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News Notes Tid-Bits & Quotes: Coaches Discuss Rebounding D & Unheralded Contributors
News, Notes, Tid-Bits and Quotes: Coaches Discuss Finding a Kicker, a Rebounding Defense, and Unheralded Contributors
By Grant Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/438972?referrer_id=388419
Although it was far from perfect, the Gophers found a way to remain undefeated in the Big Ten with a 39-38 victory over Purdue on Saturday. The Minnesota coaches spoke with the media on Tuesday to discuss Ryan Santoso’s field goal, a rebounding defense, and a couple of unheralded contributors from the win.
Santoso Shines
After missing an extra point earlier in Saturday’s game, true freshman Ryan Santoso more than made up for it as he hit the go-ahead 52-yard field goal against the Boilermakers. Despite being thrust into the spotlight, Santoso has remained his usual, stoic self.
“He's a pretty quiet kid,” said Jerry Kill. “He doesn't say too much. He doesn't say much when he makes a field goal. He doesn't say much when he kicks off. And he's struggled with a couple of kickoffs. I just don't say anything to him. He knows what he needs to do. Those kickers and punters, they have coaches in the summer, all those kind of things. So I just try not to screw them up. But he just doesn't say much. I guess he's handling it pretty good.”
Finding a reliable kicker through recruiting is something that coaches have put an emphasis on.
“We've always had ‑‑ we've always recruited kickers,” said Kill. “We've always had our specialists on scholarship. It's always been important. Finding them or finding one that can do it on game day is the most difficult to do.”
Defensive Adjustments
Against the Boilermakers, Minnesota’s defense struggled mightily in the first half, allowing over 300 yards and 31 points. Tracy Claeys took responsibility for the early issues on defense.
“The first half, a lot of that was my fault,” said Claeys. “Just as far as from the formations that we didn't get a chance to work on enough. So whenever there's confusion, ultimately that's my responsibility.”
The Gophers headed to the locker room and rallied, allowing Purdue to score just seven points in the second half.
“We got it worked out at halftime,” said Claeys. “And I thought the kids played awfully well the second half. So that's really the biggest thing. It just wasn't simplest correction by one person. I need to do a better job. And we can prevent some of that.”
Unheralded Performers
With most of the headlines this season centering on the play of David Cobb, Mitch Leidner, and Maxx Williams, Saturday was an opportunity for some other offensive contributors to shine. K.J. Maye had one of the most memorable plays from the victory as he caught a pass and dashed towards the end zone, leaping over a defender for the score. It was Maye’s first touchdown for the Gophers, something that was years in the making.
“Last year he was banged up, and you could just tell he was trying, but it just was weighing on him,” said Matt Limegrover. “Now he's healthy, he's feeling about good. He gets it. He understands my opportunities are going to be there and I have to take advantage of them. And I think Saturday was a great example of that.”
Coming into the game against Purdue, Maye had only caught three passes on the year and knew he had to make the most of his opportunity.
“The joke was he wasn't going to be held out of the end zone because he knew he might not to see the ball again,” said Limegrover. “He was going to find a way to get in the end zone.”
Although he only rushed for eight yards against Purdue, Donnell Kirkwood tallied a touchdown, running over a Boilermaker in the process. Kirkwood finding the end zone was a big boost for everyone on the sideline.
“It's great to get that score, obviously for the bigger picture, to help win a football game,” said Limegrover. “But it's extra special when it's a kid who you just feel so good about and he had that opportunity. He's another one, he said, I won't get tackled, at the one, I was going to get that one in. Everybody had a smile on their face of the bigger picture of what that signifies.”
News, Notes, Tid-Bits and Quotes: Coaches Discuss Finding a Kicker, a Rebounding Defense, and Unheralded Contributors
By Grant Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/438972?referrer_id=388419
Although it was far from perfect, the Gophers found a way to remain undefeated in the Big Ten with a 39-38 victory over Purdue on Saturday. The Minnesota coaches spoke with the media on Tuesday to discuss Ryan Santoso’s field goal, a rebounding defense, and a couple of unheralded contributors from the win.
Santoso Shines
After missing an extra point earlier in Saturday’s game, true freshman Ryan Santoso more than made up for it as he hit the go-ahead 52-yard field goal against the Boilermakers. Despite being thrust into the spotlight, Santoso has remained his usual, stoic self.
“He's a pretty quiet kid,” said Jerry Kill. “He doesn't say too much. He doesn't say much when he makes a field goal. He doesn't say much when he kicks off. And he's struggled with a couple of kickoffs. I just don't say anything to him. He knows what he needs to do. Those kickers and punters, they have coaches in the summer, all those kind of things. So I just try not to screw them up. But he just doesn't say much. I guess he's handling it pretty good.”
Finding a reliable kicker through recruiting is something that coaches have put an emphasis on.
“We've always had ‑‑ we've always recruited kickers,” said Kill. “We've always had our specialists on scholarship. It's always been important. Finding them or finding one that can do it on game day is the most difficult to do.”
Defensive Adjustments
Against the Boilermakers, Minnesota’s defense struggled mightily in the first half, allowing over 300 yards and 31 points. Tracy Claeys took responsibility for the early issues on defense.
“The first half, a lot of that was my fault,” said Claeys. “Just as far as from the formations that we didn't get a chance to work on enough. So whenever there's confusion, ultimately that's my responsibility.”
The Gophers headed to the locker room and rallied, allowing Purdue to score just seven points in the second half.
“We got it worked out at halftime,” said Claeys. “And I thought the kids played awfully well the second half. So that's really the biggest thing. It just wasn't simplest correction by one person. I need to do a better job. And we can prevent some of that.”
Unheralded Performers
With most of the headlines this season centering on the play of David Cobb, Mitch Leidner, and Maxx Williams, Saturday was an opportunity for some other offensive contributors to shine. K.J. Maye had one of the most memorable plays from the victory as he caught a pass and dashed towards the end zone, leaping over a defender for the score. It was Maye’s first touchdown for the Gophers, something that was years in the making.
“Last year he was banged up, and you could just tell he was trying, but it just was weighing on him,” said Matt Limegrover. “Now he's healthy, he's feeling about good. He gets it. He understands my opportunities are going to be there and I have to take advantage of them. And I think Saturday was a great example of that.”
Coming into the game against Purdue, Maye had only caught three passes on the year and knew he had to make the most of his opportunity.
“The joke was he wasn't going to be held out of the end zone because he knew he might not to see the ball again,” said Limegrover. “He was going to find a way to get in the end zone.”
Although he only rushed for eight yards against Purdue, Donnell Kirkwood tallied a touchdown, running over a Boilermaker in the process. Kirkwood finding the end zone was a big boost for everyone on the sideline.
“It's great to get that score, obviously for the bigger picture, to help win a football game,” said Limegrover. “But it's extra special when it's a kid who you just feel so good about and he had that opportunity. He's another one, he said, I won't get tackled, at the one, I was going to get that one in. Everybody had a smile on their face of the bigger picture of what that signifies.”