Gopher Football To Have 5 Fall Practices Open To Public

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- If University of Minnesota football fans want to get an early look at this year's squad, they'll have five chances to do so before the Sept. 1 season opener against Oregon State.

The team's fall practice schedule was released on Tuesday. Tracy Claeys will have his season-opening news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday, and the team's first practice will be held on Friday. The Gophers first practice open to the public is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5.

There are at least four other practices open to the public. They include Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 at 9:10 a.m. at the Gibson-Nagurski complex and 4:45 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium.

Minnesota is coming off a 6-7 season that included a 21-14 win over Central Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl. Claeys also took over for Jerry Kill as head coach after Kill had to retire due to health concerns. Claeys was named the permanent head coach last October.

The Gophers will host Oregon State at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, at TCF Bank Stadium to open the regular season.