Donnell Kirkwood powers a salty Minnesota offense. (Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)
Coach Jerry Kill thinks the Gophers may finally be ready to take a big step forward this season.
“We’re looking more like a Big Ten team needs to look,” he said in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “Are we there yet? Not going to tell you that, but we’re looking better.”
While it would be a stretch too say the Gophers are ready to duke it out with the league’s heavyweights, Kill has some reason to be optimistic. He took over a troubled program following the 2010 season when Minnesota finished 3-9 and coach Tim Brewster was fired. The Gophers went 3-9 again in Kill’s first season, but finished 6-7 in 2012 and earned a bid to the Meineke Car Care Bowl, where they took Texas Tech to the wire before losing.
Kill thought his team has a productive spring camp and that carried over into fall practice as the Gophers get ready for the season opener at home against UNLV on Aug. 29.
“I think the kids took the momentum out of the bowl game, took it on to the offseason, did an outstanding job in the offseason getting bigger, stronger and faster,” he said in the Pioneer Press.
Kill has been trying to instill a new attitude in his team since he took over the program. It’s taken some time and there have been many bumps in the road, but he believes the Gophers are headed in the right direction.
“I felt like we had our best spring ball,” he said in the Pioneer Press. “Enthusiasm is great. And I just think that our kids have come together over the two years.”
Kill, who has battled health issues for years, told reporters he was “in the best shape of his life” at Big Ten Media Day. Kill has suffered three seizures during games since taking the Minnesota job. The most recent came last season against Michigan State on Nov. 24. Kill, who is also a cancer survivor, is optimistic about his health as this season is about to begin.
“I’m doing great,” he said. “Things are going great for me. I’ve got a great doctor that’s a specialist in epilepsy. I’ve been doing great, looking forward to the season. I may not look it, but I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life.”
SPOTLIGHT ON SEPTEMBER: As was the case last season when the Gophers won their first four games, Minnesota has a legitimate chance for another fast start. The first three opponents went a combined 6-30 last season. The Gophers open the season at home on Aug. 29 against UNLV, which finished 2-11 in 2012. Minnesota needed three overtimes to defeat the Rebels in last season’s opener. New Mexico State, coming off a 1-11 season, hosts Minnesota on Sept. 7. The Gophers will be out to avenge a shocking 28-21 home loss two years ago. Western Illinois, an FCS team that finished 3-8 last season, visits TCF Bank Stadium on Sept. 14. Minnesota’s toughest non-conference test will come on Sept. 21 when San Jose State comes to town. The Spartans were 11-2 last season and recorded a win in the Military Bowl. Minnesota closes play in September by hosting Iowa in the Big Ten opener. The Gophers lost in Iowa City a year ago, but have recorded two straight wins over the Hawkeyes at home. Minnesota will need a few breaks, but a 5-0 start is a possibility.
KEYS TO SUCCESS: The Gophers must find a replacement for quarterback MarQueis Gray, who was a dual threat before being injured early last season. Philip Nelson took over after Gray went down and appears to have fought off a challenge from Mitch Leidner for the starting job. Nelson started the final seven games last season as a freshman, but Leidner looked good at times during fall camp. The coaching staff may decide to go with both quarterbacks in some games. The offensive line, which has been battered by injuries the last two seasons, must stay healthy and develop some continuity. The defense, which gives up too many points against powerful Big Ten teams, must start holding its own on the line of scrimmage. The Gophers won’t match up talent-wise against most of their conference opponents. That’s why it will be important for the special teams to make a big impact.
AREAS OF CONCERN: Coach Jerry Kill wants to turn his offense into one that lines up, controls the line of scrimmage and establishes a running game. For that to happen, the offensive line must produce, something that hasn’t happened in years. Injuries haven’t helped, particularly at the center position. Senior Zach Mottla decided to end his playing career after failing to recover from a broken leg suffered last season and junior Brian Bobek, an Ohio State transfer, is recovering from a viral infection. Sophomore Jon Christenson appears ready to play after having ankle surgery. Senior tackle Ed Olson has also returned from surgery on his ankle. Junior guard Zac Epping and sophomore tackle Josh Campion are back and redshirt Jonah Pirsighas returned to practice after having hurting his knee in March. The defense ranked ninth in the Big Ten in rush defense, allowing 197.1 yards a game last season. The fact end D.L. Wilhite has graduated won’t help. Kicker Jordan Wettstein, who was steady last season, must also be replaced. Chris Hawthorne is the favorite to win the job.
TOP NEWCOMER: LB Damien Wilson: The junior college transfer ranked fourth nationally among JC players a year ago with 122 tackles at Jones County (Miss.) Community College. He is a candidate to fill the vacant middle linebacker spot.
