STrib: Fleck says playing Friday gives Gophers extra time to prepare for Illinois

per Randy:

Extra time to prepare

Since the Gophers played Friday, they had an extra day to prepare for this week’s game. Fleck said that helped with rest and studying Illinois.

“I loved our response the last few days,” Fleck said. “We’ve been almost [using] it as another bye week, playing on Friday. We’ve been getting a ton of film [work] in without getting as much contact.

“… We’re short on bodies,” he added. “We’ve got to make sure on this four-game stretch [to end the season] that we’ve got our guys as healthy as possible.’’

http://www.startribune.com/tanner-m...phers-against-saturday-at-illinois/498929991/

Go Gophers!!

foreshadowing bad news on the crop of injuries in the Indiana game?

BleedGopher said:

per Randy:

Extra time to prepare

Since the Gophers played Friday, they had an extra day to prepare for this week’s game. Fleck said that helped with rest and studying Illinois.

“I loved our response the last few days,” Fleck said. “We’ve been almost [using] it as another bye week, playing on Friday. We’ve been getting a ton of film [work] in without getting as much contact.

“… We’re short on bodies,” he added. “We’ve got to make sure on this four-game stretch [to end the season] that we’ve got our guys as healthy as possible.’’

http://www.startribune.com/tanner-m...phers-against-saturday-at-illinois/498929991/

Go Gophers!!

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This is one reason the coaches want to preserve red shirts. They want to develop players and build good team depth. Right now, they don't have any choice but play so many freshmen.

This baptism by fire will pay dividends next season. Playing the likes of Faalele and Terrell Smith may earn a victory they otherwise wouldn't have now.

hungan1 said:

This is one reason the coaches want to preserve red shirts. They want to develop players and build good team depth. Right now, they don't have any choice but play so many freshmen.

This baptism by fire will pay dividends next season. Playing the likes of Faalele and Terrell Smith may earn a victory they otherwise wouldn't have now.

Click to expand...

This is 100% the case. As much as you want to redshirt everyone you can't right now. Hopefully in a few years we don't need to play so many freshman but for now, its the only way to compete and build depth!