Author: David Shama

While admitting 2007 was an “unbelievably painful season for all of us,” Gopher football coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners recently that “this program has a chance to be one of the elite programs in the nation.”

Brewster answered questions about himself and the program during an interview including how he sees his future at Minnesota. The Gophers, who were 1-11 last season, open their 2008 schedule in approximately 10 weeks at home against Northern Illinois on August 30.

The Gophers were perhaps the worst defensive team in major college football last season, giving up 36.7 points and 518.7 yards per game.  They won only a non-conference game against Miami of Ohio, 41-35 in overtime.  Yet the Gophers did lose four games by six points or less.

The 2007 Gophers used new systems offensively and defensively.  Brewster said “change can be difficult” and it was for the Gophers who had been 6-7 the season before under coach Glen Mason.

Last season didn’t surprise Brewster and it showed him negativity about Gopher football that endures in this state.  “There’s deep seated skepticism that we can’t win a championship,” Brewster said.

The Gophers haven’t won a Big Ten title since 1967.  They haven’t been to a New Year’s Day bowl game since 1962.  A lot of people, Brewster said, are “extremely skeptical” that the Gophers can play at a championship level.

That’s an in-state problem and challenge to Brewster not only with the public, but perhaps more importantly in convincing Minnesota’s best high school players to play for the Gophers.  The incoming freshman class is rated by national publications among the 20 best in the country, but it’s players from other states who have created the ranking, not Minnesotans.

Still, Brewster’s vision is in-state recruiting will improve, recruiting of players from elsewhere will continue to be highly successful, and the Gophers can become an elite program.  Brewster said, “I truly believe that can be accomplished (elite status). …Recruiting is the key to success.”

Brewster also said “there is no shortage of reasons” why recruits chose Minnesota earlier this year.  He said recruits are taken with how “beautiful” the city is, and the Gophers new TCF Bank Stadium opening next year will be the “finest on-campus stadium” in the country.  Those sell points and others, including the academic offerings and excellence of the University, gave Brewster and his recruiting-oriented assistant coaches a marketing kit that seems likely to send an ongoing line of talent to campus.

Talent will sustain coaching success and Brewster was asked about his commitment to Minnesota.  “I love the coaches who are able to put roots in the ground,” he said.  “Lots of coaches don’t sustain success.  I would love to build a championship level (here) and sustain it for a long period.”

Brewster said he couldn’t be more “buoyed” by his recruiting class that includes several junior college players.   He also validated speculation that his defense will include several newcomers as starters for the coming season.  Names he mentioned included defensive tackle Jewhan Edwards, linebackers Simoni Lawrence and Rex Sharpe, and defensive backs Tramaine Brock and Traye Simmons. “These guys are going to be impact players,” Brewster said.

Brewster knows there will be no major improvement in the Gophers now or in the future without better defense.  It’s his priority.  “We have no chance to win a title without defense,” he said.

Defensive planning was to have included four-star recruit Sam Maresh of Champlin Park High School.  However, Maresh’s football future is uncertain now that he will have heart surgery.  Brewster said he asks Minnesotans for their prayers regarding Maresh and a healthy life, whether that includes football or not.  He said Maresh could have gone to school “anywhere in America” and his choosing Minnesota meant a lot to Brewster.  “I couldn’t love Sam Maresh more if he was my own son,”  Brewster said.

The Gophers’ offense often played at a high level last season, averaging 26.2 points and 407.5 yards per game.  Two of the most productive players, sophomore quarterback Adam Weber, and wide receiver Eric Decker, will be candidates for post-season honors and could be even better in 2008.  Among other offensive players mentioned by Brewster, redshirt freshman lineman Ryan Wynn of Maple Grove High School was described as one of the “most talented offensive linemen” he’s been around.

Last season was Brewster’s first as a head coach and he was asked what he might single out as a valuable lesson learned.  He answered that he “can’t be a reactionary” person.  With all that’s going on, with the varied demands of his job, he needs to consistently “take a deep breath” and be ready to thoughtfully respond on a daily basis.

Responses are easier, Brewster knows, when the Gophers are winning.

Steve and Dorothy Erban’s Creative Charters based in Stillwater is featuring a first ever river trip with Gopher football coach Tim Brewster and staff.  The public is invited on a two-day cruise, July 22 and 23, on the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers.  More at www.creativecharter.com.

At 5 a.m. today the Big Ten Network began 24 consecutive hours of Gopher sports programming. The day features some of Minnesota’s best performances in 2007-08, including the miracle finish against Indiana in the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinals, the men’s ice hockey team’s victory against Wisconsin, the conference Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, the Big Ten Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships and the volleyball team’s win at Ohio State.

The Twins improved to 9-3 versus National League teams this season after winning three straight games against Arizona over the weekend.  The Twins are 115-88 all-time in interleague play.  Minnesota has now won six straight games and eight of its last nine.

Second baseman Alexi Casilla has either scored a run or driven in a run in 25 of his 35 games with the Twins this season. He has 20 runs scored and 27 RBI.

The Vikings’ Jared Allen, an avid outdoorsman, was featured on the cover of the June 16 issue of Sporting News.  The headline: “What we learned when we went bear hunting with the baddest defensive lineman in the NFL.”

The same issue had a feature on former Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett and how he guards his off-court life.  The article said his wife recently had a baby but Boston reporters don’t know if it’s a boy or girl.

The Wolves have the third pick in Thursday night’s NBA draft.  Dating back to 1998, here are the players who were chosen third during the first round:  Raef LaFrentz, Baron Davis, Darius Miles, Pau Gasol, Mike Dunleavy, Carmelo Anthony, Ben Gordon, Deron Williams, Adam Morrison and Al Horford.

In preparation for the draft the Wolves, who also have two second round picks, will be working out Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless, Indiana guard Eric Gordon and Oklahoma center Longar Longar at Target Center today.  Longar is the former Rochester John Marshall player originally from the Sudan.