BleedGopher
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per the AP:
Maryland and Minnesota open Big Ten play Saturday sharing an unwanted bond: Both are mourning the loss of a teammate.
The Terrapins (2-1) have dedicated their season to offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who died of heatstroke two weeks after collapsing during a conditioning drill on May 29.
Since that time, wins and losses simply don't matter as much. Last Saturday's 35-14 defeat against Temple was disappointing, though the Terrapins are trying to keep the season in perspective.
"Obviously, it doesn't compare to real life situations that we're all dealing with," interim coach Matt Canada said this week. "Football is important. Certainly right now, it's not more important in our program. We're focusing on our players and getting better and sticking together."
The Golden Gophers (3-0) understand better than most.
Former Minnesota offensive lineman Nick Connelly died on Wednesday at age 22 because of complications from Burkitt's lymphoma. Connelly started 14 games before he retired in the middle of the 2017 season because of concussions.
"He was an amazing young man who took exceptional pride in playing for his hometown Gophers and loved wearing the maroon and gold," Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said.
The Gophers will wear helmet stickers and special wristbands on Saturday to honor Connelly, who started five games last year at right tackle as a redshirt sophomore.
McNair's death came under vastly different circumstances. The school has acknowledged that mistakes were made in the treatment McNair received on the scene, and head coach DJ Durkin was placed on administrative leave after an investigation was launched to determine if the coaching staff bullied the players.
http://www.tampabay.com/ap/sports/m...rts-ap_sportsc2b0800e60db461fbc00868627a9e761
Go Gophers!!
Maryland and Minnesota open Big Ten play Saturday sharing an unwanted bond: Both are mourning the loss of a teammate.
The Terrapins (2-1) have dedicated their season to offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who died of heatstroke two weeks after collapsing during a conditioning drill on May 29.
Since that time, wins and losses simply don't matter as much. Last Saturday's 35-14 defeat against Temple was disappointing, though the Terrapins are trying to keep the season in perspective.
"Obviously, it doesn't compare to real life situations that we're all dealing with," interim coach Matt Canada said this week. "Football is important. Certainly right now, it's not more important in our program. We're focusing on our players and getting better and sticking together."
The Golden Gophers (3-0) understand better than most.
Former Minnesota offensive lineman Nick Connelly died on Wednesday at age 22 because of complications from Burkitt's lymphoma. Connelly started 14 games before he retired in the middle of the 2017 season because of concussions.
"He was an amazing young man who took exceptional pride in playing for his hometown Gophers and loved wearing the maroon and gold," Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said.
The Gophers will wear helmet stickers and special wristbands on Saturday to honor Connelly, who started five games last year at right tackle as a redshirt sophomore.
McNair's death came under vastly different circumstances. The school has acknowledged that mistakes were made in the treatment McNair received on the scene, and head coach DJ Durkin was placed on administrative leave after an investigation was launched to determine if the coaching staff bullied the players.
http://www.tampabay.com/ap/sports/m...rts-ap_sportsc2b0800e60db461fbc00868627a9e761
Go Gophers!!