Gophers lose to NDSU - The Morning After
by JDMill on Sep 25, 2011 8:35 AM CDT
in Gopher Football
Email
PrintJust waking up and coming to grips with the fact that last night actually happened.
What's sad is that the Gophers came out on the first drive of the game and essentially imposed their will on the Bison. As Jeffrick texted me "It's almost like we're bigger and more talented than they are." The running backs got going, Gray ran when he needed to, and he was pretty effective throwing the ball too. A 13 play, 6+ minute drive, capped of by a Donnell Kirkwood 4 yard TD run.
On the drive Gray was 3/4 for 31 yards, and ran 3 times for 13 yards. Bennett ran twice for 7 yards and caught a 9 yard pass from Gray. Kirkwood ran 4 times for 18 yards, and scored the drive capping TD.
It was a textbook drive. Balanced, time-consuming, effective.
And then the Gopher defense showed up and gave up the kind of drive that their offense had just orchestrated.
And here we are on a Sunday morning left trying to figure out what happened.
To any NDSU fans who are showing up at TDG this morning to enjoy seeing us in our meltdown mode... welcome. Congratulations, you beat a horrible football team that you had two weeks to prepare for.
Yes the Gophers, at least on paper, should be bigger and more talented than an FCS team, but the fact remains that we aren't good. We get beat on very basic plays, and we give up big plays. We can't stop anyone on 3rd down (the Bison were 6 of 9), and we have no identity on either side of the ball. And to top it all off, we might have a QB controversy.
This isn't self-deprecation on behalf of the Gophers. It's a fact. We are a BAD football team. And except for an 8 game run at the beginning of 2008 when Tim Brewster had everyone completely snowed, we have been a bad football team since before NDSU came to the Metrodome in 2007.
You know who I really feel bad for this morning? Miami (OH). They actually lost to this team.
Now for the Gopher fans.
Last night was horrible. It was painful, it was ugly, it was embarrassing, and it was strangely familiar. I hope you drank yourself into oblivion after the game (/points at self) and got all the piss and vinegar that built up during that 3-hour debacle out of your system.
You good?
Take a deep breath. Pour yourself a cup of coffee. Now pour some bourbon in that coffee cup. Once it hits your lips... it tastes so good.
Okay, ready?
Yes, the sky is falling. Yes, things are bad. Yes, you're going to feel that pit you felt in your stomach last night somewhere between 6-8 more times this season.
But if you believe that Coach Kill has the ability to turn this program around, then you have to believe him when he has said from day one that his coaching staff has a plan for how to turn it around, but that this team has a long way to go.
Sweet sassy molassey do they ever have a long way to go.
47 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
No shame
The Gophers need to feel no shame in losing to NDSU. They lost to a superior football team with better athletes and better coaches. They were thoroughly beaten in every aspect of the game and were genuinely outclassed in preparation, effort, dedication, and discipline. NDSU was tough and hard. The Gophers were soft and sissy. NDSU was the team that belonged in a beautiful new stadium, not the Gophers.
Well done JDMill..
…done and done on the coffee reco too. Gotta start tailgating for Bears game shortly. Need to forget about da Gophers.
This season is nothingore than a jump on spring ball. All scrimmages where we, unfortunately are not even as good as most Big Ten team practice squads.
We will be back in 2014. My goal is to live long enough to see it!
by jimipig on Sep 25, 2011 9:43 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
The offensive and defensive lines are what are really killing me right now.
One can’t build a functional line overnight and holy shit does it show. Exceedingly rare was the large hole a D1A program should be able to open against a 1AA line. Tackles for loss seemed by happenstance. The skill players are plenty skilled enough (at least skilled enough for 6-6/5-7), and I’m sure the line players are good kids who work hard, but as units they are playing godawful football.
It’s almost like we had a smoke-and-mirrors flashy dipshit in charge of their early development.
Can we just put some jerseys on some tackling dummies instead of fielding linemen?
