PJ said it was exciting getting the first Big Ten win after three very close losses in the first three Big Ten games.
Coach describes it as “learning on the fly” when it comes to adjusting to injuries, seeing what each player does well and plugging them in to play.
Kobe McCrary had a huge day for us last week. Fleck joked that when he came here he had heard of Rodney (Smith) and Shannon (Brooks), however he was introduced to Kobe thinking he was Rodney/Shannon and saying, “Wow, he’s huge!”. Kobe has earned himself more playing time and the coaches will have to game plan going forward to play all three backs going forward. “Whichever player we have in the game has a job to do, and is expected to do that job.”
An interesting point was brought up that maybe they opened the playbook up a bit too much to Demry at the beginning of the game. Eventually, they went back to two plays to use what was working. “We aren’t totally running our system yet. We have to give ourselves the best chance we can to win football games. Year 1 at Western (Michigan) we looked totally different than Year 4.”
The offensive line took tremendous ownership of that game, knowing what they had to do when the passing game was not working.
The Gophers consistently run a fake jet sweep (they call it “zoom”) on most of their inside zones. PJ explained that it turns into option football at that point, singles out one-on-one matchup (our RB on their safety/outside linebacker, etc). It also helps the offensive line while they progress.
Defensively, the effort was what impressed the Coach the most. The offense put the defense in tough positions throughout the game, and the defense held tough.
Illinois’ true freshman running quarterback, Cam Thomas, burned his redshirt in our game. The coaches didn’t know for sure if they would see him, however defensive coordinator Robb Smith had packages ready in case we were to see him.
“Everybody wants wins right now, but this is not going to be a band-aid culture. We are going to build thru young people, development, culture, and do it the right way so hopefully we won’t have just one championship down the road, but be in the hunt every year for championships.”
Coach said Demry’s running performance was fine, not elite last week. Having a guy like that changes things defensively for the team we are going against. Fleck reiterated that Demry needs to calm his feet in the pocket, and thinks first start nerves played a factor. Also commented that the wide receivers need to run better routes and get more separation.
Mike Grimm asked about extra motivation playing for the pig and going against Iowa. PJ doesn’t want his players to think that one game is more important than another. These rivalry games are one of the reasons the staff chose to come to the University of Minnesota.
Year One you cannot control which players want to transfer, however we can control how hard and how smart the players play. Coach Fleck is also not a fan of drawing attention to yourselves when making a play. He said there was a player that drew attention to himself, and that was addressed. Positive enthusiasm with your teammates is encouraged. It is a celebratory moment that should be shared with your teammates, since you didn’t get in that end zone alone.
Fleck and linebacker Jonathan Celestin shared a special moment at the end of the game after Celestin’s interception for a touchdown. Celestin’s father passed away this past spring after being hit by a car. “In that moment, football did not matter. That is a memory that we will cherish forever. That is why you coach.”
When recruiting a player, Fleck is extremely open in his life story with recruits and why it is ok to be different. “Nobody ever made a difference being like somebody else.”
PJ was extremely complimentary of Iowa and their new tradition of waving to the Children’s Hospital in between the 3rd and 4th quarter of each game. The team will absolutely take part in the tradition, and hopes that it will provide hope and energy to the kids and families in the hospital.
5:30pm is a bit of an odd kickoff start time for the game against Iowa, however in Fleck’s response, “I will never complain about how much national coverage we receive.”
“They are who they are. They want to run the ball, run the naked boots, throw it to the TE’s, and take occasional shots downfield. Defensively they keep the ball in front of them and force you to make 12-14 play drives down the field consistently.”
Coach Fleck loves country music, and on Sunday nights he plays country music to get himself in a good mode. He jokes, “when I’m in a good mood, everyone else is in a good mood.”
Kinnick Stadium is a very tough place to play, and the coaches have to get the players prepared to play in a tough environment like that.
Demry Croft will start again at quarterback against Iowa. Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks will both be back as well.
Fleck will give Demry a chance to respond against Iowa, just as he gave Rhoda a chance to respond after his mistakes. “I believe he will respond, or else I wouldn’t play him.”
