Adam Weber is one of the Gophers leaders and was frustrated when he walked to the sideline near the end of last Saturday’s game against Northern Illinois, a third consecutive loss for Minnesota. Waiting to provide encouragement was coach Tim Brewster, who despite being the target of “Fire Brewster” chants from the stands, was thinking about his quarterback.
“I feel bad for coach Brew as well,” Weber said. “The one thing that is amazing is that he’s (got) very broad shoulders. …He’s a wonderful person and I am just fortunate he’s always had my back.”
The Gophers, 1-3, have given up 107 points in three consecutive losses. Most of the points are the result of a troubled defense with tackling problems. Linebacker Keanon Cooper said adjustments needed to perform better are simple but the defense must play together and execute. “We know exactly what we have to do,” he said.
Project organizer Bruce Krinke reported via email that artist Ivan Whillock’ s bust of Gopher Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith is at a foundry and will be completed in about five weeks. Plans are for the bust to be on display in Smith’s hometown of Faribault before it’s presented to the University of Minnesota. Smith won the Heisman in 1941, helping the Gophers to a national championship. He’s the only Gopher to ever win the award.
Despite the resurgence in St. Thomas football success in recent seasons, Saint John’s has defeated the Tommies 12 consecutive games. The two nationally ranked Division III powers meet tomorrow in Collegeville.
Among those to follow in the game are two players from Saint John’s who were last week’s MIAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the week, senior quarterback Joe Boyle and sophomore defensive back Alex Powell. Tommie All-American senior center Josh Ostrue will start his 38th career game on Saturday. St. Thomas junior All-American wide receiver Fritz Waldvogel has scored 23 touchdowns in 27 games during his career, including at least one via pass, rush, lateral, punt return and kickoff return.
Saint John’s head coach John Gagliardi has 450 victories in 58 seasons with the Johnnies. He is looking for career coaching win No. 475 tomorrow against St. Thomas.
“The Lindsay Whalen Story,” written by local author R.S. Oatman, will be in area book stores next week. The 170-page book tells of Whalen’s development from a young hockey player to a grown basketball legend. Whalen, a native Minnesotan who has played for both the Gophers and Lynx, will have local book signings including on Thursday, October 7 when she will be at the Mall of America Barnes & Noble.
Former Wolves player and executive Fred Hoiberg, now head coach at Iowa State, will be among the speakers tomorrow at Tartan High School for the HoopsNet Twin Cities Basketball Coaches Clinic. Also speaking will be new Dakota County Technical College coach Jay Pivec who is a member of the NJCAA Basketball Hall of Fame.
Dean Lombardi, the former North Stars executive and now Los Angeles hockey boss, deserves credit for helping make the Kings a 2011 Stanley Cup favorite.
Former Wild defenseman Willie Mitchell added depth to the Kings defense when he signed with the team this summer.
Ex-Wild and New Jersey coach Jacques Lemaire, 65, is working for the Devils as a special assignment coach/scout, according to the The Fischler Report.
Newly signed Wild prospect Colton Jobke is a cousin of Mets outfielder Jason Bay.
The Wild were scheduled to leave for Finland immediately following last night’s preseason game against the Blue Jackets. After a nine hour flight the team is scheduled to arrive in Helsinki at 4 p.m. Finland time. The Wild will open the NHL regular season in Finland on Thursday, October 7.
Minnesota schools hold three of the first six spots in the AVCA Division II national women’s volleyball rankings. The schools are No. 1 Minnesota Duluth, No. 3 Southwest Minnesota State and No. 6 Concordia-St. Paul. All are members of the NSIC.