Mining for motivation
Posted on October 7th, 2008 – 4:27 PMBy Kent Youngblood
Greetings on a wet Tuesday.
As you’ve probably realized by now, coach Tim Brewster is a high-intensity kind of guy. That’s his style. He calls it relentless optimism.
And that’s good, fine.
He has clearly found a way to motivate his team, which is 5-1 after a 1-5 start last season.
So, with the upcoming game with the Illini in Champaign, there are a lot of areas from which Brewster can draw motivation. The drubbing Illinois gave the Gophers last year, for example. Or the fact that Brewster is returning as a head coach, for the first time, to the place he played Big Ten football.
Well, here’s another: Homecoming.
Brewster took note of the fact that the Gophers are the Illini’s homecoming opponent this week.
”Everybody understands the deal with the homecoming opponent,” Brewster said. ”You’re picked because, for the most part, you think that it’s a victory for your school. That’s age-old. That goes back 100 years. So it is what it is.”
Asked if he would use it as extra motivation, he said: ”I use a lot of different things as motivation. I get motivated pretty easily.”
Have truer words ever been spoken?
Patrick Reusse reminded me of another time Minnesota played at Illinois in an Illini homecoming. It was 1957. The Gophers opened the season with victories over Washington, Purdue and Northwestern and were ranked fourth in the country heading to Illinois. At halftime of that game former Illini star Red Grange talked to the Illinois players, recalling how Minnesota had ended Illinois’ winning streak in a game at Minnesota in 1924. Apparently roused by his speech, the Illini went ou and won the game 34-13. Minnesota won just once more than season.
Other items gleaned from Tuesday’s press gathering:
–Brewster said he was confident that Marcus Sherels (shoulder) would be able to play Saturday. We’ll see. That shoulder looked pretty sore as he walked off the field last week. But Brewster said Sherels would take part in practice. He also said the staff was planning contingencies in case Sherels couldn’t play. The most likely alternatives would be Ryan Collado or Troy Stoudermire.
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51 Responses to "Mining for motivation"
Thanks for the update Kent.
if we could put it all together–defense playing like they played against indiana, and offense playing the way they should and normally do–we could make it a game.
Kent,
How does Brewster defend using a four receiver set so often when they hardly throw to any of them outside of Decker and it leaves Weber wide open to getting thwacked? The two TE set they used in the 4th quarter not only provided protection and aloowed them to run much more effectively but also put two receivers (Simmons and Tow- Arnett) on the field that Webber has confidence in.
If they don’t make an adjustment it is only a matter of time before #7 and #8 are both hurt. They both looked like human pinatas on Saturday.
Kent, please proofread your article (read it aloud) before posting it.
Example 1:
“The Gophers opened the season with victories over Washington Purdue and Northwestern and were ranked fourth in the country heading to Illinois.”
Q: When did Washington and Purdue join forces to become Washington Purdue?
Example 2:
“At halftime of that game former Illini star Red Grange talked to the Illinois players, recalling how Minnesota had ended Illinois’ winning streak in a game at Minnesota in 1924. ”
Q: The phrase “At halftime of that game” sounds awkward. Could you use “During halftime, former Illini star . . .” instead?
Example 3:
“Minnesota one just once more than season.”
Q: When did “one” become a verb?
Before you write negative comments about this entry, you should know that I teach student-athletes how to communicate in written English at the Univ. of Minnesota. I am only holding Kent to the same standards I set for my own students.
Let’s just assume Kent was in a hurry on this one. Not really an excuse, just a reason.
But the good news is our student-athletes have someone like you, jamie, who is holding them to some standards in written communications. Thanks for that.
Recruiting: What an intelligent poem. What is with your obsession with gay sex? How many times a day do you write about it in this blog?
The most ironic part was that day when you made fun of Vince Young and his emotional troubles. Hello! That’s when you’re f*cked-up-ness went to a whole new level. Look in the mirror dude, everyone here has seen for themselves what a weirdo you are because of your entries on this blog. You keep embarrassing yourself here.
2 things.
First, why does every article I read in the local media take some type of shot at Brewster’s optimism? I guess I don’t get it.
Second, why the Reusse comments? What does that add to the story?
