An upbeat and at times a jocularJerry Kill – what a convincing win, 41-13, can do – answered questions by Sid Hartman and Dave Mona on ‘CCOs Sports Huddle.
1) Sid opened the stating the coaching staff did an outstanding job last week preparing the team for their trip to Purdue. Sid then cited Shannon Brooks’ 71 yard gallop for a touchdown:
Coach Kill acknowledged Shannon’s long run, however, he was impressed with his game as a whole. “He had several great ones . . . He floated on Saturday . . . (has) great strength,” Kill replied.
2) Sid brought up the topic of team injuries. Eleven players didn’t make the trip to Purdue. And Sid asked when center Brian Bobek was injured:
“Bobek got hurt on Tuesday . . . Never started a true freshman at center (Tyler Moore) . . . he did a good job!” Kill said.
In his closing remarks to Sid’s query, Kill said they challenged the players and told them that they were getting back to physical play and that they were going run the ball and they needed push the opposing team off the line and open holes for the running game.
3) Dave Mona noted the holes that the offensive line opened up for the running backs, but he also was impressed with the downfield blocking:
Coach Kill agreed with Mona’s appraisal, “Good execution up front.” He also was pleased with the downfield blocks. During film sessions, they talked about the need of executing and finishing their blocks downfield which wasn’t done in previous games. By his tone, one sensed he was pleased and appreciated the effort put forth by the offensive line and those carrying out the blocks on Purdue’s secondary.
And having Jon Christenson back for 25-30 plays was a big help in yesterday’s victory. According to Kill, Jon provided great leadership.
4) Sid asked when Josh Campion was injured:
Just as Brian Bobek, Campion was hurt “last Tuesday.”
Kill proceeded to list a few players that were out yesterday, because of injuries: Damarius Travis, Galen Elmore, Scott Ekpe, Ace Rogers, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun.
5) Sid asked for Kill’s appraisal of Demry Croft’s efforts at quarterback:
“Did some good things - a couple passes . . . nice long run . . . took a step forward (from last week),” Kill replied.
6) Dave Mona mentioned the takeaways by Minnesota’s defense:
“Biggest thing,” Kill said, “emotion on the sideline.” He added the team had not had the emotion that they possessed yesterday since the TCU game. “The kids played with emotion . . . on a mission . . . (they) performed.”
7) Sid wanted to know what injured players would be back for The Nebraska game, if any:
Kill said he wouldn’t really know until Tuesday; however, he said without equivocation, “Damarius Travis will play next week!”
Although he talked a little bit about injuries to Minnesota’s secondary, Kill focused his attention on the solid play of cornerbacks Jalen Myrick and Eric Murray. “Eric Murray locked their best receiver down.”
8) Kill was asked about Nebraska’s tough losses, including their loss to the Badgers yesterday:
Kill said the Cornhuskers have played tough and that they had “chances to win all of them . . . They’ll be coming in hungry.”
Kill, as he did last week, said he doesn’t pay attention to the scores of their opponents, “Every game is critical . . . better show up (tgo play) . . . We have no room for errors.”
9) Dave Mona raised the topic of walk-ons seeing the field in yesterday’s game:
As most know, Kill has great respect for walk-ons and the effort they put forth in practice and in games. He singled out two players in his response – tight end Nick Hart and Matt Leidner, backup center to Tyler Moore. Although he didn’t mention any other names, he said, “there were several” other walk-ons that contributed.
10) Dave Mona mentioned that he thought both Julian and Jacob huff played in the Purdue game. Julian Huff has played in the previous five games but not Jacob:
“Had to take another redshirt,” Kill said, with Jacob getting in yesterday's game.
Because of the plethora of injuries on the Gopher team, they’ve been forced to play redshirt freshmen and a lot of true freshmen, which isn’t what they want or like to do; Kill said they’re playing a lot redshirt freshmen, first-year freshmen and sophomores, “We’re a young team.” On the bright side, Kill said the team is young and hungry.”
11) Dave Mona raised the topic related to the receiving corps:
“Brandon Lingen is a good player,” Kill said, when talking about the freshman tight end.
He also mentioned wide receiver KJ Maye and that they need to get him involved more in the receiving game. Maye of course also runs the jet sweep.
Talking about the young receivers and receivers in general, “We’re finding out more what they can and can’t do.” IMO, he sounded positive when discussing the receivers.
While talking about the receiving corps, Kill said, “Roderick has had health issues.” However, Kill did not divulge the nature of Roderick Williams’ health issues.
12) Sid raised the topic of Minnesota turnovers or the lack thereof in the Purdue game:
Kill sounded upbeat in his response. Although he said Mitch Leidner should not have thrown the pass in defensive coverage that resulted in an interception inside Purdue’s ten-yard line near the end of the first-half. (Laughing) Kill said Mitch probably got the same message - when he got to the sideline - by the intended receiver, fullback Miles Thomas , who was hit hard by one of the defenders when he went up for the ball; the tipped ball was caught by another defensive back in front of Thomas.
13) Dave Mona mentioned the Regents approval of the new sports facilities, which has been a topic of discussion for a long time and one that has been promised to recruits for the past few years:
“It’s been a great weekend,” Kill said. He thanked President Kaler, the Regents and individuals that made it happen. “It’s needed . . . great for all (U of M athletes) . . . will help us.”
