University of Minnesota Athletics
Wreaking Havoc - Senior Keith Lipka
11/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
It may be hard to believe, but Lipka is actually a fairly quiet, soft-spoken guy. He just goes about his business and lets his actions speak for themselves. “I don’t feel the need to talk a lot,” he said. “I think talking probably gets your opponent more hyped up than you.”
It is no misrepresentation to say that Lipka’s actions speak much louder than his words. Lipka has put up some impressive numbers so far this year, ranking second among defensive linemen on the team with 24 tackles, 16 of them solo.
Playing in the physical Big Ten Conference, a certain toughness and attitude is necessary in order to be effective. In regards to the toughness aspect, Lipka said that mental toughness is as important as the physical component. “You have to come to play every week,” he stated. “You can’t get too high and you can’t get too low because that is when someone will beat you.”
The relentless attitude that Lipka possesses has allowed him to maintain a high level of competitiveness. “You have to play with an attitude, especially when you are a defensive lineman,” Lipka said. “You are going up against guys that are sometimes 50 pounds bigger than you, so you have to have something.”
The ‘something’ that Lipka has is a tenacity that is unmatched, which defensive line coach Carey Bailey proclaimed as his biggest asset. “When he puts on the helmet and pads he is as mean and tenacious as anyone,” Bailey commented. “You know exactly what he is going to give you on every play. He just goes all out and does everything that you ask of him.”
Lipka’s all-out effort is something that has rubbed off on the rest of the team and has contributed to the vast improvement seen by the entire defense this year. “We are a good defense when we play and all do our job,” he said.
Lipka has surely done his share this year, but he has not always been one of the most recognizable names on the Gophers roster. In his first two seasons, Lipka was switched from end to tackle and back to end a number of times. He admits that he just did not have the size to play on the interior.
Prior to last year’s Music City Bowl, Lipka was awarded a starting spot at defensive end and during that game had a sort of coming out party. Lipka produced one of the biggest, if not the biggest play of the year when he recovered a fumble for a touchdown near the end of the first quarter against the Crimson Tide. The score tied the game at seven and rallied the defense to shut down the potent Alabama attack, propelling the Gophers to a 20-16 victory. The fumble recovery was a game-changing play and one of Lipka’s most memorable highlights. “I never scored a touchdown in my life at any level until that play,” he commented. “It didn’t hit me for awhile, but it was just an awesome feeling.”
That one play may have been a career-changing play for Lipka. His performance in the Music City Bowl solidified a starting spot on the end of the defensive line coming in to the 2005 season. With his performance this year, Lipka has received praise from the coaching staff for being one of the most consistent performers on the defensive side of the ball. Lipka’s 24 tackles in the first seven games this season are nearly double his total output from the previous two years combined.
While the Music City Bowl play may be what he is most remembered for, Coach Bailey can recall a number of defining moments in the Keith Lipka’s career, including a play earlier this season against Colorado State in which Lipka hit the opposing tight end so hard that he literally took him right off his feet.
Lipka’s strength has seemed to grow with every inch of his hair. It represents the toughness and attitude with which he approaches every play of every game. “As long as he produces,” Bailey offered, “it’s like Samson, you don’t want to cut his hair or you might take his strength away.”
Maybe Big Ten opponents should consider that an option, because they obviously have not found any other way to stop him.
Story written by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student. assistant Take one look at Keith Lipka and a chill is sure to run up your spine. The senior from Oak Creek, Wis., possesses a presence that resembles that of a WWE personality. Perhaps it is the Rick Flair-like hair, maybe the tattoos, maybe the menacing look in his eyes, or maybe a combination of all of the above. However, it is clear when he steps onto the football field that No. 99 means business.
It may be hard to believe, but Lipka is actually a fairly quiet, soft-spoken guy. He just goes about his business and lets his actions speak for themselves. “I don’t feel the need to talk a lot,” he said. “I think talking probably gets your opponent more hyped up than you.”
It is no misrepresentation to say that Lipka’s actions speak much louder than his words. Lipka has put up some impressive numbers so far this year, ranking second among defensive linemen on the team with 24 tackles, 16 of them solo.
Playing in the physical Big Ten Conference, a certain toughness and attitude is necessary in order to be effective. In regards to the toughness aspect, Lipka said that mental toughness is as important as the physical component. “You have to come to play every week,” he stated. “You can’t get too high and you can’t get too low because that is when someone will beat you.”
The relentless attitude that Lipka possesses has allowed him to maintain a high level of competitiveness. “You have to play with an attitude, especially when you are a defensive lineman,” Lipka said. “You are going up against guys that are sometimes 50 pounds bigger than you, so you have to have something.”
The ‘something’ that Lipka has is a tenacity that is unmatched, which defensive line coach Carey Bailey proclaimed as his biggest asset. “When he puts on the helmet and pads he is as mean and tenacious as anyone,” Bailey commented. “You know exactly what he is going to give you on every play. He just goes all out and does everything that you ask of him.”
Lipka’s all-out effort is something that has rubbed off on the rest of the team and has contributed to the vast improvement seen by the entire defense this year. “We are a good defense when we play and all do our job,” he said.
Lipka has surely done his share this year, but he has not always been one of the most recognizable names on the Gophers roster. In his first two seasons, Lipka was switched from end to tackle and back to end a number of times. He admits that he just did not have the size to play on the interior.
Prior to last year’s Music City Bowl, Lipka was awarded a starting spot at defensive end and during that game had a sort of coming out party. Lipka produced one of the biggest, if not the biggest play of the year when he recovered a fumble for a touchdown near the end of the first quarter against the Crimson Tide. The score tied the game at seven and rallied the defense to shut down the potent Alabama attack, propelling the Gophers to a 20-16 victory. The fumble recovery was a game-changing play and one of Lipka’s most memorable highlights. “I never scored a touchdown in my life at any level until that play,” he commented. “It didn’t hit me for awhile, but it was just an awesome feeling.”
That one play may have been a career-changing play for Lipka. His performance in the Music City Bowl solidified a starting spot on the end of the defensive line coming in to the 2005 season. With his performance this year, Lipka has received praise from the coaching staff for being one of the most consistent performers on the defensive side of the ball. Lipka’s 24 tackles in the first seven games this season are nearly double his total output from the previous two years combined.
While the Music City Bowl play may be what he is most remembered for, Coach Bailey can recall a number of defining moments in the Keith Lipka’s career, including a play earlier this season against Colorado State in which Lipka hit the opposing tight end so hard that he literally took him right off his feet.
Lipka’s strength has seemed to grow with every inch of his hair. It represents the toughness and attitude with which he approaches every play of every game. “As long as he produces,” Bailey offered, “it’s like Samson, you don’t want to cut his hair or you might take his strength away.”
Maybe Big Ten opponents should consider that an option, because they obviously have not found any other way to stop him.
Story written by Tory Kukowski, athletic communications student. assistant
