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Column: Silver Lining: Current Frustration Shows Just How Far Gopher Football Program Has Come
By Luke Gildemeister
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/556685?referrer_id=
As I stumbled out of TCF Bank Stadium following the Gopher’s narrow 10-7 victory over Kent State, two disappointed strangers walking by seemed to perfectly summarize the mood of the program and its fans.
“I though we were going to blow them [Kent State] out.”
“Man, our offense was bad.”
In the post-game press conference, head coach Jerry Kill added that his players weren’t taking the week three result any easier:
“I worry about our kids because our kids act like we’re 0-3.”
Kill’s frustration seemed uncontrollable following the victory as well. He seemed agitated by pitchfork nation, as he sarcastically mentioned that maybe he ought to be fired. He also mistakenly stated that the university currently does not have an athletic director. I’m sure [interim athletic director] Beth Goetz was pleased to hear that.
Is the Gopher football program, from the coaching staff all the way to its fan base, frustrated? Absolutely. Slightly worried? Yep. It would be rather foolish to suggest otherwise. But there is a silver lining within this whole conundrum: the players, the coaches and the fans all simply expect a better on-field product. This frustration is present due to higher expectations as a result of winning.
After glimpses of success that eventually vanished with heart-wrenching losses (2003 Michigan game is the epitome), Gopher fans once again find the program on the verge of continued success. Jerry Kill has coached Minnesota to this familiar position following two straight eight-win seasons and recent success in rivalry games (just be patient in getting our hands on that elusive Axe). That is why the boo-birds came out at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday. Supporters will not, and should not, be content with narrowly defeating a lowly Mid-American Conference program anymore.
As an undergraduate student, the Gopher football interest level among my peers seems to finally be rising in the congested Twin Cities sports market. Students on campus can be overheard commenting on the current quarterback dilemma. More importantly, students thus far this season have actually made a point of attending games. This fan interest could be seen in the stadium bleachers on Saturday, where an announced sellout crowd of over 52,000 witnessed the victory. Maybe this is wishful thinking on my behalf, but even casual Gopher football fans are starting to invest emotionally. They care.
Most fans have not lost sight of the fact that these 18 to 23-year-old kids are playing their hearts out each and every week. They spend hours watching film, and some play through gruesome injuries. Their ability to handle classes and a full-time football job are truly admirable (at least to this guy). These student-athletes are not perfect. They will make mistakes, some more crucial than others. The players want to succeed more than the fans and students spectating the games. But until the offense indicates a glimpse of success, fans will continue to express their concern. That is not a bad thing. Expectations are a far cry away from where they were when Jerry Kill arrived on campus before the 2011 season. Success breeds greater expectations.
By Luke Gildemeister
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/556685?referrer_id=
As I stumbled out of TCF Bank Stadium following the Gopher’s narrow 10-7 victory over Kent State, two disappointed strangers walking by seemed to perfectly summarize the mood of the program and its fans.
“I though we were going to blow them [Kent State] out.”
“Man, our offense was bad.”
In the post-game press conference, head coach Jerry Kill added that his players weren’t taking the week three result any easier:
“I worry about our kids because our kids act like we’re 0-3.”
Kill’s frustration seemed uncontrollable following the victory as well. He seemed agitated by pitchfork nation, as he sarcastically mentioned that maybe he ought to be fired. He also mistakenly stated that the university currently does not have an athletic director. I’m sure [interim athletic director] Beth Goetz was pleased to hear that.
Is the Gopher football program, from the coaching staff all the way to its fan base, frustrated? Absolutely. Slightly worried? Yep. It would be rather foolish to suggest otherwise. But there is a silver lining within this whole conundrum: the players, the coaches and the fans all simply expect a better on-field product. This frustration is present due to higher expectations as a result of winning.
After glimpses of success that eventually vanished with heart-wrenching losses (2003 Michigan game is the epitome), Gopher fans once again find the program on the verge of continued success. Jerry Kill has coached Minnesota to this familiar position following two straight eight-win seasons and recent success in rivalry games (just be patient in getting our hands on that elusive Axe). That is why the boo-birds came out at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday. Supporters will not, and should not, be content with narrowly defeating a lowly Mid-American Conference program anymore.
As an undergraduate student, the Gopher football interest level among my peers seems to finally be rising in the congested Twin Cities sports market. Students on campus can be overheard commenting on the current quarterback dilemma. More importantly, students thus far this season have actually made a point of attending games. This fan interest could be seen in the stadium bleachers on Saturday, where an announced sellout crowd of over 52,000 witnessed the victory. Maybe this is wishful thinking on my behalf, but even casual Gopher football fans are starting to invest emotionally. They care.
Most fans have not lost sight of the fact that these 18 to 23-year-old kids are playing their hearts out each and every week. They spend hours watching film, and some play through gruesome injuries. Their ability to handle classes and a full-time football job are truly admirable (at least to this guy). These student-athletes are not perfect. They will make mistakes, some more crucial than others. The players want to succeed more than the fans and students spectating the games. But until the offense indicates a glimpse of success, fans will continue to express their concern. That is not a bad thing. Expectations are a far cry away from where they were when Jerry Kill arrived on campus before the 2011 season. Success breeds greater expectations.
