Coach Kill's responses to Sid and Dave's questions on today's Sports Huddle:
1) Sid opened the show talking obout the game ending interception (interference according to Sid): Coach Kill, "We're disappointed . . . in a position to win . . . thought we should have won." The kids in the 1st half were nervous and struggled and we got behind. Proud of 2nd half performance.
2) We have a lot of studying to do (viewing game tape(s)) today . . . not enough hours in the day to correct problems. Will meet with the players later today.
3) Shortell: Came in under control . . . did a nice job . . . missed a couple of checks, coaches did too. "He did a real nice job."
4) Bennett: We didn't have a good flow in the first half; wanted to get Lamonte Edwards and Donnell Kirkwood in. Bennett did a good job.
5) Huddle on the sideline at halftime: It gives us time to get the coaches down and get situated for halftime meetings (he's done that at previous stops). It also gives him time to get his points across first about the team's play.
6) Didn't know what caused the headset problems that occurred during the game. Headsets would break up . . . in and out communications.
7) Lamonte Edwards as a pass rusher: Beal out with a knee injury and Aaron Hill didn't make the trip. Needed a pass rush and put Lamonte Edwards in . . . we're doing what we can to win.
8) Adjustments: Defense went back to fundamentals and we cut down the motion and shifts on offense. Defense: continued focus on stopping the run and keeping the ball in front of us as USC passed the ball. Told them to go out and play football . . . we played fast in the 2nd half (we were slow in the first half) and USC played slower, whereas they played fast in the first half.
9) Brandon Green: Did a good job . . . held him out during much of the two-a-days and limited his plays in yesterday's game (bringing him along slowly as he recovers from knee-related probems). Did a good job when he was in the game, especially the touchdown catch and run.
10) Secondary: Faced a very good quarterback (Barkley) who's does a great job running their offense. Barkley plays at a different level. Our secondary settled down in the 2nd half and played football.
11) Offensive line: USC defense did make it difficult . . . we're young and they brought a lot of packages against them . . . kids held in there and we have a lot to build on.
12 Took advantage of the opportunity when it was presented (USC's turnover). Marcus Jones stood out at wide receiver . . . caught the ball and blocked well.
13) New Mexico State: Focus on one opponent at-a-time. We need to do things differently and show improvement. Will focus on New Mexico State starting tonight. Biggest improvement occurs between game one and two.
14) Kicking and pass rush: We have to get the two facets better . . . we can improve . . . everything is correctible. We have the talent to do it.
15) Injuries: nothing critical happened during the game. Thin at linebacker . . . Beal: tough injury, need to get the swelling down and find out how serious . . . not a lot of depth at linebacker.
16) Gray: Cramping up . . . had to get an IV, his arm was cramping up.
17) Fans were unbelievable . . . they did a great job . . . they played a big role in our come back . . . very loud.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the show talking obout the game ending interception (interference according to Sid): Coach Kill, "We're disappointed . . . in a position to win . . . thought we should have won." The kids in the 1st half were nervous and struggled and we got behind. Proud of 2nd half performance.
2) We have a lot of studying to do (viewing game tape(s)) today . . . not enough hours in the day to correct problems. Will meet with the players later today.
3) Shortell: Came in under control . . . did a nice job . . . missed a couple of checks, coaches did too. "He did a real nice job."
4) Bennett: We didn't have a good flow in the first half; wanted to get Lamonte Edwards and Donnell Kirkwood in. Bennett did a good job.
5) Huddle on the sideline at halftime: It gives us time to get the coaches down and get situated for halftime meetings (he's done that at previous stops). It also gives him time to get his points across first about the team's play.
6) Didn't know what caused the headset problems that occurred during the game. Headsets would break up . . . in and out communications.
7) Lamonte Edwards as a pass rusher: Beal out with a knee injury and Aaron Hill didn't make the trip. Needed a pass rush and put Lamonte Edwards in . . . we're doing what we can to win.
8) Adjustments: Defense went back to fundamentals and we cut down the motion and shifts on offense. Defense: continued focus on stopping the run and keeping the ball in front of us as USC passed the ball. Told them to go out and play football . . . we played fast in the 2nd half (we were slow in the first half) and USC played slower, whereas they played fast in the first half.
9) Brandon Green: Did a good job . . . held him out during much of the two-a-days and limited his plays in yesterday's game (bringing him along slowly as he recovers from knee-related probems). Did a good job when he was in the game, especially the touchdown catch and run.
10) Secondary: Faced a very good quarterback (Barkley) who's does a great job running their offense. Barkley plays at a different level. Our secondary settled down in the 2nd half and played football.
11) Offensive line: USC defense did make it difficult . . . we're young and they brought a lot of packages against them . . . kids held in there and we have a lot to build on.
12 Took advantage of the opportunity when it was presented (USC's turnover). Marcus Jones stood out at wide receiver . . . caught the ball and blocked well.
13) New Mexico State: Focus on one opponent at-a-time. We need to do things differently and show improvement. Will focus on New Mexico State starting tonight. Biggest improvement occurs between game one and two.
14) Kicking and pass rush: We have to get the two facets better . . . we can improve . . . everything is correctible. We have the talent to do it.
15) Injuries: nothing critical happened during the game. Thin at linebacker . . . Beal: tough injury, need to get the swelling down and find out how serious . . . not a lot of depth at linebacker.
16) Gray: Cramping up . . . had to get an IV, his arm was cramping up.
17) Fans were unbelievable . . . they did a great job . . . they played a big role in our come back . . . very loud.
Go Gophers!!