I’m willing to believe they’d actually do better. Especially those trapzoid pads that lay on the ground. At least the tackling dummies won’t trip and fall anytime they get in the backfield or anywhere near the other team’s QB
When we get the Pig, the Jug and the Axe, we'll have one hell of a picnic
Number One issue to resolve immediately
Who is the QB on this team?? You cannot have uncertainty at that position. It is too bad we cannot morph the two together—-Gray from the waist down and Shortell the top half. I did not watch the game yesterday, but based on what I saw the first three games, you give the ball to Shortell—-case closed. I am not crazy about Shortell’s legs in Kill’s playbook, but I think we more upside potential with him and Q at WR. I believe the Oline will function better with Shortell in the pocket. Sorry guys, but the dream of another Randall Cunningham does not exist in Maroon and Gold at the moment.
At this moment I honestly don’t have a problem with utilizing two QB’s. I feel like the problem of not being able to run with the RB’s has been addressed for the most part. But the bigger issue is pass blocking. If we could give Q some time to throw he might be okay, but the pocket breaks down so quickly that he barely even considers throwing the ball.
"We're talking about unchecked aggression here, Dude."
Off Tackle Empire
The Daily Gopher
@jdmill
I don't care which we go with, but I feel like we need to pick one and go with it.
For one, it might mean Q back on the field at WR. More importantly, the line is, if anything, somehow even worse when they need to function with two different signal-callers.
Anyone care to change their predictions on the season?
Personally, I don’t believe we have as good a season as last year. I’m betting on two wins. The Miami – Ohio game and either NW or IL.
Purdue
The only other team right now we are even capable of beating on our schedule is Purdue. And even then it would be an upset. Too bad we missed the pillow-fight-of-ineptitude with Indiana this year, but on the other hand that loss would have been enough to foster deep seated ill wishes against the Kill program.
10/1.
At Illinois. The sad part? Even with Kain Colter at QB. Shit, with Trevor Siemian at QB. I still might have to take NU.
I saw NOTHING yesterday on defense that would tell me otherwise.
And his hitting the field means he plays at 100% effectiveness for what reason?
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think the current play of the Gophers beats NW. And I was feeling good for NW early in the season and was rooting for ya’ll to have a big year (so long as it didn’t negatively impact the Gophers). But until he actually plays it might be best to temper that enthusiasm. Well, unless you’re talking to Iowa fans. Your enthusiasm makes them irrationally angry and I find that fun to watch.
Hence my comments on Colter and Siemian.
Believe me, read what I have to say on OTE or Sippin on Purple and you know that I’m not wild about (1) Persa not having taken a snap yet, (2) our loss to Army, (3) Colter/Siemian, or (4) our overall defense.
I’m confident in the team’s ability, as a whole, to beat Minnesota. That said, I have no doubt that these two schools (having grown up in those blue plastic seats in section 201) will find a way to make a colossal mess out of any game they play.
Bohl would have the same results with this squad
This team is so bad that Bohl would have had the same result last night if he was the coach of the gophers. This team is horrible. Coach Kill can turn it around down the road so suggestions by a few calling for his head already is out of line. This is all because of the shitshow Maturi brought upon us when he hired the car salesman. It might be time to sit Q down and tell him that the best way to help this team now and for its future is to be a WR.
And who the hell is calling for Kill's head anyways?
I don’t get that…
When we get the Pig, the Jug and the Axe, we'll have one hell of a picnic
ugh
I didn’t bother reading it, which is probably why I never remembered seeing it. HYPERBOLE!!!
When we get the Pig, the Jug and the Axe, we'll have one hell of a picnic
Reading comp fail
I don’t think it’s fair to jump on Kill that fast, just as I didn’t think it was fair to jump on Timmay after the 1-11 season. After Timmay had almost three years and we were sneaking by _ Dakota schools, that’s when one calls for his head.
That’s equating a leash, not the coaches. Where in that post am I calling for Kill’s head? If Jerry’s kids aren’t blowing up 1-AAs in 2013, then I’ll be upset with Jerry. And I do stand by the statement that I’ll be over the moon if we’re back to Mason territory and not losing embarrassing games by then.
The link is to the post below yours.
“In comparison, these last two fools make Mason look like frickin Bear Bryant. And you can’t tell me that’s not exactly the way he’d want it.”
I don’t disagree with you, other than your apparent metric for success. Late-2000s Mason is not an acceptable top end for me.
apologies then.
