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University of Minnesota Athletics
Game Time with Grimm: Miami (Ohio) Preview
9/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 14, 2011
Gopher Radio Network play-by-play man Mike Grimm breaks down the Golden Gophers' Sept. 17 match-up with the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
1. Coach Kill: Clearly, the biggest question this week relates to whether head coach Jerry Kill will be on the sidelines this Saturday for the game. After last week's scary in-game seizure, time in the hospital, and a hectic battery of medical tests, most around the program believe the coach will still be coaching in this game. We hope he is, but we also hope he heeds the medical staff's advice and remains hydrated and stays safe.
2. Prep Work: How will the Gophers respond this week to not having their head coach around for much of their gameplan implementation? The coordinators on both sides of the ball say the week has been business as usual in regard to prepping the team, so we hope that indeed is the case.
3. Player Reaction: The Gophers have gotten off to slow starts in both games so far this season. Penalties on the first two plays from scrimmage in each game certainly didn't set the tone for a good, disciplined effort. Let's hope the players can overcome the added anxiety this week regarding their head coach's health and are fast-starters against Miami (OH).
4. Ground Attack: Minnesota's ground game has been less than stellar so far. The opposition has stacked the box with an extra defender or two, daring the Gophers to beat them through the air. The option portion of the offense has simply not been as potent as it needs to be. Duane Bennett didn't play in key portions of last week's game. Lots of question marks here, and unless they get the rushing game rolling, things will continue to be uneven on offense.
5. Radio Crew: Finally, I hope you're enjoying the coverage of the new radio broadcast team, which I am very humbled to be a part of. Justin Gaard has had a lot to report on in his first two games as a sideline reporter, and quite frankly, he's been as good as any radio sideline reporter in college football. The talented Kevin Falness is doing a great job on the pregame show with a lot outstanding features, entertaining guests, and gameday information. Scoreboard anchor Corbu Stathes has skillfully provided updated info and offered audio highlights from other games around Big Ten Country. And, all-time leading Gopher rusher Darrell Thompson is analyzing the game at a high level. His insight is worth listening to.
You can hear all of the action every Saturday on our Twin Cities flagship station 100.3-FM The Fan, and across the state of Minnesota on the Gopher Radio Network presented by AlarmForce.
