Coach Kill’s comments and responses to queries by Sid Hartman and Dave Mona on today’s Sports Huddle:
1) Sid opened the show by asking about yesterday’s game plan – appeared it was to run and not throw: “Big thing, you dictate what you do by what you see,” replied Kill. “We averaged over six yards a carry . . . We had some shots (3 passes) that we missed.”
2) Sid said Streveler’s fast: Kill quickly responded, ‘”He’s very athletic . . . did a great job reading the option.”
On Streveler’s interception at the goal line: “The “pick,” they were in zone coverage – I take the blame – should have run the ball.” According to Kill, if they had run the ball instead of trying to pass into the zone coverage the Gophers would have scored a touchdown.
3) Sid opined that the running abilities of Chris Streveler and David Cobb make it tough on the opponents defense: “It’s option football – Switzer (former Oklahoma coach) would be happy,” replied Kill. “He (Streveler) didn’t miss many reads.”
4) Sid complained about the officiating in yesterday’s game (knowing that Kill could not comment – Kill laughed during Sid’s diatribe). Specifically, Sid was critical of the officials calling 12 players on the field and an unsportsmanlike call – “calls were stupid.” Sid then asked about the team’s offensive line: “Offensive line played better than at TCU . . . They understood what happened at TCU . . . played more bodies . . . (linemen) were aggressive . . . Did quite a bit with the young quarterback,” said Kill.
5) Sid asked if Mitch Leidner would be back for the Michigan game: Kill replied, “Can’t answer that; we’ll have to see how the week goes.”
Kill said he was hopeful that some of the players that have been nursing injuries will be back this week. Specifically, Kill said he was hopeful that Alex Keith would be back in action this week.
6) Sid said the team has had several injuries this season, which is problematic: Kill acknowledged this year’s team has had the largest number of injuries in his long coaching career. Since spring drills, Kill said they’ve lost nine guys to season-ending injuries – 5 or 6 with ACL injuries.
On the bright side, according to Kill, the “injury-bug” has created opportunities for younger players: “Took off redshirts . . . Brandon Lingen started yesterday . . . You just deal with it . . . It’s a challenge . . . We have to go to Michigan and improve . . . It’s Big 10 time.”
7) In a follow-up, Dave Mona said at one time he noticed 3 freshmen on the defensive front and, according to Dave Mona, they’re no longer freshmen, because of their extensive action: Kill responded laughing, “They can’t be (freshmen), they have to grow up fast.” Kill then cited two first-year freshmen for their play: Gaelin Elmore and Craig James . . . “Everybody (is) stepping up . . . Great attitudes.” Kill added, when a team and individuals have a great attitude “You get better and better.”
8) Sid, once again, turned his attention to the offensive line: Kill said the offensive line had a good week and he credited the players for their attitude and work ethic. He said they’ve had to overcome a lot of obstacles, especially the lack of “continuity.” He said the offensive line has lot of “moving parts” (linemen playing multiple positions). He cited the loss of Caleb Bak (concussions) was critical, as was the injury to Jon Christenson (should be returning) and the early season injury that Ben Lauer suffered.
Nevertheless, Kill sounded pleased with the line play (both sides) this week. He said they got off the line quickly yesterday.
9) Dave Mona asked about the field conditions after the torrential rains and when they returned to the field to finish the game: Kill replied, “I thought they were good . . . Our kids came out ready (after the weather delay).”
10) Sid asked how many first-year freshmen are playing: Kill said they are playing 8 or 9 freshmen and acknowledged they may play (take off redshirts) a couple more. They’ll know by mid-week, if they have to take off a couple more redshirts. However, he doesn’t plan to burn any redshirts after this week, if they don’t have to.
11) Sid said the Gophers have a “bye-week” following the Michigan game and that it couldn’t come at a better time: Kill said the “Bye-Week” will give them another week to heal up and a week to work with the younger players that have been seeing action.
As to additional injuries, Kill said, Marcus Jones suffered a hand injury and Zac Epping has a high ankle sprain. Kill concluded, “Hopefully we came out pretty good (injury-wise).”
