Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Sky Not Falling on Gophers Football

Posted on October 7, 2015October 7, 2015 by David Shama

Dark clouds above the Minnesota tundra are expected (as usual) this fall but that doesn’t mean the sky is falling on Gophers football.

The pessimists are all atwitter over the Gophers offensive miseries. Indeed, production has been awful. Through five games (four nonconference and one league game), Minnesota ranks last in scoring among Big Ten teams at 15.4 points per game. The Gophers are also last among the 13 other teams in rushing offense (141.2 yards per game) and tied for ninth with Michigan State in pass offense (195.4).

But more of the not so positive details later. The day brightener these days is the Gophers defense—a unit that, despite the loss of injured defensive backs, ranks fourth in the Big Ten versus the pass giving up 154.6 yards per game. The overall defense has lived up to the preseason hype of being among the best units in the Big Ten and although allowing an eighth-best 20.2 points per game the defense has sometimes been put with their backs near the end zone because of miscues not of their doing.

Jerry Kill inherited a mess, including personnel shortages, when he took over the program as Gophers coach after the 2010 season. He set a goal of fixing the defense first and he has done just that. He has also upgraded the kicking game with senior Peter Mortell being one of the nation’s better punters. Sophomore Ryan Santoso has a powerful leg and he has shown accuracy in his early career while both kicking off and booting field goals.

Kill is five games into his fifth season at Minnesota. His overall record is 28-28. In the last 29 years the Gophers have had two other head coaches who were around long enough to coach 56 games—Glen Mason with a 25-31 record and John Gutekunst, 26-28-2.

The opinion here is Kill is the best coach at Minnesota since Lou Holtz made a stopover (1984 and 1985) between assignments at Arkansas and Notre Dame. In the last two seasons the Gophers have twice had overall records of 8-5, with 4-4 and 5-3 records in the Big Ten. The 1999 and 2000 seasons were the last ones the Gophers were at .500 or better in the Big Ten during consecutive years.

The Gophers are 9-6 in their last 15 conference games. The 9-6 ties Iowa for the fourth best mark in the Big Ten during that period. Excluding the results of Big Ten title games, the records of other teams include Ohio State 15-0, Michigan State 14-1, Wisconsin 12-3, Nebraska 8-7, and Michigan and Penn State, both 6-9.

Kill has turned around the football program beyond the playing field. His team collectively had a 3.04 GPA last spring semester and his players are earning their degrees after he inherited a program where players were on academic probation and not attending classes. Also, ask the University police and Minneapolis police if there hasn’t been a dramatic change in off-field behavior.

This week the University Board of Regents is expected to approve detailed plans to move ahead on the $190 million project to improve athletics facilities. Included in that project will be a badly needed new football practice facility. Kill has been adamant about such a facility becoming a reality and has hinted he might not be at Minnesota long-term without it.

Without Kill, the reported $80 million or so that has been fundraised wouldn’t be in place. He is the single most important fundraiser in the athletic department and millions of dollars have been donated because of him.

The anticipated good news about the athletic facilities project is well timed after the offensive debacle at Northwestern. The Wildcats, who shut out Minnesota 27-0, have one of the Big Ten’s best defenses but the Gophers’ biggest obstacle offensively is themselves.

It’s disappointing that after five seasons the Gophers haven’t developed an above average Big Ten quarterback. Instead, there has been a parade of quarterbacks unable to consistently perform at a high level. Kill and his staff developed outstanding quarterbacks in just three seasons at Northern Illinois. Look for them to get the QB riddle solved by next year, perhaps with true freshman Demry Croft who has promising skills both passing and running.

The offensive line has made many misplays this season, another disappointment since that unit was supposed to be among the best in the Big Ten’s West Division. Injuries have kept starters Ben Lauer and Jon Christenson from playing, although Christenson is expected back for Saturday’s game at Purdue. Injuries have slowed other players and forced the coaches to reshuffle assignments. The results have been a mess with the Gophers sometimes unable to pass block or run block.

