Gophers Basketball – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Athletic QB ‘Freak’ Awaits U Saturday in ‘Barometer Game’

Posted on September 6, 2026September 6, 2026 by David Shama

The Golden Gophers will need to contain multiple quarterbacks this season who not only can scramble from the pocket but also excel on designed runs. None may be more dangerous than Kamario Taylor from Mississippi State who Minnesota plays Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium.

The sophomore Mississippi native ran untouched for a 26-yard touchdown last night in his team’s 62-13 season opening win over ULM. Bigger news was his passing improvement that paid off with four touchdown throws. He showed development in his progressions while passing for 354 yards.

Taylor made two starts last season and played in 11 games during his freshman year. The 6-4, 230-pound athletic freak was third on the team in rushing yards with 458 on just 82 carries while leading the team in touchdown runs with eight. He threw 629 yards and five touchdowns, with one interception on 43-of-77 passing.

The Bulldogs, 5-8 last season, aren’t considered a title favorite in the mighty SEC but could be a dark horse spoiler, partly because of their quarterback. An opposing SEC coach, quoted by Athlon Sports in its college football preview, referred to Taylor as a “phenom.”

“…He can do a lot of things for them this year, not only with his arm, but also with his feet. He can keep plays alive, which turn into big plays.”

Legendary former Alabama coach Nick Saban said this at the SEC media gathering this summer: “…This guy could be the truth and the light now. He is really, really good.”

In three of the next four games Minnesota defensive coordinator Danny Collins must deal with quarterbacks who are formidable runners. On September 26 in Seattle Minnesota will see electric quarterback Demond Williams and then on October 3 faces Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood who is expected to be a frequent runner in new coach Kyle Whittingham’s system. The Gophers end the season at Wisconsin where quarterback Colton Joseph figures to be among the Badgers primary ball carriers.

Collins said in training camp the Gophers are “ready” for the challenges presented by scrambling and run by design quarterbacks. The offseason planning started last winter and continued in the spring and summer. Collins talked about having a “menu” of options depending on what the offense presents. Anticipating a designed run, for example, might prompt an additional safety on the field.

The planning gets its first test Saturday in a “barometer game” for the Gophers who are 1-0 like the Bulldogs. The early wagering lines have the Gophers as slight favorites, a couple of points.

After a final nonconference game September 19 at home with Akron, the Gophers face a second “barometer game” against a promising Washington team that will be favored. If Minnesota could enter the Michigan game 4-0 the Bank would be rocking in the battle for the Little Brown Jug.

Worth Noting

The NFL season starts Wednesday night in Seattle where the Seahawks and Patriots play in a rematch from last February’s Super Bowl. Minneapolis-based attorney, sports historian, and Sports Headliners advertiser Marshall Tanick noted in an email that the Vikings and Chiefs opened the 1970 season at Met Stadium after playing against each other in Super Bowl IV in January of that year.

That was an NFL first, matching the Super Bowl teams in the next season opener, and something that has happened only twice (Carolina at Denver in 2016) going into Wednesday’s game.

The Vikings lost 23-7 in the Super Bowl but earned redemption in a 27-10 September win. Chiefs coach Hank Stram had mocked the Vikings during the Super Bowl, so the victory felt like extra revenge for Minnesotans.

Via team voting the Vikings selected eight captains for the coming season:

Offense: Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, Sr., Kyler Murray, Brian O’Neill.

Defense: Blake Cashman, Joshua Metellus, Andrew Van Ginkel.

Special Teams: Andrew DePaola.

While Forbes isn’t out yet with its annual valuation of NFL teams, Sportico has done so. The Vikings rank No.23 in the 32-team money machine league. Their valuation is $8.26 billion and ranks ahead of the Packers at No. 24 and Lions at No. 27. Sportico figures the Vikings are worth 32 percent more than last year. https://www.sportico.com/feature/nfl-team-values-ranking-list-1234684165/

The Cowboys at $15.5 billion top Sportico’s valuations. That figure tops the valuation of any other American pro sports franchise.

Gophers hoops player Cade Tyson, image by David Shama — Cade Tyson

No final litigation word yet as to whether players seeking a fifth year of NCAA eligibility like Cade Tyson from Gophers basketball will be eligible this fall and winter. But, if so, Tyson will need to choose a team, and he likely can command seven figures. And $2 million might be the ceiling.

Tyson’s presence might be worth more than a couple of extra wins to Minnesota next season.

Former Gophers point guard Marcus Carr, who recently played professionally in Germany, is a member of the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team this summer and is averaging 16.2 points and eight assists in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

Former Timberwolves point guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, now with the Hawks, is averaging 15.3 points and 5.3 assists per game for Canada.

