Ellestad has cost the Gophers

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

A case could be made that Ellestad's performance has had a SIGNIFICANT impact on each of the Gophers' three games up to this point.

MTSU - His two missed FG's came at momentum changing times when the game was in danger of becoming a laugher.

USD - Another missed FG, in a game the Gophers lost by 3, not to mention his performance caused Brewster to elect to NOT kick a FG later in the game when he normally would have.

USC - Two horrible kickoffs cost the Rodents immensely. The Gophers score first to take a 7-0 lead and he proceeds to kick the ball out of bounds, which is absolutely completely inexcusable, giving USC the ball at the 40. THEN, he kicks a line drive kickoff to the fastest guy on the field for USC, who takes it back the distance before the coverage team could get their act together.

Glad to hear that Brewster is opening that up for competition this week, giving the other guy a chance. This can't go on, and there's not a doubt in my mind that Ellestad's confidence is shot, and along with it, the coaching staff's confidence in him as well.

 

[Max Power]

He's had a terrible season thus far. I said when it was in the air that the kick to USC was too low. 9 seconds later, he was in the end zone. Boo...

 

[Schnoodler]

Most things have been as I expected except our offense is probably a little better. But Ellestad is the one big dissapointment I have. His kickoffs should have been improved this year but they seem short all year.

???? Orseke was a pretty dcent Kicker as well as punter. I can see not wanting to have him on field goals but with his leg strength why aren't they considering him for kickoffs?

 

[Omega015]

Everything about the special teams was bad against USC.

I agree with all points re: Ellestad on games 1 & 2.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Most things have been as I expected except our offense is probably a little better. But Ellestad is the one big dissapointment I have. His kickoffs should have been improved this year but they seem short all year.

???? Orseke was a pretty dcent Kicker as well as punter. I can see not wanting to have him on field goals but with his leg strength why aren't they considering him for kickoffs?

Sadly, Ellestad is about the only part of the Gophers I don't have any hope/expectation of improving over the course of the season. Placekicking is too much of a head game and he's had a really tough couple weeks so far. It doesn't help when you're pretty sure the coach doesn't have faith in you anymore either.

 

[josh087]

Ellestad is disappointing for sure, but what in the H is going on with the BT special teams in general this year? Every time I look up at a BT game, someone is bringing/blocking a punt for a TD, or bringing a kickoff back for a TD. MSU has to try a fake on a 4th and 15 b/c they don't trust a guy to kick a 45 yarder? Luckily for them it worked but it easily could have backfired if the ND defender doesn't fall down.

 

[wait!what?]

How about that first Oreske punt yikes that was bad, but the rest of the game his kicks good.

 

[Go4]

and to think gophergod says giving a scholarship is a waste. what a joke.

 

[gophers2rosebowl]

A lot of kicking is mental. I think the coaches not staying behind their kicker this early is the wrong move. They know he is a good kicker. They need to help him through these tough times. Orseke started the game with some ugly punts and got a very nice bounce on another but the bank is usually a pretty windy stadium from the games iv attended. Not sure if the wind was blowing saturday but its usually the case.