I try to base base opinions on primary sources (to a degree).
Gopher forums and Reddit threads showed vast majority of Gophers were glad to see AK leave.
A couple thought he could get better with more work.
The fact that Minn passing offense was 126th (and that with an All B1G WR) and RU was 127th, militates against any big difference in passing games. The biggest difference was that DW had more combined TDs (16-20). GW had 2 rushing TDs in a game 4 times.
Of course there were a few more clicks of accuracy for AK but he also threw shorter passes.
I count TDs over passing % because if those mattered so much Vedral was a top QB.
I know GW had accuracy issues and could see him replaced by a better QB - I just dont think AK is one.
He was called "a great practice QB" by observers
I don't lose track of the fact the RU coaches have long been bad at offense and especially QBs.
Schiano, Kirk and Fleck all have a history of lame offenses.
Schiano got lucky in Rice years and Kirk got lucky in Minn for one season with 2 NFL WRs .
Minn has never repeated 2019, and their passing still sucks running the ghost of KC's offense.
All three coaches are dedicated worshipers at the altar of what I call "prevent offenses" where avoiding turnovers means running an offense with training wheels. Greg hasn't had a legit good red zone offense ever.
Most announcers made note of fact that GW should have been running more. But of course GS is genetically averse to running QBs. GW in a real RPO would have been very good in an offense that could pass long (and Schiano said RU was not one in 2023).
I hope all do well in 2024, and with RU's badly needed WR upgrades I could see RU doing better - at least between the 20s. When RU passing was good it was mostly between the 20s. Some offensive tendencies get feathered at RU but like Minn the basics stay the same
For 2023:
" Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is the beacon of hope for fans wanting the team to become more aggressive on offense.
"We still have our same philosophical beliefs. That will never change," Fleck said.
To suggest that going from Tanner Morgan to Kaliakmanis will overhaul the team's approach is incorrect. However, a few newcomers and key departures necessitate adaptation.
The offense may not become "pass-happy," but rather "pass-savvy."
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck has a secret — and it could be about the team's offense
With new co-offensive coordinators and a quarterback in Athan Kaliakmanis who can let it fly, don't be surprised if P.J. Fleck finally starts focusing on the pass game.
www.startribune.com
It didn't work.
The worst report card of P.J. Fleck’s tenure thus far
www.thedailygopher.com
