Kritik und Lob » f unofficial visits in June

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner is still working his way back from a concussion, clearing the way for former walk-on Conor Rhoda to start his second straight game when the Golden Gophers host Rutgers on Saturday.Leidner was listed as out by the team on Tuesday due to a concussion suffered against Iowa on Oct. 8, though that designation is open to re-evaluation later in the week. Coach Tracy Claeys said that Leidner would be able to do some light work in practice this week, but that it would be difficult to get enough work to properly prepare for the game.We put a lot more on the quarterbacks plate now than what we have in the past, and you need to practice, Claeys said. So Im not saying that he wont, but I think its extremely difficult for that.That opens the door for Rhoda, who was awarded a scholarship in the spring and has played his way up the depth chart. The long climb culminated in his first career start last week at Maryland, and he threw for 82 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions in a 31-10 victory that snapped a two-game losing streak to open Big Ten play.I felt confident and comfortable going into that one, but now after going through that whole experience and getting a win, just showing our team that I can go out there and do it and we can win a Big Ten road game with me back there, just gives me a ton of confidence, Rhoda said. I know it gives the rest of the guys confidence in me, too, so its a huge help.Making things easier on Rhoda was a strong running game, with Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks rushing for 230 yards. It allowed Rhoda to ease into things in his first start, and with the defense dominating the Terrapins offense, Claeys said the Gophers went with a more conservative game plan.Conors capable of doing a lot more things than that, Claeys said.Rhoda was a standout at local football power Cretin-Derham Hall High School and had options once he graduated. But he wanted to play in the Big Ten, even though he was warned by coaches and family that the path from walk-on to starter would be particularly difficult for him.I was told by people I consulted with when I was going through that decision my senior year of high school is that its one thing to walk on to a big ten program but its another thing to do it as a quarterback, Rhoda said. Walking on as a quarterback and trying to earn that spot is probably one of the toughest things you can do in college football because they are always going to bring in a quarterback.Once he made the decision to stay close to his family and try to make the Gophers, Minnesota coaches told him not to worry about other players who were recruited to come in and play. And even when coach Jerry Kill was forced to retire last season due to medical reasons, Rhoda said he never considered transferring.There were maybe a couple of times I think it was I wasnt necessarily happy with the situation was in, Rhoda said. I dont think I ever really truly thought hard about leaving. I love the university as a whole and my family is so close to here and all my extended family is within a half-hour of the twin cities. Its really at home for me and it is the place I wanted to be.When he took the field last week, Rhoda said he made sure to look around and soak up the moment. And it will only be better in his first home game this week.Before the game I kept walking out there and looking at the field and it was an experience that I will never forget, he said. Definitely if I get that opportunity to play this week that will be a whole other experience doing it in front of a home crowd and Im sure a bunch of my family will be able to make it and there will be that much more of an experience to be able to do it at home.---Online: AP college website: collegefootball.ap.org Vans Shoes Discount . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Cheap Vans Shoes For Sale . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. http://www.vanssalestore.com/vans-sk8-clearance.html . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Vans Shoes Sale . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. Vans Slip On Clearance . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. Its safe to say Ohio State is dominating on the recruiting trail. The school already held the No. 1 spot in the class of 2017 rankings, and coach Urban Meyer made an early statement about the 2018 class on Friday.Emory Jones, the No. 2-ranked dual-threat signal-caller in the junior class, committed to Ohio State over Tennessee, Clemson, Georgia and a host of others Friday morning, getting the class of 2018 jump-started.The 6-foot-2, 193-pound quarterback made a number of unofficial visits in June and July, including trips last week to Knoxville and Columbus, before announcing his decision today. Ohio State was considered the favorite for much of the spring and summer.Jones commitment will add to what is already an impressive group of quarterbacks who are either already at Ohio State or heading to Columbus. Meyer has landed ESPN 300 quarterbacks in each of the last four classes, including Under Armour All-America Game selection Dwayne Haskins Jr. in February, and Tate Martell, who is committed in the 2017 class.ddddddddddddones is not the first top national recruit out of the Peach State to pick Ohio State. Former starting safety Vonn Bell signed with Ohio State in the 2013 class, and starting inside linebacker and preseason All-American pick Raekwon McMillan selected the Buckeyes in the 2015 class.Jones verbal commitment adds to Ohio States already-considerable momentum. The Buckeyes 2017 class is currently ranked No. 1 with a bevy of ESPN 300 verbals, including cornerback Shaun Wade, tackle Josh Myers, defensive end Chase Young, tackle/guard Wyatt Davis, safety Isaiah Pryor and running back J.K. Dobbins, who all made?the Top 100 of the prestigious list.Jones is the second commitment for Ohio State in the 2018 class, joining Sunshine State running back Brian Snead out of Tampa-area power Armwood High. ' ' '