Coach describes it as “learning on the fly” when it comes to adjusting to injuries, seeing what each player does well and plugging them in to play.
Kobe McCrary had a huge day for us last week. Fleck joked that when he came here he had heard of Rodney (Smith) and Shannon (Brooks), however he was introduced to Kobe thinking he was Rodney/Shannon and saying, “Wow, he’s huge!”. Kobe has earned himself more playing time and the coaches will have to game plan going forward to play all three backs going forward. “Whichever player we have in the game has a job to do, and is expected to do that job.”
An interesting point was brought up that maybe they opened the playbook up a bit too much to Demry at the beginning of the game. Eventually, they went back to two plays to use what was working. “We aren’t totally running our system yet. We have to give ourselves the best chance we can to win football games. Year 1 at Western (Michigan) we looked totally different than Year 4.”
The offensive line took tremendous ownership of that game, knowing what they had to do when the passing game was not working.
The Gophers consistently run a fake jet sweep (they call it “zoom”) on most of their inside zones. PJ explained that it turns into option football at that point, singles out one-on-one matchup (our RB on their safety/outside linebacker, etc). It also helps the offensive line while they progress.
Defensively, the effort was what impressed the Coach the most. The offense put the defense in tough positions throughout the game, and the defense held tough.
Illinois’ true freshman running quarterback, Cam Thomas, burned his redshirt in our game. The coaches didn’t know for sure if they would see him, however defensive coordinator Robb Smith had packages ready in case we were to see him.
“Everybody wants wins right now, but this is not going to be a band-aid culture. We are going to build thru young people, development, culture, and do it the right way so hopefully we won’t have just one championship down the road, but be in the hunt every year for championships.”
Coach said Demry’s running performance was fine, not elite last week. Having a guy like that changes things defensively for the team we are going against. Fleck reiterated that Demry needs to calm his feet in the pocket, and thinks first start nerves played a factor. Also commented that the wide receivers need to run better routes and get more separation.
Mike Grimm asked about extra motivation playing for the pig and going against Iowa. PJ doesn’t want his players to think that one game is more important than another. These rivalry games are one of the reasons the staff chose to come to the University of Minnesota.
Year One you cannot control which players want to transfer, however we can control how hard and how smart the players play. Coach Fleck is also not a fan of drawing attention to yourselves when making a play. He said there was a player that drew attention to himself, and that was addressed. Positive enthusiasm with your teammates is encouraged. It is a celebratory moment that should be shared with your teammates, since you didn’t get in that end zone alone.
Fleck and linebacker Jonathan Celestin shared a special moment at the end of the game after Celestin’s interception for a touchdown. Celestin’s father passed away this past spring after being hit by a car. “In that moment, football did not matter. That is a memory that we will cherish forever. That is why you coach.”
When recruiting a player, Fleck is extremely open in his life story with recruits and why it is ok to be different. “Nobody ever made a difference being like somebody else.”
PJ was extremely complimentary of Iowa and their new tradition of waving to the Children’s Hospital in between the 3rd and 4th quarter of each game. The team will absolutely take part in the tradition, and hopes that it will provide hope and energy to the kids and families in the hospital.
5:30pm is a bit of an odd kickoff start time for the game against Iowa, however in Fleck’s response, “I will never complain about how much national coverage we receive.”
“They are who they are. They want to run the ball, run the naked boots, throw it to the TE’s, and take occasional shots downfield. Defensively they keep the ball in front of them and force you to make 12-14 play drives down the field consistently.”
Coach Fleck loves country music, and on Sunday nights he plays country music to get himself in a good mode. He jokes, “when I’m in a good mood, everyone else is in a good mood.”
Kinnick Stadium is a very tough place to play, and the coaches have to get the players prepared to play in a tough environment like that.
Demry Croft will start again at quarterback against Iowa. Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks will both be back as well.
Fleck will give Demry a chance to respond against Iowa, just as he gave Rhoda a chance to respond after his mistakes. “I believe he will respond, or else I wouldn’t play him.”
