STrib: Gophers want to get running game going against Northwestern

Donate To GopherHole
BleedGopher

BleedGopher

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
61,972
Reaction score
18,166
Points
113
per Joe:

“We feel like this is a defense we match up with, a lot like Michigan’s, and that’s a huge part of the equation,” offensive coordinator Matt Lime*&^!#grover said. “With their style of defense, with the way they play their personnel, it’s a matchup that we feel like we’re going to have a good opportunity to be able to run the football.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/228110211.html

Go Gophers!!
 

PiPress: Northwestern unlikely to be a roadblock to U's running game

Wisconsin pounded the Wildcats with 286 yards rushing in a 35-6 win last week.

"Looked like (the Badgers') power football worked really good against them," Gophers tight end Maxx Williams said. "That's what we want to be about. That's what we want to do."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci...rce=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!
 


The Gophers better develop a passing game or they'll be 0-8 in the B1G. Northwestern is in the same state as Western Illinois, but that's about it.
 




Great Plains Gopher said:
The Gophers better develop a passing game or they'll be 0-8 in the B1G. Northwestern is in the same state as Western Illinois, but that's about it.
Click to expand...

This. Completing some Passes will make running a whole lot easier.
 

Northwestern's Defense has not been very good so far this year and if there is a team in the conference we can run on it is probably this team. If we can't then we have some serious issues to address in the run game as they have really struggled to stop the run this year.

The one thing their defense does really well is force turnovers which is a little scary if we are forced to pass. It is always important but I think it is especially important in this one to not let them get off to a fast start on offense. They have to be doubting themselves a little after the past couple games so if we can control the game early we may have a chance to pull the upset. If they get out quick and their offense gets rolling we could be in for a long day because despite the past few games against really good teams I think this is still a very solid Northwestern squad.
 

I know that Northwestern has not looked great as of recent, but we sure made Iowa and Michigan look like titans even though they have looked really vulnerable against other teams. I am glad that run defense is a weakness of NU, and hopefully we can exploit that, but I don't think any B1G team is going to struggle to stop our run unless we can at least make them respect (even if they don't fear) our passing attack.
 



I will be surprised if we can pound the rock consistently against the Cats. They have excellent team speed and a few above average defenders. Mitch and the receivers have to be sharp and I hope Limegrover has a few suprise plays in the game plan and try to feature our fastest players. The play call is not as important as the execution of the play.

Wisky was all over the NU QB and threw his timing off. Can we do the same? Probably not but I think we can muster a couple of sacks and hurries to give our pass D some help. We must tackle well or we will lose this game.

Special teams must continue to play well.

Is this the game where we will finally see us perform at a BIG level?
 

B1G blog says Qb play and it won't be enough.

3. Different head coach, different starting quarterback: A lot has changed for Minnesota in the past few weeks. In Week 1, it looked as if Philip Nelson was the quarterback of the future and head coach Jerry Kill would lead this team to continued improvement. Now? Well, Mitch Leidner has been promoted to starting quarterback, while Kill has taken a leave of absence due to seizures. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will take over for Kill on Saturday, and Claeys will be coaching from the sideline -- he usually coaches from the press box -- against Northwestern. Claeys still plans to call the defensive plays, so he'll have to spend some time committing those play calls to memory. He won't have those charts in front of him anymore.


MINNESOTA at NORTHWESTERN

Brian Bennett: Last week's loss at Wisconsin was one of the worst performances in a long time for Northwestern. Pat Fitzgerald promised this week that his team would bounce back and play well, and I believe him. The Wildcats ought to be mad for this one, and though Mitch Leidner will lead Minnesota to a couple of scores, Northwestern will seize control in the second quarter. ... Northwestern 35, Minnesota 20.

Adam Rittenberg: Will this be The Hangover Part II? I think Northwestern gets it together behind quarterback Kain Colter, who records a rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. Minnesota finds some gaps in Northwestern's defense early on, but the Gophers' one-dimensional offense dooms them in the second half. Tony Jones gets back on the touchdown train as Northwestern records its first Big Ten win. ... Northwestern 34, Minnesota 21
 

STrib: Gophers want to get running game going against _____________.

Insert whichever team you like in the blank.
 

Iceland12 said:
Ruppert has finally gone from a Wisconsin troll to a Gopher one. :drink:

Oh, and Mitch is coaching at Davidson College.
Click to expand...

Haven't been to the Skunk board in two years Iceman. I found out that you couldn't hold a reasonable conversation with paranoid, malignant dwarfs who get giddy over watching reruns of the Ed Gein movie. Easy one step up move for Mitch
 



ruppertflywheel said:
Haven't been to the Skunk board in two years Iceman. I found out that you couldn't hold a reasonable conversation paranoid, malignant dwarfs who get giddy over watching reruns of the Ed Gein movie. Easy one step up move for Mitch
Click to expand...

Never let 'em get you down Ruppert! You have a lot of great observations and have a wonderful historical perspective on our Golden Gopher Football Program! When you have something to say about our Gophers...say it loud...say it strong and say it often! You have been at the games for a LONG time and that's a great thing. This board NEEDS all that you are willing to share about your observations, experiences and all you know from having "been there" for a bunch of decades! That is really a very rare thing on an internet chat board. I do enjoy reading your takes on things and also some of the "blasts from the past...that you come up with.

Keep it coming Ruppert. I'm kind of enjoying this little campaign that you have introduced to the board as of late. Puts a smile on my face and it really is enjoyable watching some of the usual suspects squirm!

Bring back Gordy...Now THAT is a concept that you could really "build" a hellova line with!
 

Bayfieldgopher said:
I will be surprised if we can pound the rock consistently against the Cats. They have excellent team speed and a few above average defenders. Mitch and the receivers have to be sharp and I hope Limegrover has a few suprise plays in the game plan and try to feature our fastest players. The play call is not as important as the execution of the play.

Wisky was all over the NU QB and threw his timing off. Can we do the same? Probably not but I think we can muster a couple of sacks and hurries to give our pass D some help. We must tackle well or we will lose this game.

Special teams must continue to play well.

Is this the game where we will finally see us perform at a BIG level?
Click to expand...



Heck, Bayfield: I just want us perform at a "Big Ten" level. I don't even know what a BIG level might look like. It seems as though it's been a bit down hill ever since we quit being good, old fashioned Big Ten Conference Members.
 

Bayfieldgopher said:
Wisky was all over the NU QB and threw his timing off. Can we do the same? Probably not but I think we can muster a couple of sacks and hurries to give our pass D some help. We must tackle well or we will lose this game.
Click to expand...

We can pressure QBs, the problem is we've done a terrible job of finishing - even when assigning a spy - allowing Rudock and Gardner to keep plays alive. If this doesn't get fixed with how dangerous Siemian and Colter can be, both running or throwing the ball, it is going to be a looooooong day.
 

I just hope the game is close at the half so I'll stay awake for the second half........Let's see us pound the ball and complete some passes. Maybe even a return for a TD. Who knows, right?!

Go Goph's
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom