Our running game seemed pretty inconsistent in the first half, but got better as the game wore on. Early in the game, there wasn't much push, not many creases for Rodney. A lot of runs of three yards or less. The offensive line will get better the more they play together. If they stay healthy, that should be a good unit.
Annexstad has all the intangibles. Cool customer. My favorite throw of the night was when he recognized the blitz and identified his "hot read," Ty Johnson, for the TD catch. Veteran play right there. And on the slant TD to Ty, he showed nice patience to let the route develop before putting the ball on the money. He has the arm strength to make all the throws. It'll be interesting to see how many times he keeps it on the zone read. Only once last night that I can remember, and that's the play where he dinged his left shoulder.
I know it's only one game, but I'm confident in saying this could easily be the best collection of wide receivers Minnesota has ever had. Batemen and CAB will be very, very good. Ty Johnson sets the tone for the others to follow. He leads this group. Demetrius Douglas was targeted several times last night, but caught only one ball.Can Harry VanDyne make a push for playing time? I thought he had fantastic film coming out of HS.
On defense, I LOVE our linebackers. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Great group of guys, physical, and all run to the ball extremely well. Thomas Rush LOOKS like a Big Ten linebacker should look!!! Curious as to where Guthrie is at in his development. Didn't see him last night. Second year in the program. A kid Fleck grabbed away from WMU.
As mentioned in an earlier post, the position group I was least impressed with last night was the defensive line. They didn't collapse the pocket much, and made few plays at the point of attack. Lobos run a lot of three step drop and get rid of the ball quickly, which plays into pass rush of course. NMST got some big runs on the QB draw from the shotgun. Something to clean up before Fresno State.
Terrell Smith is crazy fast and long. Kiondre Thomas got flagged for a couple of PI's last night where the coverage was good, but ball recognition was not. Some teachable moments there.
I hate Rodney Smith returning kickoffs. I will say it all season. He is way, way too valuable to lose to injury on a kick return. I know injuries can happen anytime, but one way to reduce the blows he takes in a game is to have him standing next to Coach Fleck on kickoffs. Just my opinion.
TE's were not targeted once in the passing game last night. I assume there are at least a few plays in the book to get them the ball, but again, don't show too much in the first game I suppose.
Special teams was ok. Punt return for td was great (but awful tackling), we missed one FG, had a five yard offsides on a kickoff and Herbers was ok.
Talent level of opponent takes a big jump next week, so we'll need to be better.
GO GOPHERS!!
Annexstad has all the intangibles. Cool customer. My favorite throw of the night was when he recognized the blitz and identified his "hot read," Ty Johnson, for the TD catch. Veteran play right there. And on the slant TD to Ty, he showed nice patience to let the route develop before putting the ball on the money. He has the arm strength to make all the throws. It'll be interesting to see how many times he keeps it on the zone read. Only once last night that I can remember, and that's the play where he dinged his left shoulder.
I know it's only one game, but I'm confident in saying this could easily be the best collection of wide receivers Minnesota has ever had. Batemen and CAB will be very, very good. Ty Johnson sets the tone for the others to follow. He leads this group. Demetrius Douglas was targeted several times last night, but caught only one ball.Can Harry VanDyne make a push for playing time? I thought he had fantastic film coming out of HS.
On defense, I LOVE our linebackers. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Great group of guys, physical, and all run to the ball extremely well. Thomas Rush LOOKS like a Big Ten linebacker should look!!! Curious as to where Guthrie is at in his development. Didn't see him last night. Second year in the program. A kid Fleck grabbed away from WMU.
As mentioned in an earlier post, the position group I was least impressed with last night was the defensive line. They didn't collapse the pocket much, and made few plays at the point of attack. Lobos run a lot of three step drop and get rid of the ball quickly, which plays into pass rush of course. NMST got some big runs on the QB draw from the shotgun. Something to clean up before Fresno State.
Terrell Smith is crazy fast and long. Kiondre Thomas got flagged for a couple of PI's last night where the coverage was good, but ball recognition was not. Some teachable moments there.
I hate Rodney Smith returning kickoffs. I will say it all season. He is way, way too valuable to lose to injury on a kick return. I know injuries can happen anytime, but one way to reduce the blows he takes in a game is to have him standing next to Coach Fleck on kickoffs. Just my opinion.
TE's were not targeted once in the passing game last night. I assume there are at least a few plays in the book to get them the ball, but again, don't show too much in the first game I suppose.
Special teams was ok. Punt return for td was great (but awful tackling), we missed one FG, had a five yard offsides on a kickoff and Herbers was ok.
Talent level of opponent takes a big jump next week, so we'll need to be better.
GO GOPHERS!!
