Minnesota Head Coach Tracy Claeys discussed Minnesota’s victory over the Purdue Boilermakers, 44-31, on today’s Sports Huddle.
1) Sid opened the segment asking for an appraisal of the Gophers Victory:
“In first half, too many big plays (by Purdue) . . . We got better in the second half - (gave up) 160 yards and 3 points.”
2) Sid asked about Purdue’s interception just before Half-time:
Tracy Claeys said they thought they could get behind Purdue’s defensive secondary.
Although Claeys was not happy with the interception, he was pleased with the team’s attitude and play in the second half. “W have a tremendous competitive group.”
3) Sid opined that running back Rodney Smith can be the Gophers best back before he is finished at Minnesota:
Claeys cited Smith’s toughness in his reply: “He’s really good . . . yards after contact.” Smith rushed for 153 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Because of Shannon Brooks being held out of the game (not 100%), Claeys said Rodney carried the ball more than he normally does. On a cautionary note, Claeys said they have to be careful how often they Rodney in games (poundings in a long season).
He also noted Mitch Leidner carried the ball more than usual as well. He gained 74 yards and scored two touchdowns.
4) Sid spoke glowingly about first-year freshman defensive back Antoine Winfield, Jr.:
“It’s amazing what he’s done as a freshman,” said Claeys. He also said they’re “giving him more” (responsibility) each week. Antoine calls defensive signals, getting the players lined up.
5) Sid spoke in positive terms about the kicking of redshirt sophomore kicker, Emmit Carpenter:
Claeys said the Emmit was kicking from the 35 yard line on both sides of the field during pregame warm-ups – usually he kicks from the 30 yard line. So they decided to test his kicking with 50 yard plus kicks, which he made.
Not only did Claeys speak positively about Carpenter’s kicking yesterday, but he expressed confidence in Emmit’s kicking in future games and being an offensive weapon.
6) Dave Mona asked about the big passing plays by the Gophers – Rashad Still and Eric Carter:
Claeys responded to Dave’s query: “(Purdue was) putting more and more in the box.” As a result, they threw downfield, “Rashad made a big catch!”
As to throwing more passes downfield, Claeys said, “We’ll have to stretch out people more” in upcoming games.
Claeys, once again, cited the positives of the team in the second half. He said, “Another win.” He added, they control what will happen in the upcoming games – they’re in the hunt for the West Division and playing in the Big Ten Championship game.
7) Dave Mona cited the catch by Eric Carter (a good catch); however, if he had kept his feet, there was a good chance he would have scored a touchdown:
Claeys agreed with Dave Mona assessment, “No question . . . it’s a matter of playing.” Carter has played sparingly. Nevertheless, he spoke positively about the receiving corps, but he also gave the cautionary note that they need to get better.
8) Sid asked about the blowout by the Buckeyes over the Cornhuskers:
“It’s awfully hard when the floodgates open . . . what happens one week does not affect the next week,” according to Claeys. Nebraska is the Gophers opponent next Saturday.
9) Dave Mona asked about the playing status of Shannon Brooks and his availability next week:
Claeys didn’t dwell too much on Shannon Brooks’s undisclosed injury, “Shannon, hopefully we get him back this week.” He added that Brooks wasn’t 100% yesterday. By his tone, it sounded as though Claeys expects Shannon Brooks to be back for the Cornhuskers.
Claeys cited Garrison Wright going down with an injury in the game; he’ll know more when he talks to the medical staff this afternoon.
On a positive note, Claeys cited the return of Jonah Pirsig.
10) Sid asked if Claeys expects Shannon Brooks back next week:
“I think so . . . he couldn’t go full speed (yesterday), Claey answered.
11) Sid asked about the targeting call that led to Nick Rallis’s ejection:
Claeys was cautious in his reply about the very questionable call, as well as the effects on the game when targeting is called. He said, “We’ll have to see.” Rallis will sit out the first half of the Nebraska game. Minnesota has had several targeting calls this year. IMO, there has been a lack of consistency by officials in calling targeting against defensive players.
12) Sid asked about Penn State and the game the Gophers lost in overtime:
Claeys said that if they had had Kiante Hardin (available) in the game, they would have had a very good chance of winning. He also said their two losses (PSU and Iowa) came down to one possession.
