Author: David Shama

Gophers football coach Tim Brewster addressed rumors about his interest in the Kansas football coaching vacancy this afternoon.

“I have had no contact regarding the position,” Brewster told Sports Headliners.  “I haven’t spoken to anybody.  I have no interest in any other job besides the University of Minnesota.”

In answering questions about how the rumors may have started, Brewster said it wasn’t possible that anyone representing him officially or as a friend might have contacted Kansas officials without his knowledge.  Yesterday published stories linked the Gophers coach with the Kansas position which opened recently with the firing coach Mark Mangino.

Brewster has two years remaining on his contract and he wants to build the Gophers into a Big Ten champion.  Brewster said today that he and Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi have discussed the topic of a contract extension but didn’t reveal details or timing.

The rumors of Brewster being a candidate for the vacancy at Kansas added an unwelcome element to the Gophers football situation.  Concern No. 1 is the negative impact on recruiting.  A question about who will be the head coach is a sure way to cause recruits to lose interest. This month the Gophers and other football programs are heavily involved with recruiting high school and junior college players for next season.

Brewster’s commitment to Minnesota will also encourage his supporters who have been confused by the rumors.  They see Brewster as a dedicated coach and recruiter trying to rebuild a program that for years hasn’t been able to win even half of its Big Ten Conference games.

The Gophers football team is scheduled to begin practice for its Insight Bowl game this afternoon.  Tomorrow a news conference with bowl representatives is to be held on campus to help promote the December 31 game in Tempe, Arizona between Minnesota and Iowa State.

The Gophers finished their regular season at 6-6.  A win over Iowa State would give Minnesota a 7-6 record, the same as last year.

With acknowledgment to his status as the No. 1 prep football recruit in the country, Cretin Derham-Hall coach Mike Scanlan told Sports Headliners on Sunday that Raiders offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson could be “king of the Twin Cities” if Henderson decides to play for the Gophers.

Scanlan said Henderson, about 6-8, 330, will visit 2008 national champion Florida this weekend.  Rated the No. 1 prep prospect in the country regardless of position by Rivals. com and others, Henderson made an official recruiting visit to Southern California last weekend.

Scanlan was asked if he had insight about where Henderson will attend college. “No, I really don’t know,” he answered.  “I do think, though, the Gophers are in the mix.  He might not have made an official visit there but I think there’s a lure of staying close to home, and kind of if he signs with the U he’s king of the Twin Cities automatically.

“I like their line coach Tim Davis.  Seems like a good guy.  The head man I don’t pay as much attention to as your position coach because that’s who you’re going to live with and watch films so to speak.  So you gotta be able to get along with him, and I think Davis would be a good guy to play for, and I think Seantrel realizes that, too.”

Henderson reportedly will wait to announce his college choice in early February when high school players are allowed written commitments.  Scanlan believes Henderson’s focus is presently on these schools: Florida, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Southern California.

Asked if he expects Henderson to qualify academically for his college choice, Scanlan said:  “I think so.  He’s still working hard (in the classroom). …”

Henderson was invaluable in helping the Raiders to the state title.  Scanlan said that when the Raiders had to play without injured quarterback Mark Alt, Henderson’s run blocking was vital to the team’s success.  His pass blocking was perfect during the season, not giving up a sack in 230 attempts.

Henderson was named state Player of the Year by the Associated Press, although other news outlets chose different players for that honor.  “I think the true worth of his athletic ability is being demonstrated by the college attention that he is getting,” Scanlan said.

Set the dial on Ch. 5 tonight at 9 p.m. to see Brett Favre on “Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009.”

Favre, who appeared confused at times facing Arizona’s pass coverage in the 30-17 Vikings loss on Sunday night, remains a possibility for NFL MVP despite throwing two interceptions in the game.  NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth said early in Sunday night’s telecast that the 40-year-old Vikings quarterback is playing the “greatest football” of his career.

Rookie linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who replaced E.J. Henderson after he was injured in the Arizona game, was drafted by the Vikings on the fifth round this spring.  He only played three seasons at South Carolina where he started all 30 games.  He was second team all-SEC last season.

If Joe Mauer hasn’t signed a contract extension with the Twins before the team begins the regular season then it’s a great guess that negotiations really went “south.”

Mauer and new shortstop J.J. Hardy, acquired earlier in the fall from Milwaukee, were once teammates playing for the USA Junior National team.

The Twins cleared (at least temporarily) their glut of outfielders by sending Carlos Gomez to Milwaukee for Hardy.  But two of the organization’s best prospects are outfielders Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks.

Food offerings at Target Field will have a Minnesota taste including a Murray’s steak sandwich selling for about $10.  Murray’s Restaurant downtown has been known for its steaks since 1946.

Nice fit: Tom Tipton, a former Morgan State basketball player whose rich singing voice has been heard around town for years, was scheduled to perform the national anthem last night prior to the Gophers-Morgan State game.

Former Gopher Travis Busch, who had surgery last summer for a torn ACL, played in his first game for Colorado State on Saturday and helped the Rams defeat Denver.  https://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_13938220.

Gustavus junior guard Phil Wirtjes made a 50-foot shot with 0.8 seconds left in overtime to allow the Gusties to defeat Concordia (Moorhead) 57-54 last Saturday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_MUfQ5M8G4

The Gophers are headed to the Insight Bowl for the third time in four years.  Minnesota was in repeat mode earlier this decade, too, making three trips in four years to the Music City Bowl.  Here’s the rest of the school’s bowl history: Rose and Sun bowls twice, with one trip each to the Hall of Fame, Independence, Liberty, and Micronpc.com bowls.

To publicize the December 31 Insight Bowl, Gophers coach Tim Brewster and Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads will ring the NASDAQ opening bell in New York City next Monday morning.  Insight Investments is a technology company and its stock is listed on the NASDAQ.

Minnetonka nose guard Beau Allen might be the best defensive prep lineman in the state.  Michigan and the Gophers are among schools that have made scholarship offers.