With five victories already and six games remaining on the schedule, the Gophers could certainly reach last year’s win total of eight. But program supporters who are close to head coach Jerry Kill such as Ray Hitchcock are optimistic that in future years the Gophers could have double figure win totals.
Hitchcock, the former Gophers center and now a postgame radio host, told Sports Headliners that “2015, 2016, those could be 10, 11 year wins.” Kill and his staff have improved the player talent since taking over for the 2011 season and done a superior job of maximizing individual and team skills. The 2014 team is heavy with underclassmen—including starters who will return in 2015—and the staff is developing players who can come off the bench when needed.
Hitchcock readily offers enthusiasm about Kill and the future. “He’s building so much depth with these guys. What is he, 6-2 in his last eight Big Ten games?”
That’s exactly the number, and only Michigan State and Ohio State with 8-0 records can boast better numbers than the Gophers. Minnesota’s 6-2 record in league games is the program’s best since the Gophers came up with the same totals from November 6, 1999 through October 21, 2000.
Going into tomorrow’s game at home against Purdue, the Gophers are 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten games. The most difficult part of the schedule will come next month against Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Kill will be the first to acknowledge the Gophers need to still improve a lot but Minnesota’s next win makes the team bowl-eligible and is another step toward at least an eight win season.
Gophers teams have only won eight games 11 times since the program began in 1882. Minnesota has won nine games twice, 10 games three times, and earned 13 and 14 single season win totals once each. In today’s college football world of 12 game schedules—plus a bowl game—teams play more games than in most past years but for the Gophers to accomplish a win total of eight or more this fall will obviously be special.
To get there the Gophers will need to fix another number. Kill’s teams are 0-22 when trailing at halftime. The Gophers haven’t been capable of coming from behind and one reason has been struggles with their passing game. Instability at the quarterback position has characterized the offense but the Gophers might have a fix with redshirt sophomore Mitch Leidner who has impressed in his last two games, completing 24 of 37 passes for 320 yards.
“I think over the last two games, the biggest thing about Mitch, he’s relaxed,” Kill said. “Went out and played. Had a smile on his face. I think early in the year he was pressing, then he got hurt, went through some things. I think he’s feeling good, feeling better. I always say, if you feel good, you play good. I think he’s…more comfortable.”
Offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said Leidner, who was only a part-time starter last season, felt a lot of pressure during the nonconference season. When Leidner was injured and couldn’t play in the last nonconference game against San Jose State he watched the Gophers win without him. Limegrover believes that relieved weight-of-the-world-expectations.
Leidner was back on the field for the next game, at Michigan on September 27. “He literally was like a different young man when we went to Michigan as far as just how he was on gameday, how he was in the huddle, his demeanor gameday, the enjoyment of it,” Limegrover said. “He was out there having fun. That carried over to last week (and) then there was that confidence.”
The strength of the Gophers starts with their 15th ranked national scoring defense but the offense and Leidner might have to contribute more than usual tomorrow against a Purdue team that has scored 69 points in its last two games. The Boilermakers, 3-4 overall and 1-2 in league games, have changed quarterbacks from earlier in the season and Austin Appleby has challenged defenses with runs and passes. Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys targets holding opponents to 17 points or less and if Minnesota can limit Purdue to that total tomorrow a victory is very likely. And, so, too are a lot more wins later in the season and during the years ahead.
Gophers sophomore defensive back and kick return specialist Jalen Myrick said he has big expectations for the program. “That’s the reason I came here. I wanted to play for a Rose Bowl—so being in a Big Ten championship—that was always my goal and everyone else’s goal.”
Worth Noting
Myrick’s 100-yard kickoff return was the difference in Minnesota’s 24-17 win over Northwestern last Saturday. How has his life been impacted since? “A lot of media followed me on Twitter,” he answered while also mentioning friends who reached out.
Myrick said he was clocked at 21.5 miles per hour on the return but can run faster. “It’s not impossible,” he said.
Gophers defensive tackle Cameron Botticelli on whether tomorrow’s game could be a shootout since Purdue has a high scoring offense but suspect defense: “If I have anything to say about it, it won’t. …”
A source told Sports Headliners the Gophers received $500,000 for playing their September 13 nonconference game at TCU. The Horned Frogs, 4-1, defeated the Gophers, 30-7, and are ranked No. 12 nationally in the Associated Press poll.
Former Gophers defensive back Dom Barber hopes to have his communications degree by next March. Although he isn’t interested in coaching, Barber is working in a recruiting role for the Gophers. His brother Thomas Barber, a junior linebacker and running back, plays for Armstrong High School and is an outstanding college prospect.
The Vikings offensive line gave up eight sacks in last Sunday’s 17-3 loss to the Lions. Among those receiving blame is left tackle Matt Kalil who after a successful rookie season in 2012 has been much criticized since. In Kalil’s defense, a Vikings insider said the former USC star is facing some of the best pass rushers and highest paid players in the NFL. But he also said Kalil’s confidence needs to be restored.
“I would not trade Kalil,” the source said. “I would hope we could get him to play up to his potential.”
While rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater receives much of the public and media attention, the team’s other first round draft choice, Anthony Barr, leads the Vikings in tackles with 58 and is one of the more impressive first-year players in the NFL.
The Vikings play in suburban Buffalo on Sunday and fans here will recognize names associated with the Bills having Minnesota connections. Bills starting offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson is from Cretin-Derham Hall High School. Todd Downing, the team’s quarterbacks’ coach from Eden Prairie, graduated from the University of Minnesota and worked in quality control for the Vikings.
Bills offensive line coach Pat Morris had the same title with the Vikings from 2006-2010. Linebackers coach Fred Pagac was the Vikings defensive coordinator in 2011 and for several years was Minnesota’s linebackers coach. Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards was the DC for the Bills from 2010-2011.
Gophers senior guard Rachel Banham is the Big Ten women’s basketball coaches choice for Preseason Player of the Year. Banham was also named to the coaches’ preseason All-Big Ten team that includes Minnesota native Nia Coffey, a sophomore forward at Northwestern.
Ali Lucia, daughter of Gophers hockey coach Don Lucia, is now with WCCO TV. Her journalism career experiences includes being a Fox news anchor in Rochester, Minnesota.
Her dad’s nationally No. 1 ranked Gophers have a bye this week after winning the Ice Breaker Tournament at Notre Dame, Indiana with games last Friday and Sunday. Only several hundred fans were in the seats at the games.
Gustavus, 6–0 overall and 4–0 in the MIAC, is off to its best start since the 1987 season when the “Cardiac Kids” went 10–0 and 9–0 while winning the league title. The Gusties probably will face their most formidable opponent tomorrow at home against Saint John’s, 4-1 and 2-1. The Gusties rank third in NCAA Division III with an average of 385 passing yards per game.
Congratulations to Luverne High School football coach Todd Oye who won his 100th career game last week. The victory gave him a 100-43 record in 13 seasons at Luverne.
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