Author: David Shama

Among the positive developments with the Gopher football program is that coach Tim Brewster and staff are stockpiling players.  Through fate and planning, the Gophers probably will have an interesting and somewhat unusual mix next season of transfers, delayed eligible players, and those physically sidelined in 2008.

This group will be added to a roster of returnees and 2009 recruits that is likely to provide the Gophers with the most depth and talent since at least 2005.  On the current first team offensive and defensive depth charts, the Gophers have only three seniors so they could have 19 returning starters if all stay eligible and healthy.  The 2009 recruiting class, which probably will include immediate help from junior college players, is likely to be better than 2008 and even more attention grabbing because of the addition of transfers, delayed eligibles and personnel physically not able to participate.

Transfers Matt Carufel and Kim Royston, former Cretin-Derham Hall high schoolers, had playing experience at Notre Dame and Wisconsin in 2006 and 2007.  Carufel and Royston will at minimum add quality depth to the offensive line and defensive backfield when they become eligible next year.

The Gophers hope to have four-star quarterback MarQueis Gray eligible and in school by next winter.  Before he was declared ineligible, Gray was considered the prize of the 2008 recruiting class and he’s been compared to Ohio State’s freshman phenom, quarterback Terrelle Pryor.  Another member of the 2008 recruiting class who isn’t eligible now but will be for certain is linebacker Spencer Reeves, a three-star recruit.

Linebacker Sam Maresh was another headliner in the 2008 recruiting class.  Maresh had open heart surgery earlier this spring but he may be able to begin his freshman season next year with the Gophers.  The team’s best running back, sophomore Duane Bennett, was lost for the season in game two because of a left knee injury.  Because he was injured so early this year, he will have three more seasons of eligibility.

The talent pool is growing deeper and it needs to after losing key in-state recruits in recent years including Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitus, Nebraska wide receiver Nathan Swift and Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd.  All three on this year’s Gopher team might be the difference between a seven win season and a 10.

The Gophers, 5-1, are likely to win at least a couple more games (assuming no injuries to quarterback Adam Weber or receiver Eric Decker) and that improvement after a 1-11 season last year could be good for more than a bowl game.  It wouldn’t be surprising if a winning season influenced the college choices of Washburn tight end Ra’Shede Hageman and Breck wide receiver Bryce McNeal, two of the state’s best preps.

“It doesn’t look too good, does it?”  That was the comment of an NHL source on Monday when Sports Headliners asked whether the Wild will sign Marian Gaborik to a new contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.

The source, who requested that his name not be used, shares the growing opinion that Gaborik wants to play for another team after this season.  “Those (type of negotiations) are the ones that worry you because it’s not about the money,” he said.

If it’s not about the money, then what it is?  Presumably the opportunity to play in a system where the high-scoring 26-year-old forward can have more freedom to show his offensive skills.

Wild coach Jacques Lemaire emphasizes a defensive style of play. “He (Gaborik) gets tired (of)…playing in that restricted system–defense first, defense first,” the source said.

He suspects, though, that this season Lemaire may give Gaborik more offensive freedom.  “Jacques is not stupid, he knows how important this guy is to this team,” the source said.

The Wild could repeat as Northwest Division champions but that task will be much easier with Gaborik here all season, instead of traded away.  Then, too, the Gaborik contract situation is a potential distraction affecting the team.  “The longer it drags and the more I see (discouraging) quotes from the agent, the more I am afraid they won’t get it done,” the source said.

He likes the additions made to the team in the off-season, mentioning defensemen Marek Zidlicky and Marc-Andre Bergeron, and forward Owen Nolan.  The Wild’s nucleus of young players like Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Brent Burns, Mikko Koivu, James Sheppard and Nick Schultz impresses him, too.  A repeat 2006-2007 performance by goalie Niklas Backstrom would elevate the Wild’s play this season, too.

Minnesota opens the season on Saturday night at home against Boston.

The Gophers will play Air Force in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl on December 23, according to scout.com’s bowl projections.  https://cfn.scout.com/2/797737.html

The Gophers may need seven wins to be selected for a bowl, even though six is the minimum number to qualify.  Iowa was 6-6 last year and wasn’t invited to a bowl even with its large fan following.

Gopher football coach Tim Brewster goes back to his alma mater on Saturday to face an Illinois team that will be a big favorite and has an offense he thinks is probably the “best” Minnesota will see this season.  Brewster, who played tight end for the Illini, was asked if he’s been contacted about helping to fund renovation of the school’s football stadium.  “They write me all the time but I don’t respond,” he said with a smile.

Junior cornerback Marcus Sherels injured his right shoulder against Indiana last week and his status for Illinois is day-to-day, according to Brewster.  “The doctors seem to think he has a great chance to play Saturday,” Brewster said.

Season ticket sales for Gopher basketball are expected to total 12,000 for the coming season, about the same as 2007-08, according to Jason LaFrenz, the athletic department’s director of marketing and ticket sales.  Season tickets are still available and single game tickets went on sale Monday.

The Detroit team the Vikings play at the Metrodome on Sunday is 0-4 and has been outscored 147 to 166.  The Vikings gave up two punt return touchdowns on Monday night to New Orleans and it’s evident the team misses special team standout Heath Farwell who is injured and out for the season.

The Gopher women’s hockey team will host a “Rock Ridder” event beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 17 against Ohio State.  In conjunction with Second Harvest Heartland, a local food shelf organization, every fan who donates a non-perishable or canned food item will receive free admission.  Fans that are not able to donate food, pay $2 admission for the game. The University hopes to break its Ridder Arena attendance record of 3,251 fans, set in 2007.

The Timberwolves are partnering with its NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, to host an open tryout for the 2008-09 Skyforce season on October 18 and 19 at the Timberwolves practice facility in Minneapolis. The tryouts provide an opportunity to workout before NBA D-League coaches and try for an invitation to the Skyforce training camp that begins next month.  A Wolves spokesperson reported via e-mail that as of Monday there were 10 registrants but about 40 are expected.  Tryouts are limited to 60 players.  Friday is the deadline for registration and more information is available at https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/skyforce_to_hold_open_tryouts_080924.html

The Wolves have their second pre-season game tonight when they play Oklahoma City in Billings, Montana.  Rashad McCants, who has been inconsistent during his career, might be headed for his best season as a pro in year four.  He led the team in scoring with 21 points on Monday night when the Wolves beat the Bucks 117-79 in Milwaukee.

Quarterback Ted Schlafke, defensive back Matt Lien and place-kicker Scott Talcott are the NSIC offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week.  Schlafke threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in helping UMD remain unbeaten with a 52-10 road win over Minnesota State-Moorhead last week.  Lien had eight solo and four assisted tackles, plus an interception in Augustana’s 41-38 overtime win over Minnesota State-Mankato. Talcott was two-for-two on field goal attempts, kicking them from 45 and 37 yards in Southwest Minnesota State’s 35-28 win over Winona State.