Coach Kill’s upbeat responses and comments on today’s Sports Huddle:
1) Sid referenced Kill’s response in an interview in which Kill said Minnesota’s defense will be better next year: Kill quickly replied, “I feel that way because we played so many up front . . . Scott Ekpe will be back.” Kill then added emphatically, “I think we’ll be better as a football team!”
2) Sid asked what the bowl schedule looks like: “It’ll be interesting (where the Gophers will be selected to play)”, said Kill. Once the site is finalized, the coaching staff will draw up practice schedules for the fifteen days allowed in preparation for the bowl game.
Before the selection is made, “We’ll be meeting today on recruiting and (recruiting) next week . . . This is the heart of recruiting,” said Kill. He also emphasized they’ll be working around the schedules of the all-important academic finals.
3) Sid in a follow-up question asked how this year’s recruiting efforts are going: Kill answered, “We feel good right now . . . (Must) close out the deal in February!”
As to areas of importance in this year’s recruiting class, Kill said they need to “build depth in the offensive line,” because of the players that they’re losing this year and next year. He also said they’re focusing on the secondary for the same reason.
Kill finished his comments to Sid’s query saying he hopes that at least five of this year’s recruits will be in school for the second semester and spring drills.
4) Sid asked how many freshmen of the 2014 recruiting class saw the field this year: Kill said 11 or 12 freshmen players saw action this fall, “They’ll be a lot better (extensive playing time) . . . (those that saw action did) helluva job stepping up.”
5) Sid’s follow-up question was related to freshmen players that are redshirts and that have stood out in fall practices: Kill quickly listed four wide receivers: (First player named, and Kill sounded very excited) Isaiah Gentry, 6-4 200 pounds – “Isaiah Gentry will be a special player in the Big Ten;” Desmond Gant, 6-3 205 pounds; Melvin Holland, 6-3 200 pounds; and Conner Krizancic. Kill said they could have played this year; however, they wanted to maintain their redshirts.
Other players mentioned: Jeff Jones at running back and “Rodney Smith, running back from Georgia, is an outstanding talent.” Kill acknowledged the public hasn’t heard much about Rodney Smith, however, he sounded very excited when talking about the freshman from Georgia. Kill also sounded excited as well as the importance of having Jones available for spring drills.
The final player cited was Cody Poock. Although Poock is not a redshirt freshman, Kill sounded very excited and high on the linebacker’s playing ability. He referred to Poock as a “central piece” at linebacker.
6) Dave asked what injured players could see the field in this year’s bowl game: “Drew Wolitarsky has a chance; depends which bowl game we go to (later the better),” said Kill.
Kill then gave an update on the status of Ben Lauer who continues to be hampered by a “high ankle sprain. Kill also disclosed that Lauer has come down with “mono.”
Dave Mona asked if David Cobb would be 100% for the bowl game. Kill said he should be; however, the team, as a whole, was a tired group after the twelve games played. For that reason, he gave the players the week off following their game with Wisconsin.
7) Sid said the fifteen days of practice in preparation for the bowl game is extremely for further development: “No doubt,” said Kill. He added, “Like another spring ball . . . (players, especially the young players – this year’s recruits) Get a taste of bowl games . . . (helps) recruiting.” Kill said the national exposure is critical in the recruiting process.
8) Dave Mona mentioned Kill’s selection by his counterparts as the Big Ten’s Coach of the Year: Kill sincerely and humbly replied, “Coach of the Year is a team honor” (players and coaches). He also listed the fans and the state of Minnesota as having a part in the selection and the team’s success.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid referenced Kill’s response in an interview in which Kill said Minnesota’s defense will be better next year: Kill quickly replied, “I feel that way because we played so many up front . . . Scott Ekpe will be back.” Kill then added emphatically, “I think we’ll be better as a football team!”
2) Sid asked what the bowl schedule looks like: “It’ll be interesting (where the Gophers will be selected to play)”, said Kill. Once the site is finalized, the coaching staff will draw up practice schedules for the fifteen days allowed in preparation for the bowl game.
Before the selection is made, “We’ll be meeting today on recruiting and (recruiting) next week . . . This is the heart of recruiting,” said Kill. He also emphasized they’ll be working around the schedules of the all-important academic finals.
3) Sid in a follow-up question asked how this year’s recruiting efforts are going: Kill answered, “We feel good right now . . . (Must) close out the deal in February!”
As to areas of importance in this year’s recruiting class, Kill said they need to “build depth in the offensive line,” because of the players that they’re losing this year and next year. He also said they’re focusing on the secondary for the same reason.
Kill finished his comments to Sid’s query saying he hopes that at least five of this year’s recruits will be in school for the second semester and spring drills.
4) Sid asked how many freshmen of the 2014 recruiting class saw the field this year: Kill said 11 or 12 freshmen players saw action this fall, “They’ll be a lot better (extensive playing time) . . . (those that saw action did) helluva job stepping up.”
5) Sid’s follow-up question was related to freshmen players that are redshirts and that have stood out in fall practices: Kill quickly listed four wide receivers: (First player named, and Kill sounded very excited) Isaiah Gentry, 6-4 200 pounds – “Isaiah Gentry will be a special player in the Big Ten;” Desmond Gant, 6-3 205 pounds; Melvin Holland, 6-3 200 pounds; and Conner Krizancic. Kill said they could have played this year; however, they wanted to maintain their redshirts.
Other players mentioned: Jeff Jones at running back and “Rodney Smith, running back from Georgia, is an outstanding talent.” Kill acknowledged the public hasn’t heard much about Rodney Smith, however, he sounded very excited when talking about the freshman from Georgia. Kill also sounded excited as well as the importance of having Jones available for spring drills.
The final player cited was Cody Poock. Although Poock is not a redshirt freshman, Kill sounded very excited and high on the linebacker’s playing ability. He referred to Poock as a “central piece” at linebacker.
6) Dave asked what injured players could see the field in this year’s bowl game: “Drew Wolitarsky has a chance; depends which bowl game we go to (later the better),” said Kill.
Kill then gave an update on the status of Ben Lauer who continues to be hampered by a “high ankle sprain. Kill also disclosed that Lauer has come down with “mono.”
Dave Mona asked if David Cobb would be 100% for the bowl game. Kill said he should be; however, the team, as a whole, was a tired group after the twelve games played. For that reason, he gave the players the week off following their game with Wisconsin.
7) Sid said the fifteen days of practice in preparation for the bowl game is extremely for further development: “No doubt,” said Kill. He added, “Like another spring ball . . . (players, especially the young players – this year’s recruits) Get a taste of bowl games . . . (helps) recruiting.” Kill said the national exposure is critical in the recruiting process.
8) Dave Mona mentioned Kill’s selection by his counterparts as the Big Ten’s Coach of the Year: Kill sincerely and humbly replied, “Coach of the Year is a team honor” (players and coaches). He also listed the fans and the state of Minnesota as having a part in the selection and the team’s success.
Go Gophers!!
