David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Stop Bears, Nix Chicago’s Records Attempts

Posted on September 20, 2026September 20, 2026 by David Shama

On a rainy Sunday today in Soldier Field the Vikings went to 2-0 on the season by controlling the much-hyped Bears offense in a 9-3 win that left rival and defending NFC North Division champion Chicago 1-1 after two weeks of the NFL regular season.

The Bears scored 59 points in their season opening over Carolina. Sunday was much different as the Bears struggled, including near misses. They got inside the Minnesota red zone in the third and fourth quarters but couldn’t score touchdowns.

Defensive back Isaiah Rodgers was a hero for the Vikings recovering a third quarter fumble by De’Andre Swift on the Minnesota one yard line. Late in the fourth quarter he blocked a field goal attempt that would have closed the score to 9-6.

The Bears lost glitzy playmaking quarterback Caleb Williams late in the fourth quarter when he fell to the ground after being pursued by Andrew Van Ginkel. It looked like he could have sustained an ACL injury but later came news of a hamstring issue.

Williams couldn’t return to the game on a day when the Vikings frustrated him with different coverage looks and considerable pressure and push including from the defensive line that featured rookie Caleb Banks’ best performance.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell image by David Shama — Kevin O’Connell

If this was a matchup of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Ben Johnson, the Bears head coach and offensive savant, it was a win for the Purple. Williams threw an interception, was sometimes inaccurate and the Bears had numerous offensive penalties.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell called it an “unbelievable” performance by his defense after the game while talking on KFAN Radio.

It was a sloppy Chicago performance on a day that the Bears wanted to pick up on their headline making work in the opener against the Panthers.

The Bears had 560 scrimmage yards (291 rushing, 269 passing) last Sunday with six rushing scores and two passing touchdowns fueling the 59 points. The Bears tied the 2019 Ravens, 1968 Cowboys and 1963 Chiefs for the second-most points scored in a season-opening game all-time. Additionally, the Bears tied with the 1920 Detroit Heralds, 1920 Rock Island Independents and the 1922 Canton Bulldogs for the most rushing touchdowns in a season opening game in NFL history.

With 37 points scored against the Vikings today, the Bears could have surpassed the 1968 Raiders (95 points scored) for the most points scored in a team’s first two games of a season in NFL history. The Bears could have also become first team ever with at least 250 passing yards and 250 rushing yards in consecutive games.

The Vikings offense showed the commitment to running the ball that was an offseason priority and also in the opening win over the Packers. The Vikings had 28 rushing attempts for 119 yards while passing 20 times for 143. QB Carson Wentz looked hesitant at times in throwing down field and the Vikings didn’t have a huge explosive play all day.

Aaron Jones, 31, ran for 105 yards with O’Connell remarking his starting RB is “not going to be a guy that goes 70 but he’s going to find yards.”

On a day with not only rain challenging footing on the field but with wind guests in the air, Vikings field goal kicker Will Reichard came up with makes of 35, 49 and 39 yards. Probably the best field goal kicker in the league, he has now booted 22 perfect kicks.

Not to be lost in the kicking performance is holder Brett Thorson. The rookie punter hadn’t been a holder in college and there was skepticism in preseason about his important role. No problem putting the ball down for Reichard, though, and his punting was a weapon averaging 49.5 yards.

Worth Noting

It will be interesting to see how the Golden Gophers handle practice this week in preparation for their game Saturday that starts at 10 p.m. Minneapolis time in Seattle against Washington. Will coach P.J. Fleck schedule 10 p.m. practices?

The two programs haven’t played each other since 1977 but have a historic rivalry that includes a 17-7 Minnesota loss in the 1961 Rose Bowl.

The Gophers paid Akron $1.2 million for yesterday’s home game Saturday against the Zips, per information obtained from the University of Minnesota through the public records process. For two other nonconference home games this season, Minnesota paid guarantees of $500,000 to Eastern Illinois and $350,000 to Mississippi State.

Next year State will pay the Gophers $350,000 for a return game in Starkville.

It was 30 years ago that the most popular Gopher basketball team of all-time embarked on the 1996-1997 season that ended with a Big Ten title, trip to the Final Four, 31-4 record and final A.P. ranking of No. 3 in the nation. The academic scandal that later resulted in vacating the season record to zero wins will never diminish the memories fans have of that extraordinary team.

Congrats to Twins pitcher Pablo López on being the franchise’s 2026 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. This is López’s third consecutive nomination with Minnesota and fourth of his nine-year career (Marlins’ nominee in 2022).

