The Gophers will play Air Force in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on December 23, according to scout.com’s bowl projections. https://cfn.scout.com/2/797737.html
The Gophers may need seven wins to be selected for a bowl, even though six is the minimum number to qualify. Iowa was 6-6 last year and wasn’t invited to a bowl even with its large fan following.
Gopher football coach Tim Brewster goes back to his alma mater on Saturday to face an Illinois team that will be a big favorite and has an offense he thinks is probably the “best” Minnesota will see this season. Brewster, who played tight end for the Illini, was asked if he’s been contacted about helping to fund renovation of the school’s football stadium. “They write me all the time but I don’t respond,” he said with a smile.
Junior cornerback Marcus Sherels injured his right shoulder against Indiana last week and his status for Illinois is day-to-day, according to Brewster. “The doctors seem to think he has a great chance to play Saturday,” Brewster said.
Season ticket sales for Gopher basketball are expected to total 12,000 for the coming season, about the same as 2007-08, according to Jason LaFrenz, the athletic department’s director of marketing and ticket sales. Season tickets are still available and single game tickets went on sale Monday.
The Detroit team the Vikings play at the Metrodome on Sunday is 0-4 and has been outscored 147 to 166. The Vikings gave up two punt return touchdowns on Monday night to New Orleans and it’s evident the team misses special team standout Heath Farwell who is injured and out for the season.
The Gopher women’s hockey team will host a “Rock Ridder” event beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 17 against Ohio State. In conjunction with Second Harvest Heartland, a local food shelf organization, every fan who donates a non-perishable or canned food item will receive free admission. Fans that are not able to donate food, pay $2 admission for the game. The University hopes to break its Ridder Arena attendance record of 3,251 fans, set in 2007.
The Timberwolves are partnering with its NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, to host an open tryout for the 2008-09 Skyforce season on October 18 and 19 at the Timberwolves practice facility in Minneapolis. The tryouts provide an opportunity to workout before NBA D-League coaches and try for an invitation to the Skyforce training camp that begins next month. A Wolves spokesperson reported via e-mail that as of Monday there were 10 registrants but about 40 are expected. Tryouts are limited to 60 players. Friday is the deadline for registration and more information is available at https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/skyforce_to_hold_open_tryouts_080924.html
The Wolves have their second pre-season game tonight when they play Oklahoma City in Billings, Montana. Rashad McCants, who has been inconsistent during his career, might be headed for his best season as a pro in year four. He led the team in scoring with 21 points on Monday night when the Wolves beat the Bucks 117-79 in Milwaukee.
Quarterback Ted Schlafke, defensive back Matt Lien and place-kicker Scott Talcott are the NSIC offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week. Schlafke threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in helping UMD remain unbeaten with a 52-10 road win over Minnesota State-Moorhead last week. Lien had eight solo and four assisted tackles, plus an interception in Augustana’s 41-38 overtime win over Minnesota State-Mankato. Talcott was two-for-two on field goal attempts, kicking them from 45 and 37 yards in Southwest Minnesota State’s 35-28 win over Winona State.