Injuries starting to mount for Gophers
The Minnesota Gophers made a great escape in Fort Collins, Colo. last Saturday, edging Colorado State in overtime.
Minnesota was not able to escape injury, however.
In fact, the injuries are starting to add up for Minnesota, especially along the offensive line. Left guard Jon Christenson could miss roughly a month, for example, after undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery early this week. There's hope Minnesota could get Christenson back on the field within three weeks, but head coach Jerry Kill said two other Gophers O-linemen were held out of practice on Tuesday. Additionally, starting safety Damarius Travis will miss a second straight game this week, due to a hamstring ailment.
"We got a huge win at Colorado State -- tough place to play," Kill told reporters on Tuesday. ". . . We are physically beat up a little bit and I think the reason is, we played hard."
One injury on the offensive line can cause widespread issues, Kill warned. But, Minnesota's sideline general also promised that his resilient club will "find a way."
The head coach has confidence in his 1-1 Gophers for multiple reasons, chief among them his defense's solid play so far this season. Minnesota limited Colorado State to 14 total first downs and 142 passing yards last Saturday, one game after holding a powerful TCU attack relatively in check in a six-point loss on Sept. 3.
"Steve Richardson played one of the best games I've ever seen a defensive tackle play. I mean, he played flat unbelievable," Kill noted, in reference to his sophomore standout's team-high seven tackles -- including three for loss -- at Colorado State.
". . . We've got a really, really good defense," Kill added. "I think the (Colorado State) head coach (Mike Bobo) commented that he had been in the SEC and he said that this defense is like the SEC's defense. That's quite a compliment coming from a coach."
The Gophers contingent would breathe even easier, though, if the club started getting more consistency from its offensive leader. Quarterback Mitch Leidner produced an uneven performance last Saturday, completing 23 of 45 pass attempts for 233 yards and two scores. Kill would like to see the junior from Lakeville get the Gophers off to quicker starts in the future, starting this Saturday, against Kent State. The coach was also asked about 18-year-old freshman QB Demry Croft on Tuesday and acknowledged that Croft has gotten a fair amount of reps in recent practices.
"What I was disappointed more than anything with," Kill said of Leidner's play last Saturday, is "he is our leader, and in the first half, we did not play very well.
"You judge quarterbacks on wins and losses," Kill continued. "And, the bottom line is, (Leidner) took us right down the field and we won the game."
Leidner appears more comfortable when operating in the no-huddle offense, Kill noted. And, the coach likes utilizing the no-huddle on occasion, in an effort to dictate the game's tempo. But, Kill also feels the Gophers can't turn to a no-huddle offense full-time.
Thus, the onus is on Leidner to improve. If not, reserves like Croft could be thrown into action, if the coaching staff's hand is forced. And Kill praised Croft's athleticism and quick throwing motion, despite a slight, 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame.
Of course, if the oddsmakers are to be believed, Leidner and company should have an easy go of it this Saturday, in their 11 a.m. home game against Kent State (1-1). The Gophers are 24-point favorites against the Golden Flashes, who beat Delaware State 45-13 last Saturday after getting routed by 49 points at Illinois in their season opener.
Kill expects a better, more consistent performance from his squad this week, from the game's first snap. Because the Gophers' slow start at Colorado State still doesn't sit well with their head coach.
"It was a terrible first half," Kill said. "And you're going to ask me how can I get it corrected and start better; That's why coach Kill has had long hours. That's why I'm in a sweatshirt and sweats -- better get it corrected. So that's what we'll do."
Because, Kill declared, "We have the talent."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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