1500: Gophers QB Philip Nelson at '65-70 percent,' nursing sore hamstring

[BleedGopher]

per 1500:

Nursing a strained right hamstring he tweaked on a run in the second quarter of the Gophers' victory against Western Illinois last week, Nelson is currently at "65-70 percent," coach Jerry Kill said on Tuesday.

Kill wouldn't speculate on whether or not Nelson would automatically retain his starting spot if cleared to return before Saturday.

"Our main concern today will be repping Mitch and Streveler, and getting those two men ready to play," Kill said. "We'll see how that plays out."

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/..._at_6570_percent_nursing_sore_hamstring091713

Go Gophers!!

 

[Coolew01]

I really hope that if Nelson isn't ready to go,that the coaches try to limit best they can the number of read option calls the the team runs. Would like to not burn Streveler's red shirt if possible.

 

[upnorthkid]

i'd say right now it looks bleak for Nelson playing. hopefully he's healthy enough to be the backup and Leidner can run the show and lead us to a W

 

[Coolew01]

i'd say right now it looks bleak for Nelson playing. hopefully he's healthy enough to be the backup and Leidner can run the show and lead us to a W

Agree on the doubtful prediction

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

What an opportunity for Mitch Leidner! 3-0, at home, with a solid running game & line to help him take on a very good SJ St team with an undefeated 4-0 on the line. Big time players win big time games. Time to shine Mitch.

 

[ncgo4]

"A solid running game." What team is he going to QB this week-end? We've had three games against really poor opposition and the non-QB running gave was effective in one of them. The reason the QB's have run so much is there isn't an effective passing game and the off tackle running scheme of Limegrover hasn't worked at all.

 

[GopherHomer]

"A solid running game." What team is he going to QB this week-end? We've had three games against really poor opposition and the non-QB running gave was effective in one of them. The reason the QB's have run so much is there isn't an effective passing game and the off tackle running scheme of Limegrover hasn't worked at all.

Cobb and Williams combined for 23 carries and 138 yards against W. Illinois...that's 6 yards per carry. I would say that's pretty darn effective.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

"A solid running game." What team is he going to QB this week-end? We've had three games against really poor opposition and the non-QB running gave was effective in one of them. The reason the QB's have run so much is there isn't an effective passing game and the off tackle running scheme of Limegrover hasn't worked at all.

Coach Kill runs a read option offense. The QB's at Northern ILL ran the ball. Ditto with the Gophers.
The staff has run maybe 30-40 % of the play book. I would imagine we will see more of the offense
starting this weekend, especially if we get behind.,

 

[jaymil]

It's interesting that Nelson is only at 65-70% when Claeys said he could've gone back in on Saturday if it was necessary. I'd be shocked if Nelson wasn't ready Saturday in at least a backup role. I know hamstrings can be tricky, but it sounds like it was just a slight tweak. At least that's what I'm hoping.

 

[e.bigelow]

It's interesting that Nelson is only at 65-70% when Claeys said he could've gone back in on Saturday if it was necessary. I'd be shocked if Nelson wasn't ready Saturday in at least a backup role. I know hamstrings can be tricky, but it sounds like it was just a slight tweak. At least that's what I'm hoping.

+1. That is what I was thinking as I read the article as well. I won't lie, I am pretty dissapointed that Nelson will most likely be out. But, i am also hopeful from what I saw from Leidner on Saturday. Hoping he continues to make good progress and has a good week a practice to prepare.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

It's interesting that Nelson is only at 65-70% when Claeys said he could've gone back in on Saturday if it was necessary. I'd be shocked if Nelson wasn't ready Saturday in at least a backup role. I know hamstrings can be tricky, but it sounds like it was just a slight tweak. At least that's what I'm hoping.

Did he say he could have really gone back in? I thought he said that he would have taken one snap if Mitch had to sit out a play because of the helmet knocked off rule. My impression was that if Mitch really was going to have to go out we would have burned a redshirt, just not for a single snap.

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

Williams and Cobb are both averaging over 7 yards a carry. Yes, this is a game to try to limit the hits taken by the Qbs. Power running game and play action pass are in order (please).

 

[e.bigelow]

Did he say he could have really gone back in? I thought he said that he would have taken one snap if Mitch had to sit out a play because of the helmet knocked off rule. My impression was that if Mitch really was going to have to go out we would have burned a redshirt, just not for a single snap.

I think it was Limgrover or Claeys who said that Nelson would have gone in to take a snap or whatever the case may have been.

 

[upnorthkid]

It's interesting that Nelson is only at 65-70% when Claeys said he could've gone back in on Saturday if it was necessary. I'd be shocked if Nelson wasn't ready Saturday in at least a backup role. I know hamstrings can be tricky, but it sounds like it was just a slight tweak. At least that's what I'm hoping.

hey if iron byron leftwich can do it on a busted leg, nelson can do it on a bum hammy

 

[Tim Riggins]

It's interesting that Nelson is only at 65-70% when Claeys said he could've gone back in on Saturday if it was necessary. I'd be shocked if Nelson wasn't ready Saturday in at least a backup role. I know hamstrings can be tricky, but it sounds like it was just a slight tweak. At least that's what I'm hoping.

He probably wasn't hurting as bad as soon as it happened, he was warm and the adreneline was pumping. After cooling down and sleeping on it, it probably felt worse.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Cobb and Williams combined for 23 carries and 138 yards against W. Illinois...that's 6 yards per carry. I would say that's pretty darn effective.

