl game, running 73 plays and dominating the time of possession battle.

Epping said the game was a turning point in the team’s offensive identity.

He stands at 6 feet, 6 inches and weighs 311 pounds. He draws double teams from opposing defenses because of his strength and physicality. His coaches and teammates say a career in the National Football League awaits him.

Gophers senior defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman shoulders great athletic expectations.

But he’s not focusing on his future.

“I try to stay out of the hype,” Hageman said. “I kind of surround myself with just my teammates.”

Derrick Wells was arguably the Gophers’ best safety last season. Now, he’s in a position to be the team’s best cornerback.

“He could start at safety, corner,” head coach Jerry Kill said. “He could probably come over and play wide receiver and start.”

Wells, a 6-foot, 206-pound junior with tattooed biceps and dreadlocks flowing out of his helmet, is making the switch from safety back to cornerback.

Though Kill has indicated Wells may alternate between the positions, Wells has practiced with the corners this spring.

The Gophers football team was left with a sour taste in its mouth last year after a 34-31 loss to Texas Tech in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Minnesota graduated 14 starters from that squad and eight on the defensive side.

Three months later, with spring practice set to begin Tuesday at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex, the team will look to fill holes at linebacker and cornerback.

The Gophers lost two starters at each position, but head coach Jerry Kill said Monday at a press conference that he expects other players to step up — especially at linebacker.