Eric Murray: "I don't think the injuries are affecting the defense at all."

[BleedGopher]

per Sandell:

However, the loss to Nebraska went well beyond injuries on defense -- a point senior cornerback Eric Murray adamantly noted.

"I don't think the injuries are affecting the defense at all. It's a part of football. The next man has to be up," Murray said. "We just don't have certain key players that can get the job done -- everybody needs to be able to get the job done. So injuries shouldn't be a factor at all. That's just an excuse."

With the defeat, the margin of error for the Gophers as they try to salvage this season has narrowed to a dangerous level. After back to back eight-win seasons, the prospect of garnering bowl eligibility, even with five games left, appears to be a daunting proposition A much-needed bye week awaits them before starting a three-game stretch that features a home showdown against Michigan and road matchups against Ohio State and Iowa.

"We are just like everybody else, we have high expectations," Kill said when asked about where his team goes from here. "and there are a lot of things that are out of our control, but the year is not over and we get some pieces of the puzzle back (after the bye week) and we will go back to work. College football is a strange game."

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Sandell_Gophers_defense_comes_up_empty_when_needed_most101715

Go Gophers!!

 

[beavergopher]

Eric, please tell this to your head coach.

 

[bottlebass]

Murray did not have a very good game. Got beat on the same inside route multiple times.

 

[Maroon92]

He is definitely not towing the company line on this one. It is great to hear someone taking responsibility of their poor play

 

[JZsportswhiz]

While injuries really hurt hte depth, Murray is exactly right. Let's stop acting like this is the only team with injuries

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Murray did not have a very good game. Got beat on the same inside route multiple times.

Seems like his weaknesses have been exposed this year. Regardless, you have to respect him for saying what his coach won't say.

 

[cjbfbp]

Eric, please tell this to your head coach.

I don't know how Murray's message can be interpreted as a comforting one. He appears to be implying that the Gophers simply lack sufficient talent or sufficient will or sufficient coaching (or some combination of all three) to overcome the effects of injuries. I think attributing the problems too much to lack of will is probably wrong. After all, the most willful and courageous chicken in the world is no match for the most spineless fox.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Eric, please tell this to your head coach.

Because Kill saying different things to the public will change a lot.

 

[Blackhammer]

Seems like his weaknesses have been exposed this year. Regardless, you have to respect him for saying what his coach won't say.

When everyone bragged up this secondary I suggested didn't matter if they didn't have a pass rush. Murray hasn't been great but the only pressure we have basically received has been from Richardson and the freshman Huff. Or at least Huff has the skill set to be good in that area.

 

[DoubleAlum]

I'm not sure why (perhaps it's the all white visitor uniforms), but when the opposing teams come on the field at TCF they always seem bigger, taller and stronger. Does anyone else get that feeling too?

 

[Iceland12]

Seems like his weaknesses have been exposed this year.

Maybe but he like the other DBs operate under two handicaps. They have to hold their coverage for 7-8-10 seconds because the opposing QB is getting any pressure at all. The other is the "play the receiver not the ball" philosophy. Claeys said in past press conference that College Offenses can't go down the field to often making "play after play" and march down and score. If they can "more power to them". Turnovers are "gifts" not something to fight for.

Except for a blown coverage or two, D-Back have been right on top of the receivers for most catches. They tackle the guy rather then try and get the ball. Even on a TD or two yesterday, the D-Back was right there in the End Zone on top of the receiver - as he caught the ball.

This whole coaching philosophy Offense and Defense, seems to be predicated on keeping the score close and winning it out in the end.

The problem is if they can't get to the QB or get a turnover, that 4th Quarter lead is never gonna be their's.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Eric Murray: "I don't think the injuries are affecting the defense at all."

Maybe but he like the other DBs operate under two handicaps. They have to hold their coverage for 7-8-10 seconds because the opposing QB is getting any pressure at all. The other is the "play the receiver not the ball" philosophy. Claeys said in past press conference that College Offenses can't go down the field to often making "play after play" and march down and score. If they can "more power to them". Turnovers are "gifts" not something to fight for.

Except for a blown coverage or two, D-Back have been right on top of the receivers for most catches. They tackle the guy rather then try and get the ball. Even on a TD or two yesterday, the D-Back was right there in the End Zone on top of the receiver - as he caught the ball.

This whole coaching philosophy Offense and Defense, seems to be predicated on keeping the score close and winning it out in the end.

The problem is if they can't get to the QB or get a turnover, that 4th Quarter lead is never gonna be their's.

Seems like that kind of philosophy only hurts a kids development and ultimately handicaps him at the next level. Sure, it's fine for guys that are limited in their skills and aren't gonna play pro ball, but for Murray and Calhoun they need to learn how to locate the ball.

That's a required skill in the NFL. All an NFL receiver has to do is stop running and its PI every time. QB will under throw balls to force that penalty too. Doesn't happen in college.

 

[cjbfbp]

Except for a blown coverage or two, D-Back have been right on top of the receivers for most catches.

Actually, it appeared to me most of the time that the DBs were right there "behind them" on completions. Of course, there were two DBs surrounding a Nebraska receiver on a touchdown reception but the 5'9" receiver managed to out jump both of them.

 

[Spoofin]

Eric, please tell this to your head coach.

This isn't that hard. What Kill says to the public (to protect the kids) and what he says to the team are not the same. They should't be either as the goal is different in both cases. Do you really think Kill is telling the players, "it is ok. We have injuries. Nothing we can do"???

 

[Spoofin]

Murray did not have a very good game. Got beat on the same inside route multiple times.

EM31 is an elite/NFL caliber boundary CB. He is also a great tackler. He played more in the slot yesterday then I can ever recall and, as you said, got beat a number of times. That may not be his strength. I expect to see him on the boundary next game.

 

[Iceland12]

Actually, it appeared to me most of the time that the DBs were right there "behind them" on completions. Of course, there were two DBs surrounding a Nebraska receiver on a touchdown reception but the 5'9" receiver managed to out jump both of them.

Actually that was the point. That's how they are coached to play.

Claeys said in past press conference that College Offenses can't go down the field to often making "play after play" and march down and score. If they can "more power to them". Turnovers are "gifts" not something to fight for.


Except for a blown coverage or two, D-Back have been right on top of the receivers for most catches. They tackle the guy rather then try and get the ball. Even on a TD or two yesterday, the D-Back was right there in the End Zone on top of the receiver - as he caught the bal