Coach Kill’s comments and responses to questions by Sid Hartman and Dave Mona on ‘CCOs Sports Huddle:
1) (Joking) Sid said CBS would like to have Jerry dancing for them next week: (Laughing) Jerry Kill responded, “No! Need to keep cameras out of the locker room - sacred ground.”
2) Sid asked about motivation and getting ready for Iowa after the loss to Illinois: “Big thing, when we came back (from Champaign) no screaming . . . pointed out what (to players) what you did bad and good (more bad than good, according to Kill) . . . kept consistent . . . took Sunday, Monday, Tuesday off . . . smartest thing, gave them time off . . . last week seemed to get our speed back . . . quarterback did a great job leading our football plan,” replied Kill.
3) Sid wanted know what the Gophers did to keep Mark Weisman in check, especially since Weisman ran with great effect the past two years: Kill quickly said, “We spent some time in spring ball on Iowa . . . We just did our job (unselfish in team play – play your position with discipline) . . . (on defense) stay in gap and play disciplined defense.”
4) Dave Mona asked a follow-up question related to extra time to concentrate upcoming opponents (in this case, Iowa) paying off: “We hope so,” said Kill. “Helped in preparation for Iowa.”
5) Sid praised the Gophers offensive line. Said it was the best they’ve played this year: “They played good,” said Kill. He credited line coach and offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover for the team’s success on offense yesterday.
Kill – sounding upbeat - then cited some players for their play against Iowa:
Joe Bjorklund at Guard
(True freshman)” Connor Mayes played.”
Ben Lauer was held out because of a high ankle sprain and was replaced by Jonah Pirsig: “Jonah Pirsig just keeps getting better,” said Kill.
6) Sid said defensive line coach Jeff Phelps told him that they’re playing nine defensive linemen, including 5 freshmen, which is unusual: Coach Kill acknowledged the statement and said that they rotate nine players and are doing a good job.
Kill then turned his attention/comments to four freshmen on defense (players cited): three linebackers – Everett Williams, De’Niro Laster and Jonathan Celestin - and a defensive back Craig James.
Kill’s final comment in response to the question: “Freshmen playing on offense too . . . (Tight end) Brandon Lingen played valuable minutes.”
7) Dave Mona said he received a text in which the messenger said on Iowa’s message board a fan said: “TCF Bank Stadium makes Kinnick Stadium sound like Sunday school:” Kill (laughing) said, “Fans have been great at home . . . . they’ve been the difference . . . you play better.” Kill also said he told the team at the start of the season that they had to win all of their home games, if they wanted to have a successful season; it’s difficult to win on the road.
Kill hopes the fans come out next week to support the team – last home game and last home game for the seniors.
8) Sid asked about the running variations that appeared in yesterday’s game. Specifically he mentioned the running of KJ Maye: Kill answered, “We put together a good game plan, offensively . . . We had to do some things (different running schemes) . . . Quarterback decisions A plus - running option and threw ball away.”
Kill also cited the play (positively) of backup quarterback Chris Streveler. He said playing Streveler gave Leidner a breather and took some hits off the starting quarterback. (He said they did same thing at NIU – running two quarterbacks – to take some hits off the starter.
9) Dave Mona announced that the game with Buckeyes on Saturday will start at 11 a.m. He then said he remembered NIU running two quarterbacks when they played the Gophers in 2010. Coach Kill was the Huskies head coach in 2010: Kill replied, “It takes a while to get personnel . . . comes down to quarterbacks . . . Mitch works hard . . . Happy for Mitch, Happy for Chris – they’re friends.”
Kill finished the question saying that stability at the quarterback position has been a big plus.
10) Sid asked if Kill watched the OSU-MSU game last night: (Laughing) “I did,” said Kill. “Then you don’t sleep so good.”
As to OSU, Kill said they have great speed and are explosive. To get ready for OSU: “Teach what we need to do better . . . Glad we’re playing at home . . . last home game for the seniors . . . (Must be) Careful with preparations,” said Kill. Kill stressed the need and importance of having fresh legs for the Buckeyes, “Will need them.
11) Sid asked about the PSU-OSU game, which the Buckeyes won in overtime: “Crazy game (football),” said Kill. “You have to be ready . . . working with kids (18, 19, 20 year-olds).”
12) Dave Mona asked the final question. He reminded Kill of a comment he made early in the season about being disciplined and not taking penalties. Mona said Minnesota almost played an error free game, penalty-wise: “Don’t turn over the ball and not have a lot of penalties you have a chance,” replied Kill.
To have a chance against the Buckeyes and the upcoming games against Nebraska and Wisconsin, which he referred to as their playoff: “We need to be more disciplined, “said Kill.
