Mike Max joined Sid Hartman in asking coach Jerry Kill about yesterday's loss to Wisconsin in Madison. Dave Mona is in Las Vegas for a birthday celebration for Harvey McKay.
1) Sid asked about Phil Nelson's play yesterday: "I thought Phil did a very good job for a true freshman . . . made one decision that he'd like to have back." Kill said Nelson took most of the reps last week in practice. Marquies is not 100% yet and they plan to keep him on the outside at WR (less of a chance of reinjuring his ankle on the outside than running inside), and Max Shortell had an MRI last week because he was experiencing a tingling sensation in his arm and fingers. The decision to take off Nelson's redshirt was finalized Friday evening at about 9:30 when coach Kill met with Phil Nelson.
2) New schemes in Wisconsin's offensive line: Wisconsin did some shifting in the offensive line. Every team has new wrinkles or schemes in reserve that they bring out as the season progresses . . . we need to be prepared for the unexpected adjustments. Bottom line: Kill said they hung in with Wisconsin in the first half, however, they left points on the field . . . he felt Wettstein's field goal attempt at the end of the first half was good. Wisconsin wore the Gophers down in the second half. Big play in the 2nd half was when it was 3rd and 11 and Monte Ball broke several missed tackles for a first down. "They (Wisconsin) took away our will in the 2nd half.
3) Sid asked if Minnesota would like to copy Wisconsin's run game: "We want to run the football . . . always had an athletic QB and RBs . . . We're not built like that now." Kill again referenced the team's youth because of injuries and that the team is headed in the right direction.
He closed the question by saying Wisconsin's athletic director, Barry Alvarez, stopped and visited with him as he was about to board the team bus and its return trip to the Twin Cities. He said he'd keep their conversation private, but he did say Alvarez's comments meant a lot to him.
4) Sid asked about the OL being banged up: "It's been that way all year . . . can't change the past . . . kids are working hard; we'll just keep working." He then said the second year is a year of transition . . . people like and dislike what we're doing. The coaches had a special meeting last night after they returned home from Madison. Kill told the coaches not to let the players get discouraged . . . no yelling . . . the players hear enough negativity away from the practice fields. Need to keep them headed in the right direction.
5) Questions raised about injured players being ready for Purdue: "I have no idea." He said Marquies did some good things yesterday at WR; however, he needs to get adusted to the receiving position.
Derrick Wells needed to have one of his legs restitched that had been injured earlier this year.
Need Ed Olson to get well and back in the lineup. His high ankle sprain makes his availability a question mark.
Many of the starting players are missing valuable practice time because of being held out to recover from their injuries.
Kill also said they need to evaluate game films and determine what they're doing right and focus on those things and by keeping it simple for the players
6) Sid asked if Nelson would be playing QB the rest of the season: "Nelson will be playing. Didn't pull his redshirt and not play him . . . (he) will be learning by playing." He also said Max can help, if needed. Kill, once again, said Nelson would like to have one or two plays over in yesterday's game. Overall, he sounded pleased with Nelson's first outing.
7) Next opponent, Purdue: "Every opponent is a good opponent." He said the ball seemed to bounce Minnesota's way in the first four games; however, it's bounced the other way during games with Iowa, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. He went on to say Wisconsin has really improved its play in recent weeks and that Northwestern is a very good team. Purdue plays a wide open game (good receivers and running backs) and is similar to his team at NIU . . . they played a lot of youngsters during the past couple years and now they've grown up.
8) PSU vs Iowa: Kill is very impressed with O'Brien's coaching . . . gets an A+ for keeping the Nittany Lions focused and for overcoming adversity and multiple distractions.
9) Players raising money for cancer research: Kill cited and credited Connor Cosgrove for spearheading an upcoming fund raiser. Rumor has it that Mike Rallis will cut his hair as a part of the event - coach Kill said, laughing, he'd pay a lot of money to see that happen. Connor Cosgrove made the trip to Madiosn and that he grabbed Kill's hand when the team said "The Lord's Prayer" in the locker room following yesterday's game. He also said Connor is an inspiring young man.
Go Gophers!!
Note:
Good News: I'll be in the Twin Cities next weekend for a family gathering and I plan to attend the Minnesota-Purdue game.
