Coach Claeys’ comments and responses to Sid Hartman and Dave Mona’s queries about the Gophers victory over the Fighting Illini on today’s Sports Huddle:
1) Dave Mona opened the Tracy Claeys segment by asking about yesterday's victory over Illinois in a cold TCF Bank Stadium:
“One of the games in late fall – cold,” Claeys replied. IMO, it sounded as if Tracy was saying "grin and bear it" it's cold in late November.
He was happy with the Gophers offense “gave us a chance in the first half . . . touchdown just before the half,” Claeys said.
Claeys said the win over Illinois was big - ending the four-game skid. With the victory the team has confidence going into the last week of the season.
2) Sid asked about Leidner’s health, citing some of the quarterback’s ailments:
“He’s a little beat up,” Claeys answered. He added that a lot of people are beat up at this juncture in the season. That said, Claeys said they’ll take it easy on him this week in practice and that he’ll be “ready by Saturday.”
3) Sid asked about the many first-year freshmen that have been playing, especially in yesterday’s game:
Claeys sounded upbeat and pleased with their play, however, he said that there are “growing pains” when you’re a freshman and you see the field in your first year; however, “long run better for it.”
Claeys than cited the following first-year players that played yesterday: defensive back KiAnte Hardin; linebacker/rush end Julian Huff; running back Shannon Brooks; wide receiver Rashad Still; and offensive lineman (center) Tyler Moore.
Claeys said he was pleased with Hardin’s returns and his play in the secondary. He said KiAnte was beat by a receiver for a big gain; however, overall he played well.
“Shannon Brooks continues to play well . . . one fumble . . . broke a nice run to seal the game.”
“Rashad Still gave us a touchdown just before half.”
4) The topic of position competition was brought up:
“Every spring we start over . . . only way to get better in the off-season is competition,” Claeys said. According to Claeys, all positions are open in the spring and it’s a matter of who competes well and is best prepared for the spring drills (off-season preparation/competition); that’s why spring football’s primary focus is position development.
5) Sid asked about redshirts for next season:
Claeys sounded upbeat about this year’s redshirts, especially up front and defensive back. One name that I caught who was singled-out by Tracy Claeys is defensive back Dior Johnson.
The importance of bowl games? “If we can get a bowl bid, redshirts benefit the most (with the extra practice time),” Claeys said. The extra practices help in preparation for spring drills and next season.
“This week playing for the Axe,” Claeys said, as well as getting a bowl bid with a victory over the Badgers.
6) Sid asked about the Gopher rushing offense being shut down in the second half by the Illini:
“The 75-yard run (by Brooks that sealed the game) was our (rushing) offense in the second-half,” according to Claeys. He credited the Illini’s defense in shutting down the Gophers rush attack.
7) Dave Mona mentioned freshman defensive back/rush end Julian Huff’s "big sack" late in the second half:
Claeys said the down and distance for a first down presented an opportunity for a defensive rush from the outside by Julian Huff. Claeys said Julian got a good jump and was able to get around the offensive lineman. “Definitely a big play.”
Claeys concluded the question talking about KiAnte Hardin’s play at defensive back, “For a true freshman, played well.”
8) Sid asked about getting some of the injured back for Wisconsin:
“Hopefully we’ll get a guy or two back,” Claeys said.
Instead of dwelling on who isn’t available, Claeys prefers to spend his time focusing on who can play. He then spoke about the importance of the upcoming game: “Get the Axe back to Minnesota.” He said that it’s been in Wisconsin’s possession for a long time and needs to be in the Gophers hands.
9) Dave Mona asked about the Illini’s defense and shutting down the run game and presenting difficulties in the Gopher passing game:
Claeys replied to Dave’s question by crediting the Illini’s defense, “They did a nice job . . . and (with) their zone stuff.”
Also, Claeys said, “have to run better” which would be a plus for the Gopher passing game.
10) Sid asked Claeys about the losses by Ohio State and Wisconsin, yesterday:
Claeys had a succinct answer to Sid’s question. “It just shows you, it comes down who does the best preparations in the week and who comes to play.” No doubt that will be the focus this week for the Gophers, preparation and being ready to battle the Badgers next Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.”