Mason territory by 2013 is acceptable to me. If he stalls out there, I can see getting upset. But the Goofs have to get back there before they can be better. I suppose I’m looking for Glenn Mason before OSU told him no, rather than fired Glenn Mason. That was a team that could beat a #2 PSU on the road. I’d take that.
I was going to ask if you meant pre- or post-Tressel Mason.
Either way, that’s a good place to be in 2013. Post-Tressel Mason will start to get on my nerves much past then. Pre-Tressel Mason would plausibly have been to the Rose Bowl by now, if he still existed. That would be just fine.
Before any of Jerry's guys graduate, either would be acceptable to me
I think a reasonable timeline would be to be acceptable by the time Jerry has some of his guys as Juniors, call acceptable blowing up 1AA teams. Competitive by the time his first group graduates, call that 3-5 in the big ten. Able to reasonably compete for a division title within 6 years. If they can be anywhere near that timeline I’d be happy.
I’d also give him a much longer leash if we can punch UW in the face this year and be the team to take away their title shot…
#2 PSU...
…went on to crap down their leg and lose multiple games….
Kill came out and from the start stated this program was in the worst shape he’s ever seen. Including his 1-11 (I think?) SIU Salukis back in the day. There was no discpline, no structure, guys barely knew how to play football. It was a wreck of a situation.
Every periodical (did I just use that word?) picked us to finish DEAD LAST…with #wins ranging from 1-4?
We then made the mistake of competing with USC on the road in a game everybody watched closely. At that time, people started predicting bowl games and 5+ wins. Coach Kill, again, said “we have problems, we need to play way better”…and sure, all coaches would say that…but he never waivered from the issues this team has.
Now people want to turn on coach Kill…even though we are EXACTLY where we sort of figured we would be right now? It’s bullshit. The Gopher fan base can’t afford to have urgency as it relates to a winning football program. This is a multi-year process.
Coach calls plays you don’t like? Tough shit! This is experimental league bullshit. We lose to New Mexico F’ing State? Suck it! They suck balls, but so do we! This season means NOTHING. I’ve even gone as far as to not give a flying fuck about stupid penalties. I’ve removed myself from caring about a single guy on this team older than a sophomore because they are poison. They lack heart. The younger guys I give credit to for possibly being able to be taught and to learn, to get stronger through a better conditioning program and to learn how to play college football over time. Juniors and Seniors? Kiss my ass, you just lost to NMSU and NDSU in the same season. Get out of my face. You want to celebrate a tackle against NDSU when they are still beating you by a touchdown at HOME???? You fail!
Then onto Mason…Mason was a great coach who made average players better. His time came and went, he needed to go. He’d reached a point of not being effective any longer. End. Of. Story. However, I agree that the Mason years of 7-8 wins should be the lowest point our program reaches each season. It should be the lower bar that is set for the program. I think Kill and his staff will do that.
I think that’s about it for Monday! Whew….I feel better. The team has just tired me after 4 games, and it’s my fault. I knew they sucked. I told all of you they sucked. Gray’s not a QB. There are issues all over. Receivers run horrible routes. Both lines are terrible. Brock Vereen (spelling) makes me want to punch myself in the face both in pass and run coverage. I somehow dislike the place kicker even.
I need a vacation from Gopher football….
by jimipig on Sep 26, 2011 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
That's a rec.
I look forward to standing through four quarters of buttfucking beatdown against Nebraska, if it comes to that, just like I looked forward to supporting my team through four quarters of tOSU ass-kicking. I’ll wake up bright and early the next morning and be excited and proud to support my alma mater the next weekend, because that’s just what you do.
by Erik T on Sep 26, 2011 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
And a rec for you as well.
I’ve lived in WI for 10 years now thanks to college and work opportunities. As a non-alum, I could have quietly converted to the Badgers back 2000/2001 and gotten away with it. I am not a dbag toolbucket so I simply grew even more fiercely loyal to the Gophers instead.
No matter how much a game like Saturday sucks you just buck up and keep being a fan.
I drilled holes into my brand new home's porch...
…just to hang the Gopher flag Saturday. Only twice did somebody ask me “is that Michigan”?
I do not want another rec (PLEASE! It is embarrassing!), but I will be buried (sooner than I should probably) with Gopher football underwear on…because I agree 100% with you, “it’s just what you do”. I like you Erik…reminds me of a younger me…not to insult you or anything, or paint a dark, horrifying picture of where you’re headed.