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the show by asking about yesterday’s game plan – appeared it was to run and not throw: “Big thing, you dictate what you do by what you see,” replied Kill. “We averaged over six yards a carry . . . We had some shots (3 passes) that we missed.”
2) Sid said Streveler’s fast: Kill quickly responded, ‘”He’s very athletic . . . did a great job reading the option.”
On Streveler’s interception at the goal line: “The “pick,” they were in zone coverage – I take the blame – should have run the ball.” According to Kill, if they had run the ball instead of trying to pass into the zone coverage the Gophers would have scored a touchdown.
3) Sid opined that the running abilities of Chris Streveler and David Cobb make it tough on the opponents defense: “It’s option football – Switzer (former Oklahoma coach) would be happy,” replied Kill. “He (Streveler) didn’t miss many reads.”
4) Sid complained about the officiating in yesterday’s game (knowing that Kill could not comment – Kill laughed during Sid’s diatribe). Specifically, Sid was critical of the officials calling 12 players on the field and an unsportsmanlike call – “calls were stupid.” Sid then asked about the team’s offensive line: “Offensive line played better than at TCU . . . They understood what happened at TCU . . . played more bodies . . . (linemen) were aggressive . . . Did quite a bit with the young quarterback,” said Kill.
5) Sid asked if Mitch Leidner would be back for the Michigan game: Kill replied, “Can’t answer that; we’ll have to see how the week goes.”
Kill said he was hopeful that some of the players that have been nursing injuries will be back this week. Specifically, Kill said he was hopeful that Alex Keith would be back in action this week.
6) Sid said the team has had several injuries this season, which is problematic: Kill acknowledged this year’s team has had the largest number of injuries in his long coaching career. Since spring drills, Kill said they’ve lost nine guys to season-ending injuries – 5 or 6 with ACL injuries.
On the bright side, according to Kill, the “injury-bug” has created opportunities for younger players: “Took off redshirts . . . Brandon Lingen started yesterday . . . You just deal with it . . . It’s a challenge . . . We have to go to Michigan and improve . . . It’s Big 10 time.”
7) In a follow-up, Dave Mona said at one time he noticed 3 freshmen on the defensive front and, according to Dave Mona, they’re no longer freshmen, because of their extensive action: Kill responded laughing, “They can’t be (freshmen), they have to grow up fast.” Kill then cited two first-year freshmen for their play: Gaelin Elmore and Craig James . . . “Everybody (is) stepping up . . . Great attitudes.” Kill added, when a team and individuals have a great attitude “You get better and better.”
8) Sid, once again, turned his attention to the offensive line: Kill said the offensive line had a good week and he credited the players for their attitude and work ethic. He said they’ve had to overcome a lot of obstacles, especially the lack of “continuity.” He said the offensive line has lot of “moving parts” (linemen playing multiple positions). He cited the loss of Caleb Bak (concussions) was critical, as was the injury to Jon Christenson (should be returning) and the early season injury that Ben Lauer suffered.
Nevertheless, Kill sounded pleased with the line play (both sides) this week. He said they got off the line quickly yesterday.
9) Dave Mona asked about the field conditions after the torrential rains and when they returned to the field to finish the game: Kill replied, “I thought they were good . . . Our kids came out ready (after the weather delay).”
10) Sid asked how many first-year freshmen are playing: Kill said they are playing 8 or 9 freshmen and acknowledged they may play (take off redshirts) a couple more. They’ll know by mid-week, if they have to take off a couple more redshirts. However, he doesn’t plan to burn any redshirts after this week, if they don’t have to.
11) Sid said the Gophers have a “bye-week” following the Michigan game and that it couldn’t come at a better time: Kill said the “Bye-Week” will give them another week to heal up and a week to work with the younger players that have been seeing action.
As to additional injuries, Kill said, Marcus Jones suffered a hand injury and Zac Epping has a high ankle sprain. Kill concluded, “Hopefully we came out pretty good (injury-wise).”
Go Gophers!!
