Comments and questions on today's Sports Huddle with Jerry Kill:
1) Sid opened the segment talking about the Gophers upcoming game with Iowa: Kill responded, "We've got a lot of preparation to do . . . Iowa is a better team than they were last year . . . need to put together a good plan and execute . . . need to stop the run." He also said Iowa is very physical and the two teams are similar in what they want to do.
2) Sid asked if they were surprised with Mitch Leidner's ability to run: "We had him in camp (which was important) . . . he's physically a big kid - threw the ball good in high school . . . he's exactly what we thought." Kill, obviously was very positive about Leidner's ability, and even though he didn't say too much about Mitch's passing, he sounded positive in that area too.
3) Sid mention the two-quarterback situation that Kill had at NIU and now at Minnesota: Kill's quick response, "We have a good situation . . . need both good men (Nelson and Leidner) and maybe Streveler; we'll need them all." He finished the question by saying, "Hopefully Philip is ready this week."
4) Sid asked a follow up question related to Chris Streveler: "He's a good athlete . . . just so much better that last spring . . . all three (Nelson, Leidner & Streveler) are great people."
5) Sid said he was impressed with #78 in the offensive line: "Ben Lauer is a young man that has extended himself," said Kill. He went onto say Lauer comes from a good family, a good program (Wayzata High School), and would have been a national recruit if he hadn't had a knee injury in his junior year. He also said Ben has good foot movement and has four years ahead of him. (when discussing Lauer's knee injury that caused colleges to back off in recruiting, Kill said Ben Lauer is the type of player that NDSU would pick up and that they have a great program.) Obviously, he's happy Ben is at Minnesota.
6) Sid asked about De'Vondre Campbell at linebacker: Kill said he was impressed with Campbell's play and then quickly talked in positive terms about his linebackng corps - Aaron Hill, James Manuel, De'Vondre and Damien Wilson. He also said he expects Nick Rallis to be back this week with the special teams.
7) Sid asked if they were able to play a lot of the reserves (2 & 3rd line players): Kill said the way SJSU Quarterback Sales was throwing the ball they didn't get to play as many as he would have liked; however, he did say he played a lot of players in the secondary and defensive line. He was very impressed with Sales' play, his past performances against Stanford and his quick striking ability.
8) Sid asked about Iowa, Minnesota's next opponent: "Iowa's better than last year . . . (Kirk Ferentz) is a good football coach . . . has gotten better each week." Kill added, "There's nobody in the Big 10 that doesn't have good players; Iowa could win our division." He also talked about the physical play of Iowa and that they're similar to Minnesota in what they want to do (Iowa's running attack) and the game will come down execution and not making mistakes. He said he likes Iowa's quarterback.
9) Mona said the fans that he talked to at half-time were confident because of coaching adjustments (past performances): "First of all, we played a physical football game." He talked briefly about their half-time discussions (offense with offensive coaches and defense with their coaches). They discussed what they needed to do to get Sales out of rhythm and "make him earn it" (forcing him throw before he wanted) by putting pressure on him and playing the receivers tighter. They also talked about running the ball and not turning over the ball.
Kill lauded Sales as a quarterback and his hot second quarter play. He said he'll be a high draft choice next spring.
10) Sid mentioned De'Vondre Campbell and Hutchinson Junior College: "Kansas has a lot of good (JUCO) teams . . . I've known the people (coaches) forever." Kill is a Kansas native and has recruited the state throughout his career. He discussed the importance of relationships in recruiting (with the coaches and players). He ended the topic by saying the primary reason he was able to land De'Vondre Campbell was that he was able to get into his home and the other coaches - Tennessee, Texas and Kansas State - didn't.
11) Sid referred to Aaron Hill as a "superstar: "He deserves everything he gets . . . he's a special kid," said Kill. You could tell Kill is proud of Hill by his voice and comments. He said Aaron Hill will be successful in whatever he chooses to do and that he'd like to "have a hundred of 'em."
12) Mona said Minnesota had the ball twenty-plus minutes more than SJSU (a decided advantage) and committed only three penalties ("self-inflicted wounds"): Kill responded saying they've got to keep going (holding penalties to a minimum in the Big 10 season), "If you don't beat yourself, you have a chance." Kill added that he would like to see a lot more improvement (not getting penalties) on offense and defense.
13) Discussion turned to the David Cobb's play (next man up): "He's done a terrific job . . . (I've) been hard on David." He also cited the arrival of Cobb's cousin, Damien Wilson, as helping as well - positive influence.
Kill also cited the play of Gabe Mazzewnga when "Mike Henry went out." (Not sure if Kill meant Henry was injured or needed a rest.)
14) Discussion turned to the crowd: "Our fans have been tremendous to our family and the team." He also commented about the band's involvement in the game (an asset). He called and thanked the band director and the role the band played in the Western Illinois game; some of the band members said they appreciated Kill's call and his recognition of the band (getting the fans in the game).
Kill said next Saturday's game with Iowa will be a big one, and they need the band and fans support, especially on third down - home field advantage.
15) Mona mentioned the support that Kill and his family received locally and nationally: Kill said he doesn't have enough time in the day to thank everyone: Minnesota high school coaches, the state of Minnesota, and the national outreach that he received. He said he's heard from a lot of people, "It helps."
