Claeys opened up by saying they are very excited to be playing in the Holiday Bowl and facing Washington State. He said that it is a great reward for the season that they have had.
As for a preview of Washington State, Claeys noted that head coach Mike Leach has an offensive philosophy that he believes in and that what is different is that this year they have been playing better defense. The coaches have one more week to recruit before the dead period, so the scouting of Washington State will start next weekend.
Looking back upon the season, Claeys said he thought this was his best team coming back, and still believes that. He said that they made up some ground on teams that are atop the Big Ten, and that for the first time they had a chance to win every game they played. He said that as frustrating as it is for the fans, it’s just as frustrating for players and coaches. He credited the players for their effort and hard work, and he would rather have fans be disappointed than not care.
The seniors still have an opportunity to win 9 games this year, and we are playing a ton of freshmen and sophomore that get an extra 15 practices.
With Penn State winning the Big Ten Championship, Gaard mentioned that we went toe-to-toe with them in Happy Valley. Claeys said that in that game the “stars didn’t align” and there were some plays they didn’t make at the end of the game, but that we did have an opportunity to win it. Both teams in the Big Ten Championship were two of our road losses this year.
Emmit Carpenter took home Big Ten Kicker of the Year honors, Claeys said that he worked awfully hard, and that the decision in the spring to move Emmit to kicker and Ryan (Santoso) to punter allowed them to work very hard on their specific role.
Claeys wanted to get more of his kids on the defense to make some of the teams, but that we have to win a few more games in order for more kids to get looks. When asked in particular, he said that Demarius Travis was the one that he was disappointed in not being higher, called him “an awfully good football player.”
As for the offense, Jonah Pirsig, Drew Wolitarsky, and Rodney Smith were honored with Big Ten awards. He credited them for their hard work, and said that not having Brandon Lingen made it difficult on the offense, and he thinks that he would’ve been one of the best tight ends in the conference.
The key for Rodney Smith taking off this year was his hard work in the offseason and in practice. Claeys said he talked to Rodney and offered to take him off punt and kickoff return, but that Rodney wanted to play. He said that it goes back to Rodney loves playing football, and that this year they have more kids that love football.
Of the 15 extra bowl practices they are allowed, Claeys said they will probably only use 13 of them so that they have time to recruit, as well as keeping the team fresh and ready to go for the bowl game.
For the extra practices, Claeys mentioned that they are trying to get younger guys back into our offense and not as much being scout team anymore. Also little things like finishing plays and catching balls. Defensively, they will spend a lot of time on coverage since Washington State coach Mike Leach loves to throw the ball.
The Gophers and Washington State have had a similar opponent in Washington State this year, so Claeys said they will watch those games and compare. Additionally, Washington State plays late night games, so not many people get to watch them play.
The captains for next year are Rodney Smith, Johnathon Celestin, and Brandon Lingen. Claeys mentioned their consistency down after down that set the example for every other player. We also have the option to add one or more two if another player steps up. Calling the passing of the torch tradition at the banquet “a very big deal that we take very seriously.”
On dealing with the spread attack of Mike Leach, Coach Claeys said it is hard getting a good look in practice because you have to have enough receivers to duplicate what he does, and the ball comes out very quick. The quarterback is very disciplined on his reads, and knows where/when to go with the ball. He also said that yards after catch is going to be extremely key to playing well defensively.
As for a preview of Washington State, Claeys noted that head coach Mike Leach has an offensive philosophy that he believes in and that what is different is that this year they have been playing better defense. The coaches have one more week to recruit before the dead period, so the scouting of Washington State will start next weekend.
Looking back upon the season, Claeys said he thought this was his best team coming back, and still believes that. He said that they made up some ground on teams that are atop the Big Ten, and that for the first time they had a chance to win every game they played. He said that as frustrating as it is for the fans, it’s just as frustrating for players and coaches. He credited the players for their effort and hard work, and he would rather have fans be disappointed than not care.
The seniors still have an opportunity to win 9 games this year, and we are playing a ton of freshmen and sophomore that get an extra 15 practices.
With Penn State winning the Big Ten Championship, Gaard mentioned that we went toe-to-toe with them in Happy Valley. Claeys said that in that game the “stars didn’t align” and there were some plays they didn’t make at the end of the game, but that we did have an opportunity to win it. Both teams in the Big Ten Championship were two of our road losses this year.
Emmit Carpenter took home Big Ten Kicker of the Year honors, Claeys said that he worked awfully hard, and that the decision in the spring to move Emmit to kicker and Ryan (Santoso) to punter allowed them to work very hard on their specific role.
Claeys wanted to get more of his kids on the defense to make some of the teams, but that we have to win a few more games in order for more kids to get looks. When asked in particular, he said that Demarius Travis was the one that he was disappointed in not being higher, called him “an awfully good football player.”
As for the offense, Jonah Pirsig, Drew Wolitarsky, and Rodney Smith were honored with Big Ten awards. He credited them for their hard work, and said that not having Brandon Lingen made it difficult on the offense, and he thinks that he would’ve been one of the best tight ends in the conference.
The key for Rodney Smith taking off this year was his hard work in the offseason and in practice. Claeys said he talked to Rodney and offered to take him off punt and kickoff return, but that Rodney wanted to play. He said that it goes back to Rodney loves playing football, and that this year they have more kids that love football.
Of the 15 extra bowl practices they are allowed, Claeys said they will probably only use 13 of them so that they have time to recruit, as well as keeping the team fresh and ready to go for the bowl game.
For the extra practices, Claeys mentioned that they are trying to get younger guys back into our offense and not as much being scout team anymore. Also little things like finishing plays and catching balls. Defensively, they will spend a lot of time on coverage since Washington State coach Mike Leach loves to throw the ball.
The Gophers and Washington State have had a similar opponent in Washington State this year, so Claeys said they will watch those games and compare. Additionally, Washington State plays late night games, so not many people get to watch them play.
The captains for next year are Rodney Smith, Johnathon Celestin, and Brandon Lingen. Claeys mentioned their consistency down after down that set the example for every other player. We also have the option to add one or more two if another player steps up. Calling the passing of the torch tradition at the banquet “a very big deal that we take very seriously.”
On dealing with the spread attack of Mike Leach, Coach Claeys said it is hard getting a good look in practice because you have to have enough receivers to duplicate what he does, and the ball comes out very quick. The quarterback is very disciplined on his reads, and knows where/when to go with the ball. He also said that yards after catch is going to be extremely key to playing well defensively.
