STrib: Kill's homework: Study up on Michigan, find passing game

[BleedGopher]

per Joe:

“I’ve got everybody worried,” Kill said. “We win a game, we’re 3-1, rush for [380 yards], and everybody’s worried about how much we threw it. I think Nebraska threw it 12 times yesterday.”

Tommy Armstrong Jr., actually threw 13 passes, completing nine for 113 yards and two touchdowns in Nebraska’s 41-31 victory over Miami (Fla.).

Kill also noted that the Gophers had 29 passing attempts at TCU — and wound up losing 30-7.

“Will we need to throw it better when we get into the Big Ten? Yeah, better and more often,” Kill said. “And we may line up against Michigan and throw it 27 times and tear it up. If we get Maxx back [from his calf injury], we just may go crazy.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/275949181.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[Unregistered User]

Translation:

I'm sick of your ****. Just let me coach my team, will ya?

 

[ruppertflywheel]

Michigan has a pretty good run defense. So yes, I think we can expect to see more passing.

 

[BarnBoy]

Michigan has a pretty good run defense. So yes, I think we can expect to see more passing.

Yes. This is worrying. Their run defense seems to be one of their strengths. They seem to be a complete dumpster fire this year, but their limited strengths actually line up very well against us.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

In Sunday's paper, Joe C. wrote that Streveler completed his first college pass during the 4th quarter on Saturday. Maybe he should finish his own homework first.

 

[husker70]

If they go to Michigan and open with a 4 yard run, line up in the shotgun and throw the ball. Game over. I have seen way too many Gopher teams go on the road with the idea they cannot run the ball against this team or that team. And simply give up on running the ball.

 

[BarnBoy]

If they go to Michigan and open with a 4 yard run, line up in the shotgun and throw the ball. Game over. I have seen way too many Gopher teams go on the road with the idea they cannot run the ball against this team or that team. And simply give up on running the ball.

I am actually more concerned that we will try to "impose our will" via the run and then be forced to pass in obvious passing down/distances. This has been discussed ad nauseam, but where are the screen passes, jet sweeps, waggle passes on 1st down, etc?

 

[Gopherdrummer]

If they go to Michigan and open with a 4 yard run, line up in the shotgun and throw the ball. Game over. I have seen way too many Gopher teams go on the road with the idea they cannot run the ball against this team or that team. And simply give up on running the ball.

This.

Could we run against TCU? No. But we also didn't get creative at all. Throw in the shifting, the motions, and the Jet Sweep to Jones, Maye, or Edwards. .Get those guys in space and let them get one on one with defenders. We won 4 B1G games in a row last year because our players executed in the run game and allowed some receivers to get open when we had to pass.

We laid an egg against TCU because we refused to get creative. We didn't get creative against SJSU because the base offense was working. We haven't run the read option all that much this year, so my guess is SJSU had no idea what was going on and couldn't figure out how to defend it. Running up the middle is not the only thing that this offense has been able to do in the past.

I have not watched Michigan this year, but looking at the box scores for all of ND's and Utah's games, it looks like those teams don't really like running the ball that much. I believe Utah tends to have a 50/50 split with the run and passing game. ND seems to pass it a lot. So I am going to go out there and say Michigan's run D is not as strong as the stats lead you to believe. If UW or Nebraska was playing them, they would run at them and get creative. That is exactly what the Gophers need to do. Stick to our identity and pass when you need to. You can't run play action if it is painfully obvious you won't hand the ball off at all. You can't run the Jet Sweep unless you have your power back in the back field threatening to run right at you.

 

[Spoofin]

Flea flickers. Early and often.

 

[wait!what?]

Dr Jekill is such a stubborn dude that he may try that fake punt just to offset past failures.

 

[GopherinPhilly]

A Strib reporter telling anyone to do their homework is laughable...I bet Joe's kids laugh at him when he tells them to their homework. "Oh Daddy, your so funny. We know research and accuracy isn't important to you." says little Joecenia as she sits at the table making up a funny story about George Washington for her history class.

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

I think Joe does a good job following the team. Not a fan?

 

[dalostpinoy]

watching the game Saturday, I was worried and depressed about our passing game. Come Monday and after reading Kill's comments, i am more optimistic again. we're 3-1, good run game, good D. Kill has a plan. im a believer.

Bring back the Jug. I havent seen it in a while.

 

[Spoofin]

Joe C is solid.

 

[Donovan]

Flea flickers. Early and often.

I was just thinking about the flea flicker we used on the first play at Indiana last year.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I spent most of the game Saturday disgusted in the lack of the passing game. I'm still worried about it but after thinking about it, the "glass half full" part of me is also impressed with how we just did what we wanted to do, even when they knew what was coming.

I'm excited for Saturday.

 

[Shielder]

Joe C is solid.

I agree

 

[EG#9]

per Joe:

“I’ve got everybody worried,” Kill said. “We win a game, we’re 3-1, rush for [380 yards], and everybody’s worried about how much we threw it. I think Nebraska threw it 12 times yesterday.”

Tommy Armstrong Jr., actually threw 13 passes, completing nine for 113 yards and two touchdowns in Nebraska’s 41-31 victory over Miami (Fla.).

Kill also noted that the Gophers had 29 passing attempts at TCU — and wound up losing 30-7.

