Here are my quick notes from David Braun's press conference at the start of Minnesota week. Takeaways will be up this afternoon.
Braun acknowledged road struggles
The Wildcats are 0-2 on the road and unfortunately in convincing fashion. Braun addressed if he thought that was symptomatic of being away from Evanston and if he saw improvement from Rutgers.
"I've seen improvement since Rutgers, day in and day out in terms of performance. That isolated 60 minutes down in Durham, I don't know if I can say that [we improved]. It wasn't our best. We pride ourselves on fundamentals and technique and our demeanor of play, and that did not show up on Saturday...There's no doubt that on our two opportunities on the road so far, we have not started fast and we have not played well. Excited to be back at Ryan Field but regardless of where we play, whether we're at home or on the road, we need to perform at a higher level than we did Saturday.
Returners have the green light
A surprise to many Norhtwestern fans were the multiple kick and punt returns. Dave Eanet asked Braun if that was organic or part of the game plan.
"I think part of it is looking for a spark and part of it is belief in that unit. Between AJ Henning and Coco [Azema], both guys have the ability to do some really good things with the ball in their hands...On some of those returns, a lot of good things are going on. We're getting the ball out to the 30 and we're a block away and really springing one. It really comes back to belief in that entire unit, belief in our returners and looking for a spark."
Expect more Anto Saka
Braun was effusive in his praise for sophomore defensive end Anto Saka and his future in the program.
"That young man can rush the passer," he said. "We talk about roles within this program and owning your role. None of us want Anto to be satisfied with being a third and long specialist or a pass rush specialist, we want him to continue to strive to be an every down guy that becomes unblockable in this league. He's not there yet, but he continues to improve under the mentorship of [defensive line coach Christian Smith] and some of the veterans in that room. He and I talked about it a few days after I arrived...in terms of your role, let's start off with someone who can have a huge impact on the the quarterback. Week in and week out he's shown the ability to do that. I'm excited for him to continue to push that element of his game while also being a more consistent first and second down guy for us as well."
Hunter Renner will be the punter
Braun was asked about Renner's struggles against Duke but said he'll remain at punter. Take this with a grain of salt as Braun hasn't always been forthcoming about depth charts. He was adamant about a RT committee last week and Josh Thompson had all the first team reps at Duke. It's Renner's job for now but Akers should stay loose.
Braun's excited for Big Ten West home opener
Saturday will be the Wildcat Welcome game, the first with commits and recruits in the building and the first Big Ten game at Ryan Field this season. Braun is looking forward to the opportunity.
"I don't know what to expect but I'm really excited for the opportunity for our guys to have students back, to have Wildcat Welcome at Ryan Field along with the rest of the student body. It's a Big Ten opponent, a Big Ten West opponent, if you can't get charged up for this opportunity, you have something wrong with you."
Braun said what Big Ten West football means to him
"To me, growing up in the area and observing it for a long time, it's football rooted in physicality and fundamentals. It's rooted in complementary football and all three phases. It's going to be a knockout, drag out for four quarters. That's something this team has to fully prepare itself for if we want to come out with the result we're looking for."
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