Jordan Lynch has run 45 times in two games for Northern Illinois. The Gopher QB's are well below those numbers.

The real question I have is, just how WELL does Mitch have to play to unseat Nelson at QB? Or is it even possible? If Mitch really lights it up against SJSU, it could be an interesting situation.

SJSU and Iowa are without a doubt the two most critical games on the schedule. Virtually "must-win" games, IMO. The fortunate thing for the Gophers against SJSU, the Gophers haven't been forced to show much on tape so far, offensively or defensively, while SJSU probably blew about all they had against Stanford in that game. I would think SJSU will not have TOO many surprises for the Gophers in this one.

 

[e.bigelow]

Jordan Lynch has run 45 times in two games for Northern Illinois. The Gopher QB's are well below those numbers.

The real question I have is, just how WELL does Mitch have to play to unseat Nelson at QB? Or is it even possible? If Mitch really lights it up against SJSU, it could be an interesting situation.

SJSU and Iowa are without a doubt the two most critical games on the schedule. Virtually "must-win" games, IMO. The fortunate thing for the Gophers against SJSU, the Gophers haven't been forced to show much on tape so far, offensively or defensively, while SJSU probably blew about all they had against Stanford in that game. I would think SJSU will not have TOO many surprises for the Gophers in this one.

That is exactly it. I still think that Nelson starts if/when he gets to 100%. But, like you said, if Mitch comes out and plays great and gets us a 'W', it will definitely be a nice problem to have.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

My question - how much of the offensive production can be attributed to the QB, and how much to the play-calling? Are they being conservative to protect the QB's, or because they think it gives them the best chance to win?

I would really like to see them open it up a little bit this week - shoot, I'd be throwing it to Maxx Williams 5-6 times a game at least. I think that kid has a chance to be a heck of a player. And, I'd like to see a few more downfield shots, if only to give the D a different look, and make them back off the safeties.

 

[Ewert86PC]

I hope Philip can sit out this game and be fully healed for the B1G opener. We don't need to get in to a cycle of injured QB, healed QB, injured QB.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

My question - how much of the offensive production can be attributed to the QB, and how much to the play-calling? Are they being conservative to protect the QB's, or because they think it gives them the best chance to win?

I would really like to see them open it up a little bit this week - shoot, I'd be throwing it to Maxx Williams 5-6 times a game at least. I think that kid has a chance to be a heck of a player. And, I'd like to see a few more downfield shots, if only to give the D a different look, and make them back off the safeties.

There's something to that, no doubt about it. But at the same time, if they can win this week by playing the same vanilla, ugly-ass football that they've been putting on tape for future opponents, I would absolutely love it.

I think we'll see a LITTLE more this week than we've seen so far as far as opening the playbook, but even moreso against Iowa I expect to see a lot better picture of what the offense will look like for the majority of B1G play. At this point, I think we've seen about 20-25%. This week they may get closer to 40-50%. The thing is, I don't even know that we, as most fans, will even be able to tell the difference just by looking; it will just be subtle differences in tendencies out of certain formations, hardly noticeable, but huge when going against defenses that are expecting the same tendencies they've been putting on tape the last 3 weeks.

 

[Nate]

Jordan Lynch has run 45 times in two games for Northern Illinois. The Gopher QB's are well below those numbers.

The real question I have is, just how WELL does Mitch have to play to unseat Nelson at QB? Or is it even possible? If Mitch really lights it up against SJSU, it could be an interesting situation.

SJSU and Iowa are without a doubt the two most critical games on the schedule. Virtually "must-win" games, IMO. The fortunate thing for the Gophers against SJSU, the Gophers haven't been forced to show much on tape so far, offensively or defensively, while SJSU probably blew about all they had against Stanford in that game. I would think SJSU will not have TOO many surprises for the Gophers in this one.

Kill or one of the other coaches said that if a player goes out due to injury and his backup is playing hot, they will not bench the hot player. The person who got injured must work his way back into the starting role. I am pretty sure that was stated this week in regards to Nelson/Leidner

http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/bo...PiPress-Mitch-Leidner-has-shot-at-starting-QB

 

[Tim Riggins]

Kill or one of the other coaches said that if a player goes out due to injury and his backup is playing hot, they will not bench the hot player. The person who got injured must work his way back into the starting role. I am pretty sure that was stated this week in regards to Nelson/Leidner

http://www.forums.gopherhole.com/bo...PiPress-Mitch-Leidner-has-shot-at-starting-QB

I think Limegrover was speaking about Kirkwood when he made that comment on Sunday's Sports Huddle. The quote also showed up in the paper this week. In general it should go for all positions but QB is a little different.

 

[Indi1006]

I think Nelson will be out a month. A hammy strain bothers you when running but not so much while walking and Nelson was limping while walking after the game I think it will be awhile. I'm also not convinced that we are holding anything back so as not to put it on film; but I hope so.

 

[Gopherlovin]

Claeys had said that they would have out Nelson back in the game last week if Leidner's helmet would have come off and forced him out for a play rather than burning Streveler's red shirt.

I think the story is a little different coming into this game. I think the above likely still applies, but if Leidner's getting a little tired, Kill's already on record of saying that he won't hesitate to play Streveler. We'll see. Still hope Nelson is good enough to go, but glad Mitch got over half a game worth of run last week to get the butterflies out.


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