Summarizing what defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and offensive coordinator Mike Sanford, Jr. said during this week's press conference ahead of the Gophers matchup at Iowa.
ROSSI:
On first two drives against Illinois:
- Got out-physicaled in the front seven
On adjustments:
- We did a better job of creating a new line of scrimmage
- Made subtle adjustments with the fronts
On Iowa's center and problems he creates:
- He's phenomenal
- Has a ton of athleticism, have seen him get out on the perimeter and block and second and third level defender
On difference between Iowa QB's Petras and Padilla:
- Both guys are capable quarterbacks
- Difference in size
- Experience level isn't quite the same
- Been impressed with both, they are well coached
On DL rotations:
- We're fresher at this time than in years past from rotating so many guys
- Critical to get off to a faster start than last week
- The three or four games before that we came out smoking hot, cut could have finished better
- Script was flipped against Illinois
- Iowa has a good running game and good at controlling the clock
- Stealing a possession for our offense is going to be very important
- They are good at getting taking aways as well
- Coney Durr is one of the tougher corners and tacklers I've ever been around
- Keeps it even keel - not too high or low
- He's a physical presence in the secondary
- Has battled injuries at the beginning of his career, but hasn't looked back since he's been fully healthy
- Braelen Oliver is steadily improving week in and week out
- Has a high ceiling, we haven't seen his best football
- Very optimistic about his abilities moving forward
- We can't allow chunk or explosive plays against Iowa
- Two score game in the fourth quarter last year and Iowa put us away with explosive plays
SANFORD, JR.:
- Weren't good enough against Illinois
- We have a higher standard than that
- Case study on what could happen if you are not advantageous of seizing opportunities
- We have to respond better when we turned the ball over
- Positive things happened, but there wasn't enough consistency to sustain drives
- Illinois has a good defense, good schemes
- We didn't get the explosive runs that we normally get
- I need to do everything in my power with the staff to find a rhythm
- We need to stay ahead of the sticks and be in third and manageables
- Coverages that were taking the short passes away, that's why you didn't see more early
- A lot of the chunk attempts we were making were part of the game plan against Illinois that we thought we could take advantage of
- Have to play smart football against Iowa to avoid turnovers
- Have to run the football, take advantage of pass opportunities, and be patient
- They create a lot of tip balls and you see opposing quarterbacks throw it up and get impatient
- Have to play smart football for four quarters
- CAB is in a really good spot with his health
- When he is healthy, he gets targeted
- Down the stretch, I think we'll see the true CAB
- Have to play with the ability that we are one of the top scoring teams in the Big Ten, which we were until a week ago
- Iowa's defense is very disciplined
- Play fantastic football with their hands on the defensive front
- Excited to watch our players respond on Saturday
ROSSI:
On first two drives against Illinois:
- Got out-physicaled in the front seven
On adjustments:
- We did a better job of creating a new line of scrimmage
- Made subtle adjustments with the fronts
On Iowa's center and problems he creates:
- He's phenomenal
- Has a ton of athleticism, have seen him get out on the perimeter and block and second and third level defender
On difference between Iowa QB's Petras and Padilla:
- Both guys are capable quarterbacks
- Difference in size
- Experience level isn't quite the same
- Been impressed with both, they are well coached
On DL rotations:
- We're fresher at this time than in years past from rotating so many guys
- Critical to get off to a faster start than last week
- The three or four games before that we came out smoking hot, cut could have finished better
- Script was flipped against Illinois
- Iowa has a good running game and good at controlling the clock
- Stealing a possession for our offense is going to be very important
- They are good at getting taking aways as well
- Coney Durr is one of the tougher corners and tacklers I've ever been around
- Keeps it even keel - not too high or low
- He's a physical presence in the secondary
- Has battled injuries at the beginning of his career, but hasn't looked back since he's been fully healthy
- Braelen Oliver is steadily improving week in and week out
- Has a high ceiling, we haven't seen his best football
- Very optimistic about his abilities moving forward
- We can't allow chunk or explosive plays against Iowa
- Two score game in the fourth quarter last year and Iowa put us away with explosive plays
SANFORD, JR.:
- Weren't good enough against Illinois
- We have a higher standard than that
- Case study on what could happen if you are not advantageous of seizing opportunities
- We have to respond better when we turned the ball over
- Positive things happened, but there wasn't enough consistency to sustain drives
- Illinois has a good defense, good schemes
- We didn't get the explosive runs that we normally get
- I need to do everything in my power with the staff to find a rhythm
- We need to stay ahead of the sticks and be in third and manageables
- Coverages that were taking the short passes away, that's why you didn't see more early
- A lot of the chunk attempts we were making were part of the game plan against Illinois that we thought we could take advantage of
- Have to play smart football against Iowa to avoid turnovers
- Have to run the football, take advantage of pass opportunities, and be patient
- They create a lot of tip balls and you see opposing quarterbacks throw it up and get impatient
- Have to play smart football for four quarters
- CAB is in a really good spot with his health
- When he is healthy, he gets targeted
- Down the stretch, I think we'll see the true CAB
- Have to play with the ability that we are one of the top scoring teams in the Big Ten, which we were until a week ago
- Iowa's defense is very disciplined
- Play fantastic football with their hands on the defensive front
- Excited to watch our players respond on Saturday