I have been impressed with the improvements on defense this year. I also think Decker has been unbelievable, but if Weber does not find another WR soon we will not be able to beat the top Big Ten teams. Weber relies on Decker too much-when are we going to see the stud Freshmen WRs play or get a ball thrown their way? Spry looked surprised last week the ball was thrown to him but still has no hands.
This has to be the most bizarre string of posts I have seen in a long time starting with Ken. NYC, don’t respond to those bogus posts. It is obvious, so let the little punk get off on his own.
Actual Fan—I don’t get it either.
J–good observation.
I am fired up about the game being on ESPN this weekend.
This will be a great litmus test to see where the Gophers rank in the Big Ten. Okay, they can beat Indiana when things aren’t going their way. Now, can they produce against one of the better teams? Will it be close? Are we still a ways away from being ‘good’? Can our D slow Juice & Co.?
That last question is the most interesting one, I think. Kellen Lewis was contained, which is a very good sign, but now we step it up a few notches with the surrounding talent around Juice.
Kent, if you want to establish credibility with this group, you may want to avoid any reference to the fat man (Reusse.) He is an enemy of Golden Gopher athletics, and nobody really gives a damn what he thinks or writes. When the Vikings leave town, this ass will be on welfare.
I also find it amazing that Pantherhog/Crudeboy is back to posting under other people’s names. Come on, Loser, get a hobby other than self gratification. Didn’t your mother ever tell you that you can get warts fromt that activity?
I’m traveling on business this week, thus the reason for my scant postings. You guys are all nuts! Scooter is my hero!!
GO GOPHERS!!! (5-1!!!!)
What is “Juice” as in “Juice & Co.”?
Is that like Adam and Co.?
J says:
October 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Kent,
How does Brewster defend using a four receiver set so often when they hardly throw to any of them outside of Decker and it leaves Weber wide open to getting thwacked? The two TE set they used in the 4th quarter not only provided protection and aloowed them to run much more effectively but also put two receivers (Simmons and Tow- Arnett) on the field that Webber has confidence in.
If they don’t make an adjustment it is only a matter of time before #7 and #8 are both hurt. They both looked like human pinatas on Saturday.
=================
As I said in a previous post, punky’s one trick pony will not look so cute against a viable opponent! By the way, the farce known as FAU is getting bitch slapped down to 1-5 tonight by mighty Troy State! Real quality win there PunkWad!
NYC Gopher Fan says:
October 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Recruiting:
=======================
Do not address me, JohnMopper! Vince Young is sane compared to you sick MFer!
Actual Fan says:
October 7th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
2 things.
First, why does every article I read in the local media take some type of shot at Brewster’s optimism? I guess I don’t get it.
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Because he is a dipshit??
Jimbo says:
October 7th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I also find it amazing that Pantherhog/Crudeboy is back to posting under other people’s names.
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Prove it, asshammer!
Jimbo says:
October 7th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I’m traveling on business this week, thus the reason for my scant postings.
=====================
What convention is your old lady working, tiny man?
Loon, yes, as in Juice Williams and his wide receivers, with the RBs to boot. Unlike last year, where Mendenhall was a co-star, Juice Williams is the star, and everything else is his company. Not to discredit all the other players, because they are certainly good, but they aren’t on the level of Juice.
Recruiting says:
October 7th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Jimbo says:
October 7th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I also find it amazing that Pantherhog/Crudeboy is back to posting under other people’s names.
==============
Prove it, asshammer!
————-
No need to prove it. Only an incredible loser like you would enjoy such a ridiculous activity.
We have seen the Illini against two quality opponents and they have been defeated soundly. How good are they? I do not think they are any better than the middle of the road Big Ten team. We can win this game. Their running game is not as good as last year and their defense is not where it was last year. The Gophers have a chance at this one if we get a few breaks.
But, they have ‘Juice’, all we have is ‘Adam’.
How precious, ‘the Juice’. How about ‘the Juicer’ or ‘the Juicemiester’?
Oh, can I cheer for the Juice too!!??
I’m not one of the ‘in’ guys, but can I call Williams, the Juice? Please!?
Maybe we could improve our team and all seem cooler at the same time if we started calling Eric Decker, ‘Eric’. Or how about something really precious like ‘Eric the Maroon’.
I hope you’re right, Bud.
Jumbo … The key to the Gophers having a chance Saturday is going to be the offensive line. They need to play a lot better as a unit than they did against Indiana.
