Because of a “tight window” due to bowl commitments and meetings, Tracy Claeys did not appear on the Sports Huddle until 10:55 a.m. As a result, only a few questions were asked. However, Glen Mason appeared earlier and gave his assessment of the Gophers bowl game tomorrow and the Big 10 thus far in bowl games. I’ll post some of his appraisals at the end of the Tracy Claeys segment.
1) Sid asked about the team’s health going into the bowl game against Central Michigan:
Claeys sounded positive and upbeat in his response. He said the team is the “healthiest since mid-season.”
Running back Rod Smith is healthy again, and Mitch Leidner has been practicing everyday and has looked good, according Claeys. The time off following the Wisconsin game has benefitted Jon Christenson in his healing process as well as other team members.
Claeys said practices have been good and that they did “get after it” in a couple scrimmages; however, it sounds as though they didn’t have a lot physical contact in the other practices, IMO.
On the defensive side of the ball, Claeys said defensive linemen Scott Ekpe and Steve Richardson have been practicing as have defensive backs Jalen Myrick and Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Their conditioning - especially Ekpe and Richardson - will determine how long they’ll be able to perform tomorrow.
2) Dave Mona referenced Glen Mason’s earlier comments about Central Michigan’s quarterback. Mason was impressed with his play when he covered the Central Michigan – Michigan State game in the fourth game of the past season.
Tracy Claeys concurred with Mason’s assessment. He’s proficient in “getting the ball to open guys.” He’s also impressed with their receiving corps – five receivers having over five-hundred yards each in receptions.
3) Dave Mona asked for a status update related to Cody Poock and tight end Brandon Lingen:
Again, Claeys sounded upbeat when he said, “They’ve practiced everyday!”
4) Sid asked about the Chippewa’s defense:
“(CMU) kids keep the ball in front of them,” Claeys answered. “We’ll have to stay out of third and long . . . keep third down manageable.”
5) Sid asked about quarterback Mitch Leidner in bowl game preparations:
“Practicing well . . . we feel good about our quarterbacks,” Claeys responded.
6) Claeys was asked about the Chippewa’s pass defense and their defensive front against the Gophers rush game:
Claeys gave a terse answer in his response. “We’ll have to be able to run!”
Ending on a positive note, Claeys once again sounded upbeat when he said the team is the healthiest it’s been in long time.
Go Gophers!!
Glen Mason’s bowl game observations:
Indiana did not take advantage of the opportunities in their game against Duke, which they lost when they missed a field goal in overtime. He also said the Hoosiers tended to play to the talent of the opposition. They seemed to play better against the better teams, even in defeat.
Glen Mason is in Chicago taping programs for the Big Ten Network. He said he’s in favor of the bowl system. Even though he initially thought there are too many bowl games, he’s changed his mind when he pondered what he’d be watching on television if it weren’t for the bowl games.
His comment about bowls games was a good segue to his impressions of Nebraska’s win over UCLA last night. Nebraska was a 5 and 7 team that had lost a number of close games. Nevertheless they acquitted themselves in their win over the Bruins. Glen was impressed with the Cornhuskers physical play. The win leaves a “good taste” in their mouths as they prepare for next season, according to Mason.
Glen discussed the Gophers upcoming opponent, Central Michigan. Central Michigan enters the bowl game with a 7 and 5 record but the Gophers and fans shouldn’t take the Chippewas lightly. They lost three games against Power 5 opponents: Oklahoma State, Syracuse and Michigan State. Glen said they played the three opponents tough, even though the scores, especially Michigan State, didn’t show it on the scoreboard. He is very impressed the CMU’s quarterback. When he played against Michigan State’s defense he thought if given a choice that day, he’d take the Chippewa’s quarterback over Connor Cook. Sorry I didn’t get the name of CMU’s quarterback.
1) Sid asked about the team’s health going into the bowl game against Central Michigan:
Claeys sounded positive and upbeat in his response. He said the team is the “healthiest since mid-season.”
Running back Rod Smith is healthy again, and Mitch Leidner has been practicing everyday and has looked good, according Claeys. The time off following the Wisconsin game has benefitted Jon Christenson in his healing process as well as other team members.
Claeys said practices have been good and that they did “get after it” in a couple scrimmages; however, it sounds as though they didn’t have a lot physical contact in the other practices, IMO.
On the defensive side of the ball, Claeys said defensive linemen Scott Ekpe and Steve Richardson have been practicing as have defensive backs Jalen Myrick and Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Their conditioning - especially Ekpe and Richardson - will determine how long they’ll be able to perform tomorrow.
2) Dave Mona referenced Glen Mason’s earlier comments about Central Michigan’s quarterback. Mason was impressed with his play when he covered the Central Michigan – Michigan State game in the fourth game of the past season.
Tracy Claeys concurred with Mason’s assessment. He’s proficient in “getting the ball to open guys.” He’s also impressed with their receiving corps – five receivers having over five-hundred yards each in receptions.
3) Dave Mona asked for a status update related to Cody Poock and tight end Brandon Lingen:
Again, Claeys sounded upbeat when he said, “They’ve practiced everyday!”
4) Sid asked about the Chippewa’s defense:
“(CMU) kids keep the ball in front of them,” Claeys answered. “We’ll have to stay out of third and long . . . keep third down manageable.”
5) Sid asked about quarterback Mitch Leidner in bowl game preparations:
“Practicing well . . . we feel good about our quarterbacks,” Claeys responded.
6) Claeys was asked about the Chippewa’s pass defense and their defensive front against the Gophers rush game:
Claeys gave a terse answer in his response. “We’ll have to be able to run!”
Ending on a positive note, Claeys once again sounded upbeat when he said the team is the healthiest it’s been in long time.
Go Gophers!!
Glen Mason’s bowl game observations:
Indiana did not take advantage of the opportunities in their game against Duke, which they lost when they missed a field goal in overtime. He also said the Hoosiers tended to play to the talent of the opposition. They seemed to play better against the better teams, even in defeat.
Glen Mason is in Chicago taping programs for the Big Ten Network. He said he’s in favor of the bowl system. Even though he initially thought there are too many bowl games, he’s changed his mind when he pondered what he’d be watching on television if it weren’t for the bowl games.
His comment about bowls games was a good segue to his impressions of Nebraska’s win over UCLA last night. Nebraska was a 5 and 7 team that had lost a number of close games. Nevertheless they acquitted themselves in their win over the Bruins. Glen was impressed with the Cornhuskers physical play. The win leaves a “good taste” in their mouths as they prepare for next season, according to Mason.
Glen discussed the Gophers upcoming opponent, Central Michigan. Central Michigan enters the bowl game with a 7 and 5 record but the Gophers and fans shouldn’t take the Chippewas lightly. They lost three games against Power 5 opponents: Oklahoma State, Syracuse and Michigan State. Glen said they played the three opponents tough, even though the scores, especially Michigan State, didn’t show it on the scoreboard. He is very impressed the CMU’s quarterback. When he played against Michigan State’s defense he thought if given a choice that day, he’d take the Chippewa’s quarterback over Connor Cook. Sorry I didn’t get the name of CMU’s quarterback.
