Jerry Kill: Playing No. 2 TCU will be 'good measuring stick' for Gophers
Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill spoke with the media Tuesday on the Big Ten's weekly coaches teleconference, ahead of the Gophers' season opener Thursday at home against No. 2 TCU.
Kill discussed the state of the offensive line, how last year's loss to the Horned Frogs has affected his team's preparation and his expectations for quarterback Mitch Leidner.
Here is the full transcript of Kill's conference call:
Kill: You reach this point in time and you practice a lot, and I think you're sort of looking forward to getting out and playing the game. And as coaches we'll see where we're at, what we need to do better, and it's certainly a very difficult game, playing the No. 2 team in the country. It's a great challenge for our program and we look forward to taking on TCU and doing it here at home, and there's a lot of excitement around, so all of those things are good things.
Question: How will things shape up on the offensive line? There have been some injuries with Ben Lauer; do you have an idea of what the starting line will be come Thursday?
Kill: You know, right now -- it's kind of unique that you say that -- no matter how it all plays out, we may only have . . . we were talking about it today, really, four of our five, it'll be the first time they've started. Which is a little bit . . . I don't think we've talked a lot about that. But no, we haven't decided on those things. We got to practice today and we'll see how things go and how people move around, but, you know, I anticipate Ben playing.
Question: How much are you looking at this game as a possible measuring stick for your program in playing the No. 2 team in the country?
Kill: Well, I think probably the best thing for us is to gauge where we're at, what we need to do better. You know, we played them last year, did not fare very well, and we were able to take that game and we got better. We played much better football after that game. Now, we're hoping this time around we can get better with a win. There's no question it's a good measuring stick for us.
Question: You've had a lot of success recruiting Texas -- what's the importance of a game like this and how excited are the Texas guys on your roster for it?
Kill: Our kids from Texas are very excited. I mean, it's an opportunity to play a team that's from their state, and they don't want to go back home and hear about it. So they'll be ready to play, I certainly don't have to worry about them. And I think any time you win, it helps your recruiting, and certainly when we recruit the state of Texas, it would have a big impact if we beat TCU.
Question: Did you have much contact over the summer with your friend Gary Patterson?
Kill: Well, we went on a trip together in February and March and we talked a couple times, but over the last month we certainly have been concentrating on our football teams and getting them ready. So that's kind of where we've been on that.
Question: You mentioned last year's game against TCU was a rough one. Have you been referring to that a lot or do you not want your guys thinking negative thoughts going back to last year?
Kill: Yeah, I don't think we have to say a lot, you know, with social media and all the things that are going on, those kids understand. I think the biggest thing that it's done for us in the offseason is it's been great motivation. Our kids were embarrassed and they don't want to be embarrassed again, and so in the offseason they've worked very hard. When you know you're going to play the No. 2 team in the country, you know, I haven't had to raise my voice much throughout the camp because our kids have worked very hard, and I think the reason is we are playing TCU.
Question: When you look at your quarterback situation, you have a guy starting for you in Year 3 with your coaching staff, and looking back at your previous programs, that Year 3 is usually a step up.
Kill: Well, you know, Mitch has really only been a starter for a year. However, he did get some experience as a freshman. I've always said he's a lot like (former Northern Illinois and NFL quarterback) Chandler Harnish. Chandler really came into his own about this time; I think it's very similar situations. Of course, (former Northern Illinois and CFL quarterback) Jordan Lynch did it after I left for two years, so we've been fortunate that those kids kind of had breakout seasons. So we're certainly hoping that Mitch will do the same.
