Gophers are Bowl Bound!
Coach Kill's responses and comments on today's Sports Huddle. There were a lot of questions and most were by Dave Mona.
1) Sid opened by asking about the sixth win and being bowl bound: "Happy for the kids . . . seniors have been through a lot of (coaching) transitions . . . did it the old fashioned way - running the ball." He also mentioned the fact that they had to play three centers because of on-field injuries.
2) Offense: "Keys to the game: running the ball . . . not turning over the ball . . . running downhill . . . the punter (Christian Eldred) did a good job holding field position (averaged 43 yards a punt) . . . defense played well."
3) Importance of a bowl game: "Allows us extra practices, especially for the redshirts." Kill went on to say they'll have a lot of kids back and the extra practices for the bowl game and spring drills (30 days of practice time) are important in moving the program forward, player development, and getting ready for next season.
4) Mona asked about having to play 3 centers - had to be unusual: Kill said he never experienced anything like it - "Not even in high school." "It's a unique situation as we must move forward with only one center. That's not good." He then said, "Give all the credit to all of the kids . . . they have the next man up mentality."
5) Mona asked about Mottla's injury: "It's not good! We'll know more later this morning." Kill doesn't expect Mottla to return and said his year is probably finished.
6) Mona said Minnesota's early goal line stand was huge and set the tone for the game: "I think you're right." He mentioned the flea flicker that put Illinois in the red zone, but holding them to three points was critical as was field position. He referenced heading into the strong wind in the second half when Illinois had punted to the goal line and that the offense was able to drive the ball into Illini territory, as being extremely critical as well.
7) Mona mentioned the blocking and play of Lincoln Plsek: "He's going to be a great player (only a true freshman) . . . he played outstanding." Kill said before he finishes playing at Minnesota, Plsek will rank up with the great tight ends in Minnesota history.
8) Mona referenced Kirkwood's play: "He got better as the game went on . . . offensive line got confident . . . decided at half time to run right at them." Again, he talked about running downhill.
9) Mona on defensive line: "We were doing a better job than we did against Michigan . . . kept Schellhase in the pocket . . . got a good rush on him." Again, he talked about the windy conditions and how important field position was and that the Gophers did a good job holding the field position.
10) Mona mentioned the fumble by Schellhase late in the game: "Big play. And we scored to close the game." Gophers knocked the ball from Schellhase as he was stretching the ball forward for a first down. "Now we have to get ready for Nebraska."
11) Sid asked about preparations for Nebraska: "We'll have to be well prepared . . . worried about their great offense." He said it's a great opportunity and should be exciting for the players to play in Lincoln.
12) Mona asked about the receiving corps and whether or not Barker and Engel will be back: "I've never seen so many injuries." (Not whining, and, again, he mentioned next man up philosophy.) He said injuries on the defensive side of the ball hasn't been bad but offense is a different story. "Marquies is not full strength." He said a lot of players have high and low ankle sprains, which take a long time to heal. "I don't look for the players to be back." (I took it that he was talking about Barker and Engel.)
13) Sid asked about Marquies Gray: "He's learning on the job." Again, Kill said Gray is recovering from his ankle injury; it's difficult for Gray to cut on pass routes. He also said he feels bad for Marquies for all that he's endured as a player and for the coaching transitions that he's experienced.
14) Derrick Wells: He had a big gash on his leg . . . been playing with 13 staples in the injured leg. Kill sounded positive about Wells, however: "He's healing up." Kill also spoke favorably about Wells play and potential. He looks for Wells to be up at the top of conference players.
15) Mona asked about the short kickoff with the wind. He said Kill must have talked to Wettstein because the remaining kicks were good: "I didn't have a talk with him - I might have screamed!" Kill then quickly spoke favorably about Wettstein's demeanor (not getting down) and coming back after the bad kick. Mona and Kill agreed it was a teachable moment.
16) Mona asked about the punting game: "Punter (Eldred) did an outstanding job with and against the wind - averaged 43 yards per punt." He then mentioned Brandon Green's play and on making an important catch.
17) Mona on true freshman Rodrick Williams: "He's 243 pounds . . . he'll be a good one . . . he performed well."
18) Mike Henry: Kill said the Illini were blitzing a lot, so the coaches decided "let's run downhill" with additional tightends in the game. As a result, Henry saw a lot of playing time at the full back position. Kill sounded very pleased with yesterday's running game.
19) Linebacking corps: "They played good in space. As a group, they played well." Kill then cited Michael Carter's play: "Michael Carter made some great plays." He was high on Carter, especially overcoming some of the issues that he had last year (school).
20) Wilhite: "he's settled in . . . let him be aggressive."
21) Mona said Aaron Hill left the field twice with injuries in yesterday's game, but at game's end he was making plays all over the field: Kill said he was off because of an injury and then he, too, noticed he was back in the action. He was surprised but glad Aaron had returned.
22) Another teachable moment - Thieren Cockran lining up offsides: Kill said he had words with Cockran. Kill said Cockran's only a freshman . . . you can learn from your mistakes, but don't do it again.
Go Gophers!!
Also, this Army Veteran salutes all veterans on Veterans Day!!
