Coach Kill’s responses and comments related to Minnesota’s win over Kent State, 10-7.
1) Sid opened the segment asking for Coach Kill’s assessment of the team now that they’ve had a chance to view the game films of yesterday’s win. Sid opined the defense looked good, but the offense not so good:
“I agree with your conclusion,” Kill replied. He said the defense was good and “Punter (Peter Mortell) did a great Job!” Because of his long punts, the field was stretched for Kent State’s offense.
Coach Kill said they have had some serious problems on the offensive side of the ball, “Offense, no continuity.” Kill said they’ve experienced a lot of injuries on offense, citing absence of tight-ends Lincoln Plsek, Brandon Lingen, Duke Anyanwu, as well in line personnel. Nevertheless, Kill said it’s up to the coaching staff to find the fix the offensive woes, “Try to find the problem and fix it.”
His final comment to the Sid’s opine and question was related to his remarks in the presser after the game, which he said was context – “No pity parties . . .(it’s) about taking care of the players . . . Not going to throw the kids under the bus.”
2) In a follow-up question related to the offensive line, Sid asked about it being healthy for next week’s game against Ohio University:
Kill quickly replied, in a matter-of-fact tone, “We really miss Jon Christenson! . . . We’ve not been healthy . . . We’ve got to find our best five and stay healthy.”
He then talked about coaching offensive linemen, “Offensive line is difficult to coach.” (He said the problem is not unique to Minnesota, all team’s have the same problem; the line positions and players are unique – it takes special players – mentally and physically – to play in the offensive line. Everyone tries to find the players with certain attributes.)
Speaking positively, Kill said, “The kids are working their butts off.” And, once again, he emphasized that he and the coaching staff need to do a better job in coaching and giving the players the best opportunity to succeed.
3) Sid asked about the team’s tight-ends:
“Hope to get Bandon Lingen back,” Kill said. As to the availability of Lincoln Plsek, Kill sounded uncertain.
He cited Nate Wozniak and Nick Hart in his comments, “Nick Hart did some moments.”
His comments about the tight-end position were similar to his remarks about the offensive line. He said they need to find a way to get the players healthy and successful on the field.
One thing Kill knew for certain, in his remarks, no matter who you’re playing you must ready. He then cited the play of MAC Conference teams against the bigger/name schools. As an example, he mentioned the OSU vs Northern Illinois. OSU defeated NIU yesterday, 20-13. (Of course we remember last week when Toledo defeated Arkansas. Last night the Rockets beat Iowa State University in overtime.)
His final comments were related to the coaching staff’s experience in coaching games/teams – high scoring teams, when they lacked a strong defense, and games similar to yesterday’s tilt.
The thing that Coach Kill stressed frequently in his remarks was that they won yesterday. Winning is always better than losing.
4) Sid said he thought Mitch “Leidner did alright:”
Kill didn’t specifically mention Leidner or any player concerning their play yesterday in his comments, but, rather, he focused on the coaches and players generally, “We’re all responsible getting things right!”
As to critics, “People are going to be who they are, even when you win,” Kill said. Kill also said he told the players “Don’t apologize for winning.”
5) Dave Mona asked a two-part question: having running the jet-sweep and that Mitch Leidner was 17 of 27 in passing; however, the receivers were not getting separation from Kent State’s defensive backs:
Coach Kill did not respond to the question about running the jet-sweep; however, he expounded at length about penalties and sacks hindering the passing game. He said being 2nd and 20 is tough to overcome for any offense. But the biggest offensive problem that they must overcome is “execution.” He also said, “” (We) Have to get off to better starts. Offensively, that’s been a real problem in the first three games.
He then talked about the players on the offensive side of the line being down. . “The kids – offense – are in the tank; need to get them out of the tank.” He said 90% of the game is mental, and it’s extremely important that the coaching staff, including himself, that they help the players bounce back. Again, he cited the importance of winning, which they did yesterday.
6) Sid mentioned quarterback Demry Croft and that many want to see him play:
“Demry Croft is a good athlete, player . . . but you’ve got to be ready,” Kill answered.
Once again, referring to the offense, Kill said, “We have to get better.” Specifically he mentioned the offensive line and running backs in his remarks.
7) Dave Mona opined about Minnesota being 2 and 1:
Kill responded, “We’re two and one . . . we could have been 3 and o.”
He went onto say that the offense knows that they have hit some bumps in the first three games and that they need improve. “Do we need to get better on offense? Yes we do!”
Talking about the mental aspect of the game and the disappointments the offense is experiencing, Kill said, “A player told me, “’It’s like we let everyone down.” To boost the player up, he reminded the player that they won. IMO, that they won yesterday’s game and the need to improve (players and coaches) will be emphasized this week as they prepare to take on Ohio University.
8) Sid brought up Ohio state’s narrow victory over Northern Illinois:
Kill quickly and emphatically replied, “You’ve got to be ready; it doesn’t matter who you’re playing . . . Can’t compare scores, every game is different . . . ball bounces funny ways.”
In a matter-of- fact tone, Kill said, “(Need to) take care of the players . . . (they’re) discouraged . . . Hey, we did win . . . at the end of the day, winning is all that matters.”