Bad News: I won't be able to transcibe the Sports Huddle because of the family commitments.
1) Sid asked about Phil Nelson's play yesterday: "I thought Phil did a very good job for a true freshman . . . made one decision that he'd like to have back." Kill said Nelson took most of the reps last week in practice. Marquies is not 100% yet and they plan to keep him on the outside at WR (less of a chance of reinjuring his ankle on the outside than running inside), and Max Shortell had an MRI last week because he was experiencing a tingling sensation in his arm and fingers. The decision to take off Nelson's redshirt was finalized Friday evening at about 9:30 when coach Kill met with Phil Nelson.
2) New schemes in Wisconsin's offensive line: Wisconsin did some shifting in the offensive line. Every team has new wrinkles or schemes in reserve that they bring out as the season progresses . . . we need to be prepared for the unexpected adjustments. Bottom line: Kill said they hung in with Wisconsin in the first half, however, they left points on the field . . . he felt Wettstein's field goal attempt at the end of the first half was good. Wisconsin wore the Gophers down in the second half. Big play in the 2nd half was when it was 3rd and 11 and Monte Ball broke several missed tackles for a first down. "They (Wisconsin) took away our will in the 2nd half.
3) Sid asked if Minnesota would like to copy Wisconsin's run game: "We want to run the football . . . always had an athletic QB and RBs . . . We're not built like that now." Kill again referenced the team's youth because of injuries and that the team is headed in the right direction.
He closed the question by saying Wisconsin's athletic director, Barry Alvarez, stopped and visited with him as he was about to board the team bus and its return trip to the Twin Cities. He said he'd keep their conversation private, but he did say Alvarez's comments meant a lot to him.
4) Sid asked about the OL being banged up: "It's been that way all year . . . can't change the past . . . kids are working hard; we'll just keep working." He then said the second year is a year of transition . . . people like and dislike what we're doing. The coaches had a special meeting last night after they returned home from Madison. Kill told the coaches not to let the players get discouraged . . . no yelling . . . the players hear enough negativity away from the practice fields. Need to keep them headed in the right direction.
5) Questions raised about injured players being ready for Purdue: "I have no idea." He said Marquies did some good things yesterday at WR; however, he needs to get adusted to the receiving position.
Derrick Wells needed to have one of his legs restitched that had been injured earlier this year.
Need Ed Olson to get well and back in the lineup. His high ankle sprain makes his availability a question mark.
Many of the starting players are missing valuable practice time because of being held out to recover from their injuries.
Kill also said they need to evaluate game films and determine what they're doing right and focus on those things and by keeping it simple for the players
6) Sid asked if Nelson would be playing QB the rest of the season: "Nelson will be playing. Didn't pull his redshirt and not play him . . . (he) will be learning by playing." He also said Max can help, if needed. Kill, once again, said Nelson would like to have one or two plays over in yesterday's game. Overall, he sounded pleased with Nelson's first outing.
7) Next opponent, Purdue: "Every opponent is a good opponent." He said the ball seemed to bounce Minnesota's way in the first four games; however, it's bounced the other way during games with Iowa, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. He went on to say Wisconsin has really improved its play in recent weeks and that Northwestern is a very good team. Purdue plays a wide open game (good receivers and running backs) and is similar to his team at NIU . . . they played a lot of youngsters during the past couple years and now they've grown up.
8) PSU vs Iowa: Kill is very impressed with O'Brien's coaching . . . gets an A+ for keeping the Nittany Lions focused and for overcoming adversity and multiple distractions.
9) Players raising money for cancer research: Kill cited and credited Connor Cosgrove for spearheading an upcoming fund raiser. Rumor has it that Mike Rallis will cut his hair as a part of the event - coach Kill said, laughing, he'd pay a lot of money to see that happen. Connor Cosgrove made the trip to Madiosn and that he grabbed Kill's hand when the team said "The Lord's Prayer" in the locker room following yesterday's game. He also said Connor is an inspiring young man.
Go Gophers!!
Note:
Good News: I'll be in the Twin Cities next weekend for a family gathering and I plan to attend the Minnesota-Purdue game.
Bad News: I won't be able to transcibe the Sports Huddle because of the family commitments.