Go gophers!!
1) Dave Mona opened the Tracy Claeys segment by asking about yesterday's victory over Illinois in a cold TCF Bank Stadium:
“One of the games in late fall – cold,” Claeys replied. IMO, it sounded as if Tracy was saying "grin and bear it" it's cold in late November.
He was happy with the Gophers offense “gave us a chance in the first half . . . touchdown just before the half,” Claeys said.
Claeys said the win over Illinois was big - ending the four-game skid. With the victory the team has confidence going into the last week of the season.
2) Sid asked about Leidner’s health, citing some of the quarterback’s ailments:
“He’s a little beat up,” Claeys answered. He added that a lot of people are beat up at this juncture in the season. That said, Claeys said they’ll take it easy on him this week in practice and that he’ll be “ready by Saturday.”
3) Sid asked about the many first-year freshmen that have been playing, especially in yesterday’s game:
Claeys sounded upbeat and pleased with their play, however, he said that there are “growing pains” when you’re a freshman and you see the field in your first year; however, “long run better for it.”
Claeys than cited the following first-year players that played yesterday: defensive back KiAnte Hardin; linebacker/rush end Julian Huff; running back Shannon Brooks; wide receiver Rashad Still; and offensive lineman (center) Tyler Moore.
Claeys said he was pleased with Hardin’s returns and his play in the secondary. He said KiAnte was beat by a receiver for a big gain; however, overall he played well.
“Shannon Brooks continues to play well . . . one fumble . . . broke a nice run to seal the game.”
“Rashad Still gave us a touchdown just before half.”
4) The topic of position competition was brought up:
“Every spring we start over . . . only way to get better in the off-season is competition,” Claeys said. According to Claeys, all positions are open in the spring and it’s a matter of who competes well and is best prepared for the spring drills (off-season preparation/competition); that’s why spring football’s primary focus is position development.
5) Sid asked about redshirts for next season:
Claeys sounded upbeat about this year’s redshirts, especially up front and defensive back. One name that I caught who was singled-out by Tracy Claeys is defensive back Dior Johnson.
The importance of bowl games? “If we can get a bowl bid, redshirts benefit the most (with the extra practice time),” Claeys said. The extra practices help in preparation for spring drills and next season.
“This week playing for the Axe,” Claeys said, as well as getting a bowl bid with a victory over the Badgers.
6) Sid asked about the Gopher rushing offense being shut down in the second half by the Illini:
“The 75-yard run (by Brooks that sealed the game) was our (rushing) offense in the second-half,” according to Claeys. He credited the Illini’s defense in shutting down the Gophers rush attack.
7) Dave Mona mentioned freshman defensive back/rush end Julian Huff’s "big sack" late in the second half:
Claeys said the down and distance for a first down presented an opportunity for a defensive rush from the outside by Julian Huff. Claeys said Julian got a good jump and was able to get around the offensive lineman. “Definitely a big play.”
Claeys concluded the question talking about KiAnte Hardin’s play at defensive back, “For a true freshman, played well.”
8) Sid asked about getting some of the injured back for Wisconsin:
“Hopefully we’ll get a guy or two back,” Claeys said.
Instead of dwelling on who isn’t available, Claeys prefers to spend his time focusing on who can play. He then spoke about the importance of the upcoming game: “Get the Axe back to Minnesota.” He said that it’s been in Wisconsin’s possession for a long time and needs to be in the Gophers hands.
9) Dave Mona asked about the Illini’s defense and shutting down the run game and presenting difficulties in the Gopher passing game:
Claeys replied to Dave’s question by crediting the Illini’s defense, “They did a nice job . . . and (with) their zone stuff.”
Also, Claeys said, “have to run better” which would be a plus for the Gopher passing game.
10) Sid asked Claeys about the losses by Ohio State and Wisconsin, yesterday:
Claeys had a succinct answer to Sid’s question. “It just shows you, it comes down who does the best preparations in the week and who comes to play.” No doubt that will be the focus this week for the Gophers, preparation and being ready to battle the Badgers next Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.”
Go gophers!!
