Coach Kill was on today's Sports huddle for about 20 minutes. Most of the questions and comments were related to Friday's scrimmage that was conducted indoors. A couple times it was difficult to hear Kill's remarks clearly because of his phone connection. Nevertheless, it was a good segment.
1) Sid opened the questioning with a comment related to Kill's extra-curricular work, i.e., the clinics for special needs children (9-12 yesterday) and an afternoon clinic that was conducted by the team: Kill immediately gave credit to the players, "A lot had to do with the players. I'm very proud of our team and what they did yesterday . . . proud of what they (players) do on and off the field."
Kill then started talking about Friday's scrimmage: "The fans were electrifying." There were 19 recruits in attendance (no names given, because of NCAA rules and regulations). Coach Kill sounded very excited about the scrimmage, especially the last forty-five minutes. He cited the hit on Roderick Williams on the one yard line by James Manuel, which ended the scrimmage.
(As a lead in to Kill's appearance on the Sports Huddle, Mona said Friday's scrimmage had some of the hardest hits that he can remember. Mona sounded enthused about the Gophers' defensive play and their hard hitting tackles.)
2) Sid asked about the defense. He said they looked good Friday night: Kill replied, "Excited about both sides of the ball . . . (it was a) physical practice . . . Gillum ran well . . . (felt) good about the backs." (He mentioned David Cobb's name and couple other players; however, I didn't get their names as his phone was breaking at the time.)
Kill was positive about the quarterback play, cited KJ Maye's play and "Maxx Williams played physically" . . . Jon Christenson turned an ankle but returned (to the field) . . . Caleb Bak was sick (didn't practice) . . . Ra'Shede Hageman is playing at a high level . . scrimmage's physicality was very good . . . fans were a part of it . . . making the best of being inside."
Kill also was pleased with the secondary's play and he mentioned Lamonte Edwards' name at linebacker. (He also cited some defensive backs; however, again, I didn't get the names.)
3) Sid said Mitch Leidner was "outstanding:" Kill responded to Sid's comment saying, "Both played well . . . Mitch played well . . . Phil did a good job . . .we're throwing the ball better than last year . . . I like the (team's) attitude . . . (great) intensity at the end of the scrimmage."
Kill closed out the question saying the scrimmage being inside was great for the fans, because they were close to the players and could hear the calls being made. Again, he detailed the important role that the public plays at the practices and scrimmages.
4) Sid, once again, asked about "the four kids" that came in early: Kill responded: Damien (Wilson) played well . . . Jordan Hinojosa played better . . . Ekpe is growing and learning fast . . . Chris Streveler is doing a good job - didn't get a lot of reps - it takes time." (Kill said it's a good thing that Chris came in early (like Phil Nelson and Mitch Leidner did last year), as it takes time to make the adjustment from high school to college ball at the quarterback position.)
Kill closed the question saying this year's squad is very young, "A lot of young kids . . . they're coachable . . . I've enjoyed coaching this team this spring." (Again, he sounded very positive and excited about the team and its attitude.)
5) Mona asked (as did a caller via text) about walkons and the timing for scholarships: Kill said in the past two years they've put 24 kids from Minnesota on scholarship and some were walkons. He mentioned Jon Christenson's name, a walkon that is now on scholarship. A lot goes in to rewarding a walkon with a scholarship, but timing and numbers are important factors - can only give them when they're (scholarships) available.
6) Sid asked about a walkon (I believe he said from Wisconsin): In any case, Kill responded by talking about TE Alex Bisch who is from Northfield, MN. (Bisch) "A kid that just keeps working."
Kill then focused on walkons and referenced his playing days as a walkon. He said, "It's not always about scholarships." It's about finding a way to see the field and play the game, "Just want an opportunity to play." He said there are only a few players on either side of the ball (including in the NFL) that are truly special players and that most are role players. He cited his playing days and how he just wanted to play the game, and if he had to do it over again, as a walkon, he'd say yes.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the questioning with a comment related to Kill's extra-curricular work, i.e., the clinics for special needs children (9-12 yesterday) and an afternoon clinic that was conducted by the team: Kill immediately gave credit to the players, "A lot had to do with the players. I'm very proud of our team and what they did yesterday . . . proud of what they (players) do on and off the field."
Kill then started talking about Friday's scrimmage: "The fans were electrifying." There were 19 recruits in attendance (no names given, because of NCAA rules and regulations). Coach Kill sounded very excited about the scrimmage, especially the last forty-five minutes. He cited the hit on Roderick Williams on the one yard line by James Manuel, which ended the scrimmage.
(As a lead in to Kill's appearance on the Sports Huddle, Mona said Friday's scrimmage had some of the hardest hits that he can remember. Mona sounded enthused about the Gophers' defensive play and their hard hitting tackles.)
2) Sid asked about the defense. He said they looked good Friday night: Kill replied, "Excited about both sides of the ball . . . (it was a) physical practice . . . Gillum ran well . . . (felt) good about the backs." (He mentioned David Cobb's name and couple other players; however, I didn't get their names as his phone was breaking at the time.)
Kill was positive about the quarterback play, cited KJ Maye's play and "Maxx Williams played physically" . . . Jon Christenson turned an ankle but returned (to the field) . . . Caleb Bak was sick (didn't practice) . . . Ra'Shede Hageman is playing at a high level . . scrimmage's physicality was very good . . . fans were a part of it . . . making the best of being inside."
Kill also was pleased with the secondary's play and he mentioned Lamonte Edwards' name at linebacker. (He also cited some defensive backs; however, again, I didn't get the names.)
3) Sid said Mitch Leidner was "outstanding:" Kill responded to Sid's comment saying, "Both played well . . . Mitch played well . . . Phil did a good job . . .we're throwing the ball better than last year . . . I like the (team's) attitude . . . (great) intensity at the end of the scrimmage."
Kill closed out the question saying the scrimmage being inside was great for the fans, because they were close to the players and could hear the calls being made. Again, he detailed the important role that the public plays at the practices and scrimmages.
4) Sid, once again, asked about "the four kids" that came in early: Kill responded: Damien (Wilson) played well . . . Jordan Hinojosa played better . . . Ekpe is growing and learning fast . . . Chris Streveler is doing a good job - didn't get a lot of reps - it takes time." (Kill said it's a good thing that Chris came in early (like Phil Nelson and Mitch Leidner did last year), as it takes time to make the adjustment from high school to college ball at the quarterback position.)
Kill closed the question saying this year's squad is very young, "A lot of young kids . . . they're coachable . . . I've enjoyed coaching this team this spring." (Again, he sounded very positive and excited about the team and its attitude.)
5) Mona asked (as did a caller via text) about walkons and the timing for scholarships: Kill said in the past two years they've put 24 kids from Minnesota on scholarship and some were walkons. He mentioned Jon Christenson's name, a walkon that is now on scholarship. A lot goes in to rewarding a walkon with a scholarship, but timing and numbers are important factors - can only give them when they're (scholarships) available.
6) Sid asked about a walkon (I believe he said from Wisconsin): In any case, Kill responded by talking about TE Alex Bisch who is from Northfield, MN. (Bisch) "A kid that just keeps working."
Kill then focused on walkons and referenced his playing days as a walkon. He said, "It's not always about scholarships." It's about finding a way to see the field and play the game, "Just want an opportunity to play." He said there are only a few players on either side of the ball (including in the NFL) that are truly special players and that most are role players. He cited his playing days and how he just wanted to play the game, and if he had to do it over again, as a walkon, he'd say yes.
Go Gophers!!
