ORLANDO – Gophers coach Jerry Kill on Monday downplayed the impact of dismissing wide receiver Donovahn Jones, saying it hasn't been a distraction in the team's preparation for Thursday's Citrus Bowl.

"First of all, I dismissed him before we even got started [practicing in Florida]," Kill said. "I don't need to explain that. I'm going to concentrate on the ones who have focused in and the guys that have been productive. So I dismissed him for team policy, and that's all I'm going to say about it.

"That took away from no focus because we got that taken care of, and we've had great practices."

Jones, a sophomore from Stockbridge, Ga., had six catches in the season's first two games this year and only five the rest of the year. Kill didn't sound too concerned about how his absence will impact the team's receiver corps, especially with Drew Wolitarsky back from his ankle injury.

"He's one of our better players," Kill said of Wolitarsky. "He caught the ball all over the place [Monday]. But having him back, and KJ Maye and Maxx [Williams] and Isaac Fruechte. Logan Hutton's had experience. Eric Carter — you know, those guys have done a great job. I can't say enough about the way those guys have practiced."

Etc.

• Gophers defensive end Alex Keith grew up in Columbia, Mo., not far from the Missouri campus. "They recruited me, but they just never offered me [a scholarship]," he said. "I was waiting because I was right there in their back yard. … I definitely want to beat my hometown team. That's what I've been working for."

• With the Gophers preparing for Missouri's scrambling quarterback, Maty Mauk, senior safety Cedric Thompson said Dimonic Roden-McKinzy has done an excellent job preparing them as the scout team quarterback. Roden-McKinzy, a true freshman who is redshirting, has strong scrambling ability.