Author: David Shama

The Gopher football team begins practice today and coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners on Saturday that his defense “without question” will be improved. Brewster has said repeatedly since becoming the Gopher coach that Minnesota must have a championship level defense to contend in the Big Ten Conference, but minimal personnel last season allowed opponents to average 36.7 points and almost 520 yards per game.

Whether it’s added athleticism, improved experience, or the coaching of new defensive coordinator Red Roof, the Gophers have optimism they will be better on defense in 2008 than last season when six times other teams scored 40 or more points against them.  Brewster said Roof, the former head coach at Duke who is Minnesota’s third defensive coordinator in three years, stresses fundamentals.  “We want to be a great tackling football team,” Brewster said.

Ask Brewster who his impact players on defense could be this season and he mentions several names, a mix of new players and returnees.  He listed junior college transfers Tramaine Brock (safety), Traye Simmons (cornerback) and Simoni Lawrence (linebacker-safety), plus junior Eric Small (defensive tackle) and senior linebacker Steve Davis.

Brewster spoke about Brock, Simmons and Lawrence having the kind of athleticism a Big Ten defense needs to compete at a “high level.”  He described Lawrence as a “hybrid” player who can contribute at linebacker and safety, with his assets expected to include being a mobile, fast pass rusher.

Small, a junior college transfer a year ago, now weighs over 300 pounds.  “He’s done a better job with his body, improving size, strength and speed than any player I’ve ever been around,” said Brewster whose coaching resume includes jobs as an assistant at Texas and North Carolina.

Davis made a name for himself in the Big Ten his first two seasons as a speed rushing defensive end.  But a year ago the new Gopher coaching staff decided Davis didn’t have the size for the position and switched him to linebacker.  It wasn’t always an easy transition. “He was like a fish out of water,” Brewster said.

This year Davis may swim with the sharks of the Big Ten.  Brewster said Davis has “become a student of the game” and he expects leadership from Davis and other seniors, on offense and defense, including defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg.  VanDeSteeg hurt his wrist last year after a productive sophomore season.

Brewster hosted the annual dinner for Gopher seniors on Saturday night.  His message?  “It’s time for us to win.”

The Gophers, 1-11 a year ago and characterized by that infamous defense, plan to start winning with the first game on August 30 at home against Northern Illinois.

Here’s today’s trivia challenge:  Name the four stadiums in Minnesota that the Vikings have used for either pre-season or regular season games since 1961.  See answer at bottom of column.

Jake Mauer, Joe Mauer’s grandfather, told Sports Headliners the Twins catcher will finish the season with these stats: .335 batting average, 15 home runs and 90 RBI.  The .335 average will win the American League batting title, according to Jake.  He said Joe, who is hitting .316, has been seeing the ball better.

Francisco Liriano won his first 2008 game in the major leagues yesterday, sending his record to 1-3 by pitching six scoreless innings in a 6-2 Twins’ win over Cleveland.  He has won 11 straight games counting the 10 consecutive at Triple A Rochester where he was recalled from last week.  Liriano gave up three hits yesterday and it was the ninth time in his big league career he’s allowed three or fewer.

Yesterday’s attendance was the 12^th consecutive of over 30,000 for the Twins, their longest streak since 1992 when they had 15 straight.  During the recent seven-game home stand the Twins averaged 36,398.

University football fans can meet players and coaches on Sunday, August 10 at the Gopher Nation Fan Fest from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex on campus. Tim Brewster and his coaching staff will be in attendance.  Players will instruct fans in football drills.  Interactive games and prizes will also be featured, plus an autograph session. Admission is free.

Several MIAC players are receiving national preseason football publicity. Saint John’s senior defensive lineman Nick Gunderson was named a first team preseason All-American by D3football.com.  Augsburg senior wide receiver Royce Winford and Bethel junior defensive back Tim Cornish were second team picks by D3football.com. Gunderson and Winford were also chosen for the 26-member Division III All-America team selected by The Sporting News.

In Lindy’s College Football 2008 Preview, Gunderson and Winford were first team selections. Carleton senior defensive back Drew Ziller was a second team selection by Lindy’s.  Saint John’s first-year running back Harry Awe was chosen as the National Newcomer of the Year by Lindy’s. Gunderson, Winford, and Gustavus senior wide receiver Chad Arlt were named to the Consensus Draft Services preseason All-American team last month.

NCAA Division II and the CBS College Sports Network announced that the Southwest Minnesota State at Minnesota Duluth football game will be broadcast live nationwide on CBS College Sports Network. The game, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 13, will now be played on Thursday, September 11 at Malosky Stadium in Duluth beginning at 7 p.m.

Trivia answers: Memorial Stadium, Met Stadium, the Metrodome and Parade Stadium.

The Twins are a half game out of first place in the Central Division this morning after winning three of four games at home this week against Chicago.  The last year the Twins won the division was two years ago, but on August 1, 2006 the Twins were 9.5 games behind first place Detroit.

The 2006 Twins pulled off a remarkable comeback to win the division, while this year’s team hasn’t chased a team like Detroit that was 71-35 with the best record in baseball two years ago on this day, August 1, 2006.  Chicago’s record today is 60-47, while the Twins are 60-48.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau elevated his play from the ordinary to the exceptional during the 2006 season and won the American League’s Most Valuable Player award.   He’s toward the top of anyone’s list now to win the 2008 award.  During the White Sox series he had two three RBI games and increased his career RBI’s against Chicago to 69 in 76 games.  Morneau is tied for third in league batting at .320 and is second in RBI at 83.

The Twins are at home for a three game series against Cleveland starting tonight.  They are 8-4 against the Indians this season, including 5-1 at the Metrodome.

While every series is important in a pennant race, anxiety goes up a level in anticipation of New York’s visit here August 11, 12 and 13.  The Twins are only 7-15 against East Division teams.  The record against the Yankees is 2-2 at home, 0-3 at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees have won seven of their last 10 games.

Patrick Klinger, Twins vice president of marketing, reported via e-mail earlier this week that advance ticket sales are 20,000, 21,000 and 25,000 for the series.