Coach Jerry Kill discussed the Golden Gopher victory over Colorado State, 23-20, and upcoming games – needing to get healthy and not taking any opponent for granted.
1) Sid asked for an assessment on yesterday’s game in Fort Collins:
“It’s a big win for us . . . couldn’t afford to lose the game,” Kill said.
Kill was not happy with the offense,however. “Not good at all in the first half . . . All that matters, at the end of the day, we won! . . . Our kids didn’t quit.”
Being able and having to comeback after facing adversity, especially in a “hostile environment” and on the road will benefit the team’s confidence in future games, according to Kill.
Throughout the show, Coach Kill stressed the need to get better – not only for next week’s game but all games.
2) Sid mentioned the outstanding catch by KJ Maye for a touchdown in the fourth quarter:
In answering Sid’s question/opinion, Kill sounded positive when talking about Maye’s touchdown reception, but he’s also concerned with Maye’s health. “It’s an unbelievable situation . . . went out coughing up blood (later returned to make the catch) . . . he didn’t play in the overtime . . . hopefully he’ll play (next week).”
In his closing remarks, he cited and praised Drew Wolitarsky’s play at wide receiver.
3) Sid asked about the offensive line and the offensive struggles that they’re presently experiencing:
Kill sounded concerned when discussing the offensive line. “Offensive line lost Jon Christenson in the first quarter . . . can’t get any line continuity (because of the rash of injuries),” Kill said.
Kill talked about the team’s need for personnel to step up and get better. He talked about the tight-end position, which also has been hampered by the injury-bug. “Lost Brandon Lingen to a concussion.” On a positive note, “Nick Hart came in a made a great play.” He also had positive comments about the play of tight-ends Nate Wozniak and Noah Scarver.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kill praised the play and effort that Steven Richardson had put forth – tackling and putting pressure on the Rams quarterback.
4) Sid asked about runningback Rod Smith and how they were able to successfully recruit him out of the mountains of Georgia:
Kill sounded positive when talking about Rod Smith and his recruitment. (Smith) “Class 4-A MVP . . . “(Wide receiver coach) Brian Anderson did a good job (recruiting Smith).”
Then, once again, Kill turned his focus to the offensive mistakes in the game, but, at the sametime, he sounded upbeat about being able to correct the mistakes, “Lot easier to correct problems with a win.” Another positive point from the game that Kill said will be helpful in future games, “Kids know they can comeback in a hostile environment.”
5) Dave Mona asked a two-part question – the altitude at Fort Collins and the offensive success the Gophers had by running a no-huddle offense:
Kill did not focus too much on the altitude question; however, he agreed that the no-huddle offense had positive effects in the passing game and they need to study it more for future games.
6) Dave Mona in a follow-up asked if we’ll see Chris Streveler passing the ball, since everyone expects him to run when he goes under center (wildcat):
Kill was very succinct and emphatic in his response. “He can throw . . . We have a package (for Streveler) with throws.”
7) Dave Mona asked if freshman running back Shannon Brooks saw action, he thought he saw him in the game for a few plays Dave also mentioned the next two games are against MAC opponents:
Kill said Shannon Brooks played in yesterday’s game and that he needs game experience, “We want to play Shannon more . . . needs repetitions.”
As to the upcoming non-conference opponents and expecting to have an easy time against Kent State and Ohio University (as some people think), “Don’t take anyone for granted!” It is Kill’s hope that in addition to winning, they’ll have an opportunity “to get in position to play (a lot of) kids.”
8) Sid said Colorado State was a tough opponent:
Kill expressed his respect for the Rams program. “They were 10 and 3 last year . . . they’re a good football team . . . It was a big game for them also . . . I knew we had to win . . . (The win) means a lot!”
9) Sid asked about team injuries:
Kill did not dwell or say too much about the team’s injuries. However, in addition to KJ Maye, Jon Christenson, and Brandon Liingen, Kill listed two starting safeties that didn’t make the trip from Minneapolis – Charles Rogers and Damarius Travis – and wide receiver Isaiah Gentry.
10) Dave Mona cited Nick Hart for his play at tight end:
Coach Kill acknowledged and affirmed Mona’s assessment of Nick Hart and that he made a good/important catch at tight end.
Kill was also quick to credit walk-on tight end Noah Scarver, and Nate Wozniak for stepping up at tight end: “Noah Sarver caught a big all (for us) and Nate Wozniak did some good things for us.”
11) Sid said there are critics, especially in the Twin City media, who are extremely critical of Mitch Leidner’s play at quarterback. Sid also opined that the receivers didn’t help the cause because of six or seven dropped balls:
Kill was careful in his comments about the dropped balls; although he did mention Melvin Holland’s dropped ball, he also attributed his lack of game experience as being a factor – growing pains – and that all players go through adversity, especially when they’re first-year players.
As to the critics, Kill said, there’ll always be critics; its part of the game and it goes with the territory. Although he didn’t mention the main stream media, specifically, he did mention the internet’s social media in his comments.
12) Dave Mona had a geographical comment about Colorado State and its current venue. He thinks they’ll lose some of area’s natural beauty in the construction of new stadium:
“It’s certainly a great venue . . . mountains . . . good atmosphere!” Kill said. He also acknowledged the need of getting a stadium on campus.
Kill closed the question talking about Fort Collins and the rapid change its undergoing, especially in the growth of the city.
13) Sid had the final question/comment. He mentioned the play of wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky:
“Drew Wolitarsky had a great game . . . two games back-to back,” Kill answered.
