Demry Croft will start at quarterback for the Gophers on Saturday against Hawkeyes
By SID HARTMAN , STAR TRIBUNE
October 26, 2017 - 9:54 PM
The Gophers football team is 2 minutes and 27 seconds away from being 6-1 and qualified for a bowl invitation already.
The Gophers gave up the game-winning score to Maryland with 1:10 left in the fourth quarter, and the game-winning score against Purdue with 1:17 left in the fourth quarter.
So coach P.J. Fleck talked about how important it was for his team to get a win over Illinois last weekend in another tight contest.
“It’s important because it’s the next game,” Fleck said. “You always prepare every single week like you’re going to go out there and win. We’ve been in a lot of close games this year, especially in conference, and every game we’ve had in conference has come down to the last minute.”
Fleck has verified that Demry Croft is going to get another chance to start Saturday at Iowa, even though he completed just five of 15 passes for 47 yards against Illinois.
When asked what he saw in the game film on Croft’s performance, Fleck said the sophomore quarterback was moving too fast.
“He was really jumpy in the pocket,” Fleck said. “It’s kind of like a thoroughbred when you get him in the chutes and before they start he’s kind of jumping around in there and comes out of the shoot and he’s all over the place.
“We have to get his feet settled down. When his feet are quiet he’s a really, really talented quarterback. When his feet are loud or active that’s when you struggle with accuracy.”
Scouting the Hawks
When it came to scouting Iowa, Fleck had this to say about the Hawkeyes, who have won four of the past five contests for Floyd of Rosedale.
“They’re very good, very tough on defense, they keep everything in front of them,” said Fleck. “It is hard to take big shots over the top and score quickly versus Iowa. They make you put 12-, 14-play drives together to score. Their offense obviously is known for running that read zone play and running the football. I think they rushed for 89 yards against Northwestern, so I know Kirk Ferentz is going to want them to rush the ball for a lot more. Typical Iowa, they’re tough and they run the ball and they are good on defense.”
And on one last topic, Fleck took time to praise the work of Norries Wilson, the Gophers offensive lineman from 1983-86 who held various coaching jobs since then and is now the director of player development for the Gophers.
“I had a player development job where somebody has to know the University of Minnesota for our players, take care of our players that way, have a lot of connections with the university, somebody the players could always go to if they had an issue,” Fleck said. “Norries Wilson fit the description perfectly. He’s one of the best people I have ever met. I really, really like Norries. He has really made a difference in our culture in Year One. He’s really made a difference in our players’ lives.”
Jottings
• The Gophers have had 11 different secondary members play this season, with seven of them underclassman. One of the big leaders has been senior Kunle Ayinde, who has moved from safety to cornerback because of the injuries that have hit that unit. Ayinde had 30 tackles, three pass deflections and one interception on the season.
http://m.startribune.com/demry-crof...ay-against-hawkeyes/453495993/?section=sports
By SID HARTMAN , STAR TRIBUNE
October 26, 2017 - 9:54 PM
The Gophers football team is 2 minutes and 27 seconds away from being 6-1 and qualified for a bowl invitation already.
The Gophers gave up the game-winning score to Maryland with 1:10 left in the fourth quarter, and the game-winning score against Purdue with 1:17 left in the fourth quarter.
So coach P.J. Fleck talked about how important it was for his team to get a win over Illinois last weekend in another tight contest.
“It’s important because it’s the next game,” Fleck said. “You always prepare every single week like you’re going to go out there and win. We’ve been in a lot of close games this year, especially in conference, and every game we’ve had in conference has come down to the last minute.”
Fleck has verified that Demry Croft is going to get another chance to start Saturday at Iowa, even though he completed just five of 15 passes for 47 yards against Illinois.
When asked what he saw in the game film on Croft’s performance, Fleck said the sophomore quarterback was moving too fast.
“He was really jumpy in the pocket,” Fleck said. “It’s kind of like a thoroughbred when you get him in the chutes and before they start he’s kind of jumping around in there and comes out of the shoot and he’s all over the place.
“We have to get his feet settled down. When his feet are quiet he’s a really, really talented quarterback. When his feet are loud or active that’s when you struggle with accuracy.”
Scouting the Hawks
When it came to scouting Iowa, Fleck had this to say about the Hawkeyes, who have won four of the past five contests for Floyd of Rosedale.
“They’re very good, very tough on defense, they keep everything in front of them,” said Fleck. “It is hard to take big shots over the top and score quickly versus Iowa. They make you put 12-, 14-play drives together to score. Their offense obviously is known for running that read zone play and running the football. I think they rushed for 89 yards against Northwestern, so I know Kirk Ferentz is going to want them to rush the ball for a lot more. Typical Iowa, they’re tough and they run the ball and they are good on defense.”
And on one last topic, Fleck took time to praise the work of Norries Wilson, the Gophers offensive lineman from 1983-86 who held various coaching jobs since then and is now the director of player development for the Gophers.
“I had a player development job where somebody has to know the University of Minnesota for our players, take care of our players that way, have a lot of connections with the university, somebody the players could always go to if they had an issue,” Fleck said. “Norries Wilson fit the description perfectly. He’s one of the best people I have ever met. I really, really like Norries. He has really made a difference in our culture in Year One. He’s really made a difference in our players’ lives.”
Jottings
• The Gophers have had 11 different secondary members play this season, with seven of them underclassman. One of the big leaders has been senior Kunle Ayinde, who has moved from safety to cornerback because of the injuries that have hit that unit. Ayinde had 30 tackles, three pass deflections and one interception on the season.
http://m.startribune.com/demry-crof...ay-against-hawkeyes/453495993/?section=sports
