Kill: Gophers are better prepared for this bowl

Gophers football coach Jerry Kill sounded confident about his team's preparation at the annual Citrus Bowl head coaches news conference Thursday.

"We've had excellent practices. [Tuesday], we were very sharp," said Kill, sitting next to the trophy topped by a bowl of oranges. "So we feel good going in. Now that doesn't guarantee you anything, but it's a lot different than it was a year ago [at the Texas Bowl], I can tell you that."

This week, some of the Gophers admitted they lacked focus last December in Houston. The coach sees a different mentality this time around.

"The kids bounced around [Orlando] a little bit. I think they've had a good time, but when we work, it's different," Kill said. "So I'm excited about watching them play. As a coaching staff, we feel very comfortable. We've got a good plan, we've just got to go execute it. So we'll see."

Joe Christensen