Coach Kill returned to the Sports Huddle's 10:05 a.m. time slot that has been in place for the past few weeks. Kill was upbeat about the team's progress in spring ball and excited about the team's future. Most of his remarks were related to yesterday's scrimmage at TCF Bank Stadium.
1) Sid opened the segment making a comment about the crowd yesterday (8,000 plus), biggest since Lou Holtz coached at Minnesota. He then asked Kill what they accomplished this spring: Kill immediately complimented the crowd yesterday and during the open practices, "I want to compliment the people of our state; people at our practices helped the players mental state." As to yesterday's scrimmage, "Tried to make it a game situation."
Other comments:
a) Kept 15 kids out.
b) "A few sloppy moments (you'll get that playing four quarterbacks). Overall the kids did well and handled the heat."
c) "We've had a good spring."
d) Focus now turns to academics and preparing for semester finals.
e) Need to heal up and get those in rehab ready for August drills.
2) Sid asked Kill to name some players that showed great improvement this spring: The first person Kill mentioned was Maxx Williams. Kill sounded excited when discussing Williams' play and toughness. Maxx Williams has been fighting through a thigh bruise, "Maxx Williams has stepped up and played well at tight end." Later on in the program Kill credited Coach Eric Klein with the players strength and development. He cited Maxx Williams as an example. Williams arrived at Minnesota weighing about 205 and now weighs 250. Kill likes his toughness!
Kill then cited several players on offense:
a) Both quarterbacks - Philip Nelson and Mitch Leidner - got better.
b) Derrick Engel
c) K J Maye
d) Jamel Harbison
e) Ben Lauer - "Lauer is going to be tremendous."
f) Isaac Hayes
Kill said he's happy and excited with the depth on offense.
Players mentioned on defense showing good progress:
a) Ekpe brothers
b) Alex Keith
c) Theiren Cockran
d) Mike Amaefula
He also mentioned Ra"Shede Hageman saying, "He didn't play yesterday, we know what he can do." Didn't want to risk an injury..
Secondary will be very good
a) "Eric Murray will be playing at the next level."
b) Derrick Wells
c) Antonio Johnson.
Kill closed the question saying: "Excited about the kids coming in June . . . more speed coming in."
3) Sid asked what redshirts have looked good: Kill immediately replied: "Mitch Leidner has done a good job."
Others cited:
a) "Ben Lauer has had a good spring." (Kill is very excited about Lauer's potential and the progress that he has made.)
b) "Jonah Pirsig had a good spring . . . missed the last six practices . . . has had a knee cap problem." (Didn't sound overly concerned about the problem which has been rectified through surgery.)
c) Kill sounded positive about Isaac Hayes' potential, progress, and as an offensive lineman.
d) Jamel Harbison has had a good spring as he recovers from surgery and rehab.
On defense, players mentioned:
a) Nick Rallis
b) Jack Lynn
c) Damien Wilson
4) Mona said watching the offense and quarterback play yesterday reminded him of Chandler Harnish and the Northern Illinois Huskies that defeated the Gophers three years ago: Kill responded, "I think that's a true statement." However, he was also quick to say about the offense - "We're not there yet . . . we've been here two years and have had only one full recruiting class."
Other remarks by Coach Kill: "Kids have made a commitment to the program and the weight room . . . (they're) bigger and faster . . . We're not there yet."
He also mentioned freshman quarterback Chris Streveler, saying, "Streveler is fast (and) could play receiver."
5) Sid made the comment that the players that were held out or didn't play yesterday may have a hard time getting their spot(s) back: Kill said they're building depth. He then mentioned some players that were out that he's excited about their play and potential: Brock Vereen, Ed Olson, Roland Johnson, and Mike Amaefula. (And of course, Ra'Shede Hageman.) He went on, "Kids will have to have a great summer." (Kill expects they will.)
He finished by saying, "We pushed the kids hard (in spring drills)." He was pleasantly surprised with their play yesterday, for he thought they might have been tired due to the 14 previous practices.
6) Mona mentioned the play of Cole Banham and being a crowd favorite: "Cole turned an ankle (when he was hit high in yesterday's scrimmage) . . . Cole's a product of his environment (sporting family) . . . (came to Minnesota weighing 165-170 pounds and is up to 190) . . . has a burst." Kill expressed excitement with Banham's play and attitude, as well as the depth at the runningback position.
7) Sid made a comment about President Kaler being dressed in Gopher attire and being on the sidelines: Kill's comments, "It takes everybody . . . (cited) alumni game, lettermen (being back) . . . President Kaler talking to recruits . . . It takes a whole group of people moving in the right direction . . . recruit good kids."
He finished by saying the people of Minnesota want a winning team, "People are starving for a great program."
8) Mona mentioned Dan Orseske punting yesterday: Kill replied, "We've got 2 or 3 kids there (punters: Orseske, Peter Mortell, and Christian Eldred). We've got to get better . . . have a national recruit (coming in), one from Chicago (no name given) and Kansas City (again, no name given)."
He finished the question with the following comments: "Next year we'll be in some big games that will come down to the kicking game (must get better - punting and place kicking) . . . Struggled in certain situations . . . Competition will increase with the kids coming in."
