Author: David Shama

The Gophers (4-4) and Ohio State (5-3) have similar Big Ten Conference records and both aspire to qualify for the NCAA tournament in March, but Sunday’s game in Columbus is intriguing for more than that.  At least some players don’t have much liking for one another and there’s enough history to believe this could be a physical game.

“…I expect a lot of dirty play, to be honest with you,” Gopher Lawrence Westbrook said.  “It will be a war.”

Westbrook and Ohio State star Evan Turner “talked trash” in the Gophers’ win over the Buckeyes in Minneapolis earlier this month, according to a January 10 story by the Star Tribune.  The newspaper reported that game officials warned the players at halftime about their disapproval of such behavior.  After the game there was reportedly shoving and verbal exchanges involving players from both teams, but other details haven’t been confirmed.

The Big Ten office is expected to alert its game officials about the potentially emotional situation on Sunday, a game that will begin at noon Minneapolis time and be televised by CBS.  Early in the game officials will probably be quick to blow their whistles when they judge there is too much contact between players.  “Trash talking” will likely be monitored closely and technical fouls could result.

When asked recently about potential problems, Gophers coach Tubby Smith made a brief response, saying he doesn’t anticipate incidents.  That’s an expected reply to the media, but emotions will surely be a topic that Smith discusses with his players prior to the game.

As badly as the Gophers could use a signature win against No. 20 ranked Ohio State, it will be a surprise if they win.  The Gophers haven’t impressed much away from Williams Arena.  They have one quality win on a neutral court (Butler) and have lost three of four conference road games.  With a less than glittering 13-7 overall record, the Gophers have three of their next four conference games on the road and with that an opportunity to enhance their potential NCAA tournament resume.

The Gophers were nationally ranked before the season began.  But they lost starting point guard Al Nolen to academic ineligibility earlier this month, and high potential forwards Trevor Mbakwe and Royce White have yet to play in any games because of suspensions.

“I love my team,” Smith said.  “…This is a remarkable group.  I really am proud of the way they have conducted themselves and handled themselves despite some of the…distractions.”

Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton told Sports Headliners he expects the Vikings to make Adrian Peterson’s fumbling problem a priority this off season.

The All-Pro running back had seven fumbles during the regular season and two in last Sunday’s NFC championship loss against New Orleans.  During three seasons in the NFL Peterson has gained over 1,300 yards each year.  He led the NFL in rushing in 2008 with 1,760 yards.  Any discussion of the NFL’s best running back either leads with Peterson or quickly includes him in the conversation.

But even prior to the most recent season and playoffs, fumbling was an issue.  He fumbled nine times during the 2008 regular season and had four fumbles in 2007.

The timing of some fumbles has been costly.  Among the memorable was his overtime fumble in Chicago last December that led to a Vikings’ loss.  The defeat cost the Vikings home field advantage in the NFC title game and possibly an eventual trip to the Super Bowl.

“He’s got way too many fumbles,” Dalton said.  “There’s no question about it.”

Dalton coached running backs under former Vikings head coach Mike Tice.  He follows the Vikings closely because of media assignments on local TV and for Sirius Satellite Radio.  He said Peterson and the Vikings are upset about the fumbling issue.

“Absolutely, they’re concerned about it,” Dalton said.  “They’re completely frustrated, as is the young man.  This isn’t a conscientious thing.  This isn’t a lazy thing.  This is an instinctive thing.  He’s got to…emphasize the fundamentals. …His emphasis now has to be on ball security.”

Dalton regards running backs coach Eric Bieniemy as “detail oriented” and expects him to work with Peterson to correct the fumbling problem.  The consequences of not doing so will bring the same results.

“Because…what happens in the National Football League is that every defender spends time every day in practice working on stripping and punching out (the ball) and creating turnovers,” Dalton said.  “They’re all world class athletes when you get out there.  When Adrian was a man among boys in college he could get away with some of the mechanics because he’s just so powerful.  He’s got strong arms and strong hands.  There should be no reason that he’s having as many fumbles as he is.”

The 6-1, 217 pound Peterson runs with a violent style, intent on breaking tackles and making long runs, seemingly on every carry.  Dalton said Peterson exposes himself to fumbles when he drops the ball down low, or overextends himself trying too hard to fight off a tackler and not having the ball secured.  He must learn to have the proper pressure points on the ball with his hands and arms.