The offense’s failures include an inability to make long gains. Freshman running backs Rodney Smith (one 30 yard run) and Shannon Brooks (40 yards) show some big play potential but the Gophers are still looking for receivers to consistently step up.

The Gophers might be advised to focus on a power run game, rather than use it occasionally along with their spread offense. Load up the offense with extra tight ends and a blocking fullback. Run not only using the tailbacks, but also let the quarterbacks carry the ball. Both Croft and Mitch Leidner are effective runners, with Croft offering elusiveness while Leidner runs with power.

The offense needs a spark and it seems likely both Croft and Leidner, who has been the starter since going back to last season, will play at Purdue. One or both of them could make plays with their feet and arms to give Minnesota a lift against a less than impressive Boilermakers defense. Purdue is giving up a Big Ten worst 33 points per game.

If the offense can raise its level of play and the defense can cause turnovers, and turn them into points, the dark skies over the program will fade at least for next Saturday. A win gives the Gophers a 4-2 record and moves them within two victories of bowl eligibility.

If Minnesota earns a 2015 bowl win, that will be the program’s first postseason victory since 2004. That would lift spirits, too, as fans anticipate a much less demanding schedule in 2016 than the Gophers are facing in 2015. Michigan and Ohio State go off the schedule while Maryland and Rutgers come on. A better Minnesota record in 2016 is likely.

Gophers fans down in the dumps can remember success doesn’t always follow an ascending line on a chart. Consider nationally-ranked 5-0 Northwestern, riding high at the moment, but coming off consecutive 5-7 seasons. Iowa is also 5-0 after a 7-6 record last season. Head coach Kirk Ferentz, the longest tenured head coach in the Big Ten season, came into this season on the hot seat.

Yeah, short-term things aren’t so cheery with the Gophers because of on-field scoring problems this fall. But big picture—including the successes already achieved, the new facilities coming and Kill’s commitment to coaching here—things look much better. The sky isn’t falling, and brighter days are ahead.

Big Ten Power Rankings

1. Ohio State (5-0, 1-0): As the nation’s No. 1 ranked team, the Buckeyes are targeted for each team’s best shot.

2. Michigan State (5-0, 1-0): Spartans not playing like a top-five ranked team and after a warm-up game Saturday at Rutgers better get ready for October 17 at Michigan.

3. Michigan (4-1, 1-0): After an opening loss to nationally-ranked Utah, the Wolverines have outscored their opponents 122 to 14.

4. Northwestern (5-0, 1-0): Wildcats now in a key schedule stretch with games at Michigan on Saturday and then home versus Iowa.

5. Iowa (5-0, 1-0): The planets align for the Hawkeyes every few years—and this might be one of them.

6. Wisconsin: (3-2, 0-1): These may not be Barry Alvarez’s, Bret Bielema’s or Gary Andersen’s Badgers.

7. Penn State (4-1, 1-0): After the offensive line faltered in opening game loss to Temple, Nittany Lions looking better.

8. Illinois (4-1, 1-0): Illini made an upgrade in August when interim coach Bill Cubit took over for Tim Beckman.

9. Minnesota (3-2, 0-1): Gophers might have the most unproductive offense in the Big Ten after producing a total of 37 points in the last three games.

10. Nebraska (2-3, 0-1): Huskers can’t win the close games, losing three by a total of nine points, and that’s no endorsement of new coach Mike Riley and his staff.

11. Indiana (4-1, 0-1): After a softie nonconference schedule and close loss to OSU, much more will be learned about the Hoosiers after their game at Penn State on Saturday.

12. Purdue (1-4, 0-1): Boilers got a moral victory in 24-21 loss at Michigan State last week. You better believe they’re thinking real win against the Gophers.

13. Rutgers (2-2, 0-1): Wins over Norfolk State and FBS punching bag Kansas don’t impress.

14. Maryland (2-3, 0-1): Porous Terps defense gave up 121 points in losses to Bowling Green, West Virginia and Michigan. No relief in sight as Maryland plays at Ohio State on Saturday.

