Each year the Minnesota Gophers football program says goodbye to a senior class that has worked tirelessly to represent the University of Minnesota. Senior day is often filled with mixed emotions, as young boys who entered Dinkytown four and five years ago are leaving as men, and more times than not, leaving a lasting impression on the Gopher program. This year, however, it’s not just the program that the seniors are saying goodbye to; the Dome has finally seen its last day as home of the Gopher football team as well. Willie VandeSteeg, Deon Hightower, Jack Simmons and Steve Davis took time with GopherHole to share their most memorable moments of the Dome. Every one of them said that beating Iowa two years ago, at home, was the best moment they have had in the Metrodome, hopefully, they can repeat that outcome this weekend when they take on the Hawkeyes.


Willie VanDeSteeg

GopherSports.com

GH: Have there been any games that you’ve played in the dome that have really stood out?
WVS: Obviously, the game against Iowa two years ago that we won, that we had to win to go to a bowl game; that was huge. That’s probably one of the most memorable games that I’ve played there.

GH: Do you wish you would have had the opportunity to play in the new stadium?
WVS: Yes. This happened to me in high school too; our high school stadium, we played in a old place, and they built a brand new one the year after I left. TCF Bank Stadium is going to be awesome, it’s going to be great for our program, it will be tremendous recruiting tool, and just a great place to play some football. It’s going to be a fun place to play, and it’s going to be a good weapon for us.

GH: Is there anything special about playing the last game in the Dome?
WVS: Obviously, there’s been a lot of great football that’s been played in the Metrodome, it’s going to be exciting to play the last game there. There will be a lot of people there, from Iowa and Minnesota, it’ll be fun to get out there and hopefully get a win.

GH: What are your thoughts on Shonn Greene?
WVS: He’s a great athlete, great running back, obviously he’s rushed for 100 yards every game this season, and when you’re up for the Heisman, you’ve got something going for you. It all starts up front, he’s got awesome offensive line, they’re powerful up front, and they open up holes for him, but he also makes a lot of people miss. It’s a combination of both, and it’s going to be a tough combination to stop, but that’s what we’re here to do, and we’re going to try and do it.

GH: Specifically, what are you going to try to do to contain him?
WVS: Everyone has a job, and you have one job that you have to do. If I do my job, and everyone else does their, somewhere, someone’s got to make a play. That’s all it is on defense, you’ve just got to make plays, and if you can do that, you’ll be successful.

GH: What was your favorite moment in your college career?
WVS: Favorite moment, oh man…I would say coming into my senior season. There was a lot of doubters, a lot of people didn’t think we could do what we did, and coming out to a 7-1 start was awesome. It was a great feeling, obviously, where we stand today, we have nothing to be ashamed of, we’ve played some good football. We’ve been in a lot of close games, we’ve won some and lost some, it’s been a lot of fun. Being a senior, I can only help this program grow, it’s just awesome to show these younger guys the way, and hopefully do the best I can.


Deon Hightower

GopherSports.com

GH: What kind of mindset do you have going into this last game?
DH: We have a mindset to go in and win. A lot of the young guys want to win the game for the seniors, to go out on a winning note, and that would be a great thing. Winning the last game of the season changes a lot of feelings at the end of the season. You lose, and you go to bowl practices with a bad feeling, if you win, you have great feelings, and are up-tempo, and go out and play well and feel good about yourselves.

GH: What’s been your favorite moment in the Metrodome?
DH: Back when we won Floyd of Rosedale two years ago at the Metrodome was a great feeling. I think that was the best moment I’ve had in the Metrodome.

GH: Coach Brewster spoke a lot about confidence, and how Iowa will be very confident going into this game. What is your confidence level as a team?
DH: I think our confidence is built through the profession of this week, I think the better we practice this week, the more confident we will have going into the game. I don’t know where the confidence is right now, but it will be better at the end of the week after good preparation.

GH: How do you personally feel after losing a tough one at Madison?
DH: We had times where we played good, and times where we made mistakes, I think we just put that on the players. This week, we just look forward to not having those mistakes, and our preparation will take care of that.


Jack Simmons

GopherSports.com

GH: How much does this game mean to you?
JS: While 8 wins would mean a lot to us as a football team, we’ve got to look at this game as an exciting opportunity to beat a very good football team, and the chance to show where we stand in the Big Ten. Iowa is a good football team, and I think we’re going to be ready to go.

GH: You would also be able to avoid the Motor City bowl.
JS: My family is from Detroit, and I’ve been there enough, so I’d like to stay out of Detroit, especially in December.

GH: What is your favorite moment in the Metrodome?
JS: I think my favorite moment was probably 2006, the Iowa game. I remember Logan Payne ran over and grabbed the cart, and we were riding around with the pig on it, and it was just a really exciting, exciting day for us, in terms of being able to celebrate with the fans, and that kind of thing. That was probably my favorite moment.

GH: What are you going to miss most about being a Gopher?
JS: I think hanging out with all of my teammates, it’s kind of the cliché that everyone says. The funny things that happened in this room, the team meeting room, and watching film, and on the practice field is probably what I’ll miss the most.

GH: What are the things that you will be doing to prepare this week, especially, mental preparation?
JS: I think first and foremost, we’ve got to come out with the same energy that we did against Wisconsin. We came out really excited to play, and we played hard. Secondly, we need to play physical, Iowa is a very physical football team, and I know in terms of defense, Coach Parker, who used to coach here, does a terrific job getting them ready. I think we need to watch film, prepare hard, and have a great week of practice and we’ll be okay.


Steve Davis:

GopherSports.com

GH: So Steve, are you one of the players that are happy to play in the climate controlled Dome?
SD: Yes! (Laughing)

GH: You’re not a cold weather guy?
SD: No, I’m not. (Laughing more)

GH: Are you the only one that feels like this?
SD: No, I don’t think so. There’s a lot of guys from the south that don’t like the cold weather.

GH: Speaking of the Dome, what was your favorite moment there?
SD: In 2006, our last game where we played Iowa. It was a hard fought game, we were going back and forth, we eventually pulled a victory out and got the pig, and ran across the field. Just holding the pig, and running around with it, and our fans were there, I just remember the moment, it was a great thing.

GH: How special would it be to repeat that feeling this weekend?
SD: It would be great. I get pumped up to play Iowa, they’re one of my favorite teams to play against because it’s kind of like a heated rivalry between me and them too. They don’t like us, we don’t like them, for us to get out there, get a victory, and get a trophy, would be very memorable for a lot of people here in Minnesota to say, “I was at that game, the last time they played at the Dome. They fought, beat Iowa, and got the pig back.” It would be a game to remember.

GH: Is the rivalry more important than the ramifications of a bowl game?
SD: For right now, the rivalry is very important. It’s the next game ahead of us, the thing for us to do is to get a victory, and think of the bowl game afterwards. Our main focus should be, and will be, to win against Iowa and get that pig.


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