Emphasis on the fundamentals can bring results.  Dalton recalled a season when Vikings running backs fumbled only three times when he was coaching.  He also mentioned how Tiki Barber, who fumbled 35 times during four seasons, corrected his problem when Tom Coughlin became head coach of the New York Giants.

Dalton said “that’s what needs to happen with Adrian Peterson.”  There’s no questioning Peterson’s talent and intensity.  When the problem is corrected, Dalton said “you’re going to have a magnificent player.”

Gophers football coach Tim Brewster and the University of Minnesota have reached agreement on a two year contract extension, according to a source who requested anonymity.  Brewster has been working on a five year contract he signed in 2007 and the extension commits Brewster and the University through 2013.

Brewster and Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi have been negotiating an extension since the close of last season.  The extension signals a commitment by the University to Brewster and comes only days before national signing day next Wednesday when recruits make scholarship commitments to their schools of choice.

Peterson’s backup is Chester Taylor who as an unrestricted free agent can leave the Vikings during the off season.  Dalton predicts that Taylor will want to go elsewhere and be a team’s primary ball carrier. “The Vikings, I would imagine, will make every effort to keep him because of the value that he brings to the team,” Dalton said.  “Regardless of Adrian’s fumble situation, you right now have two starting running backs…which is a huge positive and a tremendous advantage.”

Former Viking Todd Kalis has co-authored a book, Pigskin Dreams, describing the commitment to achieve greatness of 22 Pro Football Hall of Fame players.  Kalis, who was born in Stillwater and later played high school football in Arizona, is in town promoting the book including a book signing from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Magers & Quinn Booksellers in Minneapolis.  Former Viking Paul Krause is among the players included in the book.  More on Pigskin Dreams at https://pigskindreams.com/.

First-ever Twins curator Clyde Doepner’s memorabilia will be at TwinsFest today through Sunday.  His “New Beginnings” exhibit will feature unique items from the franchise’s 50-year history. The three day event at the Metrodome will also include player autograph stations, national anthem auditions for games next season, silent and live auctions, and youth clinics.

Former Timberwolves broadcaster Kevin Harlan will provide play-by-play on Sunday’s CBS telecast of the Gophers-Ohio State game.  (The best basketball broadcast combo this town ever had was when Harlan worked with Kevin McHale on Wolves games.)

The 1960 Ohio State national championship team will be honored during halftime at Sunday’s game in Columbus.  The two-some of center Jerry Lucas and forward John Havlicek still ranks at the top among best duos on one team in Big Ten history.  The Gophers combination of McHale, playing forward, and center Mychal Thompson is one of the best ever, too.

The Gophers couldn’t hold sizeable leads in a home loss to Michigan State last Saturday and almost blew a four point margin with about four minutes to play in their win over Northwestern on Tuesday night.  “Defense is supposed to be our staple so we have to shore that up,” Gopher guard Lawrence Westbrook said.

Statistics earlier this week had Gopher forward Blake Hoffarber second in the country for best three point field goal percentage.  His 48.6 ranked second behind Notre Dame’s Tim Abromaitis, 49.6.

Longtime Minnesota Wild press box greeter Lou Cotroneo announced “Let’s Play Hockey!” before Saturday’s Wild game and was presented with the first-ever State of Hockey Lifetime Achievement Award.  The former Johnson High School coach worked his last Wild game on December 31 so he could devote more time to family.

Wild prospect and Houston Aeros defenseman Maxim Noreau was named the American Hockey League’s Reebok/AHL Player of the week. He had seven points in two games after returning from the AHL All-Star Game.

Wild prospect and Florida Everblades goalie Barry Brust was named the ECHL’s Reebok Hockey Goaltender of the Week. He was 2-0-0, allowing only three goals in back-to-back wins.

Kate Ryan Reiling, captain of Macalester’s 1998 national championship women’s soccer squad, is the new women’s soccer head coach at her alma mater.

Carleton celebrated the 100th anniversary of varsity basketball last Saturday. The men’s teams have played more than 2,000 games, while the women have totaled almost 800. The school has announced its All-Century teams for both men and women. https://apps.carleton.edu/athletics/news_room/?story_id=601275.%20.

Rochester native Eric Butorac, a 2003 graduate of Gustavus, and his partner Rajeev Ram, advanced to the quarterfinals of the doubles draw at the Australian Open.  They missed advancing to the semifinals after a close loss to Bob and Mike Bryan, the No. 1 ranked doubles team in the world.