MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner has heard the critics, and frankly, he's tired of hearing that he can't throw the ball.
That's why heading into this season the junior is more motivated than ever, and Gophers coach Jerry Kill believes there's a new air of confidence around his QB.
"Life's all about confidence," Kill said. "David Cobb got confidence and boom, there he went. So hopefully all the work (Leidner's) put in will help our preparation."
For Leidner, the hard work and preparation is an everyday thing. Even when practice is over, you'll typically find Leidner still on the field, usually with someone who knows a thing or two about being a Gopher.
"As a football player, you want to be in a position where you play on a big stage in games that matter," former Gopher QB Adam Weber said.
Weber is a guy that knows what it's like to be Mitch Leidner.
From 2007 to 2010, he was the Gophers starting quarterback and goes down as their all-time leader in passing.
Now Weber's career comes full-circle: after a brief stint in the NFL.
"Once I was done playing, it seemed like the best transition to
The jump from player to
"It's great, "Leidner said.
"You really want to, as a coach, do your best for these players," Weber said. "Give them all you got, so that they can be all that they can be."
But Weber will be the first to admit, as much as he loves his new gig, watching the Gophers from the sideline on Saturday's will take some getting used to.
"There are still those competitive juices where you want to get out there and sling the rock around," Weber said. "But I've definitely put that chapter to
Now let the new chapter begin.