I have not seen much of Illinois yet so maybe Bud is right that their defense is not as strong as last year. But Indiana’s defensive front really surprised me the way it handled our O line.
I don’t think we can win if Weber is under constant pressure like he was last week and the running backs have no holes. Eskridge is getting 75 yards with little to work with and the line needs to start making some holes.
I think he runs the four (and often times last week five) wr/te sets because that is what he thinks the future of the program is.
They ran the offense they wanted to run last year, even though they did not have the qb or wrs to run it.
They are running the offense again this year and Weber seems to be much better at it and Decker is better in it.
I think they feel this offense will attract the “speed” athletes they need to compete for a Big Ten title. (Loon, please spare me the lecture on speed athletes here.)
The Gray kid from Indianapolis can be a Big Ten game winning difference maker— if he can score an 18? 21? on his own. Pryor, Williams and the Penn State qb are difference makers. Gray does not try to come here if they do not run that offense last year.
The Breck kid McNeal, who committed to Michigan is thinking about switching his commit (possibly to Minnesota) because Rich Rod does not throw the ball enough (and probably because Michigan has lost a little luster and maybe because they are recruiting other top wrs as well as him). I’ve seen Floyd play and he is a Big Ten game winning difference maker, as a true frosh. If McNeal is 80 percent of player Floyd is, he would help win Big Ten games. McNeal does not look here if we’re running two tight end sets and pounding the ball inside. It sounds like he’ll try the juco route for a wr this year as well. The top guys don’t look here if he does not throw the ball 25 plus time a game to 4 wrs.
I agree that the fact that Weber was not killed last year when he ran as much as he did or this year when the o-line looks as confused and unorganized as it has is a minor miracle. I think they have told Weber not to run this year to protect him.
I think Brewster was (is) willing to lose for two (three?) years to set up his system, bring in his recruits. (Wren please spare me the no excuse for throw-away season, never forgive him, win now, fire after three years lecture here).
I also think Dunbar believes with 4 and 5 wide sets, Weber out of shotgun should be able to hit at least one 3-7 yard pass before he gets hit. I also think they believe spreading one or two linebackers out of the box, helps our poor line and undersized running back in the running game.
Very impressive time of possession last week by this dink and dunk offense. I think 37 minutes plus, including a game opening and game ending drive, each over 7 minutes. He needs a guy like Pinkel got in Maclin (spell?) Dunbar worked for Pinkel at Toledo.
Jimbo says:
October 7th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Kent, if you want to establish credibility with this group, you may want to avoid any reference to the fat man (Reusse.) He is an enemy of Golden Gopher athletics, and nobody really gives a damn what he thinks or writes. When the Vikings leave town, this ass will be on welfare.
I also find it amazing that Pantherhog/Crudeboy is back to posting under other people’s names. Come on, Loser, get a hobby other than self gratification. Didn’t your mother ever tell you that you can get warts fromt that activity?
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The fat man is PH’s hero. Both are complete zero’s. I see the Fat man wrote an article about our defense today, you couldn’t pay me enough to read it though. He’s also the reason why we get the St Paul paper in print at our home. Maybe the Fat Man should solely be a radio guy on KSTP where he and Souchery can spew their hate together?
Goldy’s Fan says:
October 7th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I have been impressed with the improvements on defense this year. I also think Decker has been unbelievable, but if Weber does not find another WR soon we will not be able to beat the top Big Ten teams. Weber relies on Decker too much-when are we going to see the stud Freshmen WRs play or get a ball thrown their way? Spry looked surprised last week the ball was thrown to him but still has no hands.
————
Decker did cath 13 of Weber’s 22 completions. However, how many of the 15 incompletions were headed Decker’s way?
Actual Fan says:
October 7th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
2 things.
First, why does every article I read in the local media take some type of shot at Brewster’s optimism? I guess I don’t get it.
Second, why the Reusse comments? What does that add to the story?
————
1. I think they are expecting him to fail and will play the I told you so card later.
2. Absolutely nothing. The Fat Man is a disgrace to the state of Minnesota.
3. Have you ever noticed Mason and Brewster both have been much higher regarded nationally then locally? We new some more new blood in the local sport scene instead of these old guys who think they run the show. A few guys who know more than a casual fan would be nice too.
