Eric Small News

Part of the joy for Nate Triplett is the relative simplicity of the task. Triplett is a backup linebacker for the Gophers.

Because the Illini have faced two great offenses, their defensive numbers aren't great -- 75th nationally in total defense , 68th in pass defense and 78th in run defense.

When the game ended, and the Gophers football team was sprinting toward the corner of Memorial Stadium to celebrate with a small group of fans, Willie VanDeSteeg turned to a teammate.

Two turnovers were all the Gophers committed through the first four games this season, and that was a big reason why they got off to a 4-0 start.

Just a few years ago, a quarterback like Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor would have been a specimen on the schedule, a dual threat unique to the traditional ground-and-pound nature of the Big Ten.

In Ohio State's drive to win a fourth straight Big Ten championship, Minnesota provided a warm-up lap.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire appreciates how important Justin Morneau has been to his club's success this year.

Willie VanDeSteeg endured a miserable 2007 football season, playing hurt all season while seeing his sack total plummet from 10 as a sophomore to one, which, literally adding insult to injury, matched the ...

University of Minnesota defensive tackle Eric Small doesn't live up to his last name.

One of the most asked questions in the MarQueis Gray eligibility saga is why the University of Minnesota admissions office didn't flag the recruit's college test scores as being suspicious.

College football teams across the country gather each evening for a team meal commonly referred to as training table.

Garrett Brown knows the whole defense has to improve for the University of Minnesota football team to reach its goals this season, but he feels as though two things need to happen before everything else can ...

Defensive tackle Eric Small, always strong, is bigger. Defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg, always quick, is healthier.

“You can see he's using his hands so much more”

Willie VanDeSteeg apologized twice to his Minnesota teammates for not being himself last season, on and off the field. via St. Paul Pioneer Press

“My mom [Sally] was in the kitchen nonstop”

When Gophers defensive tackle Eric Small became too small -- relatively speaking, of course -- he turned to the weight room and his mom's cooking for help. via StarTribune