Anybody else notice
that Kill burned Cobb’s redshirt for a three yard run?
Might of had to do with Kirkwood’s hamstring being reinjured and Edwards being moved to linebacker last week……
Also, Stodemeyer was out the whole second half and didn’t return kicks the whole game….I guess he has a broken bone in his wrist/hand…..probably why he was having trouble tackling anybody……we are bad and beat up…..yikes!
by rangerrodent on Sep 26, 2011 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
I enjoyed drinking myself into oblivion.
After that one really nice drive, where they ran the ball what, 10 times in a row? You know, when they scored… Chewed clock… Imposed their will on NDSU… Then promptly remembered they were supposed to piss this bed this game.
It was like 2007 all over again.
It's sad, as like everyone i was
drinking the Kill-Aid. While I think Jerry might be the answer, I still can’t get over some basic mistakes. The end of the half almost made me have a heart attack. Everyone knows that you have two plays with the ball on the 50 yard line with one play left.
1. Take a knee and fight next half
2. THROW THE BALL INTO THE ENDZONE on a hailmary
NDSU had 4 d-backs lined across the 10 yard line. The decision to throw in tripple coverage on a non-jump ball to the 15 yard line was pointless. Well actually it was not pointless it was points for NDSU (on a play that gophers just watched).
With Jerry back in the hospital, recuiting season in full blast, this might already be the end of the Kill era. Which is kind of heart breaking as I finally was excited about a coach.
I'm actually glad they went for it with 0:07 left in the first half
Taht’s a major complaint of mine is when you’ve got time for a play and a possible touchdown, for whatever reason, coaches don’t want to go for it. I think it was a fluke that NDSU ran it all the way back, but so much went wrong on that play. Off target throw, to a guy in double or triple coverage, people giving up, and on and on.
I’m willing to chock this season up as a learning year, treat all the games like high-stakes scrimmages and start setting the table for next year. It’s the only way I’m going to survive this season with my health and a clean criminal record
When we get the Pig, the Jug and the Axe, we'll have one hell of a picnic
also
1. I did not notice Kirkwood even getting into the game in the 2nd half. Was he hurt or was that coaches decision. Any insite?
2. Everytime we lined up under center and handed the ball off we had positive results. Strange we are so afraid of using what is working.
Kirkwood was banged up all last year
And it seems like they show him limping off the field every so often… I think he might just be injured enough that they don’t wanna risk him on every play, ala Marion Barber
2 – you may not have remembered the NMSU game or USC, but we couldn’t run ANYTHING up the middle. I can’t remember much going up the middle this past game, unless it was a pass play that broke down and Grey took the ball himself.
When we get the Pig, the Jug and the Axe, we'll have one hell of a picnic
Not my feelings
I have heard some say it, and Coach Kill did say he got out coached. My personal feeling is there is so much wrong with this team that there is no way to fix it anytime soon. When a staff has to teach fundamentals to seniors and juniors it takes away from the time you need to teach the system. The underclassmen should be learning fundamentals from the upperclassmen but they obviously don’t have a clue (Thanks F*ckster for not being able to coach.) So I will be tempering my expectations until the Freshman and maybe sophs get to be upperclassmen to see if they are able to come through and be the leaders Kill expects.
Kill's history shows that
teams struggle early but you see improvements as early as year 2. I sense a post coming…
what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher
by GopherNation on Sep 25, 2011 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions
true
I have questioned some of the coaching calls so far this year, but this game made me realize they have to call some stuff because they have no choice and we can’t judge their coaching ability yet due to the fact they haven’t been able to really coach their way due to how screwed up the program was when they got it. If they are able to get to coaching to their standards by the end of this year I do expect some improvement next year but I want to really sit back, give this program the chance to grow and that falls on the young guys by learning the fundamentals now so they can guide the incoming players instead of that chore falling solely on the coaches. All my babbling is just to keep myself sane through this struggle.
Summing up this entire season...
…our fan base still doesn’t even know if our starting QB and the so-called savior of the program’s last name is spelled Gray or Grey.
In a nutshell, that is Minnesota fandom that Erik T loathes (as do I).
by jimipig on Sep 26, 2011 10:41 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on The Daily Gopher
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