He concluded the final question, “(we need to) get better each week and move on.”
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment asking for an appraisal of the Gophers Victory:
“In first half, too many big plays (by Purdue) . . . We got better in the second half - (gave up) 160 yards and 3 points.”
2) Sid asked about Purdue’s interception just before Half-time:
Tracy Claeys said they thought they could get behind Purdue’s defensive secondary.
Although Claeys was not happy with the interception, he was pleased with the team’s attitude and play in the second half. “W have a tremendous competitive group.”
3) Sid opined that running back Rodney Smith can be the Gophers best back before he is finished at Minnesota:
Claeys cited Smith’s toughness in his reply: “He’s really good . . . yards after contact.” Smith rushed for 153 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Because of Shannon Brooks being held out of the game (not 100%), Claeys said Rodney carried the ball more than he normally does. On a cautionary note, Claeys said they have to be careful how often they Rodney in games (poundings in a long season).
He also noted Mitch Leidner carried the ball more than usual as well. He gained 74 yards and scored two touchdowns.
4) Sid spoke glowingly about first-year freshman defensive back Antoine Winfield, Jr.:
“It’s amazing what he’s done as a freshman,” said Claeys. He also said they’re “giving him more” (responsibility) each week. Antoine calls defensive signals, getting the players lined up.
5) Sid spoke in positive terms about the kicking of redshirt sophomore kicker, Emmit Carpenter:
Claeys said the Emmit was kicking from the 35 yard line on both sides of the field during pregame warm-ups – usually he kicks from the 30 yard line. So they decided to test his kicking with 50 yard plus kicks, which he made.
Not only did Claeys speak positively about Carpenter’s kicking yesterday, but he expressed confidence in Emmit’s kicking in future games and being an offensive weapon.
6) Dave Mona asked about the big passing plays by the Gophers – Rashad Still and Eric Carter:
Claeys responded to Dave’s query: “(Purdue was) putting more and more in the box.” As a result, they threw downfield, “Rashad made a big catch!”
As to throwing more passes downfield, Claeys said, “We’ll have to stretch out people more” in upcoming games.
Claeys, once again, cited the positives of the team in the second half. He said, “Another win.” He added, they control what will happen in the upcoming games – they’re in the hunt for the West Division and playing in the Big Ten Championship game.
7) Dave Mona cited the catch by Eric Carter (a good catch); however, if he had kept his feet, there was a good chance he would have scored a touchdown:
Claeys agreed with Dave Mona assessment, “No question . . . it’s a matter of playing.” Carter has played sparingly. Nevertheless, he spoke positively about the receiving corps, but he also gave the cautionary note that they need to get better.
8) Sid asked about the blowout by the Buckeyes over the Cornhuskers:
“It’s awfully hard when the floodgates open . . . what happens one week does not affect the next week,” according to Claeys. Nebraska is the Gophers opponent next Saturday.
9) Dave Mona asked about the playing status of Shannon Brooks and his availability next week:
Claeys didn’t dwell too much on Shannon Brooks’s undisclosed injury, “Shannon, hopefully we get him back this week.” He added that Brooks wasn’t 100% yesterday. By his tone, it sounded as though Claeys expects Shannon Brooks to be back for the Cornhuskers.
Claeys cited Garrison Wright going down with an injury in the game; he’ll know more when he talks to the medical staff this afternoon.
On a positive note, Claeys cited the return of Jonah Pirsig.
10) Sid asked if Claeys expects Shannon Brooks back next week:
“I think so . . . he couldn’t go full speed (yesterday), Claey answered.
11) Sid asked about the targeting call that led to Nick Rallis’s ejection:
Claeys was cautious in his reply about the very questionable call, as well as the effects on the game when targeting is called. He said, “We’ll have to see.” Rallis will sit out the first half of the Nebraska game. Minnesota has had several targeting calls this year. IMO, there has been a lack of consistency by officials in calling targeting against defensive players.
12) Sid asked about Penn State and the game the Gophers lost in overtime:
Claeys said that if they had had Kiante Hardin (available) in the game, they would have had a very good chance of winning. He also said their two losses (PSU and Iowa) came down to one possession.
He concluded the final question, “(we need to) get better each week and move on.”
Go Gophers!!
