An upbeat coach Kill commented on yesterday's game (27-7 victory) and the past season:
1) Sid, "What did you accomplish?" Kill responded, "Happy for the senior class; they've been through a lot." (He referenced the many coaching changes and systems that they experienced in their years at the U.) They (seniors) helped to move the program forward.
2) Sid asked if he'd miss the seniors: Kill said, "We'll miss them a lot." He then started talking about yesterday's play, "We were really good in the first two quarters." Back to the seniors, "Once you start understanding, you lose the seniors." (By his voice and words his pride for the senior class was apparent.)
3) Sid asked about Gray and the lack of experience at the position coming into this season: Kill, "Gifted athlete." "Quarterback is one of the hardest positions to learn . . . he's gotten better each week." Kill also mentioned dropped passes by the receivers yesterday, which, of course, didn't help Gray or move the chains.
4) Sid asked about line protection: "I told Limegrover, this may be your best coaching job." They've had to make a lot of line adjustments because of injuries, which was the downside . . . on the upside, Minnesota played a lot young guys that gained valuable experience that bodes well for the future. "We have to live in the weight room and get stronger."
5) Sid asked about the play of Kirksey and Jacobs, yesterday: "Both had great seasons." He then cited the play of Cameron Botticelli and Ra'Shede Hageman (have added to the position). Kill then said they're recruiting to improve the position.
6) Redshirted 18 or 19 first year players. Without giving any names he said, "They have great futures."
7) Yesterday's video (post game), "No Minnesota Nice:" Kill said he told the team there are limits to Minnesota Nice. He went on to say, "After the Wisconsin game I told the team sometimes we're too nice." "When you put on the jersey with Minnesota written across the front you've got to play with pride and not be so nice." He said that's especially true when you play at home . . . no one should come into your house and act like they own it (referenced Wisconsin doing just that). You have to win your home games.
8) Sid asked about Ra'Shede: "Ra'Shede is still learning . . . had good moments." You may be big and strong, but you still have to learn the position (not negative in his comment).
9) Sid asked what redshirts can help next year: Kill responded with one name, Foster Bush. "Foster Bush one of the best offensive lineman, period." He did not want to use his redshirt. He didn't mention any other names; however, he did say there are 4 or 5 offensive linemen that will contribute as well as 2 DE, 2 linebackers, and 2 WR. "How much they contribute is up to them."
10) Henderson: "What he's done is what we're to do here." He was complimentary about Henderson's play, "A walkon that gave everything he had." He also cited Kim Royston and referenced his past: overcoming a serious injury, a player with the right attitude that always played hard, and was helpful (leadershiip).
11) Wettstein: He's confident, has a big leg, and fight back. Didn't play football in high school and, as a result, lacked experience.
12) Sid asked about the punting woes: "I don't talk about kids (negatively)." "We've got to get better." Coach Kill once again said he takes responsibility for the punting problems.
13) Sid said the team has gotten better each week: Kill said following the Nebraska game they changed their practice routines. They became much more physical in the practices. They practiced hard the last five weeks (he spoke favorably of the players, the players didn't quit on them (coaches)).
14)Text messages and Dave's observation: Dave cited better clock management, no snap/exchange problems and only 2 penalties in yesterday's game. Texts: recruiting a speed back and redshirting:
Kill said the team has been improving and yesterday they played hard without mental errors. Kill said he couldn't be specific about recruiting a speed back; however, he said recruiting is going well. As to what consititues a redshirt, Kill quickly said that they couldn't have played during the season.
15) Brendan Beal: He's in rehab and he's a hard worker. "We'll know more in 2 or 3 months."
16) Receivers holding onto the ball, or lack thereof: Continuity is extremely important. Young players need to practice winter, spring and summer (throwing and catching). Need to get together w/o the coaches and practice, practice, practice.
16) At program's end, Sid said on Wednesday the defensive coordinator told him, "We're going to beat those guys."
