Mix Max filled in for Dave Mona on today’s Sports Huddle.
Some of Coach Kill’s responses and comments related to yesterday’s come from behind victory over the Ohio Bobcats, 27-24, are as follows:
1) Mike Max opened the segment opining that the Minnesota Gophers are battle-tested going into the Big Ten schedule:
"Certainly have had a tough schedule the last four games,” Kill said. He added that the team is three and one; however, he also said, they could also be one and three given the come from behind games against Colorado State, Ohio University, and the tight game against Kent State.
He then talked about being tenacious and persevering in the coming games, especially given the “mass of Injuries . . . (must) hang in and finish games.”
Laurence Maroney said to Coach Kill after the game, “’You’ve got to play sixty minutes.”’ Kill agreed, “We must play sixty minutes . . . (regarding Big Ten schedule) “Big Ten – We’re going to have to find ways to win! . . . Offensively, better . . . (however) should have scored a couple TDs in the red zone.”
On the defensive side of the ball - sounding very concerned - Kill mentioned injuries to Briean Boddy Calhoun, Antonio Johnson and Kiante Martin, as seriously affecting the secondary and its depth.
2) Sid mentioned the Gophers being 3 and 1 and that TCU has been averaging more than sixty points a game since their win over Minnesota, 23-17. He then asked for a report on the Gophers next opponent, Northwestern:
In his response to Sid’s query, Coach Kill focused his remarks on the injuries that the team experienced yesterday, even though he acknowledged he’ll find out more “later today or tomorrow” when he receives a full medical report. Injured players listed by Kill: “Drew Wolitarsky – concussion . . . Briean Boddy – knee . . . KiAnte Hardin – ankle . . . Cody Poock – rib injury . . . Damarius Travis – won’t comeback.” (Damarius hasn’t played since the TCU game. (I’m not sure what Kill meant by his comment “DamariusTravis won’t comeback.” Did he mean for the Northwestern game or for the season? I assume the Northwestern game.}) I don't know what the status or nature of Antonio Johnson's injury that Kill mentioned in the first question.
Kill finished the question, regarding the injuries - “We’ve got to play our defensive packages,” however, the injuries in the secondary is a serious matter.
3) Sid opined that Mitch Leidner shut-up his critics with yesterday’s performance:
“From an offensive standpoint, we could run the ball and throw the ball,” Kill replied. “(Mitch) For the most part, accurate . . . We got better (in comparison to last week’s game), left some points out there . . . Mitch Leidner had a good game under pressure . . . We’ve got to go back to work (just like after last week’s game) to get better.”
4) Sid asked about running backs Shannon Brooks and Rodney – “are they freshmen?”
Kill replied, “Rodney Smith is a redshirt freshman, Shannon Brooks is a freshman.” Kill referred to the two backs as a “one-two punch.”
5) Mike Max said the Big Ten is the tough part of the schedule beginning with next week’s opponent, Northwestern:
Kill answered, “It (Big Ten) has a lot of good teams . . . everybody is very similar.” The exceptions are Ohio State and Michigan State, according to Kill. He said the winning/successful teams will be those that stay the healthiest and get better each week.
Talking about yesterday’s game: “Ohio was 3 and 0 . . . (Frank) Solich has done a great job.”
Kill then expounded on the MAC Conference and its quality of play. He mentioned Northern Illinois playing Ohio State tough last week; Northwestern having to comeback against Ball State last night. He also could have mentioned Purdue’s loss to Bowling Green yesterday, as well as Toledo beating two Big 5 conference teams two weeks earlier – Arkansas and Iowa State University.
Talking about opponents in general, “You’ve got to find ways to win and get better.”
6) Sid, once again, asked about finding Georgian running backs Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith:
Kill, just as he did last week, credited wide receiver coach Brian Anderson with his success in recruiting players in Georgia and the connections and relationships that he’s developed in the SEC state. As to Brooks and Smith’s abilities on the field, “They’re going to be very good!"
Turning to receiving game, Kill said, “(Redshirt freshman) Isaiah Gentry had a big catch . . . Receiving corps getting better.”
Once again, Kill talked about the importance of being healthy, especially in the line, “Offensive line (starting five for continuity) has to stay healthy.”
7) Mike Max brought up the topic of yesterday’s miscues in punt returns:
“I haven’t had a chance to look at the film,” Kill said, in reference to the miscues. He also said he only knows what he saw from the sideline; however, he did put forth that Craig James is experiencing an issue in confidence. Additionally, Kill said, “KiAnte Hardin got hurt; he can return punts.”
His final comment: “We need to continue coaching and teaching, like last week, keep teaching.”