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment asking for Coach Kill’s assessment of the team now that they’ve had a chance to view the game films of yesterday’s win. Sid opined the defense looked good, but the offense not so good:
“I agree with your conclusion,” Kill replied. He said the defense was good and “Punter (Peter Mortell) did a great Job!” Because of his long punts, the field was stretched for Kent State’s offense.
Coach Kill said they have had some serious problems on the offensive side of the ball, “Offense, no continuity.” Kill said they’ve experienced a lot of injuries on offense, citing absence of tight-ends Lincoln Plsek, Brandon Lingen, Duke Anyanwu, as well in line personnel. Nevertheless, Kill said it’s up to the coaching staff to find the fix the offensive woes, “Try to find the problem and fix it.”
His final comment to the Sid’s opine and question was related to his remarks in the presser after the game, which he said was context – “No pity parties . . .(it’s) about taking care of the players . . . Not going to throw the kids under the bus.”
2) In a follow-up question related to the offensive line, Sid asked about it being healthy for next week’s game against Ohio University:
Kill quickly replied, in a matter-of-fact tone, “We really miss Jon Christenson! . . . We’ve not been healthy . . . We’ve got to find our best five and stay healthy.”
He then talked about coaching offensive linemen, “Offensive line is difficult to coach.” (He said the problem is not unique to Minnesota, all team’s have the same problem; the line positions and players are unique – it takes special players – mentally and physically – to play in the offensive line. Everyone tries to find the players with certain attributes.)
Speaking positively, Kill said, “The kids are working their butts off.” And, once again, he emphasized that he and the coaching staff need to do a better job in coaching and giving the players the best opportunity to succeed.
3) Sid asked about the team’s tight-ends:
“Hope to get Bandon Lingen back,” Kill said. As to the availability of Lincoln Plsek, Kill sounded uncertain.
He cited Nate Wozniak and Nick Hart in his comments, “Nick Hart did some moments.”
His comments about the tight-end position were similar to his remarks about the offensive line. He said they need to find a way to get the players healthy and successful on the field.
One thing Kill knew for certain, in his remarks, no matter who you’re playing you must ready. He then cited the play of MAC Conference teams against the bigger/name schools. As an example, he mentioned the OSU vs Northern Illinois. OSU defeated NIU yesterday, 20-13. (Of course we remember last week when Toledo defeated Arkansas. Last night the Rockets beat Iowa State University in overtime.)
His final comments were related to the coaching staff’s experience in coaching games/teams – high scoring teams, when they lacked a strong defense, and games similar to yesterday’s tilt.
The thing that Coach Kill stressed frequently in his remarks was that they won yesterday. Winning is always better than losing.
4) Sid said he thought Mitch “Leidner did alright:”
Kill didn’t specifically mention Leidner or any player concerning their play yesterday in his comments, but, rather, he focused on the coaches and players generally, “We’re all responsible getting things right!”
As to critics, “People are going to be who they are, even when you win,” Kill said. Kill also said he told the players “Don’t apologize for winning.”
5) Dave Mona asked a two-part question: having running the jet-sweep and that Mitch Leidner was 17 of 27 in passing; however, the receivers were not getting separation from Kent State’s defensive backs:
Coach Kill did not respond to the question about running the jet-sweep; however, he expounded at length about penalties and sacks hindering the passing game. He said being 2nd and 20 is tough to overcome for any offense. But the biggest offensive problem that they must overcome is “execution.” He also said, “” (We) Have to get off to better starts. Offensively, that’s been a real problem in the first three games.
He then talked about the players on the offensive side of the line being down. . “The kids – offense – are in the tank; need to get them out of the tank.” He said 90% of the game is mental, and it’s extremely important that the coaching staff, including himself, that they help the players bounce back. Again, he cited the importance of winning, which they did yesterday.
6) Sid mentioned quarterback Demry Croft and that many want to see him play:
“Demry Croft is a good athlete, player . . . but you’ve got to be ready,” Kill answered.
Once again, referring to the offense, Kill said, “We have to get better.” Specifically he mentioned the offensive line and running backs in his remarks.
7) Dave Mona opined about Minnesota being 2 and 1:
Kill responded, “We’re two and one . . . we could have been 3 and o.”
He went onto say that the offense knows that they have hit some bumps in the first three games and that they need improve. “Do we need to get better on offense? Yes we do!”
Talking about the mental aspect of the game and the disappointments the offense is experiencing, Kill said, “A player told me, “’It’s like we let everyone down.” To boost the player up, he reminded the player that they won. IMO, that they won yesterday’s game and the need to improve (players and coaches) will be emphasized this week as they prepare to take on Ohio University.
8) Sid brought up Ohio state’s narrow victory over Northern Illinois:
Kill quickly and emphatically replied, “You’ve got to be ready; it doesn’t matter who you’re playing . . . Can’t compare scores, every game is different . . . ball bounces funny ways.”
In a matter-of- fact tone, Kill said, “(Need to) take care of the players . . . (they’re) discouraged . . . Hey, we did win . . . at the end of the day, winning is all that matters.”
Go Gophers!!
