Question(s) for the Sports Huddle? Or any reporter with access to Coach Kill

[Some Day...Is Coming!]

I was absolutely amazed at how flat the Gophers came out in the bowl game. I have been unable to find anywhere, where a reporter has asked Coach Kill what he thinks happened as to why his team came out so flat and didn't seem to have near the energy or enthusiasm that should have been there? Would Coach Kill do anything differently regarding the prep for this game if he could go back and do it again?

Does he think the staff and team underestimated Syracuse? Did he assume his team had matured enough that he didn't have to worry about getting them amped up for the game? I would just please like to hear what the leader of our program thought regarding this.

As so many of us follow this program so closely, it would be nice to hear from Coach Kill as to what his thoughts are regarding this topic. I'm just absolutely amazed that none of our local reporters have sought this insight considering it was such an obvious difference from the way the team had been playing and had played in last years bowl game. As a big fan of Coach Kill I was surprised and disappointed and would just like to hear his thoughts and insight.

If this was asked and he addressed it I apologize but I haven't found it anywhere. If someone with access could ask about this it would be great! It would definitely make me feel better. Thanks.

 

[mnsports1]

I was absolutely amazed at how flat the Gophers came out in the bowl game. I have been unable to find anywhere, where a reporter has asked Coach Kill what he thinks happened as to why his team came out so flat and didn't seem to have near the energy or enthusiasm that should have been there? Would Coach Kill do anything differently regarding the prep for this game if he could go back and do it again?

Does he think the staff and team underestimated Syracuse? Did he assume his team had matured enough that he didn't have to worry about getting them amped up for the game? I would just please like to hear what the leader of our program thought regarding this.

As so many of us follow this program so closely, it would be nice to hear from Coach Kill as to what his thoughts are regarding this topic. I'm just absolutely amazed that none of our local reporters have sought this insight considering it was such an obvious difference from the way the team had been playing and had played in last years bowl game. As a big fan of Coach Kill I was surprised and disappointed and would just like to hear his thoughts and insight.

If this was asked and he addressed it I apologize but I haven't found it anywhere. If someone with access could ask about this it would be great! It would definitely make me feel better. Thanks.

Not trying to be a arse...but really? I personally think "flat" is overused and can more likely be called, "we started like sh!t."

 

[DoubleB]

I for one think they came out flat and played like sh*t. this was not the way to get more people to put down hard earned cash to go 1200 miles away and watch a preformance like that. I had a great time but that was due to my company not the game.

very disappointed with the seniors that played their last games.

 

[dinkything]

I was absolutely amazed at how flat the Gophers came out in the bowl game. I have been unable to find anywhere, where a reporter has asked Coach Kill what he thinks happened as to why his team came out so flat and didn't seem to have near the energy or enthusiasm that should have been there? Would Coach Kill do anything differently regarding the prep for this game if he could go back and do it again?

Does he think the staff and team underestimated Syracuse? Did he assume his team had matured enough that he didn't have to worry about getting them amped up for the game? I would just please like to hear what the leader of our program thought regarding this.

As so many of us follow this program so closely, it would be nice to hear from Coach Kill as to what his thoughts are regarding this topic. I'm just absolutely amazed that none of our local reporters have sought this insight considering it was such an obvious difference from the way the team had been playing and had played in last years bowl game. As a big fan of Coach Kill I was surprised and disappointed and would just like to hear his thoughts and insight.

If this was asked and he addressed it I apologize but I haven't found it anywhere. If someone with access could ask about this it would be great! It would definitely make me feel better. Thanks.

Not entirely sure what you're looking for...but what you would get is a bunch of tired clichés as part of an empty, meaningless response. There would be no insight offered, no reflection on how bowl prep could have been improved.

Two things you would have heard from the staff:

1. the gameplan was a good one and the players were well prepared going into the bowl game

2. the players simply didn't execute the well thought-out gameplan

 

[Iceland12]

Questions for the Sports Huddle?

Why are the D-Backs coached NOT to turn and look for the ball?

 

[BreakTheGopherCurse]

Not entirely sure what you're looking for...but what you would get is a bunch of tired clichés as part of an empty, meaningless response. There would be no insight offered, no reflection on how bowl prep could have been improved.

