Gophers Football

[twinsnorth49]

He manages the game. that's all Kill wants out of him plus a little better execution. Same can be said for about 90% of D1 QB's.

 

He does a pretty decent job of it, 19-35 for 200 against a very good TCU defense is apparently scoff worthy now?......crazy.

[FattCrapps]

 

He manages the game. that's all Kill wants out of him plus a little better execution. Same can be said for about 90% of D1 QB's.

He does a pretty decent job of it, 19-35 for 200 against a very good TCU defense is apparently scoff worthy now?......crazy.

To be fair, if you take away that last drive (where TCU was up two scores and softened up considerably on D) his numbers were pretty atrocious.

[USAFChief]

Not sure how Liedner can be defended after today's effort.

 

That first half was about as bad as an offense can play, and it was largely on Liedner.  He's just not a D1 QB.  He's not a DIII QB.

[biggentleben]

I missed today's game, but scouting the stat lines, I was surprised to see the move so quickly to Smith in the backfield. Wolitarsky outproduced his entire 2014 with today's performance. Boddy-Calhoun with a pick made me happy as well as he's going to have to play up for the defense to really make the impact both on run and pass defense.

[twinsnorth49]

 

Not sure how Liedner can be defended after today's effort.

 

That first half was about as bad as an offense can play, and it was largely on Liedner.  He's just not a D1 QB.  He's not a DIII QB.

Agreed pathetic first half effort, Kill called it embarrassing. Disagree it was all Leidner, it was him, the O-Line, play calling and the receivers.

 

Bottom line, 80 yard drive in just over 2 minutes to score with 55 seconds left, he got it done.

[DaveW]

Liedner is terrible, Gophs will be lucky to win 7 games with him this year.

[TheLeviathan]

I know they want to play a ground and pound, control the clock style....but Leidner plays much better when they hurry up or go no huddle.

[USAFChief]

Agreed pathetic first half effort, Kill called it embarrassing. Disagree it was all Leidner, it was him, the O-Line, play calling and the receivers.

 

Bottom line, 80 yard drive in just over 2 minutes to score with 55 seconds left, he got it done.

It wasn't all Leidner, but it was mostly Leidner IMO. The play calling looks bad because the QB can't throw, for example. Teams don't respect the passing game, pack the line, and it looks like you can't run.

 

And my problem with that remains the same...I am not confident it will get better. And bad QB play is really tough to overcome.

 

Hope he proves me wrong, because I don't think they will change QBs.

[Mike Sixel]

At least they won.

[twinsnorth49]

It wasn't all Leidner, but it was mostly Leidner IMO. The play calling looks bad because the QB can't throw, for example. Teams don't respect the passing game, pack the line, and it looks like you can't run.

 

And my problem with that remains the same...I am not confident it will get better. And bad QB play is really tough to overcome.

 

Hope he proves me wrong, because I don't think they will change QBs.

I just don't think the execution was very good all around in the first half, QB play gets magnified when the Offense is out of sync.

 

The second half was much better and Leidner threw the ball down the field pretty well, he made some very good, key throws. I'm not entirely sold myself but as I said previously, Leidner's job is to manage the game, he largely does that. Statistically I'd like to see him improve as well, we'll see.

[Vanimal46]

Would anyone pull the redshirt status from Croft and see if he can do any better than Leidner?

[twinsnorth49]

 

Would anyone pull the redshirt status from Croft and see if he can do any better than Leidner?

Not at this point, they have Kent St. and Ohio coming up, both at home and it's pretty unlikely they lose either game, which keeps Leidner safe.

 

If they are 0-2 in conference play after Purdue then the noise gets real loud, particularly if the defense plays the way they have.

[Badsmerf]

Not at this point, they have Kent St. and Ohio coming up, both at home and it's pretty unlikely they lose either game, which keeps Leidner safe.

 

If they are 0-2 in conference play after Purdue then the noise gets real loud, particularly if the defense plays the way they have.

It's too late at that point. They are getting their guy in next year. Let croft have a shot at these soft teams and see if he provides more to the team. Didn't have to take over full time, but mitch is just a bad qb. We already know what he provides, and it ain't much.

[twinsnorth49]

It's too late at that point. They are getting their guy in next year. Let croft have a shot at these soft teams and see if he provides more to the team. Didn't have to take over full time, but mitch is just a bad qb. We already know what he provides, and it ain't much.

I don't see the point in burning the redshirt on Croft when it's highly unlikely he'll make a significant difference. What for?

 

The Gophers were 8-5 with Leidner last season, including road wins in Michigan and Nebraska and a dismantling of Iowa. They aren't going with a true freshman at this point.

[DaveW]

Leidner is not a good QB (I have no rooting interest in the Gophs anyway for the most part) he's fine if you want to win 7 games or so and make some random bowl game, but from hearing friends talk they want the Gophs to contend for the division title. Won't happen with QB play like that.

[Badsmerf]

I don't see the point in burning the redshirt on Croft when it's highly unlikely he'll make a significant difference. What for?

 

The Gophers were 8-5 with Leidner last season, including road wins in Michigan and Nebraska and a dismantling of Iowa. They aren't going with a true freshman at this point.

All of those wins were not because of Leidner, rather in spite of him. Put a competent qb on the field against Bucky and they win that game too.

 

Look, Leidner is tough as nails and a great competitor. I love his grit and desire, unfortunately he is just not a talented passer. I don't think crofts red shirt is that big of a deal. We're not looking at Tebow or Johnny football here. I don't know if croft provides a better chance to win or not, but it's pretty difficult to watch your leader bounce pass and air mail open receivers.

