Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill sees similarities between rebuilding the Gophers football program and what he accomplished at Northern Illinois. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
HOUSTON -- At the beginning of the 2012 season, Jerry Kill compared his rebuilding project at the University of Minnesota to the difficult one he faced at Southern Illinois.
But at the end of this season, the second-year Gophers football coach is seeing similarities to another rebuilding situation he faced, one that was turned around faster.
After Minnesota's 34-31 loss Friday night, Dec. 28, to Texas Tech in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas at Reliant Stadium, Kill's disappointment quickly turned to optimism. The Gophers, in his view, are on pace to repeat the success of his former Northern Illinois program.
Northern Illinois, which Kill coached from 2008-10, is playing in a BCS game this season. Kill isn't making any Tim Brewster-like Rose Bowl forecasts for Gopher Nation. But, he said, there's "no comparison" between the Gophers program that finished 3-9 in 2011 and the one that went 6-7 and made a bowl game in 2012.
"I know where we were when we took the job," Kill said. "Coming here and having the opportunity to win, and the way we played, there is no question that we are moving forward.
"I was at another school, in a similar situation, at Northern Illinois. I think there is no question that the seniors have done a great job, and we will have a lot of players back. And this bowl experience, the way we played even though we didn't win the game, will certainly help us."
Kill and his staff turned Northern Illinois into a Mid-American Conference
title contender by developing players. And finding the right quarterback was critical.Chandler Harnish started four years and led the Huskies to four straight bowl games. Minnesota freshman Philip Nelson, who started the final seven games, has been compared to Harnish. Despite throwing a costly interception in the fourth quarter Friday, Nelson led the Gophers to a second-half lead and is determined to prove his team can win a bowl game next year.
"Being in this situation, it's only going
Freshman quarterback Philip Nelson played well enough at times in the bowl game to generate some momentum into spring football as he competes for the starting spot. (Kevin M. Cox/MCT)
to help us gain experience, and now if we get in that situation again we should be able to execute better," Nelson said. "Coach has said before (that) we have progressed throughout the season, and now we know where we need to go for next season."Nelson completed just 7 of 18 passes for 138 yards, but he threw two second-half touchdown passes, including a 1-yard strike to Drew Goodger on third-and-goal to take a 31-24 lead in the fourth quarter. The 19-year-old from Mankato played well enough at times in the bowl game to generate some momentum into spring football as he competes for the starting spot with redshirt freshman Mitch Leidner and incoming recruit Chris Streveler.
"The way we came out and played is going to increase the confidence of the younger guys going into next season," senior quarterback/wide receiver MarQueis Gray said. "I feel like this will help turn the program around. You want to win, but we're looking forward to next year."
Starting spots at wide receiver and tailback also should be wide open, although junior receiver Derrick Engel made a statement with four catches for 108 yards Friday. Sophomore Donnell Kirkwood and freshman Rodrick Williams, who combined to rush for 137 of the team's 222 yards in the bowl game, give the Gophers two power runners who will benefit from a deeper and more talented offensive line in 2013.
Ohio State sophomore transfer Brian Bobek is a front-runner to be the starting center. Redshirt freshmen Jonah Pirsig, Isaac Hayes and Ben Lauer are expected to challenge for playing time.
On defense, the Gophers will lose several senior starters, including cornerbacks Michael Carter (two interceptions Friday) and Troy Stoudermire, linebackers Mike Rallis and Keanon Cooper and defensive end D.L. Wilhite, an All-Big Ten selection.
The safety position should be a strength next year with junior Brock Vereen (10 tackles Friday), sophomore Cedric Thompson (seven tackles), freshman Antonio Johnson (six) and sophomore Derrick Wells (five) returning. Defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman's decision to return for his senior season gives the Gophers potentially one of the most physically dominant linemen in the Big Ten next year.
Hageman had six tackles, including a sack, Friday.
"Once we got adjusted to the rhythm, I thought our kids competed very well," defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys said. "And I'm extremely excited for the ones coming back. It's a good thing to build on."
obama speech amber rose drew peterson Art Modell Frank Ocean Gay bill clinton andy roddick
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.