Two things you would have heard from the staff:

1. the gameplan was a good one and the players were well prepared going into the bowl game

2. the players simply didn't execute the well thought-out gameplan

What the OP is asking (and it seems like a really great question) is why did it appear that the players were unenthusiastic? They just did not seem excited or seem to demonstrate the same emotion and inspiration that they did earlier in the season. Even Coach Kill noticed this, which is why he came down to the field. He thought it would inspire his players, which were his words not mine. None of us will ever know what or how the players were feeling during the game. What it looked like on Television may in no way indicate how they were feeling on the inside. Perhaps they were extremely excited and inspired. Perhaps they were worried about losing and played like it. Perhaps they were nervous. Perhaps they were tired. Perhaps the weather affected them in some way. Perhaps they were sad. Perhaps they were disappointed. Perhaps they were distracted. Perhaps each player was feeling differently and we can't lump everyone together. In any event, if you've been reading my recent posts, you know that I've gone out on a limb and opined that the environment in Reliant Stadium greatly affected the players' attitudes. There were at best 17,000-20,000 people in attendance in a stadium that holds 71,500. I can imagine how disappointed I would feel walking into the stadium from the locker room and seeing a crowd that resembled my high school days. 20,000 fans in a 71,500 capacity stadium looks empty. It looks like an afterthought. It looks like nobody cares. I know I would have a hard time getting fired up for that especially when I was hoping for a better bowl game and realizing that this was the third time in like 4 years that I've played Syracuse. It was a recipe for apathy in some ways. Leidner certainly saw what he thought was apathy and was very angry about it. He yelled at his players a couple times to get fired up and play with emotion. Leidner clearly saw what the Original Poster here is alluding to. We all saw it, Coach Kill saw it, Leidner saw it, the OP saw it. But like I said above, I don't think we'll ever know what it was unless we could sit down with the players as a group and ask them what they think it was.

 

[Deleted_User]

When did these adult, collegiate football players ever find the time for leader worship to inspire their intrinsic need to perform to their best ability? Why would Kill really leave the press box to come to the sideline, smile at the 1:20 mark to another coach while behind, and think we rubes didn't notice his rally cry was an "aw shucks, we lost" moment on camera. Why, Lord? Why the BS? Why did a superior defense Kick ass all over our brave offensive line? Why Lord? Why would we think the ACC record of Suckacuse, I mean Syracuse could possibly beat us when discipline in the line backers broke down on half the zone of coverage on Syracuse winning touchdown?

Give it to me straight, Lord. Why did we not recruit a real QB? Why do we continue to believe that cupcakes equal meat? Why do we believe the B!G matters as a conference?

Syracuse was supposed to take the knee to ...

 

[Some Day...Is Coming!]

This program wasn't in a position to be apathetic about going to Houston. Only it's 2nd bowl game in 4 years and not having won one since 2004. I could have seen it if we beat Wisconsin or Michigan State. Doesn't do any good to feel sorry for yourselves, especially when you haven't done .... for the last decade.

 

[killme]

Why...

Why do you work so hard to make people dislike you?

This program wasn't in a position to be apathetic...

In our position, the reward of the bowl experience should be enjoyed. There is work to be done to advance the program, but maintaining the proper balance of work and fun is the key. A win would have been better, but when isn't it better to win? Enjoy the ride. Even disgruntled, unhappy fans like you two will be rewarded.

 

[phipho]

The sports writers down here seem to be afraid to criticize Coach Kill, don't want to come off as callous. That was an embarrassment plain and simple. The players weren't ready for what was a terrible Syracuse team. If we play with any intensity at all it is a completely different game.

 

[hungan1]

IMHO, key injuries caught up with the Gophers more so that is visible to the public.

 

[Gopherprof]

IMHO, key injuries caught up with the Gophers more so that is visible to the public.

We were missing like three starters. That's totally normal by that point in the season.

 

[UST82Gopher]

Not one to make excuses. That said, I think the U's change to a quarter system is always going to be a challenge for us in the earlier, lesser bowl games.

You are studying for finals to get your grades (in some case, to remain eligible). Trying to fit the 15 practices in. Trying to figure out the Holidays away from home - for some - for the 1st time. Try to get focused on playing with the travel and the extra activities the bowl game brings.