One final note: Kill mentioned yesterday's crowd and that he stopped by some tailgates. Sounded positive about the attendance. One of the tailgate gatherings that he stopped at was Nadine's gathering, which also was the Leukemia Lymphona Society fundraiser. Ms. Angelina Buerck is seeking the title of the Society's Minnesota Woman of the Year. Nadine, of course, earned the coveted title last year. I understand Nadine's and Ms. Buerck's fund raiser was well attended and was a great success. Congratulations ladies, and to those that attended the fund raiser/tailgate.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment making a comment about the crowd yesterday (8,000 plus), biggest since Lou Holtz coached at Minnesota. He then asked Kill what they accomplished this spring: Kill immediately complimented the crowd yesterday and during the open practices, "I want to compliment the people of our state; people at our practices helped the players mental state." As to yesterday's scrimmage, "Tried to make it a game situation."
Other comments:
a) Kept 15 kids out.
b) "A few sloppy moments (you'll get that playing four quarterbacks). Overall the kids did well and handled the heat."
c) "We've had a good spring."
d) Focus now turns to academics and preparing for semester finals.
e) Need to heal up and get those in rehab ready for August drills.
2) Sid asked Kill to name some players that showed great improvement this spring: The first person Kill mentioned was Maxx Williams. Kill sounded excited when discussing Williams' play and toughness. Maxx Williams has been fighting through a thigh bruise, "Maxx Williams has stepped up and played well at tight end." Later on in the program Kill credited Coach Eric Klein with the players strength and development. He cited Maxx Williams as an example. Williams arrived at Minnesota weighing about 205 and now weighs 250. Kill likes his toughness!
Kill then cited several players on offense:
a) Both quarterbacks - Philip Nelson and Mitch Leidner - got better.
b) Derrick Engel
c) K J Maye
d) Jamel Harbison
e) Ben Lauer - "Lauer is going to be tremendous."
f) Isaac Hayes
Kill said he's happy and excited with the depth on offense.
Players mentioned on defense showing good progress:
a) Ekpe brothers
b) Alex Keith
c) Theiren Cockran
d) Mike Amaefula
He also mentioned Ra"Shede Hageman saying, "He didn't play yesterday, we know what he can do." Didn't want to risk an injury..
Secondary will be very good
a) "Eric Murray will be playing at the next level."
b) Derrick Wells
c) Antonio Johnson.
Kill closed the question saying: "Excited about the kids coming in June . . . more speed coming in."
3) Sid asked what redshirts have looked good: Kill immediately replied: "Mitch Leidner has done a good job."
Others cited:
a) "Ben Lauer has had a good spring." (Kill is very excited about Lauer's potential and the progress that he has made.)
b) "Jonah Pirsig had a good spring . . . missed the last six practices . . . has had a knee cap problem." (Didn't sound overly concerned about the problem which has been rectified through surgery.)
c) Kill sounded positive about Isaac Hayes' potential, progress, and as an offensive lineman.
d) Jamel Harbison has had a good spring as he recovers from surgery and rehab.
On defense, players mentioned:
a) Nick Rallis
b) Jack Lynn
c) Damien Wilson
4) Mona said watching the offense and quarterback play yesterday reminded him of Chandler Harnish and the Northern Illinois Huskies that defeated the Gophers three years ago: Kill responded, "I think that's a true statement." However, he was also quick to say about the offense - "We're not there yet . . . we've been here two years and have had only one full recruiting class."
Other remarks by Coach Kill: "Kids have made a commitment to the program and the weight room . . . (they're) bigger and faster . . . We're not there yet."
He also mentioned freshman quarterback Chris Streveler, saying, "Streveler is fast (and) could play receiver."
5) Sid made the comment that the players that were held out or didn't play yesterday may have a hard time getting their spot(s) back: Kill said they're building depth. He then mentioned some players that were out that he's excited about their play and potential: Brock Vereen, Ed Olson, Roland Johnson, and Mike Amaefula. (And of course, Ra'Shede Hageman.) He went on, "Kids will have to have a great summer." (Kill expects they will.)
He finished by saying, "We pushed the kids hard (in spring drills)." He was pleasantly surprised with their play yesterday, for he thought they might have been tired due to the 14 previous practices.
6) Mona mentioned the play of Cole Banham and being a crowd favorite: "Cole turned an ankle (when he was hit high in yesterday's scrimmage) . . . Cole's a product of his environment (sporting family) . . . (came to Minnesota weighing 165-170 pounds and is up to 190) . . . has a burst." Kill expressed excitement with Banham's play and attitude, as well as the depth at the runningback position.
7) Sid made a comment about President Kaler being dressed in Gopher attire and being on the sidelines: Kill's comments, "It takes everybody . . . (cited) alumni game, lettermen (being back) . . . President Kaler talking to recruits . . . It takes a whole group of people moving in the right direction . . . recruit good kids."
He finished by saying the people of Minnesota want a winning team, "People are starving for a great program."
8) Mona mentioned Dan Orseske punting yesterday: Kill replied, "We've got 2 or 3 kids there (punters: Orseske, Peter Mortell, and Christian Eldred). We've got to get better . . . have a national recruit (coming in), one from Chicago (no name given) and Kansas City (again, no name given)."
He finished the question with the following comments: "Next year we'll be in some big games that will come down to the kicking game (must get better - punting and place kicking) . . . Struggled in certain situations . . . Competition will increase with the kids coming in."
One final note: Kill mentioned yesterday's crowd and that he stopped by some tailgates. Sounded positive about the attendance. One of the tailgate gatherings that he stopped at was Nadine's gathering, which also was the Leukemia Lymphona Society fundraiser. Ms. Angelina Buerck is seeking the title of the Society's Minnesota Woman of the Year. Nadine, of course, earned the coveted title last year. I understand Nadine's and Ms. Buerck's fund raiser was well attended and was a great success. Congratulations ladies, and to those that attended the fund raiser/tailgate.
Go Gophers!!
