Brewster’s 2010 recruiting class is ranked No. 31 by Rivals.com. Players can’t formally commit until February of next season.
“The name of the game is recruiting and we’ve done it at a very high level,” Brewster said. “This class that we’re bringing in this year will be another outstanding class. And what it’s going to do is, it’s going to allow us to again continue to create competition (for playing time).”
Adam Weber, who has been a starter since 2007 and remains the Gophers first team quarterback, has no problem with MarQueis Gray receiving more playing time at that position if it helps the team. “It’s all about winning,” Weber said.
Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi said he’s not aware of any University plans to lobby the legislature next year to allow alcohol in premium seating areas at TCF Bank Stadium, Williams Arena and Mariucci Arena.
Long-time followers of the Packers-Vikings rivalry recall former St. Paul newspaper columnist Don Riley. He loved to agitate Packers fans everywhere, habitually referring to “Green Bush.”
Former sports writing colleague Gregg Wong said Riley agitated the Packers fandom for more than fun. Riley’s playful insults about Green Bay helped sell newspapers in nearby western Wisconsin. Riley’s columns were profitable for him too. “He made a fortune speaking at banquets in western Wisconsin,” Wong said.
Riley was a character and nobody knew it better than his sports writing brethren at the Pioneer Press and Dispatch. Wong recalled that one night Riley phoned the sports department and spoke with Mike Augustin. Riley sensed that he had a speaking engagement but couldn’t remember where and what time that evening.
Augustin confirmed the time and place. Riley, who was calling form a pay phone, requested directions. Augustin asked Riley where exactly he was calling from. Riley replied he didn’t know and Augustin wondered aloud how he could possibly provide directions. “Augie, my boy, put a trace on this call,” Riley said.
Augsburg’s football team has experienced dramatic finishes in its last three games, all victories. The Auggies rallied in the fourth quarter for a 31-28 win over Carleton on October 10, and withstood a late Concordia comeback for a 27-20 overtime win a week later. Then last Saturday Augsburg scored the game-winning touchdown with 46 seconds left for a 28-21 win over Gustavus. Wide receiver Mike Nourie won MIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, the third straight week that Augsburg had an MIAC Player of the Week. Nourie had a nine-catch, 129-yard performance, including the game-winning touchdown reception against the Gusties.
Kevin Love told Sports Headliners he could be back playing for the Wolves within four weeks. In about 10 days he will receive more medical input about his injured left hand.
Harrison Barnes, the Ames, Iowa, high school basketball player considered by many as the top recruit in the country, wrote about his recent recruiting visit to Kansas at https://www.highschoolhoop.com/high-school-stories/2009/10/the-harrison-barnes-diary-official-visit-to-kansas/,
The 2009 MIAC Hockey Showcase is today through Sunday at the Bloomington Ice Gardens. All nine MIAC men’s hockey teams will play two non-conference games over the weekend. Game times are 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. all three days.
The Rangers Marian Gaborik isn’t expected to play tonight in his first game against the Wild since leaving during the off-season. He has what’s been described as a lower body injury. A knowledgeable hockey source said the following about Gaborik’s time here: “He was a very nice person who learned the English language on his own while playing for the Wild because he wanted to communicate with players, fans, sponsors and the media. He was a good teammate and was generally liked in the locker room by other players.
“The team was better when he did perform on the ice. He did not always see eye to eye with (general manager) Doug Risebrough and (coach) Jacques Lemaire, but remained a team-oriented player and performer. He did leave on decent terms with the Wild organization, who did offer him a long-term deal in 2008 that Gaborik and his agent turned down last year.”
Niklas Backstrom was unbeaten in 15 straight decisions at Xcel Energy Center until the Wild lost on Wednesday night to Nashville. His streak was a franchise record for a goalie.
Former Gustavus tennis player Eric Butorac continues to have success on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour, winning two doubles titles recently. Butorac teamed with Rajeev Ram to win the Thailand Open on September 28 and then he partnered with Lovro Zovko to win at Rennes, France on October 12. Butorac, No. 37 in the ATP doubles rankings, has won three ATP doubles titles this year and seven in his career.