Coach Kill

[toughguy]

I watched most of the USC - Gopher game today and I have to say I am impressed with coach Kill. The play calling, the effort, the tackling and the organization/awareness have all improved. The Freshman QB Shortell looked very good too. I don't think this will be the last we'll see from him. Even though it was a loss it was good to see us compete with a top 25 team on the road. Hopefully this program has bottomed out we'll see a mid to high level bowl game in 2-3 years.

ski u mah my friends. ski u mah

[zepman]

+1. Right on with your post IMO, too!

[LMITOUT]

Although USC isn't the championship contending team they once were, you can see the difference in having a coach that isn't a used car salesman. Also, the offense looked a lot better when the freshman came in and it would suit them well to let him continue as the QB.

With that said, USC is a mess and it's a wonder how they are the 25th ranked team in the country. They didn't look good at all.

Kill is the best thing that has happened to this program. My Bison (who won 42-6 tonight) play the Gophers in two weeks and I am wishing that Brewster was still here so they could get another victory.

[Big Dave2]

My Bison (who won 42-6 tonight) play the Gophers in two weeks and I am wishing that Brewster was still here so they could get another victory.

There is still a better than average chance...........

[zamboni]

I was watching as well today. I have 2 questions, why were the corners playing 10-15 yards of the line? They just kept passing slants and were killing us. And second question, our starting QB can't pass to save his life. How long before the take snap, run with ball will be over? That was brutal.

[zepman]

10-15 yds off the line is because of the speed difference (respect) that needs to be given to players faster than you. I thought the DB's did a great job of adjusting and were generally on the ball when caught...especially late in the game.

I don't think we got to see all of what Grey has to offer. It seemed to me that the Gopher staff was setting him up for some bigger plays in the 2nd half (imagine that...actual planning) and he got injured and had to check out.

The Fresh did look good...and moved the ball well. I wouldn't be suprised at all to see Grey at WR by midway through the season...it's where he belongs and the ONLY position to get him to the next level.

The Gophers showed some grit and fight today...it looked liked they "belonged" to be on the same field with a great program, however flawed it may currently be. USC still has top 20 player classes in recruiting and to play them on their home field like we did shows alot of promise.

Kill will get this program turned around...patience is needed. The difference between him and a guy like Brewster starts tomorrow with game film...the "actual" coaching starts now!!

[james_walleye]

I liked what I saw. They looked respectable and well coached. It was refreshing to see a staff that made adjustments at the half. Things are definately looking up.

[flipper]

Go Gophers! It is great to see the Gophers on the upswing.

[LMITOUT]

It is still mind boggling there were people who backed Brewster and wanted to give him more time. It just goes to show you that there are some people in here that are so drunk on the MN sports kool-aid that they can't logically evaluate anything and are only capable of blowing sunshine up people's skirts.

[Snag]

I spent the first part of the game explaining to my son that it takes something special to be a gophers football fan.

Very impressed by the effort, tackling and the freshman qb not looking like a deer in headlights.

USC zero points in the second half.

[klecker]

Like preseason nfl, teams dont tip their hand till they reach conf play. Kill will get all of Bert B's left overs like he did at Southern IL. Four or five wins just like the Queens. In a year or two maybe some scrappy bowl game.

Still good to see a doormate pick it up a little.

CK

[JBMasterAngler]

I was very impressed with the gophers as well. Was nice to see a coach on the sidlines that didn't look completely clueless. I like the freshman QB, and also think gray will be better suited at WR. Should win the rest of our non conference games, and maybe spring an upset in the big ten. 6 (possibly 7) wins is a realistic possibility. Even if it's a super crappy bowl game, the extra practice would be great for such a young team and 1st year coach.

[CJH]

The Fresh did look good...and moved the ball well. I wouldn't be suprised at all to see Grey at WR by midway through the season...it's where he belongs and the ONLY position to get him to the next level.

Right on Zepman!!!

Wouldn't be surprised if the plan was let Gray fail as QB, so he will permanently switch to WR. There's a reason that Frosh QB jumped over all those guys that have been practicing the entire off-season.

[mrklean]

we might have a chance this year

[MUSKY18]

Here is an interesting fact, not sure how valid it is, but supposedly Coach Kill has someone film the sidelines so he can see exactly who is screwing off/not paying attention to the game and who is "in" the game. Bet some butts got chewed if you weren't right!

[TonyKay]

it was one game...you cant judge grey on one half of football. Not to mention it was his first start of his college career. It was also against a top 25 team. I cant believe people are ready to give up on him to start a freshman qb after 1 half of football.

[thatoneguy]

The most impressive part was that the Gophers staff made the necessary adjustments to improve in the second half - something that not only Brewster but also Mason was generally unable to do.

Can't tell much from one game, other than that it was a better product than anything Brewster put on the field.

[toughguy]

...and we can build this dream together

standing strong forever

nothings gonna stop us now

[CJH]

it was one game...you cant judge grey on one half of football. Not to mention it was his first start of his college career. It was also against a top 25 team. I cant believe people are ready to give up on him to start a freshman qb after 1 half of football.

I just don't think he shown anything that says he play QB at this level. On a 10 yard out, he over threw the guy by 20 yards. He's just not an accurate passer. He's athletic with good hands = WR.

Shortel looked like a QB, the way he was reading the D, reacting and putting the ball on target.

Either way its going to be a rough year, they play a lot of Top 25 teams, so USC that arguably shouldn't even be ranked this year, is a fair read. However I don't believe you can really get a fair read on what this team is until the 3rd or 4th game, especially with a new system/coach being put into place this year.

[zepman]

it was one game...you cant judge grey on one half of football. Not to mention it was his first start of his college career. It was also against a top 25 team. I cant believe people are ready to give up on him to start a freshman qb after 1 half of football.

You're right...it's not fair to judge after one game. However, Grey has already shown he can be an above average receiver...maybe elite given some more time. If Shortell can throw the ball and move the team consistantly, like he showed on Saturday, the Gophers would be a better team by making that switch.

[toughguy]

If you're starting over from rock bottom why not do it with a Freshman?

[zamboni]

it was one game...you cant judge grey on one half of football. Not to mention it was his first start of his college career. It was also against a top 25 team. I cant believe people are ready to give up on him to start a freshman qb after 1 half of football.

Sorry, but he can't throw and make quick QB decisions. 9 times out of 10 he was getting the snap and running with the ball. Seems like a perfect wildcat guy, not a QB.

[TonyKay]

i say since hes a junior see what he has to offer as a qb since thats what he was recruited for. If it doesnt work out say, 4 or 5 games into the season, then maybe switch it up. I dont think he even had a chance to get some of the jitters out this week. Im just not ready to throw him under the bus yet. I wish this was week 1 and we had USC after a couple of these fcs teams. Hopefully the whole team/coaching staff can use these next two weeks to get some things sorted out before conference play.

[toughguy]

I guess I can see that. If I were kill I guess I'd start Grey this week but he would be on a very short leash. Shortell looked good out there.

[BartmanMN]

The headsets weren't working for the first half, so they couldn't get the plays to Grey easily. By the time the Freshman came in they were working. Lets see him play a couple halves with the communication working.