Author: David Shama

The Gophers will enter tomorrow’s game at home against Penn State (3-3) as more than a touchdown underdog.  The Nittany Lions can’t be too impressed with Minnesota’s record, 1-6.

That might give Minnesota an edge and interim coach Jeff Horton expects the Gophers will dedicate the game to fired coach Tim Brewster.  “I think so,” Horton said.  “It was really emotional in here on Sunday (when Brewster said goodbye).  You could tell.”

Penn State is 0-2 in Big Ten games.  The Nittany Lions have often struggled this season to score points including producing a total of 16 in the first two league games.

Since taking over as interim coach on Sunday, Horton has received hundreds of fan emails about MarQueis Gray but don’t expect Gray to replace Adam Weber at quarterback.  “Our best chance for success right now (is) with Adam at quarterback and MarQueis at wide receiver,” Horton said.

Horton was offensive coordinator when he and Brewster approved making Gray, perhaps the best athlete on the team, both a quarterback and wide receiver.  Gray, a sophomore, hasn’t taken a game snap this season at quarterback for the Gophers.

Among the most common storylines in football is for fans to want a quarterback change on a losing team.  But while Weber has been inconsistent throwing the ball, he has the approval of Horton and before that Brewster.  Gray has boosted the talent pool at wide receiver, catching 26 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns.  His ability to both catch the ball and make runs gives the Gophers an impressive pair of wide receivers with Da’ Jon McKnight.

Gray was troubled with plantar fasciitis earlier in the season but is healthier now. Opposing defenses have been focusing on Gray and he hasn’t been as effective as earlier in the season.

Based on their aggressive player acquisition moves in recent seasons and willingness to sign Joe Mauer to a $184 million contract, look for the Twins front office to improve the team during the off-season.

The Twins have two choices before next season begins.   Management can make a few minor adjustments to the roster and probably win another Central Division title.  Or option two is to face the reality that without a major personnel move or two there’s not much possibility of the team advancing to the World Series after winning the division.

In the post-Carl Pohlad era the Twins are likely not satisfied with just packing the home ballpark and being Central Division champs.  The club is receiving criticism following another winless post-season when the team looked overmatched in ability and emotion.

Acquiring right handed pitcher Fausto Carmona from the lifeless Cleveland franchise would be a good start for the Twins.  Carmona, 6-4, 230, is only 27 and might develop into a strong starter for the Twins.

The Twins have to be searching for pitchers who can do more than pitch to contact.  They need a few overpowering arms capable of occasionally silencing the bats of the Yankees and the other best teams in the American League.

Carmona, although an innings eater and a pitcher who might be available, isn’t a strikeout starter but there’s a “hometown boy” out there who is intriguing.  Josh Johnson was born in Minneapolis, became a major league prospect in Oklahoma, and has been a power pitcher for Florida.  The Marlins right-hander, 26, had an extraordinary season in 2010 with an 11-6 record, 2.30 ERA and 186 strikeouts in 183.2 innings.

Kansas City’s Zach Greinke, a 27-year-old right-hander, could really perk things up around here, too.  He struck out 242 batters in 229.1 innings in 2009.  The Royals need to find ways to improve their ball club a lot and might listen to the right deal.

The Minnesota roster needs a few bats that won’t whimper in the playoffs, too.  It seems like bringing 41-year-old Jim Thome back is a mandate because of his power and experience.  If Justin Morneau doesn’t play next season because of his concussion, a Thome return is even more vital.

It will be an interesting off-season in the Twins front office when things “heat up” this winter.

The University regents will not be involved in selecting the next Gophers football coach.  “That’s not our job,” said regent Dean Johnson.

NBC will televise Sunday night’s Vikings at Green Bay game and KARE 11 president John Remes believes interest in the game will be similar to last year’s impressive TV numbers when the two teams met in an October game.  He emailed Sports Headliners that last year’s household rating was 58.3, meaning 58.3 percent of this market’s 1,732,000 homes were tuned in.  That translates to 1,009,756 actual homes.  He predicts a 44.6 rating on Sunday’s telecast for people 18 or older…1,477,000 viewers.

The Vikings defense has allowed 83 first downs in five games, the least in the NFL.

Wide receiver Randy Moss is ninth in career NFL receptions with 944 after catching five passes last Sunday in the win over Dallas.

Vikings “escape specialist” Percy Harvin and Josh Cribbs of Cleveland are the only players in the league to return three kickoffs for touchdowns in their careers.  Harvin set a Vikings record for the longest return last Sunday, 95 yards.

Vikings third year reserve running back Albert Young had hoped to be playing more this season.  He’s frustrated with participating in two of five games, having three carries for two yards.  “You do what you can do,” he said.

Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton is involved with 3D Sports Technology, an innovative developer of animation and software tools that help with instruction and understanding for participants, coaches and fans.  https://www.f5-sim.com/commerce/inthenews/inthenews.asp?id_passed=239

Gopher senior goalie Alex Kangas is third in school career saves with 2,674.  Kellen Briggs (2,968 saves) and Adam Hauser (3,777 saves) are the only players ahead of Kangas.

After a 5-2 impressive start in pre-season, predictions have the Timberwolves winning six to 12 games more than last season (15-67 record).  Forward Kevin Love may prove worthy of NBA All-Star game consideration.

Minnesota State High School League executive director Dave Stead will be the speaker at the C.O.R.E.S. luncheon on Thursday, November 11 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington.  C.O.R.E.S. organization members can make reservations by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.  (C.O.R.E.S. is an abbreviation for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans).

Brainerd’s Ron Stolski and Verndale’s Mike Mahlen, the two state prep football coaches with the most all-time career wins at 327, both won games on Wednesday night.  Brainerd is 8-0 while Verndale’s record is  2-6.

Former KSTP TV sports anchor Rod Simons is hosting a new show debuting Sunday on Fox 9 at 10:30 a.m.  Game On! will offer fans interviews and an in-depth look at the Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, Twins and Golden Gophers, plus an MIAC  segment each week.

A Homecoming crowd approaching 7,000 is possible at UST’s O’Shaughnessy Stadium tomorrow.  No. 4-ranked St. Thomas (7-0 overall, 5-0 MIAC) and No. 20-ranked Bethel (6-0, 4-0) will meet in a much anticipated game with kickoff at 1 p.m.  With a win Bethel can move closer to its fifth MIAC title in 11 seasons, while UST is trying to open a season 8-0 for the first time since 1956.  Bethel has 20 rushing  touchdowns and allowed just one.  UST has impressive offensive balance in touchdowns (20 rushing, 21 passing) and yards per game (215 rushing, 217 passing).  There will be a video web cast at www.mnsportsnetwork.com.