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the stating the coaching staff did an outstanding job last week preparing the team for their trip to Purdue. Sid then cited Shannon Brooks’ 71 yard gallop for a touchdown:
Coach Kill acknowledged Shannon’s long run, however, he was impressed with his game as a whole. “He had several great ones . . . He floated on Saturday . . . (has) great strength,” Kill replied.
2) Sid brought up the topic of team injuries. Eleven players didn’t make the trip to Purdue. And Sid asked when center Brian Bobek was injured:
“Bobek got hurt on Tuesday . . . Never started a true freshman at center (Tyler Moore) . . . he did a good job!” Kill said.
In his closing remarks to Sid’s query, Kill said they challenged the players and told them that they were getting back to physical play and that they were going run the ball and they needed push the opposing team off the line and open holes for the running game.
3) Dave Mona noted the holes that the offensive line opened up for the running backs, but he also was impressed with the downfield blocking:
Coach Kill agreed with Mona’s appraisal, “Good execution up front.” He also was pleased with the downfield blocks. During film sessions, they talked about the need of executing and finishing their blocks downfield which wasn’t done in previous games. By his tone, one sensed he was pleased and appreciated the effort put forth by the offensive line and those carrying out the blocks on Purdue’s secondary.
And having Jon Christenson back for 25-30 plays was a big help in yesterday’s victory. According to Kill, Jon provided great leadership.
4) Sid asked when Josh Campion was injured:
Just as Brian Bobek, Campion was hurt “last Tuesday.”
Kill proceeded to list a few players that were out yesterday, because of injuries: Damarius Travis, Galen Elmore, Scott Ekpe, Ace Rogers, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun.
5) Sid asked for Kill’s appraisal of Demry Croft’s efforts at quarterback:
“Did some good things - a couple passes . . . nice long run . . . took a step forward (from last week),” Kill replied.
6) Dave Mona mentioned the takeaways by Minnesota’s defense:
“Biggest thing,” Kill said, “emotion on the sideline.” He added the team had not had the emotion that they possessed yesterday since the TCU game. “The kids played with emotion . . . on a mission . . . (they) performed.”
7) Sid wanted to know what injured players would be back for The Nebraska game, if any:
Kill said he wouldn’t really know until Tuesday; however, he said without equivocation, “Damarius Travis will play next week!”
Although he talked a little bit about injuries to Minnesota’s secondary, Kill focused his attention on the solid play of cornerbacks Jalen Myrick and Eric Murray. “Eric Murray locked their best receiver down.”
8) Kill was asked about Nebraska’s tough losses, including their loss to the Badgers yesterday:
Kill said the Cornhuskers have played tough and that they had “chances to win all of them . . . They’ll be coming in hungry.”
Kill, as he did last week, said he doesn’t pay attention to the scores of their opponents, “Every game is critical . . . better show up (tgo play) . . . We have no room for errors.”
9) Dave Mona raised the topic of walk-ons seeing the field in yesterday’s game:
As most know, Kill has great respect for walk-ons and the effort they put forth in practice and in games. He singled out two players in his response – tight end Nick Hart and Matt Leidner, backup center to Tyler Moore. Although he didn’t mention any other names, he said, “there were several” other walk-ons that contributed.
10) Dave Mona mentioned that he thought both Julian and Jacob huff played in the Purdue game. Julian Huff has played in the previous five games but not Jacob:
“Had to take another redshirt,” Kill said, with Jacob getting in yesterday's game.
Because of the plethora of injuries on the Gopher team, they’ve been forced to play redshirt freshmen and a lot of true freshmen, which isn’t what they want or like to do; Kill said they’re playing a lot redshirt freshmen, first-year freshmen and sophomores, “We’re a young team.” On the bright side, Kill said the team is young and hungry.”
11) Dave Mona raised the topic related to the receiving corps:
“Brandon Lingen is a good player,” Kill said, when talking about the freshman tight end.
He also mentioned wide receiver KJ Maye and that they need to get him involved more in the receiving game. Maye of course also runs the jet sweep.
Talking about the young receivers and receivers in general, “We’re finding out more what they can and can’t do.” IMO, he sounded positive when discussing the receivers.
While talking about the receiving corps, Kill said, “Roderick has had health issues.” However, Kill did not divulge the nature of Roderick Williams’ health issues.
12) Sid raised the topic of Minnesota turnovers or the lack thereof in the Purdue game:
Kill sounded upbeat in his response. Although he said Mitch Leidner should not have thrown the pass in defensive coverage that resulted in an interception inside Purdue’s ten-yard line near the end of the first-half. (Laughing) Kill said Mitch probably got the same message - when he got to the sideline - by the intended receiver, fullback Miles Thomas , who was hit hard by one of the defenders when he went up for the ball; the tipped ball was caught by another defensive back in front of Thomas.
13) Dave Mona mentioned the Regents approval of the new sports facilities, which has been a topic of discussion for a long time and one that has been promised to recruits for the past few years:
“It’s been a great weekend,” Kill said. He thanked President Kaler, the Regents and individuals that made it happen. “It’s needed . . . great for all (U of M athletes) . . . will help us.”
Go Gophers!!
