Gophers Playing For Coach Kill, Teammates To Keep Little Brown Jug
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The players understand that Gophers football coach Jerry Kill needed to leave the game he loves.
But they also understand there is an important game to be played Saturday against Michigan. So how do those two tie together?
Jerry Kill is only gone from the Gopher football players, separated physically perhaps. But he is ever present because of who he is.
"Words really can't describe it. Such a great man and he's had such an impact on all our lives," quarterback Mitch Leidner said.
That's the impact players hope has momentum, because they know what he meant and what he still means.
"Definitely, definitely. I'm going to play hard as well. He just lays so much on the line for us, it's only right that we lay everything on the line for him as well," cornerback Eric Murray said.
There will be emotion on Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium to be sure. But there will also be a practicality, that they believe that they can do what they did to Michigan last year: Turn their season around with a signature win.
And that's where it all comes together. That last year's win in Ann Arbor and playing for a coach provide a push.
"Oh it motivates me a lot, motivates me a lot. I'd do anything for that guy. He's done so much for me and my family that I want to play as hard as I possibly can the rest of the season," Leidner said.
So bring on the maize and blue on Halloween night and try to win a football game, and continue the healing process.
"It's an incredible opportunity. Any time you face challenges and Michigan for sure is a challenge, it's an incredible opportunity for us to make history, make the donors proud, make the alumni proud and honestly for teammates just go out there and keep that jug for sure," center Jon Christenson said.