Coach Kill was busy with a staff meeting and did not appear on the Sports Huddle until 11:05 a.m. This week’s appearance was shorter than usual as well. He had another meeting.
Much of today’s discussion focused on Saturday’s game with Iowa.
1) Sid opened the segment and asked if the off-week helped: “We’ll find out Saturday,” replied Kill.
Kill said the Bye Week helped the team get healed; however, he said, “Still concerned about two or three kids.”
He also said they spent more time in preparation for Iowa. (Apparently they spent some time preparing for Iowa and other opponents during the previous off-week.)
2) Sid asked a follow-up question related to team injuries: The three players that Kill’s concerned about - that he referenced in the above question - are: Alex Keith, Ben Lauer and Drew Wolitarsky. The first two are questionable for the Iowa game and Kill sounded less hopeful that Wolitarsky will be able to play. He did not talk about the nature of their injuries. However, it was reported several times last week that Wolitarsky has a “high ankle sprain.”
3) Sid asked if there were two or three players that have impressed him during the off-week that might see the playing field on Saturday. (Although he did not say it, he probably was asking his weekly query because of questions concerning the availability of Keith, Lauer and Wolitarsky.): “Not really,” responded Kill. But then he cited redshirt freshman linebacker De’Niro Laster and freshman Everett Williams as two players that might see more playing time.
He closed out the question talking about Iowa: “Must be fundamentally sound and physical.” (Several times, during the show, he stressed the importance of playing error free ball and being able to match up physically with Iowa’s power-run game.)
4) Sid then asked a two-part question: Did he watch Iowa’s game with Northwestern? And how did Iowa make improvement(s) in their play: Studying your opponent (Iowa), “You want it on film,” said Kill. He said you want to stop and re-run plays over and over – watching all eleven players, which you’re not able to do when you watch a game live.
As to Iowa’s improvement: Iowa gets better and better as the year progresses. (Nothing new – Iowa’s been doing that for years, said Kill.)
Keys for the upcoming game: “Can’t get in third and long . . . win the kicking game.” He also said you can’t let things get out of hand – snowballing effect – against Iowa. That’s what Iowa likes to do (keep the pressure on) and what they did yesterday against the Wildcats.
Kill, again, stressed Iowa’s punishing, physical play and being fundamentally sound (an Iowa team trait).
5) Dave Mona asked Coach Kill about the death of a Minnesota Regent, David Larson. Larson’s funeral was yesterday. The celebration (funeral) was at TCF Bank Stadium: “It was a sad day,” said Kill. ‘Off-week was like game-day – fitting (that the) celebration was at the stadium . . . We lost a good man.”
According to Kill and Mona, David Larson was a friend of the football team and was extremely helpful in improving the team’s academics. Kill said Larson helped get more computers for the players.
6) Sid wanted to know what makes Iowa running game so good: “They keep getting better as the year goes . . . You have to stop the run . . . They make you be fundamentally sound . . . (Linebackers and safeties) Must be in right position or they’ll crease you,” answered Kill.
A couple times Kill talked about the simplicity and effectiveness of Iowa’s running game. He said they’ll pound the ball six consecutive times and, then, if you’re not in the right position they’ll “crease” you for a big play.
Kill talked repeatedly about Iowa’s steady improvement as the year progresses - it’s typical of Iowa – year in and year out. By his tone, you could tell that Iowa’s system – fundamentally sound and physical - impresses Kill.
Go Gophers!!
Much of today’s discussion focused on Saturday’s game with Iowa.
1) Sid opened the segment and asked if the off-week helped: “We’ll find out Saturday,” replied Kill.
Kill said the Bye Week helped the team get healed; however, he said, “Still concerned about two or three kids.”
He also said they spent more time in preparation for Iowa. (Apparently they spent some time preparing for Iowa and other opponents during the previous off-week.)
2) Sid asked a follow-up question related to team injuries: The three players that Kill’s concerned about - that he referenced in the above question - are: Alex Keith, Ben Lauer and Drew Wolitarsky. The first two are questionable for the Iowa game and Kill sounded less hopeful that Wolitarsky will be able to play. He did not talk about the nature of their injuries. However, it was reported several times last week that Wolitarsky has a “high ankle sprain.”
3) Sid asked if there were two or three players that have impressed him during the off-week that might see the playing field on Saturday. (Although he did not say it, he probably was asking his weekly query because of questions concerning the availability of Keith, Lauer and Wolitarsky.): “Not really,” responded Kill. But then he cited redshirt freshman linebacker De’Niro Laster and freshman Everett Williams as two players that might see more playing time.
He closed out the question talking about Iowa: “Must be fundamentally sound and physical.” (Several times, during the show, he stressed the importance of playing error free ball and being able to match up physically with Iowa’s power-run game.)
4) Sid then asked a two-part question: Did he watch Iowa’s game with Northwestern? And how did Iowa make improvement(s) in their play: Studying your opponent (Iowa), “You want it on film,” said Kill. He said you want to stop and re-run plays over and over – watching all eleven players, which you’re not able to do when you watch a game live.
As to Iowa’s improvement: Iowa gets better and better as the year progresses. (Nothing new – Iowa’s been doing that for years, said Kill.)
Keys for the upcoming game: “Can’t get in third and long . . . win the kicking game.” He also said you can’t let things get out of hand – snowballing effect – against Iowa. That’s what Iowa likes to do (keep the pressure on) and what they did yesterday against the Wildcats.
Kill, again, stressed Iowa’s punishing, physical play and being fundamentally sound (an Iowa team trait).
5) Dave Mona asked Coach Kill about the death of a Minnesota Regent, David Larson. Larson’s funeral was yesterday. The celebration (funeral) was at TCF Bank Stadium: “It was a sad day,” said Kill. ‘Off-week was like game-day – fitting (that the) celebration was at the stadium . . . We lost a good man.”
According to Kill and Mona, David Larson was a friend of the football team and was extremely helpful in improving the team’s academics. Kill said Larson helped get more computers for the players.
6) Sid wanted to know what makes Iowa running game so good: “They keep getting better as the year goes . . . You have to stop the run . . . They make you be fundamentally sound . . . (Linebackers and safeties) Must be in right position or they’ll crease you,” answered Kill.
A couple times Kill talked about the simplicity and effectiveness of Iowa’s running game. He said they’ll pound the ball six consecutive times and, then, if you’re not in the right position they’ll “crease” you for a big play.
Kill talked repeatedly about Iowa’s steady improvement as the year progresses - it’s typical of Iowa – year in and year out. By his tone, you could tell that Iowa’s system – fundamentally sound and physical - impresses Kill.
Go Gophers!!