“Will we need to throw it better when we get into the Big Ten? Yeah, better and more often,” Kill said. “And we may line up against Michigan and throw it 27 times and tear it up. If we get Maxx back [from his calf injury], we just may go crazy.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/275949181.html

Go Gophers!!

They are 3-1 and got blown out by the only representative team they faced. The passing game hasn't looked good in any of the 4 games, Saturday was not an aberration. Nebraska might have only thrown it 12 (13) times, but they were much more effective with their passes and (more importantly) beat a representative team in Miami (FL). People are worried because the passing game has not been good through three seasons and appears even worse through 4 games this year.

 

[diefirma]

This.

Could we run against TCU? No. But we also didn't get creative at all. Throw in the shifting, the motions, and the Jet Sweep to Jones, Maye, or Edwards. .Get those guys in space and let them get one on one with defenders. We won 4 B1G games in a row last year because our players executed in the run game and allowed some receivers to get open when we had to pass.

We laid an egg against TCU because we refused to get creative. We didn't get creative against SJSU because the base offense was working. We haven't run the read option all that much this year, so my guess is SJSU had no idea what was going on and couldn't figure out how to defend it. Running up the middle is not the only thing that this offense has been able to do in the past.

I have not watched Michigan this year, but looking at the box scores for all of ND's and Utah's games, it looks like those teams don't really like running the ball that much. I believe Utah tends to have a 50/50 split with the run and passing game. ND seems to pass it a lot. So I am going to go out there and say Michigan's run D is not as strong as the stats lead you to believe. If UW or Nebraska was playing them, they would run at them and get creative. That is exactly what the Gophers need to do. Stick to our identity and pass when you need to. You can't run play action if it is painfully obvious you won't hand the ball off at all. You can't run the Jet Sweep unless you have your power back in the back field threatening to run right at you.

Last year, Mitch started the game, fumbled on the first possession, and then came back to lead the team on a 17 play drive for a TD to tie the game. I can't remember if there was a pass thrown in that drive or not but it was mostly running.

We lost that game last year because we didn't contain Gardner and because of Devin Funchess (sp?).

Discuss: Is Michigan better this year than last year? Have the Gopher coaches watched the tape to figure out why they lost and how to beat Michigan this year?

 

[Ole]

Last year, Mitch started the game, fumbled on the first possession, and then came back to lead the team on a 17 play drive for a TD to tie the game. I can't remember if there was a pass thrown in that drive or not but it was mostly running.

We lost that game last year because we didn't contain Gardner and because of Devin Funchess (sp?).

Discuss: Is Michigan better this year than last year? Have the Gopher coaches watched the tape to figure out why they lost and how to beat Michigan this year?

I think Michigan's run game is probably better this year with Green being at least a servicable big back type. Their D is solid.
I have absolutely no doubt Claeys will have some new coverages and schemes to cover Funchess and pressure Gardner and/or Morris.
We CANNOT turn the ball over early. This game can be won if we force them to grind one out against us and play 4 quarters against our d and special teams.

I'll put this out there for the hand wringers: What's the biggest passing play we saw all of last year and haven't seen yet? It's the zone read play action quick hitter seam pass to Maxx and if Streveler can do anything it's make the zone read a legit threat.
I apologize in advance to Jerry and Limegrover if I just spilled the beans on that one but I'd be shocked if we don't try that at some point.

 

[e.bigelow]

I think Michigan's run game is probably better this year with Green being at least a servicable big back type. Their D is solid.
I have absolutely no doubt Claeys will have some new coverages and schemes to cover Funchess and pressure Gardner and/or Morris.
We CANNOT turn the ball over early. This game can be won if we force them to grind one out against us and play 4 quarters against our d and special teams.

I'll put this out there for the hand wringers: What's the biggest passing play we saw all of last year and haven't seen yet? It's the zone read play action quick hitter seam pass to Maxx and if Streveler can do anything it's make the zone read a legit threat.
I apologize in advance to Jerry and Limegrover if I just spilled the beans on that one but I'd be shocked if we don't try that at some point.

Good point on the bold Ole. That play is a beauty.

 

[jaymil]

I think Michigan's run game is probably better this year with Green being at least a servicable big back type. Their D is solid.
I have absolutely no doubt Claeys will have some new coverages and schemes to cover Funchess and pressure Gardner and/or Morris.
We CANNOT turn the ball over early. This game can be won if we force them to grind one out against us and play 4 quarters against our d and special teams.

I'll put this out there for the hand wringers: What's the biggest passing play we saw all of last year and haven't seen yet? It's the zone read play action quick hitter seam pass to Maxx and if Streveler can do anything it's make the zone read a legit threat.
I apologize in advance to Jerry and Limegrover if I just spilled the beans on that one but I'd be shocked if we don't try that at some point.

I've been looking for that play all season so far. The problem is, Maxx might not play Saturday. Would Brandon Lingen be as effective with that play? Probably not. The Duke Anyanwu injury looks a lot worse with Maxx's injury concern.

Our defense should perform much better this year in the Big House. The completions down field we were giving up were ridiculous. Gardner was all over the place with his throws but we didn't play the ball well and Funchess made some nice plays. Keep in mind we were without Wells and BBC in that game and Vereen had yet to move to CB. If I remember correctly, Shabazz and Baltazar played a lot that game. Our coverage should be much better Saturday and hopefully their run game isn't to the point where they can dominate our young guys up front.