|
Gopher-Iowa Rivalry Bitter & Sweet
Minnesota and Iowa play in the Metrodome on Saturday in the 100th
football game between the two schools. Through the years the rivalry
has sometimes been bitter. Nothing symbolizes the emotions of the
Gopher-Hawkeye rivalry like Floyd of Rosedale, the famed bronze
statue of a pig that goes to the winner of the Minnesota-Iowa game each
year.
Iowa
head coach Kirk Ferentz recalled that back in
1981 he was a young assistant coach with the Hawkeyes and not that
familiar with the rivalry. Ferentz’s roots had been out east, playing
football at Connecticut and coaching as an assistant at his alma mater
and at Pittsburgh. In his first season at Iowa, 1981, Ferentz watched
the Gophers defeat the Hawkeyes and saw the Minnesota players come
charging across the field to claim Floyd.
“I
figured out real quick how important that (rivalry) was,” Ferentz said.
“Then the other thing that really jumped out, and not quite so much now,
but back in the 80’s there seemed to be almost a bitter rivalry between
the states just in general. There were a lot of Minnesota jokes about
Iowa, and Iowa jokes about Minnesota. That type of thing. …”
The
1981 Gophers were coached by Smokey Joe Salem who had a dismal
career record at Minnesota, 19-35-1, but was 3-2 against Iowa. As a
player, Salem had helped quarterback the No. 3 ranked Gophers to a 27-10 win over
No. 1 rated Iowa in 1960, a game that moved Minnesota toward the national championship. As Gopher coach, Salem
always wanted badly to beat the Hawkeyes and those around him said
during Iowa week he had a different look in his eyes.
As a
kid, I recall my parents telling stories about Gopher games in Iowa City
during the 1930s when fans threw whiskey bottles at the Minnesota
players. In 1935 both the Gophers and Hawkeyes were undefeated going
into their game in Iowa City. The year before, according to the Gopher
media guide, the Gophers had “roughed up” Iowa star Ozzie Simmons
so badly he had to leave the game. As a prelude to the 1935 game, Iowa
governor Clyde Herring said, “If the officials stand for any
rough tactics like Minnesota used last year, I’m sure the crowd won’t.”
Minnesota governor Floyd Olson was alarmed and responded,
“Minnesota folks are excited over your statement about Iowa crowds
lynching the Minnesota football team. I have assured them you are law
abiding gentlemen and are only trying to get our goat. …I will bet you a
Minnesota prize hog against an Iowa prize hog that Minnesota wins.”
The
bet eased tensions and the Gophers won 13-6 in a game without major
incidents. The Gophers’ prize was a real pig, provided by Rosedale
Farms near Fort Dodge, Iowa. Later Olson commissioned the creation of
the bronze pig, Floyd of Rosedale.
|
“Then the other thing that really jumped
out, and not quite so much now, but back in the 80’s there seemed to be
almost a bitter rivalry between the states just in general."
Kirk Ferentz
“If the officials stand for any rough
tactics like Minnesota used last year, I’m sure the crowd won’t.”
Iowa's governor, Clyde Herring, in 1935
Floyd of Rosedale
|
|
Pig Sweeter for Hawkeyes Lately
During the last 35 years or so the Minnesota-Iowa rivalry has become
much more one-sided in passion and interest among Hawkeye fans. The
Gophers have long been one of the most mediocre football programs in the
Big Ten Conference while Iowa has won
championships and played in major bowl games. Iowa has won the last
five meetings between the two schools. The all-time series is in
Minnesota’s favor: 38-31-2.
Bill Lester, executive director of the
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, reminisced about Iowa’s 2002
visit to the Metrodome when Hawkeye fans stormed the field in
celebration and tore down part of a goal post with the intent of taking
it home as a souvenir. He recalled with humor a quote he made that
annoyed Iowa fans. “I told a reporter you have to be from Iowa to think
you can get an 18 foot upright from a goal post through a revolving door
(out of the dome),” Lester said.