You're a little bit exhausted, more mentally than physically. It's not exactly the best recipe to get a stellar performance.

Note that Men's Hockey, Men's Basketball, among other sports, don't schedule games for a week or two around finals. Even then, the 1st half of the Men's basketball game against Neb-Omaha - the day before finals officially ended, was an absolute dud of performance for our Gophers - against an inferior team.

Change that to a New Years Day game - final stress is a week or so gone, Holidays are over, and you have 5 or 6 days to fully focus on the game.

Really hope we can snag one of those games in the near future.

 

[Deleted_User]

Why do you work so hard to make people dislike you?]

That is easy. I thought you knew! So, I will lay it out to you and all the other worshippers.
The term 'Suckacuse' came into usage.

I'll give you the real reason -- because writing it was CATHARTIC and gave me a virtual chance to punch you in the arm a little harder than I should.

 

[nc2mn]

My questions for Kill
1. What if anything is he going to do about improving his game management?
2. Why does the OL have so may serious concussions - but not so much other positions? Was Rashede head-slapping them all?

 

[nc2mn]

My questions for Kill
1. What if anything is Kill going to do about improving his game time management at end of halves and games? With better use of time-outs, he could have had a lot more time available at the end of the bowl game which could have made a major difference.
2. Why does the OL have so may serious concussions - but not so much other positions? Was Rashede head-slapping them all?

 

[RedPoo]

Questions for the Sports Huddle?

Why are the D-Backs coached NOT to turn and look for the ball?

I may be wrong, but I feel like I heard a coach talk about that issue at one point and it had something to do with playing man defense and making keeping tabs on your guy top priority, versus playing the ball.
That said, I don't see any reason why a guy shouldn't be able to man up a WR and still turn around when the ball is in the air.

 

[metrolax]

I was there. Look, a coach never knows what kind of team he has from week to week. You'd be surprised at just how
little control a coach has over whether his team comes out flat or not. It just happens. Its College Football. It happens
to EVERY team, believe it or not.

Bowl games very frequently go to the team that is most excited to be there, and this year it was Syracuse. They became
bowl eligible on the last day of the season and rode that high into that game. The Gophers, I think, were happy to be there,
but I really think they wished they were somewhere else, like Jacksonville. We would have seen a different Gopher team for certain.

Its just the nature of the beast. The Gophers were an 8-5 team this year. A good team. Not a great one. They will be even better
next season.

 

[BreakTheGopherCurse]

I was there. Look, a coach never knows what kind of team he has from week to week. You'd be surprised at just how
little control a coach has over whether his team comes out flat or not. It just happens. Its College Football. It happens
to EVERY team, believe it or not.

Bowl games very frequently go to the team that is most excited to be there, and this year it was Syracuse. They became
bowl eligible on the last day of the season and rode that high into that game. The Gophers, I think, were happy to be there,
but I really think they wished they were somewhere else, like Jacksonville. We would have seen a different Gopher team for certain.

Its just the nature of the beast. The Gophers were an 8-5 team this year. A good team. Not a great one. They will be even better
next season.

Well put. All you have to do is look at some of the bowl games this year to realize that you never know which team will show up from week to week. Alabama was favored by 17.5. Okla was up by two touchdowns for a significant part of the game. That's a 31.5 point "miscalculation". I guess you could say the Gophers played to expectations much more than Alabama did. Therefore, Kill > Saban. That should rile up some folks on here!!

 

[killme]

That is easy. I thought you knew! So, I will lay it out to you and all the other worshippers.
The term 'Suckacuse' came into usage.

I'll give you the real reason -- because writing it was CATHARTIC and gave me a virtual chance to punch you in the arm a little harder than I should.

I worship God. Did I just feel a mosquito?

 

[corcoran1]

I am very happy with this staff, a lot actually, but I don't think they took Syracuse seriously and that was a mistake. They had a good run D and a mobile QB, who is not a good passer, but made two incredible throws to keep drives alive. Syracuse did just enough right and we made mistakes all night. We should beat them by 2 TDs, but you have to play more than one quarter, even against Syracuse.