Big Ten football media days held in Chicago

• Big Ten

Big Ten

Talk about it

(Chicago, IL) -- New University of Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill touted his starting quarterback during Big Ten Media Day in Chicago.

Kill says Marquis Gray throws the ball very well and is without a doubt the most gifted athlete on the team. Kill added that it's also important for a number-two quarterback to step up. He says summer workouts went well and keeping the team healthy is vital.

Gray and teammates Mike Rallis and Duane Bennett will speak to the media today at the Big Ten Football Luncheon.

_________________________________________________________

The University of Wisconsin football team will open its pre-season camp next Thursday. And coach Bret Bielema says it will be interesting to see how the Badgers respond to the arrival of quarterback Russell Wilson.

The three-year star from North Carolina State put a baseball career on hold a few weeks ago, and decided to play his final year of college eligibility with the Badgers. At the Big Ten pre-season meetings yesterday, Bielema repeated that Wilson will have to earn the starting job over sophomore Jon Budmayr. And because he has seen neither quarterback start a game, Bielema says it will be a long process to get both in sync with the other players – and for Wilson to learn the Badger offense.

For that reason, Bielema might have to alter his normal procedure of setting a lineup 10 days before the season opener against Nevada-Las Vegas on September first in Madison. Bielema also said four-to-eight freshmen would most likely be able to contribute this season, including running back Melvin Gordon of Kenosha Bradford. And the coach says three players will still be out with injuries when camp opens – quarterback Curt Phillips and receiver Marquis Mason with knee injuries, and corner Devin Gaulden with a stress fracture.

Tags: proam, football, badgers, gophers