He
became the target of “scathing and comical” e-mails from Iowans including
a long communication that provoked more teasing from Lester. He noted
the length of the e-mail and replied, “Doesn’t anyone have a job down
there?”
The
2002 game allowed Iowa to clinch its first conference title under
Ferentz. Iowa had not won the conference championship since 1990
and later went on to play in the Orange Bowl. That game in the
Metrodome sent some of the more zealous Iowans into a frenzy that
included taunting Gopher fans and added to a reputation for poor
sportsmanship. (A Big Ten football player told me that around the
conference his team is accustomed to abuse but normally it comes from students. In Iowa
City it often comes from the adults, he said.)
Through the years there’s been a lot of good football, great players and
exemplary sportsmanship among all concerned including fans in this
historic college football rivalry. Let’s hope Saturday adds to that
legacy. |
During the last 35 years or so the
Minnesota-Iowa rivalry has become much more one-sided in passion and
interest among Hawkeye fans.
“I told a reporter you have to be from
Iowa to think you can get an 18 foot upright from a goal post through a
revolving door (out of the dome).”
Bill Lester
|
|
Timberwolves to Visit “King” James
The
Timberwolves play in Cleveland tomorrow night (Friday) and then don’t
see the Cavs again until April 3 when LeBron
James and teammates come to Minneapolis. For Trenton Hassell
and the rest of the Wolves that may well be soon enough to see “King”
James, the 21-year-old man-child deemed by many as the successor to
Michael Jordan’s throne.
James
finished third in the NBA in scoring last season at 31.4 points per
game. He also finished second in minutes played at 42.5, meaning the
Wolves figure to see plenty of him on the court Friday night. As the
team’s designated stopper, Hassell was asked about James earlier this
week. “If I can hold him under 40% shooting from the field I did a good
job, and keep him from the free throw line as much as possible,” Hassell
said.
Hassell is 6-foot-5, about 200 pounds. James is “6-9, 6-10, 260,” and
strong, Hassell said. Oh, yes, athletic, too. And, yup, versatile,
including a relatively new added skill of making three point shots.
“He’s improved that big time,” Hassell said. “He’s nailing threes down
like his lay ups, so he’s got the total package. You just got a put a
hand in his face, rely on help, maybe trap him (with another player) a
couple of times, whatever you can do to make it hard for him.”
Asked
how James is as a defensive player, Hassell said he didn’t know. Then
he indicated his limited role in the Wolves’ offense doesn’t test James
or other players defensively. “I just sit in the corner and wait until
it (the ball) swings over there,” Hassell said. “I am not really
involved in the offense that much. …" |
Trenton Hassell
“He’s nailing threes down like his
lay ups, so he’s got the total package."
Trenton Hassell on LeBron James
|
|
Extra Innings
Wolves second year guard Bracey Wright, who
has played two minutes this season, talking about his future: “Before
it’s all said and done I am going to be an all-star. I understand how
to play. Once I get into a situation I can master, I am going to be an
all-star. It’s all about waiting for the right opportunity and making
the most of it.”
Michigan State football coach John L. Smith talking about the
much anticipated Michigan versus Ohio State game on
Saturday: “Michigan has some tremendous fronts (offensive and defensive
lines). Both of their fronts are as good as there is in the country.
My belief is Ohio State has a little bit better capability of making
plays when they really don’t have a play. …I think the advantage would
have to go to Ohio State just because they are at home.”
NFL
commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier in
the week while here for a series of meetings that there is a “great
commitment” from ownership and throughout the organization to make the
Vikings a “world class franchise.”
Former Viking coach Dean Dalton writes about
pro football on espn.com and provides analysis on KSTP TV, Fox Sports
North and Sirius Satellite Radio. “Simplifying explanations” has been a
challenge in transitioning from coach-speak to TV work, Dalton said.
Steve Erban said his Creative Charters company will organize travel
to a Gopher bowl game if Minnesota defeats Iowa on Saturday.
|
“Before it’s all said and done I am going
to be an all-star. "
Bracey Wright
"I think the advantage would have to go to
Ohio State just because they are at home.”
John L. Smith on Saturday's big game |