Recruiting says:
October 7th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
J says:
October 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Kent,
How does Brewster defend using a four receiver set so often when they hardly throw to any of them outside of Decker and it leaves Weber wide open to getting thwacked? The two TE set they used in the 4th quarter not only provided protection and aloowed them to run much more effectively but also put two receivers (Simmons and Tow- Arnett) on the field that Webber has confidence in.
If they don’t make an adjustment it is only a matter of time before #7 and #8 are both hurt. They both looked like human pinatas on Saturday.
=================
As I said in a previous post, punky’s one trick pony will not look so cute against a viable opponent! By the way, the farce known as FAU is getting bitch slapped down to 1-5 tonight by mighty Troy State! Real quality win there PunkWad!
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Granted everyone here already knows of your shortcomings…. but first of it’s TROY, not Troy St. secondly wasn’t troy trailing tOSU 14-10 in the 4th quarter?
Again, PH is ignorant of fact.
Let’s see you ever so witty comeback now PH. BTW, nice play call on 4th and 1 Ferentz. LMAOR.
There will be 122,345 fans at Illinois. 14 of these fans will be Gopher fans.
Bud—I watched the Illini completely take apart Michigan last week. Offensively, they will be very tough to stop. Defensively, they looked sort of vulnerable. Everything will have to fall into place exactly, but a win is possible.
The season is half over and here is my breakdown:
Disappointments(to date):
1—Pittman not a factor (unfortunate injury)
2–Bennet was set for a big year (see #1)
3–home attendance
4–freshmen WR’s
5–Tight End not getting the ball more
Pleasant surprises:
1–Weber (# of INT’s)
2–Overall Defense
3–DC Roof
4–turnover ratio
5–No off-field problems
HFTbest–I agree with you on Michael Floyd. I have watched ND play this year and that guy is a bigtime receiver. It hurts to see him not wearing Maroon and Gold.
Hers a novel idea. Put Weber under center every 25 snaps or so. We had it figured out last year when we played Indy. Weber was under center most of the game. When you are in the gun all the time you set the rush point for the defense. It might help us in our short yardage areas which we stink in.
Hope, Pryor and Clark do not play in the spread offense. Lets make that perfectly clear. Those QB’s play from under center on 75% of their snaps. When they line up in gun they become a threat to run or pass but it is not the spread. We are the spread, we could not run a traditional run play if we had to. As for PSU and OSU they are traditional Pro style offense that get into gun to throw the ball. Purdue is not a spread offense either. They were running that offense before the spread was introduced. The spread is like option and wing-T football rolled into one.
hopeforthebest, what is this notion that we would not have gotten a player who can not play (Gray) if we did not run the spread? Is this the future of Gopher football? We are going to cheat in order to try to get guys into the U who can not read or write in order to put football players on the field that are faster than the excellent players we have now like Weber and Decker?
This plan of yours is now, and has been for the past two years, totally unacceptable to me. If we must cheat in order to “win”, I would rather shut down the program.
Bud, how can you say Purdue doesn’t run the spread when Joe Tiller is considered one of the Godfathers of the spread offense when he first ran it at Wyoming?
Loon, I am still waiting for you to show proof of this cheating. Otherwise shut up about it!
Bud, I agree that we should still use some under center stuff, good point.
Loon you are still loonie, if you think that Gray would have considered Minn. without the spread. Same goes for McNeal. But I do think you have to go under center too.
Gopher1, I have news for you. D. Erickson ran the 90’s game at Wyo before Tiller ever became the head coach. Jack Elway ran the 90’s game at SJSU before he ran it at Stanford. J. Tiller learned the offense from P. Roach at Wyo. and M. Price at WSU. Many of my clients know those coaches and they laugh at the “football experts” that get on TV and call the Pudue offense the spread. Purdue is three step and five step with no read on the zone play. Very little option also.
ACT score of 10.
Followed by an ACT score of 12.
Followed by an ACT score of 21.
Followed by an ACT score of 16.
Not believable unless the third test was taken by someone else.
If the U had thought it believable, they would have admitted Gray. They did not. If they had been acting without proof on their side they would would have been subject to a claim of damage.
Why did Floyd go to ND. They do not run the spread. McNeal went to Mich. because it is Mich. Mich could be backing off on McNeal considering how his Sr. year is going.
