Gopher Football Opening Press Conference in Tweets...Confidence, Defense and The Axe

I was unable to attend the opening press conference but thank God for Twitter.  Video and quotes will be available soon but why wait...here are all the highlights you need from Coach Kill's season opening press conference.

There is no doubt that expectations are higher and there is a level of confidence inside the program right now. But I don't think they are in position to be too overly confident.

Kill has always been pretty straightforward about his team's status year-to-year. Easily the most confident he's sounded in the preseason

— Nate Sandell (@NSandell) August 4, 2015

"I don't think we'll ever get over-confident." Kill, on keeping hungry.

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) August 4, 2015

Sid kicks off the Q&A by asking what I'm sure everyone in the room was thinking...

Sid kicking off the presser in typical fashion - Sid: Why are you so dressed up? Kill: "I have a date tonight."Sid: "No one is that hard up"

— Nate Sandell (@NSandell) August 4, 2015

OK, moving on.  Maybe you heard that we are playing TCU this year?  But the number one thing Kill gets asked about? It is the Axe!

Kill: "Number one question I get...we've got 3 trophies but where is the Axe?" #gophers

— Justin Gaard (@jgkfan) August 4, 2015

Jerry Kill says it makes him mad when he sees people wearing #Badgers clothing around town. #Gophers

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) August 4, 2015

"We've got to win the border games. That's the next Brick." Kill, on more of this season's expectations.

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) August 4, 2015

Lets talk offense.  Most of us are focused on the improvement of Mitch Leidner and who replaces David Cobb at tailback.  Coach say this is the biggest are of improvement needed...

Kill said a big key to the offense will be the center and two guards holding up, keeping pressure away. Moved Campion to guard for a reason.

— JoeChristensen (@JoeCStrib) August 4, 2015

Not that Mitch improving and the running backs (and receivers) aren't also important.  It sounds like Mitch is coming into this season confident and ready to lead.

Kill on Mitch Leidner: "He was a different kid after Manning's Camp...life is about confidence" #gophers

— Justin Gaard (@jgkfan) August 4, 2015

Kill on Leidner: "He was a different kid after he got back from Manning's camp. ... David Cobb got confidence, and boom there he went."

— JoeChristensen (@JoeCStrib) August 4, 2015

Remember that Jeff Jones kid?  He was a rather highly sought after running back out of high school.  Well he's going to start this season at receiver.

Kill said Jeff Jones will start practice at WR and he can also do things in the backfield "as needed."

— JoeChristensen (@JoeCStrib) August 4, 2015

Backup QB, Chris Streveler too I guess...

Streveler's athleticism makes the #Gophers want to see what he might look at WR, but that doesn't mean he'll switch, Kill said.

— Marcus R. Fuller (@GophersNow) August 4, 2015

Kill says #Gophers QB Chris Streveler is probably the 2nd fastest guy on the team.

— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) August 4, 2015

Sticking with receiver, I may have a slight man-crush on Melvin Holland Jr.

#Gophers Jerry Kill says Melvin Holland had an unbelievable summer; says Desmond Gant has special talent.

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) August 4, 2015

And the Defense.  The secondary is really quite good.  Lead by Eric Murray and bolstered by the speed of Jalen Myrick.

Kill calls secondary the best he's had here: "A tremendously mature group." #gophers

— Justin Gaard (@jgkfan) August 4, 2015

"Eric Murray has become a very good leader. When he's saying something, everyone listens." Kill, on Eric Murray's leadership role.

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) August 4, 2015

After another offseason, DB Jalen Myrick still holds Kill's distinction as fastest on the team. #Gophers

— Nate Sandell (@NSandell) August 4, 2015

In fact he really likes the entire defense

Kill: "I think this is our best defensive unit since we've been here." #Gophers

— Nate Sandell (@NSandell) August 4, 2015

And he should like this defense, recruiting this side of the ball was a priority.

Jerry Kill says the staff initially focused on recruiting defense when they arrived. Said they've (Kill's teams) have always had good D.

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) August 4, 2015

The defense is set, time for the offense to catch up.

"We've won on defense everywhere we've been. We built on defense, and now offensively we're moving forward." Kill, on his defensive focus.

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) August 4, 2015

Cannot wait for the season to get started!  Lets GO!