Not surprising, Offensive Coordinator Matt Limegrover filled in for Coach Kill on today's Sports Huddle:
1) Dave Mona asked the first question, an update on Coach Kill, players reaction and adjustments with Kill not on the sidelines: Limegrover responded, "I talked to Rebecca today . . . doing well, had a good night." Limegrover said he expects to see Kill back in the office this afternoon.
Limegrover spent some time on Mona's second part of a two-part question: Kids did a good and were focused at halftime and the coaches made adjustments to what the Leathernecks were doing on offense and defense.
The coaches have a routine for such occurrences (Kill's absence) and they put it in place. Tracy Claeys, defensive coordinator, and Matt were upstairs and Special Teams Coordinator Jay Sawvel took over sideline duties, including communication with the game officials. Limegrover also said he's seated near Claeys and they frequently communicated with one another as the game was being played and as they sent messages to the sideline coaches.
2) Sid asked about the play of Mitch Leidner: "It's a nice issue to have (having two quality quarterbacks) . . . Leidner is a capable quarterback . . . Nelson separated himself during fall practice (talking about the QB competition) . . . Mitch didn't miss a beat." Matt sounded pleased with Mitch Leidner's play and being ready to play when Nelson was injured.
3) Sid asked about Nelson's injury: "I don't think it's too serious," Matt replied. Apparently Nelson tweaked his hamstring and should be ready for San Jose State next Saturday. He also said if they had to, Nelson could have gone back in; however, they're glad they didn't have to play Nelson after he came off the field.
Matt continued to talk about the quarterback competition between Nelson and Leidner. Limegrover sounded pleased with Leidner's play and that he was able to get valuable playing time experience.
4) Sid said the offensive line played better in the second half: Limegrover quickly replied, "I give Western Illinois a lot of credit." He said the Leathernecks showed a lot of new schemes/"trends" that they had not displayed in previous outings. Limegrover was happy with the adjustments that the Gopher players carried out in the second half.
5) Sid singled out the play of Ra'Shede Hageman: Matt's response to Sid's statement, "I think we did better in the second half, overall . . . focused on the adjustments."
6) Sid asked about the Gophers upcoming opponent, San Jose State: Matt said the Spartans have a really good quarterback and will be a good challenge for the Gopher defense. He also said that he'll start preparing (mapping out plans for the San Jose defense) after today's practice. He also said, about the upcoming opponent, "Played Stanford well . . . tremendous challenge . . . It's great to have another home game."
7) Mona cited a newspaper column critical of Kill continuing to coach while having seizure occurrences. Mona asked for Matt's reaction: Matt said in response: "It hurts me for all the people that have epilepsy and fight the battle courageously . . . It's a pity and ridiculous . . . I think it's ignorant (referring to the column)." He also said Coach Kill has introduced to him a lot of courageous people that are afflicted with epilepsy.
Limegrover's tone - in his response to a quote in the article that Dave Mona read - was one of profound disgust.
8) Sid asked about the Gophers third QB, Chris Streveler: Matt said they talked to him after Nelson came out of the game with his leg injury and the possibility of having to play: "Have your helmet on . . . we'd prefer not to burn his redshirt." Matt said if Mitch's helmet had come off during a play and would have to leave the field (according to the rules), Nelson would have gone in for the next play.
9) Mona asked about Kirkwood's and Berkley Edwards' availability. Mona said Kirkwood looked "mobile:" "Donnell - had we'd been in a situation that he had to go in we could have (played him)," said Matt Limegrover. He said Kirkwood had a good week of practice; however, they want him feeling good and be ready for San Jose State.
Berkley Edwards has a nagging "high ankle" sprain. Limegrover said some high ankle sprains take a long time to heal. He added, that for healing purpose and getting back to play (recovery time) it seems as if it's almost better to have broken ankle. He also said, "(Berkley) He's a week behind."
1l) Sid mentioned the play of David Cobb: Limegrover sounded pleased with Cobb's performance, however, his reply was terse: "David Cobb has taken a step up - maturity wise."
12) A question was asked about Western Illinois' play: Limegrover mentioned Coach Nielson (former UMD coach) and the staff that he's assembled, "Well coached group." The Gopher staff know many of Nielson's assistants and Matt believes they are laying a solid foundation and should be a good Missouri Valley Conference team.
13) Injury report, besides Philip Nelson: Limegrover didn't sound concerned about any other injuries (said he'd know more this afternoon). He did say the team has some bumps and bruises; however, "We'll be ready (physically) for San Jose State."
14) Mona mentioned the play of Theiren Cockran: Matt sounded excited and cited a play in which Cockran ran down the scrambling quarterback, as though "He was shot from a cannon." At first he thought it was defensive back making the tackle.
He then talked about Theiren's ability and physicality. He said when he arrived at Minnesota he was extremely light; however, he has since gained weight and will be a very good player - still learning the game.
15) Mona asked if he gave any thought of going down to the sidelines after Kill suffered his seizure: He said they have a routine, for such occurrences, and they want to "keep it normal" for the kids. Again, he said coach Sawvel took over the sideline duties - communicating with the officials.
16) Mona cited special team play, especially the improved punting, and Donavahn Jones: Limegrover said Jones' biggest challenge is learning the game as a receiver and the changes that occur on the field of play . . . "Getting him the education to play the position."
