Just a few thoughts from the Game

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calminnfan

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So honored to be posting after viewing the game in person for the first time rather then on TV or internet...;)

First, to all the fans sitting in the Gopher section...I had a better seat...:p though I confess there were much less MN fans around.

1. INCREDIBLY GLAD Lane Kiffin is coaching USC and not MN!!! I felt a big reason the game was as close as it was was due to his arrogance and not respecting MN. A U SC fan behind me mentioned a couple of times he was wondering where the USC offense was and that it was suppose to be geared to go down the field.

2. Concerning the potential QB controversy...:rolleyes:
Though I think Shortell, after the first series he was in looked more poised then Gray, and it was also pretty obvious Shortell was a more accurate passer, at the same time it was pretty obvious he knew he was going to pass or run...not always the case with Gray.

Gray looked like he was awkward and uncomfortable, thinking a little to much maybe or first game jitters. Maybe part of the reason was simply not playing QB for the past 3 years! Its still a little quick to pull his plug, yet if they do, Shortell did well, even with the crowd noise trying to disrupt his counts.

3. Though there did not seem like any pass rush, they really had little time to get to the QB. All the quick outs made it pretty hard to accomplish.

4. Though the run def allowed a couple of big runs, in general the run d did well.

5. Thank God for effective half time adjustments, though I felt they should have made adjustments on those quick outs a while beforehand. Stoudemire was abused big time by Woods.

6. Disappointed in Field goal kicking. Expected better. I know, a blocked kick is not the kickers fault, but...

7. I think the Gophers are a little better at WR then given credit for. Other then Moulton's dropped pass, which he should have had, they did pretty well. I will say the WRs definitely seemed to stand out more, were more in the game and more confident with Shortell in there.

In all fairness, the Gophers were in the final period and it was pretty apparent in order to catch up, they needed to throw the ball.

8. Running game okay, but USC's DLine was not a fair first game. Thought OL did OK.

9. Thought there should have been a flag on USC's punting team for running into Stoudemire.

10. hope there are no more injuries...:(

11. bummer that the Gophers did not pull it out, though it was a very good game, better then was expected.

BTW - WAS GRAY ALSO ON THE KICKOFF COVERAGE! IT SURE LOOKED LIKE HIS #5 OUT THERE ON THE FIELD...

Trojan Princess - I actually did live to get home...:D
 


Calm...

I was at the game as well and had a great time. I agree with you on pretty much everything you had to say. I love college football season and it was so much fun to watch the Gophers play with such passion and toughness.

That said, I do think the Gray thing was a tough call. Shortell was also in the game when our entire team was playing better. I'll give credit where it's due and I am a huge fan of Shortell, but I am excited to see what Gray is going to do in game #2.

The kicking game was tough but college kicking is a pretty unpredictable thing. The 51 yarder is just icing on the cake and the 42 yarder wa sblocked (probably Hawthorne's fault, he didn't get enough air under it). However, the kickoffs were significantly better and against a team like USC....that's a huge task.

PS: The #5 you saw on special teams was Johnny Johnson...he's also #5.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
Calm...

I was at the game as well and had a great time. I agree with you on pretty much everything you had to say. I love college football season and it was so much fun to watch the Gophers play with such passion and toughness.

That said, I do think the Gray thing was a tough call. Shortell was also in the game when our entire team was playing better. I'll give credit where it's due and I am a huge fan of Shortell, but I am excited to see what Gray is going to do in game #2.

The kicking game was tough but college kicking is a pretty unpredictable thing. The 51 yarder is just icing on the cake and the 42 yarder wa sblocked (probably Hawthorne's fault, he didn't get enough air under it). However, the kickoffs were significantly better and against a team like USC....that's a huge task.

PS: The #5 you saw on special teams was Johnny Johnson...he's also #5.
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Sure hope so...it sure looked like the name Gray on the back of the shirt, though I confess we were looking from a little distance.

Do agree with your comments on Gray though
 

My take

1) So much for Kill's discipline. Multiple false starts, 12 men on the field, fumble on opening drive, etc. For that first quarter, we looked like a typical Brewster team.

2) I thought Gray improved throughout the game and should remain our #1. He needs to get more stretch plays to the outside vs. the delayed runs up the middle.

3) Shortell looks like he could be the truth. I hope and expect Kill will mix him in going forward, while Gray remains our #1.

4) The intensity, tackling, and aggressiveness of the defense grew as the game went on. This is a change from Gopher defense over the past 15+ years.

5) USC was clearly more talented in my opinion, but the little engine that could in MN just kept fighting and almost pulled it off.

6) Kiffin is a jackass and was clearly outcoached by Kill.

7) I've never been more excited after a season opening loss.
 


HouseOfHagen said:
1) So much for Kill's discipline. Multiple false starts, 12 men on the field, fumble on opening drive, etc. For that first quarter, we looked like a typical Brewster team.

2) I thought Gray improved throughout the game and should remain our #1. He needs to get more stretch plays to the outside vs. the delayed runs up the middle.

3) Shortell looks like he could be the truth. I hope and expect Kill will mix him in going forward, while Gray remains our #1.

4) The intensity, tackling, and aggressiveness of the defense grew as the game went on. This is a change from Gopher defense over the past 15+ years.

5) USC was clearly more talented in my opinion, but the little engine that could in MN just kept fighting and almost pulled it off.

6) Kiffin is a jackass and was clearly outcoached by Kill.

7) I've never been more excited after a season opening loss.
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your first comment is incorrect, unfair and misinformed. it would be important to note that the minnesota coaching staff headsets were not working at all during most of the 1st half. guessing that had JUST A LITTLE to do with some of the difficulty communicating and getting plays in on time during the first half.

otherwise, nice write-up. :p
 

"Though the run def allowed a couple of big runs, in general the run d did well." USC the home of Tailback U. Ran the ball 28 times, and went to it on two fourth downs. They total 67 yards rushing. An averaged 2.4 yards per attempt. Stop the run, how many times have we heard that. A Coach Kill goal I believe has for the defense is to hold opponents to less than 18 points.

The no calls versus the ticktacks. I think it was the the fourth quarter and Barkley threw a slant. As the reciever broke for the ball Kyle Henderson broke to inside to make a play on the ball and bumped the reciever the ball was incomplete, the call interference. Then the ball to McKnight. McKnight was running a back shoulder route and was held. No defensive holding and the interception. Just too convienent.
 

husker70 said:
"Though the run def allowed a couple of big runs, in general the run d did well." USC the home of Tailback U. Ran the ball 28 times, and went to it on two fourth downs. They total 67 yards rushing. An averaged 2.4 yards per attempt. Stop the run, how many times have we heard that. A Coach Kill goal I believe has for the defense is to hold opponents to less than 18 points.

The no calls versus the ticktacks. I think it was the the fourth quarter and Barkley threw a slant. As the reciever broke for the ball Kyle Henderson broke to inside to make a play on the ball and bumped the reciever the ball was incomplete, the call interference. Then the ball to McKnight. McKnight was running a back shoulder route and was held. No defensive holding and the interception. Just too convienent.
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I agree, but for the most part the non-calls went both ways and it seemed the refs were going to let them play...unfortunately these exceptions made a big difference.
 

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