Coach jerry Kill appeared on the Sports Huddle at 9:30 a.m., as he did last week, because of the team’s practice schedule. This week’s segment was shorter than usual.
1) Sid opened the show by asking Coach Kill if he had looked at film of the SEC Championship game between Missouri and Alabama: “They (Missouri) played very well . . . Alabama’s a good football team,” answered Kill. “(Citrus Bowl) Great challenge for our program, looking forward to it.”
During his response to Sid’s query, Kill said he was very impressed with the Tigers defensive ends, “Sean (sp?) Ray (was) SEC Player of the Year.” Many have said the defensive ends are the strength of the Tiger defense.
2) Sid cited the success of the Missouri Tigers in their conference division: “They won their side of the conference . . . They’ve upped their recruiting . . . (Missouri’s) Pretty dang good,” replied Kill. He also mentioned the transformation and early success that they’ve enjoyed in their switch from the Big Twelve to the SEC.
3) Sid said Mitch Leidner is one of his favorite players (past and present) of the Gophers. He acknowledged the Gopher quarterback has received a lot of criticism with his passing; however, Sid said Leidner has played hurt much of the year because of a knee injury that he suffered in this year’s second game: Kill quickly replied, “He’s still a very young quarterback; reminds me of Chandler Harnish (Northern Illinois quarterback when Kill was the Huskies head coach).”
He finished the question talking about the lack of protection for Mitch Leidner early in the season, “We struggled earlier in the year in (pass) protection.” He also said the receivers improved as the season progressed, which was helpful in the passing game.
4) Sid asked if David Cobb is healthy: “David is in great shape . . . definitely ready for the bowl game,” said Kill. Kill also said the time off since the season-ending game with Wisconsin has benefitted David Cobb and the team in general.
5) Sid asked if the offensive line is healthy for the Citrus Bowl: Kill sounded positive about the offensive linemen and their recovery from the season’s bumps and bruises, except for Ben Lauer: “Healthy but Ben Lauer . . . He’ll make the trip . . . He’s had one of those years ( continued setbacks).” In addition to his high ankle sprain, Kill briefly mentioned the struggles that Lauer has undergone since he contracted mononucleosis.
Turning to the positive side of the ledger, Kill said, “We’ll get Drew Woliarsky back.”
6) Sid, once again, turned his attention to the Missouri Tigers and the Citrus Bowl: Kill remarks were focused primarily on one opposing player, Marcus Murphy, and what the Gopher defense must do to enjoy success on defensive side of the line. He said Marcus Murphy is an outstanding running back and kick returner. As a result, the team’s linebackers must have a steady, productive game, “(our) Linebackers will have to be good (for Missouri’s running game, (short) passing game, and containment of rushes by the quarterback, especially on the outside).”
7) Sid’s final question was related to Maxx Williams and the importance of his play in the upcoming bowl game: Coach Kill’s response to Sid’s query and comment was succinct and very positive: “Maxx is a big key in what we do. He’ll be focused.”
8) Dave Mona asked the final question – should answer a lot of questions that have been raised in this forum in recent weeks – which was recruiting-related: Kill said he expects to sign 23-25 recruits in this recruiting cycle.
Kill then proceeded to outline their focus and priorities for the remaining slots:
“Another safety . . . A good one slipped away.”
One linebacker . . . 2 defensive ends . . . one defensive tackle . . . and one, possibly two receivers.
In finishing the query by Mona, Kill spent a few moments talking about the receiving corps that he expects great things from in the future. He said four receivers were redshirted this year and three of the redshirts would have been contributors on the 2014 team. He sounded very, very positive when talking about the young receiving quartet.
Overall, Coach Kill sounded upbeat and positive with the team’s preparation for their January 1 bowl game and this year’s recruiting.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the show by asking Coach Kill if he had looked at film of the SEC Championship game between Missouri and Alabama: “They (Missouri) played very well . . . Alabama’s a good football team,” answered Kill. “(Citrus Bowl) Great challenge for our program, looking forward to it.”
During his response to Sid’s query, Kill said he was very impressed with the Tigers defensive ends, “Sean (sp?) Ray (was) SEC Player of the Year.” Many have said the defensive ends are the strength of the Tiger defense.
2) Sid cited the success of the Missouri Tigers in their conference division: “They won their side of the conference . . . They’ve upped their recruiting . . . (Missouri’s) Pretty dang good,” replied Kill. He also mentioned the transformation and early success that they’ve enjoyed in their switch from the Big Twelve to the SEC.
3) Sid said Mitch Leidner is one of his favorite players (past and present) of the Gophers. He acknowledged the Gopher quarterback has received a lot of criticism with his passing; however, Sid said Leidner has played hurt much of the year because of a knee injury that he suffered in this year’s second game: Kill quickly replied, “He’s still a very young quarterback; reminds me of Chandler Harnish (Northern Illinois quarterback when Kill was the Huskies head coach).”
He finished the question talking about the lack of protection for Mitch Leidner early in the season, “We struggled earlier in the year in (pass) protection.” He also said the receivers improved as the season progressed, which was helpful in the passing game.
4) Sid asked if David Cobb is healthy: “David is in great shape . . . definitely ready for the bowl game,” said Kill. Kill also said the time off since the season-ending game with Wisconsin has benefitted David Cobb and the team in general.
5) Sid asked if the offensive line is healthy for the Citrus Bowl: Kill sounded positive about the offensive linemen and their recovery from the season’s bumps and bruises, except for Ben Lauer: “Healthy but Ben Lauer . . . He’ll make the trip . . . He’s had one of those years ( continued setbacks).” In addition to his high ankle sprain, Kill briefly mentioned the struggles that Lauer has undergone since he contracted mononucleosis.
Turning to the positive side of the ledger, Kill said, “We’ll get Drew Woliarsky back.”
6) Sid, once again, turned his attention to the Missouri Tigers and the Citrus Bowl: Kill remarks were focused primarily on one opposing player, Marcus Murphy, and what the Gopher defense must do to enjoy success on defensive side of the line. He said Marcus Murphy is an outstanding running back and kick returner. As a result, the team’s linebackers must have a steady, productive game, “(our) Linebackers will have to be good (for Missouri’s running game, (short) passing game, and containment of rushes by the quarterback, especially on the outside).”
7) Sid’s final question was related to Maxx Williams and the importance of his play in the upcoming bowl game: Coach Kill’s response to Sid’s query and comment was succinct and very positive: “Maxx is a big key in what we do. He’ll be focused.”
8) Dave Mona asked the final question – should answer a lot of questions that have been raised in this forum in recent weeks – which was recruiting-related: Kill said he expects to sign 23-25 recruits in this recruiting cycle.
Kill then proceeded to outline their focus and priorities for the remaining slots:
“Another safety . . . A good one slipped away.”
One linebacker . . . 2 defensive ends . . . one defensive tackle . . . and one, possibly two receivers.
In finishing the query by Mona, Kill spent a few moments talking about the receiving corps that he expects great things from in the future. He said four receivers were redshirted this year and three of the redshirts would have been contributors on the 2014 team. He sounded very, very positive when talking about the young receiving quartet.
Overall, Coach Kill sounded upbeat and positive with the team’s preparation for their January 1 bowl game and this year’s recruiting.
Go Gophers!!