Author: David Shama

All-time Gophers career rushing yards leader Darrell Thompson likes Minnesota redshirt freshman running back Donnell Kirkwood “a lot” and told Sports Headliners the 5-10, 215 pound Delray Beach, Florida native is probably the school’s most physical runner since Marion Barber III.

Kirkwood made his 2011 running back debut last week against Miami (Ohio), gaining 55 yards on 13 carries.  His bullish running style is a welcome addition to a team that has struggled in short yardage situations, including near the goal line.

Gophers coach Jerry Kill said Kirkwood “ran over a couple of safeties” in the Miami game.  “He’s a deliberate runner that doesn’t think about going around people,” Thompson said.  “He goes over them.”

Kirkwood played in four games last season but was granted a medical hardship waiver, meaning that starting this season he has four years of remaining eligibility.  He carried the ball 27 times for 112 yards last season.

In the Miami game Kirkwood had six more carries than Minnesota’s starting running back Duane Bennett, apparently an indication of the opportunity Kill and offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover want to provide Kirkwood.

Thompson, who provides color commentary on the Gophers radio network, said Kirkwood’s potential is “high” but like any inexperienced back it will take time for him to learn and mature.  Still, Thompson is intrigued about how Kirkwood can help the offense, including in those goal line situations with his power running.

“It’s a big deal to have a back you can give the ball to (near the goal line),” Thompson said.

Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters had a big league career lasting less than two months with the Twins in 1969.  A change in major league baseball pension policy now includes players with minimal playing time so recently Walters received a check for $540 that he plans to frame.  He and other players who previously hadn’t been part of MLB’s pension program will receive annual checks in future years.

When Mariano Rivera broke Trevor Hoffman’s career major league saves record this week it prompted some thought about an all-time baseball team.  Here’s an offering: Rivera as the closer, Sandy Koufax starting pitcher, Johnny Bench catching, Lou Gehrig first base, Rogers Hornsby second base, Cal Ripken shortstop, Mike Schmidt third base, Babe Ruth right field, Willie Mays center field and Ted Williams left field.

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, a former Twin, was voted the “meanest player in baseball” in a major league baseball players poll, according to the September 19 issue of Sports Illustrated.  In another poll, ex-Twin Jim Thome, now with Cleveland, was voted MLB’s nicest player, according to the magazine.

The three leading rushers per game in the Big Ten are quarterbacks, Michigan’s Denard Robinson (153), Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez (128) and Minnesota’s MarQueis Gray (109.33).  Those averages place them third, eighth and 23^rd among NCAA leading rushers.

The North Dakota State team the Gophers play tomorrow night at TCF Bank Stadium is 2-0 and ranked No. 12 nationally in the FCS coaches poll.   Minnesota is 7-1 all-time against North Dakota State but lost to the Bison in 2007 and needed to block a field goal in 2006 to win.  The Bison roster is loaded with Minnesota natives and Gophers coach Jerry Kill expects North Dakota State to “play their best game” tomorrow.

The 1-2 Gophers lost to nationally ranked USC and were upset by New Mexico State before needing a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown to defeat Miami (Ohio) last week.  “We are still a long way from being very good,” Kill said.

Gophers cornerback Michael Carter was a much anticipated Florida recruit when he signed with Minnesota in 2009.   He started six games his first two seasons but hasn’t played in the first three games this year.  Kill said there are no discipline problems with Carter and although he isn’t unhappy with him, “just maybe I expect more at this point in time.”

Although the Lions have lost 19 of the last 22 games against the Vikings since 2000, Detroit will be about a three point favorite on Sunday here.  Kevin Seifert from ESPN.com reports this is the first week since the Vikings started playing at the Metrodome (1982) that Detroit has been favored in Minneapolis.

Vikings offensive tackle Phil Loadholt and his fiancée Shannon have a son named Cameron born on September 6.

Rookie Vikings defensive tackle Christian Ballard played with former Cretin Derham-Hall star Broderick Binns at Iowa.  Ballard believes Binns, a defensive end, will be drafted by an NFL team next season and praises his friend’s work ethic.  A large wing span is another Binns asset and can help provide leverage on offensive players.  “He has the longest arms I’ve ever seen,” Ballard said.

Toby Gerhart had a 41-yard pass reception and rushed twice for 36 yards                 last week against the Bucs.  With a year’s NFL experience now, Gerhart is more confident about himself and comfortable in the Vikings’ system.  He said he didn’t “enjoy” last year that much.

Budget cuts at WCCO-TV mean that starting next month, part-time sports reporter Eric Nelson will no longer be working for the station.  Nelson also works for WCCO Radio.

Tomorrow afternoon’s Wild preseason game in Pittsburgh against the Penguins will be on the NHL Network.  The Wild plays its first home preseason game tonight versus Columbus.

The way Jared Allen sees it the Vikings will know a lot more about themselves by late Sunday afternoon.

“We’ll find out what kind of team we are,” the Vikings defensive end told Sports Headliners.  “We gotta bounce back.  We gotta do something.”

An 0-3 start by next week doesn’t kill all hope for the playoffs, but it’s one hell of a threat.  On Sunday the Vikings play their first NFC North game of the season − against the undefeated Lions.  If the Vikings lose and go to 0-3 they would then be in a difficult spot playing catch-up in one of the NFL’s best divisions.  Already the Packers and Lions are 2-0, the Bears 1-1.

What kind of team will the Vikings learn they are? Well, there’s plenty of criticism about the Vikings because they blew halftime leads in both their losses, showing everyone including themselves that a single half of productive football won’t win games.  But those games were close, 24-17 and 24-20 losses, and came against the Chargers, a Super Bowl favorite, and the Bucs, a promising young team that’s made a reputation for fourth quarter comebacks.

The Vikings are far from ranking with the NFL elite but they’re no expansion team either.  It’s too early to lose perspective on the positives of this team including a respectable defense with Allen, Kevin Williams (returns from suspension this week), Chad Greenway and Antoine Winfield, an offense that features two of the league’s most explosive playmakers in Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin, plus a kicking game featuring Ryan Longwell and Chris Kluwe that can put points on the scoreboard and dictate field position. “We know we’re a good team and we’re gonna prove it,” said rookie Christian Ballard.

Greenway acknowledges the frustration of players and fans. “It’s early (in the schedule).  We got a long ways to go but we know our fans are going to be frustrated,” he said. “We know they have a right to be.  We’re all frustrated because we’re working.  It’s not like we’re not trying to get anything done.  We’re out there working hard every day. That’s what makes it even harder.”

The next few days will challenge the players and coaches a lot. “This is going to be a rough week, and we have to stick together, and hope you guys (media) aren’t too hard on us,” Greenway said.

The Lions have impressed not only with their record but by defeating a quality team in the Bucs on the road, 27-20, and destroying a faltering Chiefs team, 48-3. “They’re (Lions) very capable of coming here and winning,” Greenway said.  “If we don’t play for 60 minutes we’re not going to beat anybody.”