Floyd was pracically hand delivered to Notre Dame. I’ve heard they have some of the best paid summer camp coaches in America!
I didn’t say Clark, Pryor or Williams were spread qbs. I said they are difference makers that can single handedly change the course of a game. Same with Floyd.
How do you convince a difference making athlete to come to Minnesota? Love it or hate it, the wide open offense is a selling tool.
Why a spread versus a traditional pro set? I would guess that Brewster probably doesn’t think he can recruit even up with Ohio State, Notre Dame or Penn State and go 11 on 11 with them.
But, if you can land one good qb, one good rb and two good wide outs, now you can look for the mismatches and what the defense is giving you and play some 4 on 4.
All I know right now is I watched Illinois handle Ohio State at Columbus and Michigan at the Big House. And they handled them. Does Zook’s top 22 match their top 22?
I also know people (including Loon) have been accusing Zook of cheating for three years now. He’s hid it from the enforcers pretty good so far.
I also know Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois, Indiana, Penn State and Michigan State have had a ton of kids who have had delayed admissions, non-admits and been caught for innumerable lists of criminal offenses.
If you want, we can join the MIAC. (MAC and WAC are just as bad). Or if you don’t like it, cheer for your local grade school team. Unfortunately, the lay of the land is high risk kids- academically and behaviorally. Paterno and Lloyd Carr have had same problems. What can you do? A lot of these problem kids Mase recruited that you read about in the crime news are from places like Silver Lake or Lakeville where poverty and chemical abuse are culturally imbedded into the community. Mase kicked the Lakeville guy off the team. I’m glad Brewster gave the Silver Lake kid a second chance.
you guys kill me with all of your big talk. U have a chance Sat? Um, no, no you don’t! When is last time you perrenial losers even beat a ranked team? u are going to get mowed like sheep grass on sat because talk is cheap, just like the list of Dolly Madison Cupcake teams you have played to date except OSU. How did OSU work out for you idiots?
{I’m glad Brewster gave the Silver Lake kid a second chance.} Why, because you are a racist like him? 3 black kids get booted off the team without even being charged with a crime and Billy the doesn’t miss a play and he pulled down 2 misdemeanors. Real nice, Pointed Head.
And another thing, eric decker for Heisman? give it up clowns!
Go Illini!!
Because someone else is abusing his wife does not make it OK to abuse your wife.
In a less PC world we would not admit a young man who was not university material. (ACT 21 or better would work fine for me.) Yes, that would eliminate many idiots and lead to the creation of a two tier system of college football, but that too would work for me.
The “Iowa does it excuse” leaves me unmoved.
Loon hates Brewster for recruiting less-than-Mensa types, but longs for the days when Mason was bringing rapists to campus. I guess Daniels and Jones had IQs that Loon could live with.
But then Loon still thinks Laurinaitis would only be a backup here.
Golfer, you ask and the answer is 1999 PSU(2), 2000 OSU (6) and Ill. (22), 2002 Ark. (25), 2003 OSU (25), 2005 PSU (11). All ranked teams the Gophers have beaten sense 1999. Now our record against the Illini sense 1996. 96,23-21 MN, 99 37-7 MN, 2000 44-10 MN, 2002 31-10 MN, 2003 36-10 MN, 2004 45-0 MN. The Gophers did not play Ill. in 97 or 98 and in 2005 or 2006. And that is a good thing for the Illini.
Mensa is not exactly near the ACT 21 level. I would think ACT 21 is barely above average. As you know, the average freshman at the U scored 26.
ACT 10 would be borderline retarded.
Laurinaitis has still not impressed me in any game their D-line does not control the game. Am I failing to remember his great games against USC or Florida? If he were not a white guy, very little would be made of him.
The spread has brought an excitement to recruiting and once we have a full compliment of players that were recruited for this offense you will really see it take off! Gray will be here in the Spring with out cheating and I will cheer him on as much as any Gopher. If you’ve ever played football you know Laurinaitis is a stud regardless of what the D-Line does. His instincts are uncoachable and has excellent spead for an ILB. Remember when Urlacher got all that attention in college becuase of his race…? Mrs. Loonie time to get loonie his medicine and put him to bed!
[…] Youngblood of the Star Tribune quotes a discussion with Tim Brewster in his blog: “Everybody understands the deal with the homecoming opponent,” Brewster said. […]
