Kesich was hitting 62-63 in warmups

[swingman]

Into student section...per PJ radio show...very tough to read wind in the stadium...

 

[Dakota2]

Into student section...per PJ radio show...very tough to read wind in the stadium...

His max range is 65-70.

 

[BilldGopher]

Into student section...per PJ radio show...very tough to read wind in the stadium...

All flags inside and on top were moving during the National Anthem except for the Big One. Not one ounce of movement at that moment. Not surprised on any effect on FGs or KOs...

 

[UpAndUnder43]

PJ said today 16-17 mph winds. Said Dragan needs to be better on kickoffs

 

[BilldGopher]

Only one strong touchback in the end zone. At least one I recall was 1-2 yards inside the end zone and run out. Apparently Rhule has a rule to run'em all back unless ridiculously deep in the EZ.

 

[Word]

Didn't he kick a large % of kickoffs as touchbacks last year? I figured the only reason they weren't touchbacks last week was due to wind or coaches wanting him to do that.

 

[Dakota2]

Didn't he kick a large % of kickoffs as touchbacks last year? I figured the only reason they weren't touchbacks last week was due to wind or coaches wanting him to do that.

If he doesn’t kick it in the end zone it’s on purpose.

 

[MaxyJR1]

PJ said today 16-17 mph winds. Said Dragan needs to be better on kickoffs

Seems that being the FG guy is affecting his kickoffs. I'd rather he focusses on FG's and have someone else kickoff if it's going to be a concern. Maybe it was just one game and no one else is capable.

 

[STPGopher]

We have to remember that he most likely spent more than double the time he did last year working on Field Goal and PAT kicks. Time wise, there probably was a drop-off on practicing kick-offs.

Not sure if it was a factor, but I could see if it was.

 

[fmlizard]

Didn't he kick a large % of kickoffs as touchbacks last year? I figured the only reason they weren't touchbacks last week was due to wind or coaches wanting him to do that.

Dragan was incredibly good on kickoffs last year, with 59 of 72 landing for touchbacks.

With the 25 yard starting position this translated into the Gophers allowing one of the best starting positions in the conference, at the 24.1 on average. Northwestern, who had only 8 touchbacks in 2022, had their foes start the furthest back, inside the 20 on average. Northwestern also didn't allow many return yards so this might be proof that pop flies and squib kicks are the optimal strategy.

Maybe PJ told him to cool it on the Happy Gilmore kickoffs

 

[UpAndUnder43]

Seems that being the FG guy is affecting his kickoffs. I'd rather he focusses on FG's and have someone else kickoff if it's going to be a concern. Maybe it was just one game and no one else is capable.

I think the wind was the issue on kickoffs. Just repeating what fleck said.

Also guessing they are going with what is best. If they had a better kickoff specialist or FG or PAT kicker—they’d use them.

 

[Stuff]

Seems that being the FG guy is affecting his kickoffs. I'd rather he focusses on FG's and have someone else kickoff if it's going to be a concern. Maybe it was just one game and no one else is capable.

According to the roster there are 3 kickers and 3 punters on the team. I would think one of them could focus on the kickoffs and let Dragan worry about getting it through the uprights.

 

[disco]

They talked about this on the radio broadcast. Rhule said he wasn't going to let any kicks be fair caught - that people should be running the ball. It's entirely possible PJ decided to dare them to run it. (and they got burned the one time.)