Kill’s final comment was about future games. “We have to get better each week . . . We did it last year (show improvement), have to do it again!”
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid asked for an assessment on yesterday’s game in Fort Collins:
“It’s a big win for us . . . couldn’t afford to lose the game,” Kill said.
Kill was not happy with the offense,however. “Not good at all in the first half . . . All that matters, at the end of the day, we won! . . . Our kids didn’t quit.”
Being able and having to comeback after facing adversity, especially in a “hostile environment” and on the road will benefit the team’s confidence in future games, according to Kill.
Throughout the show, Coach Kill stressed the need to get better – not only for next week’s game but all games.
2) Sid mentioned the outstanding catch by KJ Maye for a touchdown in the fourth quarter:
In answering Sid’s question/opinion, Kill sounded positive when talking about Maye’s touchdown reception, but he’s also concerned with Maye’s health. “It’s an unbelievable situation . . . went out coughing up blood (later returned to make the catch) . . . he didn’t play in the overtime . . . hopefully he’ll play (next week).”
In his closing remarks, he cited and praised Drew Wolitarsky’s play at wide receiver.
3) Sid asked about the offensive line and the offensive struggles that they’re presently experiencing:
Kill sounded concerned when discussing the offensive line. “Offensive line lost Jon Christenson in the first quarter . . . can’t get any line continuity (because of the rash of injuries),” Kill said.
Kill talked about the team’s need for personnel to step up and get better. He talked about the tight-end position, which also has been hampered by the injury-bug. “Lost Brandon Lingen to a concussion.” On a positive note, “Nick Hart came in a made a great play.” He also had positive comments about the play of tight-ends Nate Wozniak and Noah Scarver.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kill praised the play and effort that Steven Richardson had put forth – tackling and putting pressure on the Rams quarterback.
4) Sid asked about runningback Rod Smith and how they were able to successfully recruit him out of the mountains of Georgia:
Kill sounded positive when talking about Rod Smith and his recruitment. (Smith) “Class 4-A MVP . . . “(Wide receiver coach) Brian Anderson did a good job (recruiting Smith).”
Then, once again, Kill turned his focus to the offensive mistakes in the game, but, at the sametime, he sounded upbeat about being able to correct the mistakes, “Lot easier to correct problems with a win.” Another positive point from the game that Kill said will be helpful in future games, “Kids know they can comeback in a hostile environment.”
5) Dave Mona asked a two-part question – the altitude at Fort Collins and the offensive success the Gophers had by running a no-huddle offense:
Kill did not focus too much on the altitude question; however, he agreed that the no-huddle offense had positive effects in the passing game and they need to study it more for future games.
6) Dave Mona in a follow-up asked if we’ll see Chris Streveler passing the ball, since everyone expects him to run when he goes under center (wildcat):
Kill was very succinct and emphatic in his response. “He can throw . . . We have a package (for Streveler) with throws.”
7) Dave Mona asked if freshman running back Shannon Brooks saw action, he thought he saw him in the game for a few plays Dave also mentioned the next two games are against MAC opponents:
Kill said Shannon Brooks played in yesterday’s game and that he needs game experience, “We want to play Shannon more . . . needs repetitions.”
As to the upcoming non-conference opponents and expecting to have an easy time against Kent State and Ohio University (as some people think), “Don’t take anyone for granted!” It is Kill’s hope that in addition to winning, they’ll have an opportunity “to get in position to play (a lot of) kids.”
8) Sid said Colorado State was a tough opponent:
Kill expressed his respect for the Rams program. “They were 10 and 3 last year . . . they’re a good football team . . . It was a big game for them also . . . I knew we had to win . . . (The win) means a lot!”
9) Sid asked about team injuries:
Kill did not dwell or say too much about the team’s injuries. However, in addition to KJ Maye, Jon Christenson, and Brandon Liingen, Kill listed two starting safeties that didn’t make the trip from Minneapolis – Charles Rogers and Damarius Travis – and wide receiver Isaiah Gentry.
10) Dave Mona cited Nick Hart for his play at tight end:
Coach Kill acknowledged and affirmed Mona’s assessment of Nick Hart and that he made a good/important catch at tight end.
Kill was also quick to credit walk-on tight end Noah Scarver, and Nate Wozniak for stepping up at tight end: “Noah Sarver caught a big all (for us) and Nate Wozniak did some good things for us.”
11) Sid said there are critics, especially in the Twin City media, who are extremely critical of Mitch Leidner’s play at quarterback. Sid also opined that the receivers didn’t help the cause because of six or seven dropped balls:
Kill was careful in his comments about the dropped balls; although he did mention Melvin Holland’s dropped ball, he also attributed his lack of game experience as being a factor – growing pains – and that all players go through adversity, especially when they’re first-year players.
As to the critics, Kill said, there’ll always be critics; its part of the game and it goes with the territory. Although he didn’t mention the main stream media, specifically, he did mention the internet’s social media in his comments.
12) Dave Mona had a geographical comment about Colorado State and its current venue. He thinks they’ll lose some of area’s natural beauty in the construction of new stadium:
“It’s certainly a great venue . . . mountains . . . good atmosphere!” Kill said. He also acknowledged the need of getting a stadium on campus.
Kill closed the question talking about Fort Collins and the rapid change its undergoing, especially in the growth of the city.
13) Sid had the final question/comment. He mentioned the play of wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky:
“Drew Wolitarsky had a great game . . . two games back-to back,” Kill answered.
Kill’s final comment was about future games. “We have to get better each week . . . We did it last year (show improvement), have to do it again!”
Go Gophers!!