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Twins President Wants Hunter Back

Posted on October 5, 2015October 5, 2015 by David Shama

Torii Hunter didn’t play yesterday as the Twins ended their 2015 season at Target Field, losing 6-1 to the Royals. It might have been Hunter’s final game as a major leaguer because the 40-year-old was indefinite about his future when interviewed yesterday morning on WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle.

Hunter will talk during the offseason with his family about his future and added if he had to decide now it’s probable he will retire. Hunter, who mentioned he doesn’t want to take anti-inflammatory substances, said his plans after baseball aren’t certain but he wants to remain part of the Twins organization.

Hunter played regular right field for the Twins and hit .240 with 22 home runs and 81 RBI (second best on the team). His clubhouse leadership for a team that ended four years of 90-plus loss seasons in 2015 is well documented. The Twins finished with an 83-79 record and chased a wild card spot almost to season’s end.

“I’d love to have Torii back,” Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners today. “I’d love Torii to be in our clubhouse into perpetuity. He’s just a tremendous asset. He’s somebody that makes teams better. He’s a winner.”

Dave St. Peter (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins)

Even if Hunter decides to retire, St. Peter wants to see more of the outfielder who came up through the organization and played part or all of 12 seasons in a Twins uniform. “Ultimately, I’d be hopeful, whether he’s playing or not, that long term he’s going to be part of our organization in some way because I think in his heart he’s a Twin,” St. Peter said.

St. Peter is under the impression Hunter won’t do anything regarding a decision for 2016 until November at the earliest. St. Peter expects clarity on the issue before year end.

Hunter reportedly was paid $10.5 million this season on a one-year deal. St. Peter doesn’t know if the Twins will offer the same compensation but doesn’t expect next year will be about money. It will be about how Hunter is physically, how he feels he can contribute to team success and what his role will be with the club.

With Hunter’s career success and charisma, his post-baseball options appear numerous. He could be in demand by both national and local media for broadcast work. Also, St. Peter sees Hunter as a “powerful” influence as a Twins minor league consultant working to develop players. He also said Hunter has expressed interest in learning about front office responsibilities as a club general manager or president.

In the coming weeks Hunter will have to weigh the pros and cons of continuing his career including the physical demands of a long season. “Torii is in remarkable shape,” St. Peter said. “He takes care of his body, but only he knows the toll of a baseball season and what it takes on him.”

Worth Noting

Twins rookie DH and third baseman Miguel Sano hit 18 home runs and drove in 52 runs in 275 at bats. In a full season he might have doubled all three of those numbers.

Miguel Sano (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins)

Sano and center fielder Byron Buxton gained major league experience this season. St. Peter said Sano is interested in playing winter baseball but it’s not decided whether he will. Buxton will not, focusing on gaining strength and training during the offseason. In 129 rookie at bats Buxton hit two home runs, with six RBI and a .206 batting average.

Twins second baseman Brian Dozier and third baseman Trevor Plouffe delivered career years at bat. Dozier hit a team-best 28 home runs and drove in 77 runs, while Plouffe hit 22 homers and led the club with 86 RBI.

Although Ervin Santana lost his last game of the season Friday night, next year he could be the staff ace the Twins have been in search of for a long time. Santana missed the first 80 games of the season because of a suspension by MLB but he finished 2015 impressively. The loss Friday night was his first since August 19. He pitched seven innings, giving up two runs on four hits. He finished the season with seven straight quality starts, going 5-1 with a 1.62 ERA in 50 innings, with 14 walks and 47 strikeouts.

Although it’s a minimal decrease, Twins home attendance declined for a sixth consecutive season. The club attracted 2,220,054 fans after drawing 2,250,606 last year.

Former Gopher and Twin Dave Winfield, whose big baseball career ended with the Indians 20 years ago, had his 64th birthday last Saturday.

Duluth Huskies pitcher Toby Anderson is one of nine Northwoods League players who won the Rawlings “Finest in the Field” Award for the 2015 season. Anderson, who will be a sophomore contending for a starting pitching role with the Gophers next season, had a 1.000 fielding percentage. That’s the same percentage he had last season with the Gophers.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer likes his team but isn’t ready to proclaim it a “good team” after four games and a 2-2 start including yesterday’s 23-20 loss to the 4-0 Broncos. He wants his players to execute better and focus on doing their assignments.