Go Gophers!!
1) (Joking) Sid said CBS would like to have Jerry dancing for them next week: (Laughing) Jerry Kill responded, “No! Need to keep cameras out of the locker room - sacred ground.”
2) Sid asked about motivation and getting ready for Iowa after the loss to Illinois: “Big thing, when we came back (from Champaign) no screaming . . . pointed out what (to players) what you did bad and good (more bad than good, according to Kill) . . . kept consistent . . . took Sunday, Monday, Tuesday off . . . smartest thing, gave them time off . . . last week seemed to get our speed back . . . quarterback did a great job leading our football plan,” replied Kill.
3) Sid wanted know what the Gophers did to keep Mark Weisman in check, especially since Weisman ran with great effect the past two years: Kill quickly said, “We spent some time in spring ball on Iowa . . . We just did our job (unselfish in team play – play your position with discipline) . . . (on defense) stay in gap and play disciplined defense.”
4) Dave Mona asked a follow-up question related to extra time to concentrate upcoming opponents (in this case, Iowa) paying off: “We hope so,” said Kill. “Helped in preparation for Iowa.”
5) Sid praised the Gophers offensive line. Said it was the best they’ve played this year: “They played good,” said Kill. He credited line coach and offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover for the team’s success on offense yesterday.
Kill – sounding upbeat - then cited some players for their play against Iowa:
Joe Bjorklund at Guard
(True freshman)” Connor Mayes played.”
Ben Lauer was held out because of a high ankle sprain and was replaced by Jonah Pirsig: “Jonah Pirsig just keeps getting better,” said Kill.
6) Sid said defensive line coach Jeff Phelps told him that they’re playing nine defensive linemen, including 5 freshmen, which is unusual: Coach Kill acknowledged the statement and said that they rotate nine players and are doing a good job.
Kill then turned his attention/comments to four freshmen on defense (players cited): three linebackers – Everett Williams, De’Niro Laster and Jonathan Celestin - and a defensive back Craig James.
Kill’s final comment in response to the question: “Freshmen playing on offense too . . . (Tight end) Brandon Lingen played valuable minutes.”
7) Dave Mona said he received a text in which the messenger said on Iowa’s message board a fan said: “TCF Bank Stadium makes Kinnick Stadium sound like Sunday school:” Kill (laughing) said, “Fans have been great at home . . . . they’ve been the difference . . . you play better.” Kill also said he told the team at the start of the season that they had to win all of their home games, if they wanted to have a successful season; it’s difficult to win on the road.
Kill hopes the fans come out next week to support the team – last home game and last home game for the seniors.
8) Sid asked about the running variations that appeared in yesterday’s game. Specifically he mentioned the running of KJ Maye: Kill answered, “We put together a good game plan, offensively . . . We had to do some things (different running schemes) . . . Quarterback decisions A plus - running option and threw ball away.”
Kill also cited the play (positively) of backup quarterback Chris Streveler. He said playing Streveler gave Leidner a breather and took some hits off the starting quarterback. (He said they did same thing at NIU – running two quarterbacks – to take some hits off the starter.
9) Dave Mona announced that the game with Buckeyes on Saturday will start at 11 a.m. He then said he remembered NIU running two quarterbacks when they played the Gophers in 2010. Coach Kill was the Huskies head coach in 2010: Kill replied, “It takes a while to get personnel . . . comes down to quarterbacks . . . Mitch works hard . . . Happy for Mitch, Happy for Chris – they’re friends.”
Kill finished the question saying that stability at the quarterback position has been a big plus.
10) Sid asked if Kill watched the OSU-MSU game last night: (Laughing) “I did,” said Kill. “Then you don’t sleep so good.”
As to OSU, Kill said they have great speed and are explosive. To get ready for OSU: “Teach what we need to do better . . . Glad we’re playing at home . . . last home game for the seniors . . . (Must be) Careful with preparations,” said Kill. Kill stressed the need and importance of having fresh legs for the Buckeyes, “Will need them.
11) Sid asked about the PSU-OSU game, which the Buckeyes won in overtime: “Crazy game (football),” said Kill. “You have to be ready . . . working with kids (18, 19, 20 year-olds).”
12) Dave Mona asked the final question. He reminded Kill of a comment he made early in the season about being disciplined and not taking penalties. Mona said Minnesota almost played an error free game, penalty-wise: “Don’t turn over the ball and not have a lot of penalties you have a chance,” replied Kill.
To have a chance against the Buckeyes and the upcoming games against Nebraska and Wisconsin, which he referred to as their playoff: “We need to be more disciplined, “said Kill.
Go Gophers!!