Each MLB club nominates a player for the award that annually recognizes a player who best represents extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. The annual award is a tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character.

Fans can vote through Sunday, September 27 at MLBTogether.com/clementeaward (site available in English and Spanish)

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Better Hurry for Minnesota-Iowa Tickets at the Bank

Posted on September 18, 2026September 18, 2026 by David Shama

As of this week, the University of Minnesota is projecting the Iowa game as the lone sellout for the 2026 home football schedule.

The October 24 game not only matches the Golden Gophers against a historic neighboring rival, but it’s also Homecoming for the U. Many of the single game tickets will be purchased by Iowa fans, with the Hawkeyes expected to bring the largest contingency of out of state fans to Huntington Bank Stadium in 2026.

Single game tickets start at around $100 and range much higher. With the Athletic Department projecting a reported $9 million deficit for the school year per the Pioneer Press, extra revenue will be welcome.

Sports Headliners received extensive football ticket sales information this week from the University through the public records process. As of September 12, a total of 22,174 public season tickets had been sold. The total in 2025 was 23,084.

This is the fourth consecutive year of decline in public season tickets purchased. The 2024 total was 23,592, and 25,396 tickets were sold in 2023. That’s a 12 percent decrease in four years from a ticket stream expected to fill half or more of the 50,805-seat stadium.

The U report said lifestyle changes such as health and age, preferences to purchase single game or mini-plans tickets, and cost of living were common reasons for not renewing season tickets this year. Less frequently cited were “team performance, transfer portal, campus issues, etc.”

Gophers football stadium celebration after defeating Badgers — Gophers-Badgers 2021 game at Huntington Bank Stadium photo by Marshall Tanick

The 25,396 total in 2023 is a record for public season tickets during the head coach P.J. Fleck era that began in 2017. The 2022 and 2021 teams both won nine games with winning records in Big Ten games, while memories were more recent than of the 2019 squad that was 11-2 overall, 7-2 in the Big Ten and No. 10 in the final Associated Press national poll.

The last three seasons the Gophers have twice had 8-5 overall season records, while going 6-7 in 2023 (a total of 13 wins and 14 league losses during the span). Disappointment has settled in now after a walloping at home by Mississippi State last Saturday, 38-13.

The announced average attendance for home games last season was 46,512. For this season the projection is 46,000.

The definition of announced attendance is tickets distributed. Turnstile count gives a more accurate figure as to people in the stadium.

The total turnstile count in 2025 was 261,694. That’s a seven-game average of 37,385.

The U is projecting a turnstile total of 260,000 in 2026. (The total in 2024 was 258,570).

Ticket pricing from last year has changed only in that sales tax is added to the total. In the past it was netted out of the price. Before taxes and fees, season tickets range from $310 to $1,500.

The public season tickets total includes the Gopher Pass and faculty-staff purchases. The Gopher Pass is a mobile ticket allowing fans access to all home games with either a seat or standing room if the game is sold out. The Gopher Pass costs $249 before tax and fee.

One public ticket category that has increased is mini-plan (multiple games) ticket sales—1,717 versus 1,136 last year. Public group ticket sales are 5,960 versus 7,615 in 2025.

Student season ticket sales are 7,106 after totaling 7,978 a year ago. That is the fourth consecutive year of decline with the highest total in 2023 with 8,545 sold. The 2024 total was 8,013.

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Vikings Teammate Would Pay to Watch WR Justin Jefferson

Posted on September 15, 2026September 15, 2026 by David Shama

In the Vikings’ season opening win Sunday, Justin Jefferson performed like…well…Justin Jefferson. The gifted 27-year-old wide receiver had two touchdown receptions and a catch for a two-point conversion in his team’s 39-22 comeback win over NFC North Division rival Green Bay at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Teammates are accustomed to his heroics. “I don’t want to take anything for granted but that’s just kind of what I expect at this point,” offensive tackle Brian O’Neill told Sports Headliners.

Familiarity with Jefferson’s extraordinary standard of excellence, however, doesn’t mean teammates can’t gush over his skills that include route running, sure hands, speed, competitiveness, clutch play and work ethic.

“The things he does on the field, I am astounded (by). I am flabbergasted. He puts my jaw on the floor,” said Andrew DePaola, a team captain and the Vikings’ long snapper.

“I still can’t believe some of the stuff he’s able to pull off but I am just grateful I get to bear witness to that every Sunday…because he is a special, special player.”

Would DePaola pay admission to see his destined to be a Pro Football Hall of Fame teammate?

“Without a doubt, without a doubt. Yeah.”

Teammates refer to Jefferson as the “best in the world” at his position. They also see how much he loves to play.

