28 November 2023
Dragan Kesich became the second Gophers placekicker to win the Big Ten kicker of the year award on Monday.
Kesich led the conference with 22 made field goals across 12 games this season. He had a long of 54 yards and converted 84 percent of his field goals and 100 percent of his extra points (24 for 24).
Kesich, a junior from Oak Creek, Wis., joins alum Emmit Carpenter, who won the award at the U in 2016.
Gophers senior safety Tyler Nubin was named all-Big Ten first team on Monday. He tied for second in the conference with five interceptions and was second on the team with 53 total tackles. Nubin is now first on the U’s career interception list (13).
Nubin, of St. Charles, Ill., is the Gophers’ first all-Big Ten first-team selection on defense since safety Antoine Winfield Jr. in 2019.
The Gophers had five other players receive honorable mention: cornerback Justin Walley, punter Mark Crawford and three defensive linemen — Danny Striggow, Jah Joyner and Kyler Baugh.
The conference will announce its offensive picks Wednesday.
New TE coach
The Gophers will have a new tight ends coach for the third time in three years in 2024.
Tight ends coach Andrew Sowder has left the Gophers staff after one season. The former Kent State offensive coordinator will represent coaches at the agency Coaches Rep, per ESPN.
In September, offensive quality control coach Brian Sheehan began working more with the Gophers TE group over Sowder.
Briefly
Two Gophers walk-ons — defensive lineman Colten Gergersen and running back Max Grand — said Tuesday they will enter the transfer portal.
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