Today's summary report of coach Kill's comments on the Sports Huddle:
1) NW game: "Wish we were here with a victory." Regarding the field position phase of yesterday's game: "We haven't won the kicking game since Iowa." "Frustrating for all of us." (Kill said the kicking game was a big factor in the victory over the Hawkeyes, and he stressed the importance of field position in all games.) "You have to make the plays . . . we left 5 or 6 plays on the field (missed opportunities).
2) Short fields give you a higher percentage to score. "Building programs ((i.e. Minnesota) have to win the short field phase." "We've got to keep pushing forward . . . we're getting better."
3) Sid, improved offensive line play: "They played hard." He went on to say, "Bennett played hard and well (despite fumble, bounced back). Gray read the field well and had some nice runs.
4) Running game: "Good team contest." "Challenged the offensive line after the Wisconsin game. Had good physical practices this week." "We had a physical presence (in yesterday's game)."
5) Gray: "Ran the ball well . . . took some shots down the field and he wasn't helped out (dropped passes)." "His progression has been good." Kill then said, "We can't seem to get all the phases together . . . hard on everybody." However, he said further, "We're doing some things better."
6) Dave said a television station said Kill experienced a health-related issue on the way home: Kill's immediate response, "No Comment." Then he said he got on the team bus, slept on the flight home . . . and now we're preparing for the Illinois game. (He did mention later in his comments his wife and the trip home, but didn't elaborate about anything specific.) He said he feels fine.
7) Sid, NW game was winnable: "They're all winnable, that's why you play them on Saturdays." Coach Fitzgerald said he feels this is his best team in a while. In order to win yesterday's game: "We had to win the kicking game (didn't)."
8) Devin Crawford-Tufts: "He's done a good job as a freshman. I think he's going to be outstanding, he's special. He has big game capabilities."
9) Sid, playing a lot of freshman: Similar to his second year at Southern Illinois University, playing a lot of freshman. "Our inexperience shows at times. Kids are giving all they got . . . i've got to do a better job coaching"
10) Redshirting: 18 or 19 freshman are redshirting. Kill sounded pleased with the potential of some offensive linemen, runningbacks and secondary players that are being redshirted. He also cited the DEs that are getting better (Perry and Amaefula). Wants to see strength of team get better, "We can't (presently) be in the weight room enough." He again reiterated the need to get better balance in
the upcoming classes.
11) Jucos: "Must have a balance there also." Looking to sign 3 0r 4 Jucos players . . . they must be able to contribute immediately . . . pick the right players . . . trust factor with juco coaches, so as to make the right selections. The team's improved APR . . . doesn't foresee losing any scholarships.
12) Stoudermire: Kill's optimistic that he will get a fifth year (didn't have a redshirt year). It's easier to get a fifth year than a sixth year like Royston received. He then said regarding Stoudermire's fifth year, "Nothing in concfrete until they say yes."
13) Jordan Wettstein: He came through some adversity (yesterday). He'll get better. By the sound of his voice, Kill is pleased with Wettstein's attitude and play.
14) Sid asked if they're recruiting a punter: Kill responded, "We recruit all the time, all positions."
15) Are they attending the Prep Bowl? Kill said they can only attend one game of persons they're pursuing. (Did not definitively say whether or not they are attending the Prep Bowl.) The coaches were out attending games every Friday night during the season.
16) Dave asked if they're recruiting potential walkons that are in the Prep Bowl: He said they are and then mentioned a freshman from last year's Prep Bowl that's a walkon that plays center that they're excited about . . . I believe name given is Jon Christenson.
Wishing GopherHolers safe journeys this holiday season . . . Happy Thanksgiving!!
Go Gophers!!
1) NW game: "Wish we were here with a victory." Regarding the field position phase of yesterday's game: "We haven't won the kicking game since Iowa." "Frustrating for all of us." (Kill said the kicking game was a big factor in the victory over the Hawkeyes, and he stressed the importance of field position in all games.) "You have to make the plays . . . we left 5 or 6 plays on the field (missed opportunities).
2) Short fields give you a higher percentage to score. "Building programs ((i.e. Minnesota) have to win the short field phase." "We've got to keep pushing forward . . . we're getting better."
3) Sid, improved offensive line play: "They played hard." He went on to say, "Bennett played hard and well (despite fumble, bounced back). Gray read the field well and had some nice runs.
4) Running game: "Good team contest." "Challenged the offensive line after the Wisconsin game. Had good physical practices this week." "We had a physical presence (in yesterday's game)."
5) Gray: "Ran the ball well . . . took some shots down the field and he wasn't helped out (dropped passes)." "His progression has been good." Kill then said, "We can't seem to get all the phases together . . . hard on everybody." However, he said further, "We're doing some things better."
6) Dave said a television station said Kill experienced a health-related issue on the way home: Kill's immediate response, "No Comment." Then he said he got on the team bus, slept on the flight home . . . and now we're preparing for the Illinois game. (He did mention later in his comments his wife and the trip home, but didn't elaborate about anything specific.) He said he feels fine.
7) Sid, NW game was winnable: "They're all winnable, that's why you play them on Saturdays." Coach Fitzgerald said he feels this is his best team in a while. In order to win yesterday's game: "We had to win the kicking game (didn't)."
8) Devin Crawford-Tufts: "He's done a good job as a freshman. I think he's going to be outstanding, he's special. He has big game capabilities."
9) Sid, playing a lot of freshman: Similar to his second year at Southern Illinois University, playing a lot of freshman. "Our inexperience shows at times. Kids are giving all they got . . . i've got to do a better job coaching"
10) Redshirting: 18 or 19 freshman are redshirting. Kill sounded pleased with the potential of some offensive linemen, runningbacks and secondary players that are being redshirted. He also cited the DEs that are getting better (Perry and Amaefula). Wants to see strength of team get better, "We can't (presently) be in the weight room enough." He again reiterated the need to get better balance in
the upcoming classes.
11) Jucos: "Must have a balance there also." Looking to sign 3 0r 4 Jucos players . . . they must be able to contribute immediately . . . pick the right players . . . trust factor with juco coaches, so as to make the right selections. The team's improved APR . . . doesn't foresee losing any scholarships.
12) Stoudermire: Kill's optimistic that he will get a fifth year (didn't have a redshirt year). It's easier to get a fifth year than a sixth year like Royston received. He then said regarding Stoudermire's fifth year, "Nothing in concfrete until they say yes."
13) Jordan Wettstein: He came through some adversity (yesterday). He'll get better. By the sound of his voice, Kill is pleased with Wettstein's attitude and play.
14) Sid asked if they're recruiting a punter: Kill responded, "We recruit all the time, all positions."
15) Are they attending the Prep Bowl? Kill said they can only attend one game of persons they're pursuing. (Did not definitively say whether or not they are attending the Prep Bowl.) The coaches were out attending games every Friday night during the season.
16) Dave asked if they're recruiting potential walkons that are in the Prep Bowl: He said they are and then mentioned a freshman from last year's Prep Bowl that's a walkon that plays center that they're excited about . . . I believe name given is Jon Christenson.
Wishing GopherHolers safe journeys this holiday season . . . Happy Thanksgiving!!
Go Gophers!!
