Coach Claeys discussed the pluses and minuses in yesterday’s victory – 58 to 28 – over the Indiana State Sycamores.
1) Sid’s first question he asked for an appraisal of the offense that put up 58 points:
“Like the fact we didn’t turn the ball over . . . Mitch played awfully well,” Claeys answered. He was also pleased that they made plays on third down that continued their drives.
On the downside, Claeys said, “Made too many pre-snap penalties.”
Claeys was pleased with the defense in the first half. He mentioned the tipped pass that the Sycamores turned into a big play that ultimately led to their first touchdown. However, “Didn’t play well on third downs in the second half . . . We have things to work on,” Claeys said. He also mentioned the fourth and long play that the Gophers allowed Indiana State to convert to a first down.
2) Sid asked about the running of transfer (Butler CC) Kobe McCrary:
“Kobe is an awfully good back from Butler College,” Claeys said. McCrary was not available for spring drills: however, “he’s had a good fall.” One of his strengths as a running back, according to Claeyes, McCrary is very good at being patient when running – letting the play develop.
Claeys said he’ll have to find a way to keep the running backs happy, especially when Shannon Brooks returns to the field.
3) Sid’s third query, “Is Tyler Johnson going to play basketball?”
“No, not that I’m aware of (nobody has said anything to Claeys about Tyler wanting to play basketball),” Claeys quickly answered. As to Tyler’s play yesterday and as the season progresses, Claeys was very positive, “He continues to get better . . . he doesn’t drop the ball and finds a way to get open.”
4) Sid asked if any freshmen played yesterday:
“Carter Coughlin played . . . he will play on pass plays . . . he was the only new one (freshman), “ Claeys answered. He then cited Kamal Martin and Antoine Winfield as playing in yesterday’s game, as they did last week.
5) Dave Mona asked about the Gophers having an early bye week:
Claeys said he’d prefer to have the week off later in the season. He also said the Big 10 going to nine conference games has created scheduling problems – teams trying to make adjustments in their conference schedules that work for the teams.
6) Sid asked about “taunting” by the visiting team (ISU):
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Claeys replied in a puzzled tone, and added emphatically that he had nothing else to say about Sid’s query.
7) Sid then asked what the team and coaches would be doing during the bye week:
Claeys said because school started last week, it will be a good time for the players to transition to the classroom and the fall semester. There’ll be some workouts, especially for the kickers; however, Claeys said the bye week is an opportunity for the coaches to go on the road recruiting – attending practices and games – “80%” of the coaches’ time will be recruiting-related.
8) Sid asked when the four suspended players will return :
Claeys was terse in his response. He said it’ll be a day-to-day situation. As to the reason for the suspensions, Coach Claeys said it was because violations of a team policy. He didn’t have anything else to say that was related to Sid’s question.
9) The question regarding the defensive play in yesterday’s game was raised again:
As he said earlier, Claeys was pleased with the defense, especially in the first half, and the only downside was the tipped ball that ultimately led to a Sycamore touchdown in the first half, “one big pass on a tip.”
The second half was another matter, however. “Second half we didn’t play well.” He once again cited third down conversions, including a fourth down conversion, as being unacceptable. He did not sound happy when discussing the Gophers second-half play on defense.
10) Dave Mona asked the final question, which was the kicking game problems and the impact of a strong wind yesterday:
For whatever reason, Claeys said it was better kicking toward the student section than it was toward the scoreboard end. As to the kicking game specifically, Claeys said, “giving away great field position when the ball goes out of bounds” presents a serious problem.
He’d like the kickers, on windy days, to have the opportunity to put in some extra time preparing for the game – possibly before their scheduled to take to the field before the game day preparations.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid’s first question he asked for an appraisal of the offense that put up 58 points:
“Like the fact we didn’t turn the ball over . . . Mitch played awfully well,” Claeys answered. He was also pleased that they made plays on third down that continued their drives.
On the downside, Claeys said, “Made too many pre-snap penalties.”
Claeys was pleased with the defense in the first half. He mentioned the tipped pass that the Sycamores turned into a big play that ultimately led to their first touchdown. However, “Didn’t play well on third downs in the second half . . . We have things to work on,” Claeys said. He also mentioned the fourth and long play that the Gophers allowed Indiana State to convert to a first down.
2) Sid asked about the running of transfer (Butler CC) Kobe McCrary:
“Kobe is an awfully good back from Butler College,” Claeys said. McCrary was not available for spring drills: however, “he’s had a good fall.” One of his strengths as a running back, according to Claeyes, McCrary is very good at being patient when running – letting the play develop.
Claeys said he’ll have to find a way to keep the running backs happy, especially when Shannon Brooks returns to the field.
3) Sid’s third query, “Is Tyler Johnson going to play basketball?”
“No, not that I’m aware of (nobody has said anything to Claeys about Tyler wanting to play basketball),” Claeys quickly answered. As to Tyler’s play yesterday and as the season progresses, Claeys was very positive, “He continues to get better . . . he doesn’t drop the ball and finds a way to get open.”
4) Sid asked if any freshmen played yesterday:
“Carter Coughlin played . . . he will play on pass plays . . . he was the only new one (freshman), “ Claeys answered. He then cited Kamal Martin and Antoine Winfield as playing in yesterday’s game, as they did last week.
5) Dave Mona asked about the Gophers having an early bye week:
Claeys said he’d prefer to have the week off later in the season. He also said the Big 10 going to nine conference games has created scheduling problems – teams trying to make adjustments in their conference schedules that work for the teams.
6) Sid asked about “taunting” by the visiting team (ISU):
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Claeys replied in a puzzled tone, and added emphatically that he had nothing else to say about Sid’s query.
7) Sid then asked what the team and coaches would be doing during the bye week:
Claeys said because school started last week, it will be a good time for the players to transition to the classroom and the fall semester. There’ll be some workouts, especially for the kickers; however, Claeys said the bye week is an opportunity for the coaches to go on the road recruiting – attending practices and games – “80%” of the coaches’ time will be recruiting-related.
8) Sid asked when the four suspended players will return :
Claeys was terse in his response. He said it’ll be a day-to-day situation. As to the reason for the suspensions, Coach Claeys said it was because violations of a team policy. He didn’t have anything else to say that was related to Sid’s question.
9) The question regarding the defensive play in yesterday’s game was raised again:
As he said earlier, Claeys was pleased with the defense, especially in the first half, and the only downside was the tipped ball that ultimately led to a Sycamore touchdown in the first half, “one big pass on a tip.”
The second half was another matter, however. “Second half we didn’t play well.” He once again cited third down conversions, including a fourth down conversion, as being unacceptable. He did not sound happy when discussing the Gophers second-half play on defense.
10) Dave Mona asked the final question, which was the kicking game problems and the impact of a strong wind yesterday:
For whatever reason, Claeys said it was better kicking toward the student section than it was toward the scoreboard end. As to the kicking game specifically, Claeys said, “giving away great field position when the ball goes out of bounds” presents a serious problem.
He’d like the kickers, on windy days, to have the opportunity to put in some extra time preparing for the game – possibly before their scheduled to take to the field before the game day preparations.
Go Gophers!!