Asked about defensive lineman Linval Joseph at his news conference today, Zimmer praised him as “unselfish.” He said Joseph is interested in a team approach and doesn’t put himself first. Joseph, now in his second season with the Vikings, said he is more comfortable with the defensive system than last year.

The Broncos are one of the NFL’s best teams and Joseph was encouraged about the game. “I feel like yesterday showed us a lot about our team,” he said. “We’re going to fight to the end. We’re not going to give up.”

The Broncos led the Vikings 13-0 in the first half but by late in the game it was 20-20 before Denver made the winning field goal. The Vikings still had a chance before Broncos safety T.J. Ward caused quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to fumble under pressure. The Vikings allowed seven sacks and today Zimmer was asked about the pass protection of Adrian Peterson. Zimmer said his All-Pro running back is successful at pass protection and works at it.

The Vikings won’t practice after Wednesday and are off until next Monday because of their October 11 bye in the schedule. Defensive back Brock Vereen, the former Gophers safety added to the Vikings practice squad last week, said he will stay in town and work with coaches to learn the defense.

Eden Prairie High School football coach Mike Grant and his staff have led the Eagles to 37 straight wins. Senior linebacker Carter Coughlin said the coaches have taught the players about more than winning. “The coaches are all men of character, and they’re all men that all the players respect. They don’t encourage us to cheap shot ever, (or) do any of that other crap.”

The Amazing Hondo, the popular Minnesota-based magician, performed recently at a golf charity event in San Diego where he met one of his basketball heroes, Hall of Famer Bill Walton. “He is taller than tall,” Hondo said via e-mail. “When I brought up my favorite point guard, Steve Nash, his eyes lit up and he quipped, ‘Steve Nash—too small, too weak, too slow—defied all the naysayer odds. He was my favorite player to watch. He made everyone around him better—the mark of a true point guard.’ “

St. Paul resident and veteran official Kristine (Langley) Morrison, who has worked four NCAA Women’s Frozen Four tournaments, was part of the officiating crew for the Ferris State men’s intrasquad game last Saturday and the team’s exhibition game against the University of Lethbridge Sunday. That’s a first, involving a female on-ice official for a Division I men’s game.

“We are exploring new evaluation and development paths for our female officials,” said WCHA Men’s Commissioner Bill Robertson and Women’s Commissioner Aaron Kemp in a joint statement. “Kristine has consistently been rated among the top on-ice officials in the women’s league and is certainly deserving of this opportunity for continued professional growth.”

The October 5 issue of Sports Illustrated noted that the late Roy Griak didn’t see his namesake cross-country meet last month for the first time in 30 years. Griak, who died in July at age 91, won Big Ten track and cross-country championships as Gophers coach. The Roy Griak Invitational is one of the best-known cross-country events in the nation.

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Coughlin Gives Spielman Gopher Hints

Posted on October 2, 2015October 2, 2015 by David Shama

Carter Coughlin hasn’t given up on Eden Prairie High School football teammate J.D. Spielman changing his mind about playing for Nebraska. Coughlin has verbally committed to the Gophers and hasn’t been bashful about encouraging other high school prospects to follow him to Minnesota.

Coughlin committed to his home state school last winter, while Spielman announced for Nebraska this summer. The two Eden Prairie teenagers are captains and buddies. Coughlin told Sports Headliners he was disappointed to learn Spielman chose Nebraska over Minnesota but he understands and respects the decision.

Still, that doesn’t mean Coughlin has lost interest in seeing Spielman sign a National Letter of Intent with the Gophers next winter when high school players can make official commitments. “I make hints every now and then but for the most part I am not drilling him too hard,” Coughlin said.