“He’s just a ball player,” O’Neill said. “He’s just a kid playing football. You can tell he loves it. Loves everything about it. He just enjoys the heck out of playing the game.”

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson — Justin Jefferson image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Jefferson’s first pro season was in 2020. He has totaled 8,572 career receiving yards in 95 games and on Sunday became the third-fastest player in NFL history to reach 8,500 yards. He trails only Pro Football Hall of Famer Lance Alworth (90 games) and Julio Jones (90).

The Vikings lost starting quarterback Kyler Murray early in the first quarter when he was hit in the head by the shoulder of Packer Javon Bullard. The cornerback was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

O’Neill thinks it was “probably a cheap hit” by Bullard. “I gave him a shove. I probably should have gone after him a little bit more, but I knew we were going to have a first down. I didn’t want to have anything offset (that).”

The Packers also had unnecessary roughness called later in the game on safety Evan Williams, but Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson didn’t think Green Bay played a chippy game. “It was a divisional game. It was a tough football game. It is what it is.”

It was a brief debut for Murray, the much-anticipated offseason free agent acquisition. “It sucks but Carson came in and did a good job,” O’Neill said.

Wentz, 33, helped the Vikings rally from a 19-10 halftime deficit. He didn’t receive a lot of reps in training camp and preseason games, but his experience and poise allowed him to meet the moment. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards, with three touchdown throws and an impressive QB rating of 123.6.

Wentz has started 99 games (played in 104) in his NFL career that dates back to 2016. “He’s always on point,” O’Neill said.

Worth Noting

The Vikings outscored the Packers 29-3 in the second half. In Green Bay’s last six regular season or playoff games dating back to 2025 the Packers have been outscored 134 to 56 in the second half. All defeats.

Harrison Smith, the Vikings’ 37-year-old safety who played part-time Sunday after just re-joining the team earlier in the month, told Sports Headliners his offseason debate on whether to continue his career included coming back after the regular season started.

The division rival Bears, who beat Carolina 59-37 on Sunday, are about a touchdown favorite against the Vikings next Sunday in Chicago.

Deepest condolences to Gary Smith and family over the passing of his wife Linda. Gary, the well-known athletics trainer whose career stops included the University of Minnesota, pro sports and the 1980 Olympics, was married to his wife for 64 years.

Rudy Gobert, the Wolves 34-year-old 7-2 center, is playing for his native France in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers and averaging 8.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. Remarkably durable, Gobert has never played in fewer than 70 regular-season games since joining the Wolves in 2022.

Former Armstrong High School and Indiana University basketball standout Race Thompson is playing professionally in Germany for the Skyliners Frankfurt team whose season recently started.

A certain longtime and uber passionate Golden Gophers football fan who refuses to invest time and money attending away games against quality opposition because of likely losses—and also undesirable start times—was amused yesterday. Not only did Minnesota let the air out of the balloon for a big season in their one-sided loss last Saturday to unranked Mississippi State, but on Monday came the news the Gopher-Washington game on September 26 in Seattle will kick off about 10 p.m. Minneapolis time.

The Akron Zips, who lost their opener 38-16 to Wake Forest and defeated Robert Morris 45-10 last Saturday, are about a 24 to 28 point underdog to the Gophers (also 1-1) this Saturday in Minneapolis.

Byron Buxton, the Twins center fielder now out for the season because of hip surgery, finished 2026 having played in 93 games. In 12 years with the club, he has played in over 100 games only three times.

An authoritative Wild source texted yesterday that “all is quiet” on the Quinn Hughes contract extension.

Select Wild training camp practices at TRIA Rink will be open to the public. Fans need to register at www.wild.com/openpractices to attend.

The Wild is joining other organizations in sponsoring the annual Used Hockey Equipment Drive. AAA Movers will collect drop-off boxes with used equipment from select rinks on September 30. Goalie equipment sticks and helmets and other items will be distributed free to hockey associations and individuals at Grand Casino Arena on October 11.

Drop-off locations include Bloomington Ice Garden, Braemar Rink (Edina), Burnsville Ice Arena, CG Logistics Arena (Cottage Grove), Dakotah Sports and Fitness (Prior Lake), Eagan Civic Arena, Hastings Civic Center, M Health Fairview (Woodbury), Minnetonka Arena, Parade Ice Arena (Minneapolis), New Hope Ice Arena, Rogers Activity Center, St. Croix Valley Rec Center (Stillwater), St. Louis Park Rec Center, Tartan Ice Arena (St. Paul) and White Bear Lake Sports Center.

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