A notes-filled column with info on the Gophers, Lynx, MIAC football, Twins and Vikings—plus, Sports Headliners’ Big Ten power rankings.
The Vikings might have an edge in preparing for the Chargers this week because of Norv Turner. The second-year Vikings offensive coordinator was head coach of the Chargers for six seasons and his players included quarterback Phillip Rivers. Turner has knowledge about Rivers including tendencies and mechanics. His input might help the Vikings defensive backs anticipate Rivers’ passes on Sunday when the two 1-1 teams play at TCF Bank Stadium.
Turner was fired by the Chargers after the 2012 season despite having a 56-40 regular season record dating back to 2007. He won three AFC West Division titles and was popular with players who reportedly gave him a standing ovation at his final team meeting. Dean Spanos, who fired Turner, is still the Chargers owner. There might be extra satisfaction for Turner if the Vikings win on Sunday.
“You always want to do that for your coaches, try and go out and get a win like that if you know they’ve been at a place as a head coach,” Vikings wide receiver Mike Wallace told Sports Headliners. “…He (Turner) would never say anything about it, but obviously I know he would like to get that win.”
Head coach Mike Zimmer (a career defensive specialist), after being asked how much input he gives Turner about the offense: “There is some each week. We sit and talk every Tuesday and then we talk throughout the course of the week. I have ultimate confidence in everything that he does. We discuss all the different things. And I (also) sit down with (quarterback) Teddy (Bridgewater) and watch tape with him every week. So I’m involved, but I’m more involved with the defense.”
Two years ago Zimmer was the defensive coordinator of the Bengals. Last week his old team defeated the Chargers and their talented offense. Does that help prepare the Vikings for Sunday?
“The good part is that I know what Cincinnati is doing defensively. The bad part is they (the Chargers) get to practice against it two weeks in a row,” Zimmer said. “I guess there’s a little give and take on both sides there. It doesn’t hurt.”
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson rushed for an NFL single game record 296 yards against Turner’s 2007 team. Peterson had 30 carries in the game and scored three touchdowns.
Regis Eller, the Minneapolis native and son of former Vikings and Gophers great Carl Eller, is a college scout for the Chargers.
Gophers football fan and University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler turned 59 yesterday.
Gophers student season ticket sales have increased from 6,100 last year to 8,400. Athletic department leaders are hoping for a third consecutive sellout crowd on Saturday when Minnesota plays Ohio starting at 2:30 p.m.
Sean Engel, a senior wide receiver at Chaska High School, received multiple college offers including from Wyoming, but on Sunday verbally committed to North Dakota State. He is the brother of former Gophers wide receiver Derrick Engel.
Ex-Badgers coach Bret Bielema is having a painful September. Bielema’s Razorbacks are 1-2 after home losses to Toledo and Texas Tech. The Tech win last Saturday was led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, son of former Twins pitcher Pat Mahomes. The younger Mahomes also plays baseball for the Red Raiders.
ESPN’s “SportsCenter on the Road” broadcasts live from Saint John’s University in Collegeville on Saturday, adding to the hype for the Johnnies-St. Thomas football game in the afternoon. The ESPN broadcast will air from 6 to 8 a.m. with anchors Matt Barrie and Sara Walsh hosting. The event is free and open to the public, with the Clemens Stadium gates opening at 5 a.m.
The 2-0 Tommies and the 3-0 Johnnies are ranked No. 12 and 8 respectively in the latest D3football.com top 25 poll. The historic football rivalry between St. Thomas and Saint John’s is always special but this year commands more attention than some previous matchups. “This one is so big because of its national and playoff implications,” Tommies coach Glenn Caruso told Sports Headliners.
Caruso knows his to-do list on Saturday includes stopping preseason Johnnies All-American running back Sam Sura who makes rushing for more than 100 yards per game a habit. “I don’t know if you stop him completely,” Caruso said.
Sura excels in gaining extra yardage. “He is very creative in tight spaces,” said Caruso who doesn’t think Sura receives enough credit for his speed.
The Tommies had a bye last Saturday and Caruso said there is “no question” the extra preparation time for the Johnnies helps. Kickoff Saturday is at 1 p.m.
Brittney Griner, the 2014 and 2015 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, had nine blocks for the Mercury when her team played the Lynx on August 30. The two teams split four games during the regular season and Griner blocked a total of 23 shots. The 6-foot-8 center will lead the Mercury defense tonight in Minneapolis when her team and the Lynx start the best of three games Western Conference Finals playoffs. The two clubs play in Phoenix Sunday, and if necessary, back in Minneapolis Tuesday.
KSTP sports anchor and motivational author Joe Schmit speaks at the MVP (Men, Value, Purpose) dinner Tuesday night. The event will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater with more information available by contacting Dana Johnson, danar90@yahoo.com.
The Twins, 78-73, have earned their way back over .500 after four consecutive 90-plus losing seasons even though no pitcher has won more than 11 games. Phil Hughes got his team-leading 11th win last night with five shutout innings in a 4-2 victory over the Indians.
First baseman Joe Mauer has a 42-game on-base streak and is now tied with the late Bob Allison for the longest streak in franchise history. Mauer has the longest active streak in the majors.
Eduardo Escobar has quietly won over the Twins shortstop job. He drove in two runs last night. He has a hit in 10 of his last 11 games at Target Field, batting .326 with seven RBI.
It was 47 years ago this week when the Twins Cesar Tovar became the second player in major league history to play all nine positions in a single game. The Athletics Bert Campaneris was the first.
After three weekends of following Big Ten football teams, here are the first power rankings by Sports Headliners for 2015:
1. Ohio State (3-0): Close call against Northern Illinois last Saturday. Guess three potential Heisman Trophy quarterbacks on one roster isn’t enough.
2. Michigan State (3-0): The late Bubba Smith would be proud of MSU’s place at No. 2 in the A.P. poll behind Buckeyes. Smith’s size and prowess playing for MSU’s great teams in the 1960s prompted the chant “Kill, Bubba, Kill.”
3. Wisconsin (2-1): Badgers working on third coach in four years but still a Big Ten force.
4. Northwestern (3-0): If Cats can avoid their injuries curse, they have enough talent and coaching to win Big Ten West Division.
5. Michigan (2-1): The Jim Harbaugh magic? Believe it.
6. Iowa (3-0): Hawkeyes unbeaten in three games but better not count on winning another game with a 57-yard field goal.
7. Penn State (2-1): If Nittany Lions have for sure patched up their pass protection, quarterback Christian Hackenberg will damage Big Ten secondaries.
8. Nebraska (1-2): Not a very impressive start for new coach Mike Riley when his talented team loses two of three games in the closing seconds—although Brigham Young and Miami are no “cupcakes.”
9. Minnesota (2-1): With a great defense and top kicking game the Gophers have West Division title potential but a struggling offense sends Jerry Kill’s team into the No. 9 spot for now.
10. Illinois (2-1): Illini looked like a surprise success story in the first two games including a 52-3 whipping of Kent State but last Saturday’s 48-14 loss at North Carolina doesn’t inspire confidence.
11. Maryland (2-1): The Terps, despite a 21-point loss to 1-2 Bowling Green at home, are no pushovers and may tease all fall with their consistency.
12. Rutgers (1-2): This program is Suspension U with even the head coach sidelined and former Gopher lineman Norries Wilson in charge on Saturdays as interim coach.
13. Indiana (3-0): Another re-run production in Bloomington where the Hoosiers entertain offensively but can be a horror show on defense.
14. Purdue (1-2): Who wants to wager whether coach Darrell Hazell will be leading the Boilers after this season?