Gophers coaches and players discuss getting past the Purdue defeat and preparing for the always physical Hawkeyes

University of Minnesota Gophers football coaches and players held a media event at the Bierman Building today. They discussed their disappointing 41-13 defeat at Purdue and their next Big Ten game at home against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Below are some excerpts from interviews with Gophers defensive coordinator Danny Collins, offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh, and Gophers players, quarterback Drake Lindsey, wide receiver Jalen Smith, linebacker Maverick Baranowski, and safety Kerry Brown.

Gophers Coaches

New Leaf News: Danny, Iowa has a steamrolling defense. They don’t turn it over. They don’t give up any sacks. How do you break a rhythm of an offense like that?

Danny Collins: “First and foremost, we have to control what we can control on defense. We can’t control the other side of the ball. We can’t control what they do on special teams. What we can control on defense is being really efficient on first and second down and pushing our opponents into third-and-longer situations. We don’t want to be in third-and-one, third-and-two situations all game. That’s not a great recipe for success.

“I mean, third and one, third and two for offenses, that’s easy to take advantage of that. Keeping the offense off track and getting the opportunity to flip the field is huge. But again, that’s being really efficient and detailed on first and second down and understanding that within those six seconds, you’re obsessed with doing your job. Playing with Gophers Havoc and going for the football.”

NLN: Greg, talk about attacking a defense like Iowa’s that gave up minus three yards rushing last game, has 19 sacks from a variety of different people, and has a dominant front seven.

Greg Harbaugh: “I have so much respect for what they do. They line up exactly where they’re supposed to be. They play with incredible technique. And I know that when opposing coaches hear that, that’s an extreme compliment. I know I love when I hear that when they say, ” We play with great technique and we play hard. And that’s what I think Phil Parker (Iowa defensive coordinator) defenses do. It starts with trusting your technique.

“They are very, very technically sound. They’re extremely physical, so you have to match that intensity. And how do you compete with them? It’s those teams that play with better technique than them? And can they play more physical? And I think that’s the challenge when you go against them. And it’s a compliment to their coaches and their program.”

Gophers Offensive Players

NLN: Drake, seasons can have an ebb and a flow to them. You had a couple of high weeks and then obviously a down week. As a leader, how do you guide the younger Gophers players through the ups and downs of a season?

Drake Lindsey: “One thing I learned last year is that it’s week to week in this day and age of college football. Even watching last Saturday’s games. Sitting back and watching college football. It is really any given Saturday. That’s what it feels like in this day and age. And just being able to keep the team really connected. Losses, obviously, they sting, but it’s not what we want.

“We don’t work to lose, but it’s part of the game. And when you understand that, as a young player, you learn how to lose and take the good from it, you have learned something valuable. Learning the good things from it is when you’re going to become a really good player and a really good teammate. Coach Fleck (Gophers’ coach P.J.) hits that with us all the time. Obviously, none of us want to lose, but being able to learn how to lose is when you become a man.”

NLN: Jalen, when you’re looking at the film, and there’s an interception or incompletion, how do you look at it from a team approach? It’s not just the quarterback throwing the interception or if routes are run correctly. So, how do you look at it as a unit?

Jalen Smith: “I think as a receiver, you always look at it from a perspective of what you can do better to prevent that from happening in the first place. Whether that’s the way you came out of your break. Or the way you tried to catch the ball. Just looking at it from a perspective of what can everybody do differently. You can’t put it on the quarterback.

“He has a million things going on, and usually he’s putting the ball where only we can make a play. And we have the mentality in the receiver room that every ball is an elite ball. So, you have to live that when you’re on the field. Looking at it from how we can be better as receivers to go make a play on the ball and prevent that from happening in the game.”

Gophers Defensive Players

NLN: Maverick. It’s obviously very physical to play throughout the season, but mentally you have to keep that edge and peak at the right time. Tell me about your conversations with the younger Gophers players, especially freshmen, when you’re discussing this.

Maverick Baranowski: “Yeah, when you look at the season as a whole, it’s August to December. I mean, it’s a long season, so staying mentally locked in is a big piece of what we do. We have a lot of resources on campus to help with that: sports psychology, as well as coaches who can help you.

“I think most importantly, it’s the mentorship. Having somebody to help coach you up throughout the season. It’s a big piece. My message to them is just fight the day-to-day battles. You can’t look too far ahead. Its way too long of a season to do that. So just continue to rise to the challenge each and every day at practice, and you’ll go a long way doing that.”

NLN: Kerry, Tell me your impressions of Iowa’s receiving core.

Kerry Brown: “Their receiving core is really good. Number two (Reese Vander Zee), he’s a possession guy. He can catch the ball really well. And number 14 (Tony Diaz), he’s really a speedy receiver. And he can get out on his routes pretty good. So we need to be able to play fast and also cover their tight ends. Number 81 (DJ Vonnahme), he’s a real physical guy. He’s also a possession guy who can also catch.”

Upcoming Game

The Minnesota Gophers take on the Iowa Hawkeyes this Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium. The visiting 15th ranked Hawkeyes will be a formidable opponent for the 4-2 Gophers. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 pm CDT kickoff.