Jerry Kill joined the Big Ten coaches' teleconference call moments before his scheduled slot Tuesday morning. The Gophers coach listened as Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz described how previous Hawkeyes teams have used great defenses to overcome struggling offenses.
"Made me feel a little better," Kill said once he took center stage after his rival.
Moments later with local media, Kill distanced himself from those feelings but said Ferentz's comments mainly reinforced his belief on how games are won. Minnesota (2-1) needed lights-out defense and good field position through special teams to overcome three offensive turnovers and eke out a 10-7 victory Saturday over Kent State.