Here is the Cliff’s Notes version of Kansas football coach Turner Gill’s comments at his weekly press conference today.
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Full audio has been posted.
• **North Dakota State has beaten 3 FBS schools.** That gets your attention.
• **NDSU has a balanced attack,** but it can run downhill against you.
• **The first game is more special because Gill’s oldest daughter attends KU.** Everything else is like the other gameday preparations Gill has been through. Gill’s mom and dad are coming to the game, and Gill doesn’t think they’ve come to see him at one of his games since 1983.
• **Gill doesn’t have any gameday superstitions.** The night before the game, he reflects on the game, playing situations through his head. It doesn’t always end up the way he plans, but he still tries to visualize what’s going to happen.
• **No running back rotation is set.** There’s a game plan, though. Angus Quigley and Deshaun Sands will get the most carries.
• **No final decision has been made on true freshmen running backs Brandon Bourbon and James Sims regarding possible redshirts.** That might not be decided until the end of the preseason.
• **Quigley is a tremendous leader.** The fact that he was voted captain said a lot to Gill. Quigley’s been through a lot. He can help guys persevere. He speaks a lot about what the KU football team is about.
• **For sure, true freshman defensive lineman Keba Agostinho will play, and either James Sims or Brandon Bourbon will play.** Safety Keeston Terry might also play. Three to four true freshmen will probably play.
• **The one thing that makes Gill the most upset is when guys don’t give effort.** If they don’t give effort, you don’t have a chance.
• **Gill is just like everybody else: He most wants to see how his quarterback responds on game day.**
• **Gill will be more involved in the offense than the defense on game day.** Offensive coordinator Chuck Long will call plays. On defense, Gill might suggest blitzing more or less. On special teams, he might call for a trick play or fake. There are times when Gill shows more emotion on the sidelines during the games, which might not be like his normal demeanor.