The University regents will not be involved in selecting the next Gophers football coach. “That’s not our job,” said regent Dean Johnson.
NBC will televise Sunday night’s Vikings at Green Bay game and KARE 11 president John Remes believes interest in the game will be similar to last year’s impressive TV numbers when the two teams met in an October game. He emailed Sports Headliners that last year’s household rating was 58.3, meaning 58.3 percent of this market’s 1,732,000 homes were tuned in. That translates to 1,009,756 actual homes. He predicts a 44.6 rating on Sunday’s telecast for people 18 or older…1,477,000 viewers.
The Vikings defense has allowed 83 first downs in five games, the least in the NFL.
Wide receiver Randy Moss is ninth in career NFL receptions with 944 after catching five passes last Sunday in the win over Dallas.
Vikings “escape specialist” Percy Harvin and Josh Cribbs of Cleveland are the only players in the league to return three kickoffs for touchdowns in their careers. Harvin set a Vikings record for the longest return last Sunday, 95 yards.
Vikings third year reserve running back Albert Young had hoped to be playing more this season. He’s frustrated with participating in two of five games, having three carries for two yards. “You do what you can do,” he said.
Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton is involved with 3D Sports Technology, an innovative developer of animation and software tools that help with instruction and understanding for participants, coaches and fans. https://www.f5-sim.com/commerce/inthenews/inthenews.asp?id_passed=239
Gopher senior goalie Alex Kangas is third in school career saves with 2,674. Kellen Briggs (2,968 saves) and Adam Hauser (3,777 saves) are the only players ahead of Kangas.
After a 5-2 impressive start in pre-season, predictions have the Timberwolves winning six to 12 games more than last season (15-67 record). Forward Kevin Love may prove worthy of NBA All-Star game consideration.
Minnesota State High School League executive director Dave Stead will be the speaker at the C.O.R.E.S. luncheon on Thursday, November 11 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington. C.O.R.E.S. organization members can make reservations by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net. (C.O.R.E.S. is an abbreviation for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans).
Brainerd’s Ron Stolski and Verndale’s Mike Mahlen, the two state prep football coaches with the most all-time career wins at 327, both won games on Wednesday night. Brainerd is 8-0 while Verndale’s record is 2-6.
Former KSTP TV sports anchor Rod Simons is hosting a new show debuting Sunday on Fox 9 at 10:30 a.m. Game On! will offer fans interviews and an in-depth look at the Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, Twins and Golden Gophers, plus an MIAC segment each week.
A Homecoming crowd approaching 7,000 is possible at UST’s O’Shaughnessy Stadium tomorrow. No. 4-ranked St. Thomas (7-0 overall, 5-0 MIAC) and No. 20-ranked Bethel (6-0, 4-0) will meet in a much anticipated game with kickoff at 1 p.m. With a win Bethel can move closer to its fifth MIAC title in 11 seasons, while UST is trying to open a season 8-0 for the first time since 1956. Bethel has 20 rushing touchdowns and allowed just one. UST has impressive offensive balance in touchdowns (20 rushing, 21 passing) and yards per game (215 rushing, 217 passing). There will be a video web cast at www.mnsportsnetwork.com.