 

Does he get the spot guaranteed just because he has experience? How many true freshman examples do you and kill need to see experience doesn't win games. Talent does.

[stringer bell]

What about Perra?

[twinsnorth49]

All of those wins were not because of Leidner, rather in spite of him. Put a competent qb on the field against Bucky and they win that game too.

 

Look, Leidner is tough as nails and a great competitor. I love his grit and desire, unfortunately he is just not a talented passer. I don't think crofts red shirt is that big of a deal. We're not looking at Tebow or Johnny football here. I don't know if croft provides a better chance to win or not, but it's pretty difficult to watch your leader bounce pass and air mail open receivers.

 

Does he get the spot guaranteed just because he has experience? How many true freshman examples do you and kill need to see experience doesn't win games. Talent does.

The passing game needs improvement, yes, it doesn't take much to see that. If you think the biggest problem is Leidner I think you're wrong. Yeah he air mailed a few and 2 hopped a couple, he also was pretty impressive on that 80 yard drive in the closing minutes.

 

Experience? He's only completed one full season. I love how people are so quick to pull the plug on a redshirt junior

 

Win in spite of him? C'mon. So they lose because of him and they win in spite of him? That's balanced

 

I'm not even that big a Leidner fan but he takes way too much criticism imo.

[Badsmerf]

How is that not balanced? A bad player doesn't win games, they lose them. The games the gophers win are not because Leidner carries them, it's because they are a good team with a bad qb.

 

In his full season plus his rs freshman season, I think we have enough evidence by now to make a firm evaluation of him as a qb. Watching him this season, nothing has changed. He is still the same guy as last season. That doesn't mean the gophers won't win games with him, because they won a bunch last year. If he continues to start they will win games still in 2016. However, I can confidently say with Leidner the offense is a liability and the weakest link is at qb. Look what happened at Illinois last season. Couple fluke plays and an inferior team can beat the gophers because they don't have a passing game.

 

This defense will win games, like forcing 4 turnovers against csu. Until they have a different qb they will not beat elite (top 20) teams.

[Vanimal46]

The smart decision would be to keep the redshirt status for Croft and just accept that Leidner is the only answer at QB this year. But the fan in me would like to see what the freshman can do with this talent. Granted I haven't seen him play a lick, but at least he's touted as a pocket passer. Leidner has set the bar pretty dang low on passing ability, so even as a freshman he could be better than Leidner right now. 

 

If there's any time to pull the redshirt status it would be this week, so the kid could get some confidence built up against 2 cupcake teams. Will we see it happen? I doubt it. More than likely Kill will go with the smart decision and see how the season turns out with Leidner leading the way. 

 

 

[TheLeviathan]

I think, if the team had a good QB in the wings, they should consider trying him out the next two games.  

 

Leidner is to the Gophers what Ponder was to the Vikings.  A guy who can do some things, but is limited enough to make game-planning against him pretty easy.

[drjim]

Croft has talent but is raw, as proven by his minimal interest from high major programs. He is not the answer this year.

 

Leidner is what they have this year. He has his limitations but does some things acceptable, such as limiting interceptions. If he could limit (or eliminate) fumbled in the pocket he would be perfectly acceptable for a mid-tier college team. Obviously you want better and would love to upgrade but not exactly that easy. But as he proved on the last drive he can make some plays and certainly isn't rattled in the moment.

 

Issues as big or bigger than Liedner in my mind are the overall lack of offensive playmakers and a line that is not as solid as it needs to be. These, and Leidner are what limit the ultimate upside of the team, but they can still win the West and play on New Years Day again.

[ashbury]

But the fan in me would like to see what the freshman can do with this talent. Granted I haven't seen him play a lick, but at least he's touted as a pocket passer.

What you usually see in a true freshman is that he'll make some passes that leave you drooling for more, but then he undoes it by trying to force passes that worked for him in high school but not against this new level of competition - where (for example) everyone is now as tall as him and he can't see the LB who is licking his chops for a chance to step in front of a short and seemingly safe pass. A couple of pick-sixes will ruin your whole game. Best IMO to let him take full advantage of the additional year of coaching and physical growth.

[Badsmerf]

I like those takes. If Leidner struggles I hope they at least let Perra or Rhoda see some time the next few weeks. I never want to see streveler under center again. The dude can run, find a different way to use his speed.

 

Poljan will hopefully bring some talent next season. He is raising on prospect charts. I really don't see why they haven't been able to get a juco transfer or an sec transfer the past few years.

 

I just hope Kill has the guts to pull the plug on Leidner when the time comes. If his play is obvious to us, it is to the coaching staff too. Leidner is a great leader, so I'm sure that complicates this decision.

[twinsnorth49]

Croft at 6-5 and a generous 200lbs is going to have to fill out to make it through a B1G season.

 

Streveler has been working out at wide receiver, I think that's where they should keep him just like they did with Gray.

[FattCrapps]

3rd down, Gophers receiver in the middle of the field had nobody within 5 yards of him.  It was a 10 yard pass, and Leidner threw it behind him.  

Edited September 19, 2015 by FattCrapps

[Vanimal46]

Yep this is getting ugly in a hurry with Leidner. Inexcusable if you cant move the chains against Kent State.

[TheLeviathan]

Seriously...10-7?

 

Ruh-Roh Shaggy.....

[BeenHazy]

That O-line is horrible, and the injuries aren't much of an excuse when your 2nd and 3rd stringers should still outclass the opponent.

 

At least the defense dominated Kent St, as it should.  I think the Gophers might beat that team most of the time if they were only allowed to punt or try a FG on 1st down.  

[Mike Sixel]

Pathetic.