Author: David Shama

Look no further than Indiana, Minnesota’s homecoming opponent Saturday, to see the latest examples of time-honored winning elements in college football.   Start with the Indiana quarterback, and then look at the head coach and the emotional state of the team. 

Redshirt freshman quarterback Kellen Lewis, not even a starter earlier in the season, has won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors two of the last three weeks while leading his team to two victories.  He passed for five touchdowns and ran for one last week against Michigan State.  In the Iowa game he threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Hoosiers beat a top 15 team for the first time in nearly 20 years.  Among his skills is the ability to escape defenders and turn a losing play into a winner. 

A team with a quarterback who is a big play maker can create confidence in his teammates.  Offensive and defensive players know their chances of winning are enhanced by a productive quarterback.  Their efforts are less likely to be wasted if the quarterback is a playmaker like Lewis. 

College football is a game of emotion and the Hoosiers have plenty of incentive.  Indiana second year coach Terry Hoeppner has had brain surgery twice  (tumor, then scar tissue removed) in less than 12 months including in September.  The Hoosiers have enthusiasm to perform for their coach.   

Then, too, with five wins, Indiana needs just one more victory to be bowl eligible for the first time since 1993.   The Hoosiers are 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten Conference.   

Star receiver James Hardy, a sophomore, talked about Indiana’s emotions at a news conference earlier this week.  “Everyone has the same goal,” he said. “We’re trying to get to a bowl game, especially with our head coach and leader going through what he’s been through. … We just want to go out there and work hard for him, and for ourselves and our families. We want to go to a bowl game, and we’re not satisfied until we get there. I want to send these guys (the seniors) off the right way. I know it’ll be something they can show their kids.”

Mark Parrish has a pleasant problem.  As a native son returning this season to play for the Minnesota Wild, the 29-year-old Parrish has lots of family and friends in the metro area.  Too many demands on his time could obviously be a distraction from the goal of helping the Wild go deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs.   

“It is kind of a catch 22 having all your friends and family here because it is just that many more possibilities for a distraction,” he said.  “My friends and family have been great so far.  They haven’t bothered me at all. …They have been really good realizing I have a job to do. This is my career. …They have been supportive and staying out of my hair and it’s been fantastic.” 

What if eventually there are too many requests for Parrish’s time?  He and wife Nicholle, his parents and in-laws have talked about that a lot. “They are going to be the bad guys for me, more or less, if it does come up,” Parrish said.  “If it does come up it’s just something you have to be up front and honest and say, ‘hey, look, sorry I can’t do that’. …Just ask them to stop, I guess.” 

With a pleasant personality and a Minnesota hockey legacy that includes playing on two state championship teams at Bloomington Jefferson, Parrish is often sought by the media or for promotional appearances such as signing autographs at grocery stores.  Still, Parrish is relishing and enjoying the first opportunity in his NHL career (he’s played with three other teams) to live during the season in his real home, not an adopted residence.   

Being in a home environment can lessen distractions, Parrish said, and that comfort level can affect a player’s confidence and on-ice performance.  “I feel every player should get a chance to play in their home town at least once because it is pretty amazing,” said Parrish who lives in Plymouth.

About two hours before kickoff on Monday the Vikings were still selling tickets at the Metrodome for their game with New England.  The team later announced a sellout of 63,819.   

A ticket seller on the street near the dome said tickets in the lower level for Saturday’s Minnesota-Indiana game will be available for $10 each.  

Warren Moon, honored at the New England game for being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year, was the first African American quarterback to be inducted.  The former Viking is also the first NFL undrafted quarterback to be inducted and the first player to be in both the Canadian and American football halls of fame. 

Matt Birk’s Viking teammates have voted him as the 2006 recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. The award exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.  Each NFL team selects an annual recipient.  Vikings who won the award while playing for other teams are: Tony Richardson (2001 Kansas City), Pat Williams (2003 Buffalo), Fred Smoot (2003  Washington) and Tank Williams (2005 Tennessee). 

New England tight end David Thomas talking about first impressions last summer of teammate and former Gopher running back Laurence Maroney:  “You could see how athletic he is. He’s so quick once he has the ball in his hands. He has got the speed to take it the distance. He’s getting better every day. He’s just working hard and trying to learn.” 

Matt Spaeth, who despite a bruised shoulder may play against Indiana Saturday, needs only 44 yards to pass Ben Utecht as the Gophers’ all-time leader in receptions for a tight end. 

Minnesota Wild wives Nicholle Parrish, Jen Rolston, Jessica Schultz and Sarah White will present their husbands’ favorite dessert recipes at The Sugar Association’s Celebrity Bake Sale and Live Auction to benefit Toys for Tots at the Mall of America East Rotunda from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 5. 

Whitney Taney, who finished her high school career last week with a third state singles title and record of 166-0, will focus on building strength and conditioning in the months ahead, according to her father, Ted.  The Edina super star will play in national United States Tennis Association tournaments but not in local USTA tournaments. 

That was sportscaster Randy Shaver’s son, Ryan, who scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery last week in Benilde-St. Margaret’s playoff win over Columbia Heights.  Ryan, a junior, is a defensive end and offensive guard.