Spielman likes how the slot receiver is used in the Nebraska offense, so that’s provided an opportunity for Coughlin to promote Minnesota and its slot specialist, KJ Maye. “Whenever I am at the Gopher games and KJ Maye makes a play I always take a video of what he did, or whatever, and say this is you out there, or something like that,” Coughlin said. “He chuckles, but that’s pretty much the most I do.”

Eden Prairie is 6-0 and considered the best prep football team in the state. Spielman has been an extraordinary game changer and headline-maker with long runs and touchdowns. He is a headache for defenses with his ability to run and elude tacklers on rushes, pass receptions, punts and kickoffs. Opposing offenses see plenty of Spielman too when he plays in the Eden Prairie secondary where he is a continual threat to intercept passes and run them back for touchdowns.

“J.D. has been making a ton of plays,” Coughlin said. “He’s got like the most incredible vision of any high school player I’ve ever seen. The way he can minupulate his body (is special). Before you even know what you’re going to do, he knows what you’re going to do. It’s pretty incredible.”

Coughlin and Spielman are two of the top college prospects in the Upper Midwest. Coughlin turned down Ohio State for Minnesota. He played defensive end for Eden Prairie last season but has been moved to linebacker, the position he will play at Minnesota. He is 6-foot-4 and his weight is up to about 220 with the goal of adding 10 more pounds before he becomes a Gopher. He has run close to 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. “I’ve kept my speed and I’ve just gotten bigger,” he said.

The Eagles have won 36 straight games and are targeting another 6A title. Coughlin believes this year’s team is better than last season’s champs. “We’ve been running over teams that we’ve been playing,” he said. “Maple Grove gave us a really good game, but to be honest with you we didn’t play very well. So the fact that we beat one of the top teams in the state when we had an off game just goes to show that if we’re playing at our full potential we can beat anybody in the state.”

Eden Prairie defeated Maple Grove by eight points early last month. It was the kind of close game the Eagles always seem to find a way to win under coach Mike Grant and his staff.

“It’s kind of our identity at Eden Prairie,” Coughlin said. “The coaches have created a culture that is unquestionably a winning culture. You look at coach Grant’s statistics (winning record) and he instills that in you right from freshman year. You go in your freshman year, and you’re expecting to beat everybody.”

Grant has a saying that you don’t have to be a great player, just make great plays. “He believes you don’t have to have a bunch of great players that are all going Division I, you just have to have a bunch of players that are going to play great,” Coughlin said.

With Coughlin and Spielman, Grant has players who are great talents who play that way.

Worth Noting

Gophers interim athletic director Beth Goetz told Sports Headliners the University of Minnesota Board of Regents will be presented the final design and plan details next week for the proposed $190 million athletic facilities project. “We feel good about where we are with that presentation and are hopeful we will get approval,” Goetz said.

Approval could come next Thursday as the regents gather for two days to review University matters. The project will include an Athletes Village to benefit the more than 700 Gopher athletes, and new practice facilities for the football and basketball teams. Goetz said groundbreaking details could be announced next week.

Although fundraising revenues aren’t in place to cover the entire project cost, the University is expected to finance remaining expenses. Look for a Sports Headliners feature next week profiling Goetz, who assumed her new responsibilities last summer replacing AD Norwood Teague.

Justin Jackson, Northwestern’s sophomore running back who the Gophers will see tomorrow in Evanston, is second among Big Ten Conference runners with 516 yards and is averaging 129 yards per game in four games. He has rushed for at least 100 yards in nine of his last 11 games. The Gophers recruited the Carol Stream, Illinois native. “If you don’t get him wrapped up, he’s going to bounce off of you, and you don’t want to give him any creases,” Gophers coach Jerry Kill said.

Craig James, who was steady and impressive returning punts for the Gophers last year as a freshman, has struggled with judgment and ball security in 2015. Receivers KJ Maye and Drew Wolitarsky have experience as Gophers punt returners and might be options if James is replaced tomorrow. Wolitarsky suffered a concussion last Saturday against Ohio but Kill said earlier this week the junior will be available in Evanston.

