As the CMU football team prepares for tomorrow's contest against the Minnesota Gophers, Chippewa Country Publisher John Evans had a Q&A with Gopher Illustrated's Matt Jessen-Howard to get an inside look at the matchup tomorrow at Ford Field.
JE: What are the strengths of the Minnesota offense and who are the big playmakers?
MH: Quarterback Mitch Leidner had a mediocre junior season last year, and coming into this year everyone expected much of the same. The feeling was that he would be "ok" and that's kind of how it has gone. He has been better the second half of the season and has had a little more zip on his balls.
JE: Who are his favorite targets?
MH: KJ Maye has really become a great wide receiver threat. He's short and quick and runs really good routes. Another favorite target has been tight end Brandon Lingen. He is really a good all-around tight end that can block and catch passes. He won the B10 tight end of the week twice this year.
JE: And the run game?
MH: Freshman Shannon Brooks and redshirt freshman Rodney Smith have really taken over as the starting running backs. Both are very talented guys that have All-Big Ten potential. The biggest issue on offense has been the O-Line. Seven of the eight rotating guys have missed time due to injury and there has been no continuity. They have been better down the stretch, and as the O-line has improved, so has the run game.
JE: What was the feeling around the program when Jerry Kill retired? Was it a surprise?
MH: Minnesota fans were very familiar with Kill's health because he was always public about it. It was surprising that he retired, but it wasn't at the same time.
JE: Did it put a damper on the season?
MH: I don't think it did. The past few years the team went 8-5, and this year they went 5-7. I don't think many fans expected to take such a big step backwards. Fans are disappointed at how the year has gone, but they are accepting of the Tracy Claeys hire as head coach. He was the defensive coordinator under Kill.
JE: What is your prediction for the game?
MH: I think Minnesota will win a close 28-24 game. Getting some guys healthy will be big and having those extra practices will make everyone on the offensive line feel that much more comfortable. CMU kind of plays right into the strengths of the Minnesota defense with us having such strong cornerbacks. It should be a good game.
CMU will take on Minnesota Monday at 5 p.m. at Ford Field in Detroit.
JE: What are the strengths of the Minnesota offense and who are the big playmakers?
MH: Quarterback Mitch Leidner had a mediocre junior season last year, and coming into this year everyone expected much of the same. The feeling was that he would be "ok" and that's kind of how it has gone. He has been better the second half of the season and has had a little more zip on his balls.
JE: Who are his favorite targets?
MH: KJ Maye has really become a great wide receiver threat. He's short and quick and runs really good routes. Another favorite target has been tight end Brandon Lingen. He is really a good all-around tight end that can block and catch passes. He won the B10 tight end of the week twice this year.
JE: And the run game?
MH: Freshman Shannon Brooks and redshirt freshman Rodney Smith have really taken over as the starting running backs. Both are very talented guys that have All-Big Ten potential. The biggest issue on offense has been the O-Line. Seven of the eight rotating guys have missed time due to injury and there has been no continuity. They have been better down the stretch, and as the O-line has improved, so has the run game.
JE: What was the feeling around the program when Jerry Kill retired? Was it a surprise?
MH: Minnesota fans were very familiar with Kill's health because he was always public about it. It was surprising that he retired, but it wasn't at the same time.
JE: Did it put a damper on the season?
MH: I don't think it did. The past few years the team went 8-5, and this year they went 5-7. I don't think many fans expected to take such a big step backwards. Fans are disappointed at how the year has gone, but they are accepting of the Tracy Claeys hire as head coach. He was the defensive coordinator under Kill.
JE: What is your prediction for the game?
MH: I think Minnesota will win a close 28-24 game. Getting some guys healthy will be big and having those extra practices will make everyone on the offensive line feel that much more comfortable. CMU kind of plays right into the strengths of the Minnesota defense with us having such strong cornerbacks. It should be a good game.
CMU will take on Minnesota Monday at 5 p.m. at Ford Field in Detroit.
