Some topics of discussion and my take:
1. Head coach Craig Bohl says backup quarterback Esley Thorton will play in the first half against Saint Francis Saturday. My take: This is more about a lesson learned last year than anything else (that Thorton is challenging for the starting job). NDSU needed two quarterbacks to get through the season and in the physical Missouri Valley, you best be able to have two quarterbacks ready. I thought the Bison should have done this last week, too.
2. D.J. McNorton will probably not play. Nobody saw him sprain an ankle and he walked around during Tuesday’s media day like nothing was wrong with him. My take: If the Gophers were the opponent on Saturday, he would play. Sam Ojuri has shown in the last month that there isn’t much of a dropoff, if any, from him and McNorton.
3. Fullback Berkley Grimm will play as a true freshman. My take: No surprise. The depth behind starter Andrew Grothmann was suspect coming into the season now that Garrett Bruhn has moved to tight end full time. Grimm is a tough guy who fits the position perfectly.
I am not surprised about Grimm, FB and Linebacker seem to be the most injury prone during the season. Good move playing Esley, he needs the experience/minutes.
By Esley playing in the first half does that mean he’s starting and playing the whole first half or he’s going to replace Jensen at some point in the first half?
Brock will start, but you will see a lot of playing time for Esley. I just want these guys to stay healthy throughout. The season is long and physical and we need guys who are sure to get playing time reps so they are ready to go. I would expect to see a lot of 2nd team and even third team players getting in on Saturday. My call would be for both of the lines to get some 2nd team guys reps. This would also be a game to show some wacky stuff, just to give Gophs and NI something to think about. That is just me though. I am a freekin comic.
LCG
Grimm played last Saturday per goBison.com participation report, so redshirt has already been lifted.
This seems like they are setting up the Gophers for a “were not sure who is going to start the game at QB”. Creative way to play mind games with Kill and boys…
Not sure if the Bison know who the Gopher QB will be by gametime either.
They know who the QB will be. All they are doing is giving the kid some experience. If Moeller was still here and was the back up he wouldnt be getting the minutes.
with the likes of USC, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska on their schedule this year, i really doubt “Kill and the boys” are worrying about our QB.
So you’re saying Kill’s personality is to overlook us?
Not going to happen. They don’t pay Kill $1.5 million per year to lose to FCS schools. Plus, he coached at the FCS level and understands these matchups.
Unfortunately for the fans in loserville USA that is exactly what’s gonna happen. I think it’s time the U of M drops their football program.
As I’ve said all along Sam is the best RB we have. Bison win this game by 50.
Jeff, I am not sure playing Thorton early in the game is a lesson learned last year.
Hopefully Bohl learned something from his Mertens experience. Even in blow outs Bohl wouldn’t play Mertens and when questioned about it repeatedly his answer was always the same, “I have seen games lost or get too dicey when the back up QB is put into the game too early”.
Mertens only got meaningful time his Sophomore year at MVSU and as a result of no playing time the game never slowed down for him, so hopefully Bohl learned SOMETHING from that experience too.
OldGuy is dead accurate. And the same could then be said about not getting Moheler more playing time in 2008 & 2009 – same excuse was used. Bohl has usually preferred to go down in flames with his QB.
Maybe his mindset is that games can be won with great defense and running backs only – but in this day in age that is the exception (Montana State) not the rule.
Heck we probably should’ve played Jensen some in 2009, but the season was down the tubes early so didn’t want to waste his redshirt.
Anyway, this is absolutely a new leaf for Bohl and the CORRECT thing to do. I hope Easly has a great showing and I hope he gets playing time in the Gopher game too!!
If you have two great QBs – play them both!! That’s also a good way to recruit more QBs, just because they aren’t #1 on the depth chart does not mean they won’t ever get to play.
Mgfan that $1.5mill wont be on the field getting curbstomped by NDSU
Quit pretending to be loyal to NDSU, a program with which you have no association whatsoever.
You have Gopher season tickets – go be a Gopher fan.
Everyone loves the backups. Don’t underestimate how good DJ and Brock are.
TEAM OF DESTINY!