Gophers football coach Tim Brewster and the University of Minnesota have reached agreement on a two year contract extension, according to a source who requested anonymity. Brewster has been working on a five year contract he signed in 2007 and the extension commits Brewster and the University through 2013.
Brewster and Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi have been negotiating an extension since the close of last season. The extension signals a commitment by the University to Brewster and comes only days before national signing day next Wednesday when recruits make scholarship commitments to their schools of choice.
Peterson’s backup is Chester Taylor who as an unrestricted free agent can leave the Vikings during the off season. Dalton predicts that Taylor will want to go elsewhere and be a team’s primary ball carrier. “The Vikings, I would imagine, will make every effort to keep him because of the value that he brings to the team,” Dalton said. “Regardless of Adrian’s fumble situation, you right now have two starting running backs…which is a huge positive and a tremendous advantage.”
Former Viking Todd Kalis has co-authored a book, Pigskin Dreams, describing the commitment to achieve greatness of 22 Pro Football Hall of Fame players. Kalis, who was born in Stillwater and later played high school football in Arizona, is in town promoting the book including a book signing from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Magers & Quinn Booksellers in Minneapolis. Former Viking Paul Krause is among the players included in the book. More on Pigskin Dreams at https://pigskindreams.com/.
First-ever Twins curator Clyde Doepner’s memorabilia will be at TwinsFest today through Sunday. His “New Beginnings” exhibit will feature unique items from the franchise’s 50-year history. The three day event at the Metrodome will also include player autograph stations, national anthem auditions for games next season, silent and live auctions, and youth clinics.
Former Timberwolves broadcaster Kevin Harlan will provide play-by-play on Sunday’s CBS telecast of the Gophers-Ohio State game. (The best basketball broadcast combo this town ever had was when Harlan worked with Kevin McHale on Wolves games.)
The 1960 Ohio State national championship team will be honored during halftime at Sunday’s game in Columbus. The two-some of center Jerry Lucas and forward John Havlicek still ranks at the top among best duos on one team in Big Ten history. The Gophers combination of McHale, playing forward, and center Mychal Thompson is one of the best ever, too.
The Gophers couldn’t hold sizeable leads in a home loss to Michigan State last Saturday and almost blew a four point margin with about four minutes to play in their win over Northwestern on Tuesday night. “Defense is supposed to be our staple so we have to shore that up,” Gopher guard Lawrence Westbrook said.
Statistics earlier this week had Gopher forward Blake Hoffarber second in the country for best three point field goal percentage. His 48.6 ranked second behind Notre Dame’s Tim Abromaitis, 49.6.
Longtime Minnesota Wild press box greeter Lou Cotroneo announced “Let’s Play Hockey!” before Saturday’s Wild game and was presented with the first-ever State of Hockey Lifetime Achievement Award. The former Johnson High School coach worked his last Wild game on December 31 so he could devote more time to family.
Wild prospect and Houston Aeros defenseman Maxim Noreau was named the American Hockey League’s Reebok/AHL Player of the week. He had seven points in two games after returning from the AHL All-Star Game.
Wild prospect and Florida Everblades goalie Barry Brust was named the ECHL’s Reebok Hockey Goaltender of the Week. He was 2-0-0, allowing only three goals in back-to-back wins.
Kate Ryan Reiling, captain of Macalester’s 1998 national championship women’s soccer squad, is the new women’s soccer head coach at her alma mater.
Carleton celebrated the 100th anniversary of varsity basketball last Saturday. The men’s teams have played more than 2,000 games, while the women have totaled almost 800. The school has announced its All-Century teams for both men and women. https://apps.carleton.edu/athletics/news_room/?story_id=601275.%20.
Rochester native Eric Butorac, a 2003 graduate of Gustavus, and his partner Rajeev Ram, advanced to the quarterfinals of the doubles draw at the Australian Open. They missed advancing to the semifinals after a close loss to Bob and Mike Bryan, the No. 1 ranked doubles team in the world.