Go Gophers!!
1) Dave Mona asked the first question, an update on Coach Kill, players reaction and adjustments with Kill not on the sidelines: Limegrover responded, "I talked to Rebecca today . . . doing well, had a good night." Limegrover said he expects to see Kill back in the office this afternoon.
Limegrover spent some time on Mona's second part of a two-part question: Kids did a good and were focused at halftime and the coaches made adjustments to what the Leathernecks were doing on offense and defense.
The coaches have a routine for such occurrences (Kill's absence) and they put it in place. Tracy Claeys, defensive coordinator, and Matt were upstairs and Special Teams Coordinator Jay Sawvel took over sideline duties, including communication with the game officials. Limegrover also said he's seated near Claeys and they frequently communicated with one another as the game was being played and as they sent messages to the sideline coaches.
2) Sid asked about the play of Mitch Leidner: "It's a nice issue to have (having two quality quarterbacks) . . . Leidner is a capable quarterback . . . Nelson separated himself during fall practice (talking about the QB competition) . . . Mitch didn't miss a beat." Matt sounded pleased with Mitch Leidner's play and being ready to play when Nelson was injured.
3) Sid asked about Nelson's injury: "I don't think it's too serious," Matt replied. Apparently Nelson tweaked his hamstring and should be ready for San Jose State next Saturday. He also said if they had to, Nelson could have gone back in; however, they're glad they didn't have to play Nelson after he came off the field.
Matt continued to talk about the quarterback competition between Nelson and Leidner. Limegrover sounded pleased with Leidner's play and that he was able to get valuable playing time experience.
4) Sid said the offensive line played better in the second half: Limegrover quickly replied, "I give Western Illinois a lot of credit." He said the Leathernecks showed a lot of new schemes/"trends" that they had not displayed in previous outings. Limegrover was happy with the adjustments that the Gopher players carried out in the second half.
5) Sid singled out the play of Ra'Shede Hageman: Matt's response to Sid's statement, "I think we did better in the second half, overall . . . focused on the adjustments."
6) Sid asked about the Gophers upcoming opponent, San Jose State: Matt said the Spartans have a really good quarterback and will be a good challenge for the Gopher defense. He also said that he'll start preparing (mapping out plans for the San Jose defense) after today's practice. He also said, about the upcoming opponent, "Played Stanford well . . . tremendous challenge . . . It's great to have another home game."
7) Mona cited a newspaper column critical of Kill continuing to coach while having seizure occurrences. Mona asked for Matt's reaction: Matt said in response: "It hurts me for all the people that have epilepsy and fight the battle courageously . . . It's a pity and ridiculous . . . I think it's ignorant (referring to the column)." He also said Coach Kill has introduced to him a lot of courageous people that are afflicted with epilepsy.
Limegrover's tone - in his response to a quote in the article that Dave Mona read - was one of profound disgust.
8) Sid asked about the Gophers third QB, Chris Streveler: Matt said they talked to him after Nelson came out of the game with his leg injury and the possibility of having to play: "Have your helmet on . . . we'd prefer not to burn his redshirt." Matt said if Mitch's helmet had come off during a play and would have to leave the field (according to the rules), Nelson would have gone in for the next play.
9) Mona asked about Kirkwood's and Berkley Edwards' availability. Mona said Kirkwood looked "mobile:" "Donnell - had we'd been in a situation that he had to go in we could have (played him)," said Matt Limegrover. He said Kirkwood had a good week of practice; however, they want him feeling good and be ready for San Jose State.
Berkley Edwards has a nagging "high ankle" sprain. Limegrover said some high ankle sprains take a long time to heal. He added, that for healing purpose and getting back to play (recovery time) it seems as if it's almost better to have broken ankle. He also said, "(Berkley) He's a week behind."
1l) Sid mentioned the play of David Cobb: Limegrover sounded pleased with Cobb's performance, however, his reply was terse: "David Cobb has taken a step up - maturity wise."
12) A question was asked about Western Illinois' play: Limegrover mentioned Coach Nielson (former UMD coach) and the staff that he's assembled, "Well coached group." The Gopher staff know many of Nielson's assistants and Matt believes they are laying a solid foundation and should be a good Missouri Valley Conference team.
13) Injury report, besides Philip Nelson: Limegrover didn't sound concerned about any other injuries (said he'd know more this afternoon). He did say the team has some bumps and bruises; however, "We'll be ready (physically) for San Jose State."
14) Mona mentioned the play of Theiren Cockran: Matt sounded excited and cited a play in which Cockran ran down the scrambling quarterback, as though "He was shot from a cannon." At first he thought it was defensive back making the tackle.
He then talked about Theiren's ability and physicality. He said when he arrived at Minnesota he was extremely light; however, he has since gained weight and will be a very good player - still learning the game.
15) Mona asked if he gave any thought of going down to the sidelines after Kill suffered his seizure: He said they have a routine, for such occurrences, and they want to "keep it normal" for the kids. Again, he said coach Sawvel took over the sideline duties - communicating with the officials.
16) Mona cited special team play, especially the improved punting, and Donavahn Jones: Limegrover said Jones' biggest challenge is learning the game as a receiver and the changes that occur on the field of play . . . "Getting him the education to play the position."
Go Gophers!!