Go Gophers!!
Some of Coach Kill’s responses and comments related to yesterday’s come from behind victory over the Ohio Bobcats, 27-24, are as follows:
1) Mike Max opened the segment opining that the Minnesota Gophers are battle-tested going into the Big Ten schedule:
"Certainly have had a tough schedule the last four games,” Kill said. He added that the team is three and one; however, he also said, they could also be one and three given the come from behind games against Colorado State, Ohio University, and the tight game against Kent State.
He then talked about being tenacious and persevering in the coming games, especially given the “mass of Injuries . . . (must) hang in and finish games.”
Laurence Maroney said to Coach Kill after the game, “’You’ve got to play sixty minutes.”’ Kill agreed, “We must play sixty minutes . . . (regarding Big Ten schedule) “Big Ten – We’re going to have to find ways to win! . . . Offensively, better . . . (however) should have scored a couple TDs in the red zone.”
On the defensive side of the ball - sounding very concerned - Kill mentioned injuries to Briean Boddy Calhoun, Antonio Johnson and Kiante Martin, as seriously affecting the secondary and its depth.
2) Sid mentioned the Gophers being 3 and 1 and that TCU has been averaging more than sixty points a game since their win over Minnesota, 23-17. He then asked for a report on the Gophers next opponent, Northwestern:
In his response to Sid’s query, Coach Kill focused his remarks on the injuries that the team experienced yesterday, even though he acknowledged he’ll find out more “later today or tomorrow” when he receives a full medical report. Injured players listed by Kill: “Drew Wolitarsky – concussion . . . Briean Boddy – knee . . . KiAnte Hardin – ankle . . . Cody Poock – rib injury . . . Damarius Travis – won’t comeback.” (Damarius hasn’t played since the TCU game. (I’m not sure what Kill meant by his comment “DamariusTravis won’t comeback.” Did he mean for the Northwestern game or for the season? I assume the Northwestern game.}) I don't know what the status or nature of Antonio Johnson's injury that Kill mentioned in the first question.
Kill finished the question, regarding the injuries - “We’ve got to play our defensive packages,” however, the injuries in the secondary is a serious matter.
3) Sid opined that Mitch Leidner shut-up his critics with yesterday’s performance:
“From an offensive standpoint, we could run the ball and throw the ball,” Kill replied. “(Mitch) For the most part, accurate . . . We got better (in comparison to last week’s game), left some points out there . . . Mitch Leidner had a good game under pressure . . . We’ve got to go back to work (just like after last week’s game) to get better.”
4) Sid asked about running backs Shannon Brooks and Rodney – “are they freshmen?”
Kill replied, “Rodney Smith is a redshirt freshman, Shannon Brooks is a freshman.” Kill referred to the two backs as a “one-two punch.”
5) Mike Max said the Big Ten is the tough part of the schedule beginning with next week’s opponent, Northwestern:
Kill answered, “It (Big Ten) has a lot of good teams . . . everybody is very similar.” The exceptions are Ohio State and Michigan State, according to Kill. He said the winning/successful teams will be those that stay the healthiest and get better each week.
Talking about yesterday’s game: “Ohio was 3 and 0 . . . (Frank) Solich has done a great job.”
Kill then expounded on the MAC Conference and its quality of play. He mentioned Northern Illinois playing Ohio State tough last week; Northwestern having to comeback against Ball State last night. He also could have mentioned Purdue’s loss to Bowling Green yesterday, as well as Toledo beating two Big 5 conference teams two weeks earlier – Arkansas and Iowa State University.
Talking about opponents in general, “You’ve got to find ways to win and get better.”
6) Sid, once again, asked about finding Georgian running backs Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith:
Kill, just as he did last week, credited wide receiver coach Brian Anderson with his success in recruiting players in Georgia and the connections and relationships that he’s developed in the SEC state. As to Brooks and Smith’s abilities on the field, “They’re going to be very good!"
Turning to receiving game, Kill said, “(Redshirt freshman) Isaiah Gentry had a big catch . . . Receiving corps getting better.”
Once again, Kill talked about the importance of being healthy, especially in the line, “Offensive line (starting five for continuity) has to stay healthy.”
7) Mike Max brought up the topic of yesterday’s miscues in punt returns:
“I haven’t had a chance to look at the film,” Kill said, in reference to the miscues. He also said he only knows what he saw from the sideline; however, he did put forth that Craig James is experiencing an issue in confidence. Additionally, Kill said, “KiAnte Hardin got hurt; he can return punts.”
His final comment: “We need to continue coaching and teaching, like last week, keep teaching.”
Go Gophers!!
