BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 62,336
- Reaction score
- 19,050
- Points
- 113
per Randy:
The Gophers will need more of that from Annexstad on Saturday night against Fresno State, a much better opponent than New Mexico State. The Bulldogs were 10-4 and played in the Mountain West title game in 2017, and they opened this season with a 79-13 romp over Idaho. Balancing Annexstad’s experience and aptitude against an experienced opponent is Ciarrocca’s task.
“As he grows, sure, you’d like to be able to [put more on his plate],” the coach said. “The thing is, he’s still a true freshman. We know there’s going to be some bumps. … That’s what really separates quarterbacks at the end of the day. The special ones all learn from their mistakes. They all made ’em, but they have the ability to learn from them and it doesn’t happen again to them.”
It’s not all on Annexstad, though. Against New Mexico State, the Gophers showed marked improvement over last year at wide receiver, where true freshman Rashod Bateman (five receptions, 52 yards) and redshirt freshman Chris Autman-Bell (four catches, 43 yards) emerged as complements to go-to junior Tyler Johnson (five catches, 100 yards, two TDs). Up front, the offensive line didn’t allow a sack and paved the way for 522 yards of offense. Throw in two touchdown runs by Seth Green out of the Wildcat formation, and the Gophers showed offensive variety that was missing last year.
“That was fun; he did really well with it,” Ciarrocca said of Green. “That was something we started fooling around with in spring ball. I noticed that he had a good knack for it. … It was a nice little addition. I feel like it could help us moving forward.”
Still, the coordinator cautioned not to think the offense is a finished product.
“We’re not there yet, believe me,” Ciarrocca said. “But all the areas have improved, and when you combine that, it’s a significant improvement.”
http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...showing-early-signs-of-big-strides/492544701/
Go Gophers!!
The Gophers will need more of that from Annexstad on Saturday night against Fresno State, a much better opponent than New Mexico State. The Bulldogs were 10-4 and played in the Mountain West title game in 2017, and they opened this season with a 79-13 romp over Idaho. Balancing Annexstad’s experience and aptitude against an experienced opponent is Ciarrocca’s task.
“As he grows, sure, you’d like to be able to [put more on his plate],” the coach said. “The thing is, he’s still a true freshman. We know there’s going to be some bumps. … That’s what really separates quarterbacks at the end of the day. The special ones all learn from their mistakes. They all made ’em, but they have the ability to learn from them and it doesn’t happen again to them.”
It’s not all on Annexstad, though. Against New Mexico State, the Gophers showed marked improvement over last year at wide receiver, where true freshman Rashod Bateman (five receptions, 52 yards) and redshirt freshman Chris Autman-Bell (four catches, 43 yards) emerged as complements to go-to junior Tyler Johnson (five catches, 100 yards, two TDs). Up front, the offensive line didn’t allow a sack and paved the way for 522 yards of offense. Throw in two touchdown runs by Seth Green out of the Wildcat formation, and the Gophers showed offensive variety that was missing last year.
“That was fun; he did really well with it,” Ciarrocca said of Green. “That was something we started fooling around with in spring ball. I noticed that he had a good knack for it. … It was a nice little addition. I feel like it could help us moving forward.”
Still, the coordinator cautioned not to think the offense is a finished product.
“We’re not there yet, believe me,” Ciarrocca said. “But all the areas have improved, and when you combine that, it’s a significant improvement.”
http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...showing-early-signs-of-big-strides/492544701/
Go Gophers!!