Coach Kill's responses and comments on today's Sports Huddle. There were a lot of questions and most were by Dave Mona.
1) Sid opened by asking about the sixth win and being bowl bound: "Happy for the kids . . . seniors have been through a lot of (coaching) transitions . . . did it the old fashioned way - running the ball." He also mentioned the fact that they had to play three centers because of on-field injuries.
2) Offense: "Keys to the game: running the ball . . . not turning over the ball . . . running downhill . . . the punter (Christian Eldred) did a good job holding field position (averaged 43 yards a punt) . . . defense played well."
3) Importance of a bowl game: "Allows us extra practices, especially for the redshirts." Kill went on to say they'll have a lot of kids back and the extra practices for the bowl game and spring drills (30 days of practice time) are important in moving the program forward, player development, and getting ready for next season.
4) Mona asked about having to play 3 centers - had to be unusual: Kill said he never experienced anything like it - "Not even in high school." "It's a unique situation as we must move forward with only one center. That's not good." He then said, "Give all the credit to all of the kids . . . they have the next man up mentality."
5) Mona asked about Mottla's injury: "It's not good! We'll know more later this morning." Kill doesn't expect Mottla to return and said his year is probably finished.
6) Mona said Minnesota's early goal line stand was huge and set the tone for the game: "I think you're right." He mentioned the flea flicker that put Illinois in the red zone, but holding them to three points was critical as was field position. He referenced heading into the strong wind in the second half when Illinois had punted to the goal line and that the offense was able to drive the ball into Illini territory, as being extremely critical as well.
7) Mona mentioned the blocking and play of Lincoln Plsek: "He's going to be a great player (only a true freshman) . . . he played outstanding." Kill said before he finishes playing at Minnesota, Plsek will rank up with the great tight ends in Minnesota history.
8) Mona referenced Kirkwood's play: "He got better as the game went on . . . offensive line got confident . . . decided at half time to run right at them." Again, he talked about running downhill.
9) Mona on defensive line: "We were doing a better job than we did against Michigan . . . kept Schellhase in the pocket . . . got a good rush on him." Again, he talked about the windy conditions and how important field position was and that the Gophers did a good job holding the field position.
10) Mona mentioned the fumble by Schellhase late in the game: "Big play. And we scored to close the game." Gophers knocked the ball from Schellhase as he was stretching the ball forward for a first down. "Now we have to get ready for Nebraska."
11) Sid asked about preparations for Nebraska: "We'll have to be well prepared . . . worried about their great offense." He said it's a great opportunity and should be exciting for the players to play in Lincoln.
12) Mona asked about the receiving corps and whether or not Barker and Engel will be back: "I've never seen so many injuries." (Not whining, and, again, he mentioned next man up philosophy.) He said injuries on the defensive side of the ball hasn't been bad but offense is a different story. "Marquies is not full strength." He said a lot of players have high and low ankle sprains, which take a long time to heal. "I don't look for the players to be back." (I took it that he was talking about Barker and Engel.)
13) Sid asked about Marquies Gray: "He's learning on the job." Again, Kill said Gray is recovering from his ankle injury; it's difficult for Gray to cut on pass routes. He also said he feels bad for Marquies for all that he's endured as a player and for the coaching transitions that he's experienced.
14) Derrick Wells: He had a big gash on his leg . . . been playing with 13 staples in the injured leg. Kill sounded positive about Wells, however: "He's healing up." Kill also spoke favorably about Wells play and potential. He looks for Wells to be up at the top of conference players.
15) Mona asked about the short kickoff with the wind. He said Kill must have talked to Wettstein because the remaining kicks were good: "I didn't have a talk with him - I might have screamed!" Kill then quickly spoke favorably about Wettstein's demeanor (not getting down) and coming back after the bad kick. Mona and Kill agreed it was a teachable moment.
16) Mona asked about the punting game: "Punter (Eldred) did an outstanding job with and against the wind - averaged 43 yards per punt." He then mentioned Brandon Green's play and on making an important catch.
17) Mona on true freshman Rodrick Williams: "He's 243 pounds . . . he'll be a good one . . . he performed well."
18) Mike Henry: Kill said the Illini were blitzing a lot, so the coaches decided "let's run downhill" with additional tightends in the game. As a result, Henry saw a lot of playing time at the full back position. Kill sounded very pleased with yesterday's running game.
19) Linebacking corps: "They played good in space. As a group, they played well." Kill then cited Michael Carter's play: "Michael Carter made some great plays." He was high on Carter, especially overcoming some of the issues that he had last year (school).
20) Wilhite: "he's settled in . . . let him be aggressive."
21) Mona said Aaron Hill left the field twice with injuries in yesterday's game, but at game's end he was making plays all over the field: Kill said he was off because of an injury and then he, too, noticed he was back in the action. He was surprised but glad Aaron had returned.
22) Another teachable moment - Thieren Cockran lining up offsides: Kill said he had words with Cockran. Kill said Cockran's only a freshman . . . you can learn from your mistakes, but don't do it again.
Go Gophers!!
Also, this Army Veteran salutes all veterans on Veterans Day!!
