2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers

[wadc45]

Return to normalcy is junior end's hope

Ray Henderson is working his way back from an illness that cut him down by 40 pounds and still affects him.

By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Last update: April 14, 2008 - 12:24 AM

It's been nearly a year since Gophers junior defensive end Ray Henderson lost 40 pounds and was hospitalized after suffering a heat-related illness, but he still doesn't feel 100 percent.

However, Henderson said he's close to feeling normal again, and he's shown flashes of it through the first half of spring workouts. A backup at rush end, Henderson has regained most of the weight and strength he lost last summer, and he is determined to show the potential that made him a highly ranked recruit as a prep star in suburban Milwaukee.

Continued...

Notre Dame's loss is Gophers' gain

Offensive lineman Matt Carufel wasn't happy playing for the Irish, but his transfer to Minnesota seems to suit him.

By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Last update: April 16, 2008 - 9:59 PM

Matt Carufel said he never reached the point where he hated playing football during his 1 1/2 years at Notre Dame. But he became so unhappy that he felt if he didn't leave, he might look back on his college career mostly with regret.

"I just said, 'You know what? This just isn't worth it. I'm wasting my time,'" he said.

He was miserable then, but Carufel is nothing but smiles now. The former high school All-America offensive lineman from Cretin-Derham Hall left Notre Dame last October and has found a new outlook with the Gophers.

Continued...