Despite marketing itself as “Chicago’s Big Ten team,” the Wildcats have difficulty attracting fans to home games at Ryan Field. The stadium’s capacity is 47,330, the smallest in the 14-member Big Ten Conference. The 4-0 and nationally ranked Wildcats have played three games at home this season, reporting attendance of 36,024 (Stanford), 29,131 (Eastern Illinois) and 30,107 (Ball State).

Tomorrow’s game against the 3-1 Gophers won’t come close to selling out. Minnesota, though, has sold out its first three home games for the first time since the 2009 season. That was the opening year at TCF Bank Stadium.

Northwestern is ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the Amway Coaches Poll. Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner said his team can compete with anyone and deserves to be ranked. “We feel like we should be,” he said. “Being 3-1 and the schedule we played in the nonconference, we feel we should have that opportunity as well.”

The NCAA annually recognizes academic progress rates for teams that are in the top 10 percent of all teams in each sport. In May the NCAA recognized 79 percent of Northwestern’s teams in various sports, the best ranking of any FBS school. The Gophers ranked fifth nationally with 58 percent of their teams.

Adrian Peterson (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Despite gaining only 31 yards in the opening game, Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing yards after three games with 291 yards. The Vikings play the Broncos on Sunday and Denver’s defense is No. 1 in the NFL. The Broncos rank No. 6 in the league against the rush, No. 1 versus the pass.

Minneapolis-born Ryan Harris has been a starter at offensive tackle for the Broncos in their first three games. Denver assistant coaches Fred Pagac (outside linebackers) and Joe Woods (defensive backs) are former Vikings assistants.

The Vikings have tickets available for their remaining six regular season home games including with the Packers on November 22. A team spokesman said the club has sold 86 percent of its seat license inventory and 90 percent of its suites in the new U.S. Bank Stadium.

The most attention given to MIAC football on Saturday will likely be the game between Bethel and Concordia, two teams with 3-1 overall records. The Royals are 2-0 in league games, while the Cobbers, who host the game, are 1-1. Concordia is giving up only 13.8 points per game, while Bethel is allowing 17.

Playmakers on offense include Bethel running back Marshall Klitzke and Cobber receiver Brandon Zylstra. Klitzke is second in the MIAC with 509 rushing yards and has five scores. Zylstra has 16 catches for 289 yards and two touchdowns.

Both teams have new quarterbacks this season. Bethel’s Trey Anderson has completed 71 percent of his passes, while throwing seven touchdown passes and no interceptions. Michael Herzog threw for 211 yards and a score last week in leading the Cobbers to 37 points in a win over St. Olaf.

If the Twins could sweep the Royals with wins tonight, Saturday and Sunday they would finish the season series with 10 victories and nine losses against the Central Division champs. Saturday’s game time was switched from an evening start to 12:05 p.m. at the request of Fox Sports.

With three games remaining in the season, the 83-76 Twins are a cinch to finish above .500 for the first time since 2010 when they were 94-68. The Twins were 5-2 on the last road trip that ended in Cleveland with a win last night. Minnesota finished 15-13 in September, the most wins in one month since April when the club was 20-7.

Former Twins Rod Carew and Jeff Reardon had 70^th and 60^th birthdays yesterday.

Prominent sports agent Ron Shapiro, who represents Twins first baseman Joe Mauer, spoke about negotiations recently to a group of Minnesota business and nonprofit leaders at the Metropolitan Club at Target Field. The event organizer was the National Mentoring Partnership, based in Boston and led by Shapiro’s son David.

The Lynx won both of their games during the regular season against the Indiana Fever. The teams open the WNBA Finals on Sunday at Target Center in the best three of five series. Sunday’s game will be televised by ABC, with the remaining games, including next Tuesday, on ESPN.

The Wild purchased 500 tickets for Sunday’s game to be made available complimentary to the first 250 fans requesting tickets on the Lynx website. The Wolves Tyus Jones and the Twins were involved with purchases for Western Conference semifinals games.

Joe Schmit, the KSTP TV sports anchor, said sales for his book have reached 13,000. Sudden Impact: Stories of Influence through Purpose, Persistence & Passion is now in its third printing.

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