No reference to Kill being on next week; however, I'll tune-in and if he is, I'll write a summary.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid, "What did you accomplish?" Kill responded, "Happy for the senior class; they've been through a lot." (He referenced the many coaching changes and systems that they experienced in their years at the U.) They (seniors) helped to move the program forward.
2) Sid asked if he'd miss the seniors: Kill said, "We'll miss them a lot." He then started talking about yesterday's play, "We were really good in the first two quarters." Back to the seniors, "Once you start understanding, you lose the seniors." (By his voice and words his pride for the senior class was apparent.)
3) Sid asked about Gray and the lack of experience at the position coming into this season: Kill, "Gifted athlete." "Quarterback is one of the hardest positions to learn . . . he's gotten better each week." Kill also mentioned dropped passes by the receivers yesterday, which, of course, didn't help Gray or move the chains.
4) Sid asked about line protection: "I told Limegrover, this may be your best coaching job." They've had to make a lot of line adjustments because of injuries, which was the downside . . . on the upside, Minnesota played a lot young guys that gained valuable experience that bodes well for the future. "We have to live in the weight room and get stronger."
5) Sid asked about the play of Kirksey and Jacobs, yesterday: "Both had great seasons." He then cited the play of Cameron Botticelli and Ra'Shede Hageman (have added to the position). Kill then said they're recruiting to improve the position.
6) Redshirted 18 or 19 first year players. Without giving any names he said, "They have great futures."
7) Yesterday's video (post game), "No Minnesota Nice:" Kill said he told the team there are limits to Minnesota Nice. He went on to say, "After the Wisconsin game I told the team sometimes we're too nice." "When you put on the jersey with Minnesota written across the front you've got to play with pride and not be so nice." He said that's especially true when you play at home . . . no one should come into your house and act like they own it (referenced Wisconsin doing just that). You have to win your home games.
8) Sid asked about Ra'Shede: "Ra'Shede is still learning . . . had good moments." You may be big and strong, but you still have to learn the position (not negative in his comment).
9) Sid asked what redshirts can help next year: Kill responded with one name, Foster Bush. "Foster Bush one of the best offensive lineman, period." He did not want to use his redshirt. He didn't mention any other names; however, he did say there are 4 or 5 offensive linemen that will contribute as well as 2 DE, 2 linebackers, and 2 WR. "How much they contribute is up to them."
10) Henderson: "What he's done is what we're to do here." He was complimentary about Henderson's play, "A walkon that gave everything he had." He also cited Kim Royston and referenced his past: overcoming a serious injury, a player with the right attitude that always played hard, and was helpful (leadershiip).
11) Wettstein: He's confident, has a big leg, and fight back. Didn't play football in high school and, as a result, lacked experience.
12) Sid asked about the punting woes: "I don't talk about kids (negatively)." "We've got to get better." Coach Kill once again said he takes responsibility for the punting problems.
13) Sid said the team has gotten better each week: Kill said following the Nebraska game they changed their practice routines. They became much more physical in the practices. They practiced hard the last five weeks (he spoke favorably of the players, the players didn't quit on them (coaches)).
14)Text messages and Dave's observation: Dave cited better clock management, no snap/exchange problems and only 2 penalties in yesterday's game. Texts: recruiting a speed back and redshirting:
Kill said the team has been improving and yesterday they played hard without mental errors. Kill said he couldn't be specific about recruiting a speed back; however, he said recruiting is going well. As to what consititues a redshirt, Kill quickly said that they couldn't have played during the season.
15) Brendan Beal: He's in rehab and he's a hard worker. "We'll know more in 2 or 3 months."
16) Receivers holding onto the ball, or lack thereof: Continuity is extremely important. Young players need to practice winter, spring and summer (throwing and catching). Need to get together w/o the coaches and practice, practice, practice.
16) At program's end, Sid said on Wednesday the defensive coordinator told him, "We're going to beat those guys."
No reference to Kill being on next week; however, I'll tune-in and if he is, I'll write a summary.
Go Gophers!!