By his voice and comments, you tell Kill truly appreciated the outpouring and support that he received this past week.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment talking about the Gophers upcoming game with Iowa: Kill responded, "We've got a lot of preparation to do . . . Iowa is a better team than they were last year . . . need to put together a good plan and execute . . . need to stop the run." He also said Iowa is very physical and the two teams are similar in what they want to do.
2) Sid asked if they were surprised with Mitch Leidner's ability to run: "We had him in camp (which was important) . . . he's physically a big kid - threw the ball good in high school . . . he's exactly what we thought." Kill, obviously was very positive about Leidner's ability, and even though he didn't say too much about Mitch's passing, he sounded positive in that area too.
3) Sid mention the two-quarterback situation that Kill had at NIU and now at Minnesota: Kill's quick response, "We have a good situation . . . need both good men (Nelson and Leidner) and maybe Streveler; we'll need them all." He finished the question by saying, "Hopefully Philip is ready this week."
4) Sid asked a follow up question related to Chris Streveler: "He's a good athlete . . . just so much better that last spring . . . all three (Nelson, Leidner & Streveler) are great people."
5) Sid said he was impressed with #78 in the offensive line: "Ben Lauer is a young man that has extended himself," said Kill. He went onto say Lauer comes from a good family, a good program (Wayzata High School), and would have been a national recruit if he hadn't had a knee injury in his junior year. He also said Ben has good foot movement and has four years ahead of him. (when discussing Lauer's knee injury that caused colleges to back off in recruiting, Kill said Ben Lauer is the type of player that NDSU would pick up and that they have a great program.) Obviously, he's happy Ben is at Minnesota.
6) Sid asked about De'Vondre Campbell at linebacker: Kill said he was impressed with Campbell's play and then quickly talked in positive terms about his linebackng corps - Aaron Hill, James Manuel, De'Vondre and Damien Wilson. He also said he expects Nick Rallis to be back this week with the special teams.
7) Sid asked if they were able to play a lot of the reserves (2 & 3rd line players): Kill said the way SJSU Quarterback Sales was throwing the ball they didn't get to play as many as he would have liked; however, he did say he played a lot of players in the secondary and defensive line. He was very impressed with Sales' play, his past performances against Stanford and his quick striking ability.
8) Sid asked about Iowa, Minnesota's next opponent: "Iowa's better than last year . . . (Kirk Ferentz) is a good football coach . . . has gotten better each week." Kill added, "There's nobody in the Big 10 that doesn't have good players; Iowa could win our division." He also talked about the physical play of Iowa and that they're similar to Minnesota in what they want to do (Iowa's running attack) and the game will come down execution and not making mistakes. He said he likes Iowa's quarterback.
9) Mona said the fans that he talked to at half-time were confident because of coaching adjustments (past performances): "First of all, we played a physical football game." He talked briefly about their half-time discussions (offense with offensive coaches and defense with their coaches). They discussed what they needed to do to get Sales out of rhythm and "make him earn it" (forcing him throw before he wanted) by putting pressure on him and playing the receivers tighter. They also talked about running the ball and not turning over the ball.
Kill lauded Sales as a quarterback and his hot second quarter play. He said he'll be a high draft choice next spring.
10) Sid mentioned De'Vondre Campbell and Hutchinson Junior College: "Kansas has a lot of good (JUCO) teams . . . I've known the people (coaches) forever." Kill is a Kansas native and has recruited the state throughout his career. He discussed the importance of relationships in recruiting (with the coaches and players). He ended the topic by saying the primary reason he was able to land De'Vondre Campbell was that he was able to get into his home and the other coaches - Tennessee, Texas and Kansas State - didn't.
11) Sid referred to Aaron Hill as a "superstar: "He deserves everything he gets . . . he's a special kid," said Kill. You could tell Kill is proud of Hill by his voice and comments. He said Aaron Hill will be successful in whatever he chooses to do and that he'd like to "have a hundred of 'em."
12) Mona said Minnesota had the ball twenty-plus minutes more than SJSU (a decided advantage) and committed only three penalties ("self-inflicted wounds"): Kill responded saying they've got to keep going (holding penalties to a minimum in the Big 10 season), "If you don't beat yourself, you have a chance." Kill added that he would like to see a lot more improvement (not getting penalties) on offense and defense.
13) Discussion turned to the David Cobb's play (next man up): "He's done a terrific job . . . (I've) been hard on David." He also cited the arrival of Cobb's cousin, Damien Wilson, as helping as well - positive influence.
Kill also cited the play of Gabe Mazzewnga when "Mike Henry went out." (Not sure if Kill meant Henry was injured or needed a rest.)
14) Discussion turned to the crowd: "Our fans have been tremendous to our family and the team." He also commented about the band's involvement in the game (an asset). He called and thanked the band director and the role the band played in the Western Illinois game; some of the band members said they appreciated Kill's call and his recognition of the band (getting the fans in the game).
Kill said next Saturday's game with Iowa will be a big one, and they need the band and fans support, especially on third down - home field advantage.
15) Mona mentioned the support that Kill and his family received locally and nationally: Kill said he doesn't have enough time in the day to thank everyone: Minnesota high school coaches, the state of Minnesota, and the national outreach that he received. He said he's heard from a lot of people, "It helps."
By his voice and comments, you tell Kill truly appreciated the outpouring and support that he received this past week.
Go Gophers!!
