By ANDY GREDER | agreder@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press
PUBLISHED: November 2, 2018 at 5:14 pm | UPDATED: November 2, 2018 at 5:16 pm
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CARTER COUGHLIN
The junior defensive end from Eden Prairie leads the Big Ten with nine sacks, including a strip-sack that sealed last week’s 38-31 victory over Indiana. That ended the Gophers’ four-game Big Ten losing streak, but Coughlin paused to set the record straight in the postgame news conference.
“I just want to clarify something for everybody,” he said when asked about his game-ending play. “Any accomplishment I’ve had this season is a direct reflection of the entire D-line. … I’m seeing stuff being said. We all work together as a cohesive unit.”
Fleck and Coughlin have said other members of the defensive line have worked to occupy blockers to try to free up Coughlin, who creates mismatches with his speed and pass-rush techniques off the edge.
“He is just such a tremendous player that when your best players play really well, you want to continue to give them opportunity to be singled up,” Fleck said. “A lot of guys next to him have to be able to sacrifice having two people on them.”
TYLER JOHNSON
Gophers offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca defines a “dude” as someone who dominates on the field, and he puts the junior receiver from Minneapolis North at the top of the U’s list.
Johnson is on pace to break Ron Johnson’s single-season program record of 1,125 receiving yards. The Gophers’ go-to receiver leads the Big Ten with 807 receiving yards and eight touchdowns through eight games.
“He’s working a lot harder than he did last year, way harder,” Fleck said. “Not to say he wasn’t working hard. I just didn’t think he was working up to the capabilities … to become an elite wideout.”
BLAKE CASHMAN
The senior linebacker from Eden Prairie leads the Gophers with 68 tackles, fifth most in the Big Ten. His tackle for lost yards against Indiana late in the fourth quarter last week gave the Gophers the opportunity to win.
Pro Football Focus graded Cashman as a first-team all-Big Ten linebacker in its midseason report card.
“He’s an NFL prospect for sure,” Fleck said. “He’s not your prototypical really tall, rangy linebacker, but that guy’s going to play in the NFL if he stays healthy. I think he can play in the NFL for a long time, especially on special teams and as a ‘backer they bring in on certain packages where you need a linebacker but also somebody to cover a receiver. He can run. Not only that, he’s a very physical, tough football player who loves the game.”
UNDERCLASSMEN >...
https://www.twincities.com/2018/11/02/gophers-football-teams-bowl-hopes-rest-on-these-seven-players/
PUBLISHED: November 2, 2018 at 5:14 pm | UPDATED: November 2, 2018 at 5:16 pm
UPPERCLASSMEN >
CARTER COUGHLIN
The junior defensive end from Eden Prairie leads the Big Ten with nine sacks, including a strip-sack that sealed last week’s 38-31 victory over Indiana. That ended the Gophers’ four-game Big Ten losing streak, but Coughlin paused to set the record straight in the postgame news conference.
“I just want to clarify something for everybody,” he said when asked about his game-ending play. “Any accomplishment I’ve had this season is a direct reflection of the entire D-line. … I’m seeing stuff being said. We all work together as a cohesive unit.”
Fleck and Coughlin have said other members of the defensive line have worked to occupy blockers to try to free up Coughlin, who creates mismatches with his speed and pass-rush techniques off the edge.
“He is just such a tremendous player that when your best players play really well, you want to continue to give them opportunity to be singled up,” Fleck said. “A lot of guys next to him have to be able to sacrifice having two people on them.”
TYLER JOHNSON
Gophers offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca defines a “dude” as someone who dominates on the field, and he puts the junior receiver from Minneapolis North at the top of the U’s list.
Johnson is on pace to break Ron Johnson’s single-season program record of 1,125 receiving yards. The Gophers’ go-to receiver leads the Big Ten with 807 receiving yards and eight touchdowns through eight games.
“He’s working a lot harder than he did last year, way harder,” Fleck said. “Not to say he wasn’t working hard. I just didn’t think he was working up to the capabilities … to become an elite wideout.”
BLAKE CASHMAN
The senior linebacker from Eden Prairie leads the Gophers with 68 tackles, fifth most in the Big Ten. His tackle for lost yards against Indiana late in the fourth quarter last week gave the Gophers the opportunity to win.
Pro Football Focus graded Cashman as a first-team all-Big Ten linebacker in its midseason report card.
“He’s an NFL prospect for sure,” Fleck said. “He’s not your prototypical really tall, rangy linebacker, but that guy’s going to play in the NFL if he stays healthy. I think he can play in the NFL for a long time, especially on special teams and as a ‘backer they bring in on certain packages where you need a linebacker but also somebody to cover a receiver. He can run. Not only that, he’s a very physical, tough football player who loves the game.”
UNDERCLASSMEN >...
https://www.twincities.com/2018/11/02/gophers-football-teams-bowl-hopes-rest-on-these-seven-players/