It’s stunning to view the late season batting averages of MLB players. There are only eight players hitting over .300, with former Twin Luis Arraez leading at .318. The Twins Luke Keaschall is 30th in the majors at .276.

Arraez, who won the AL batting crown in 2022 with Minnesota hitting .316, could win his fourth batting title in the majors. Now with the Phillies, that would be four with four different teams.

The average MLB batter is hitting .244, per A.I. That reminds baseball historians of 1968, The Year of the Pitcher when the average reportedly was .237.

The dismal hitting in 2026 is a combination of factors including the swing for the fences approach and minimizing bat contact as a priority (Arraez is the opposite). Also, pitching supremacy is fueled by powerful arms, technology (analytics and more), improved body mechanics, and the proliferation of quality pitching available from beginning to end each game.

For those who want to follow the teams in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the MIAC Sports Network offers streaming annually of more than 1,000 contests. The network app is free.

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Vikings QB Roster: Can J.J. McCarthy Hold Off Carson Wentz?

Posted on August 16, 2026August 16, 2026 by David Shama

J.J. McCarthy lost the starting quarterback competition to Kyler Murray last week. Now it’s fair to ask whether Carson Wentz will be Murray’s replacement if he is injured during the regular season.

The Vikings first preseason depth chart has McCarthy listed No. 2, with Wentz third and Max Brosmer fourth. In yesterday’s opening preseason game, Murray and first team offensive teammates played for the first nine snaps. McCarthy took over after that and played the balance of the first quarter and all of the second.

McCarthy completed four of seven passes for 34, with no interceptions. He had moments when he looked hurried and produced no points of what would be a 13-10 preseason opening win over the Giants in New Jersey.

Wentz seemingly had the better day, looking more composed, perhaps running the huddle and game plan more effectively. Certainly, his passing was superior as he completed nine of 14 passes including a one-yard touchdown throw to Myles Price in the third quarter that put the Vikings ahead to stay at 13-10.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings QB, image by David Shama — J.J. McCarthy

There was speculation even before today’s game that Wentz may turn out to be head coach Kevin O’Connell’s preferred choice if Murray is sidelined. McCarthy may again lack consistency in passing and judgment this fall as he works to improve on year three in the NFL including last season when he was anointed as the starter but disappointed.

O’Connell could understandably prefer the 33-year-old Wentz to the 23-year-old McCarthy. Wentz joined the team just days before the season started last year. He showed in limited play, including starts, an ability to quickly understand the offense and make decisions while demonstrating a strong arm, toughness and leadership.

In 10 starts last season McCarthy threw 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, with a passer rating of 72.6. In five starts Wentz had 6 TD throws, five interceptions and 85.8 rating.

Those stats are comparable but in a pinch this fall O’Connell might prefer a seemingly less risky decision by turning to Wentz. Especially in a year where it feels like the Vikings declared they need to make the playoffs and also made a offseason priority of tuning up the run game to take pressure off superstar wide receiver Justing Jefferson. A solid run game, coupled with a steady game manager like Wentz who can feed the vertical passing game and potentially create explosive plays, appears to be the bet if Murray goes down.

Worth Noting

Jefferson, who appears to be on a path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, didn’t play yesterday. In his entire NFL career dating back to 2020 he’s never been used in an exhibition game and that won’t be risked in the remaining two games.

The only player, BTW, on the roster longer than Jefferson is offensive tackle Brian O’Neill who was drafted in 2018.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey had some impressive long passes in the most recent Golden Gophers football practice the media was allowed to watch. Asked who might be No. 2 on the depth chart, head coach P.J. Fleck said on Thursday that Max Shikenjanski, redshirt junior from Stillwater, has excelled since August practices started.

“You know, he had a poor throw today, but it’s very rare for that to happen with indecision. .. But I thought he’s had a tremendous camp.”

Shikenjanski, who insiders believe is No. 2 on the internal depth chart, has only played briefly in two games in his Gopher career. He completed four of five passes for 80 yards and has an eight-yard touchdown run.

The Gophers will host a free admission practice starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night at Huntington Bank Stadium. The team’s 10 captains will sign autographs for 30 minutes after practice: Maverick Baranowski, Ashton Beers, Kerry Brown, Aidan Gousby, Greg Johnsn, Drake Lindsey, John Nestor, Anthony Smith, Jalen Smith and Darius Taylor.

The Twins, 60-64, have lost 10 of their last 16 games and look like they’re fading in the race to earn a wild card spot in the playoffs.

Baseball birthdays: Twins outfielder-infielder Luke Keaschall turned 24 yesterday, Twins World Series manager Tom Kelly 76.

Golden Gophers men’s basketball coach Niko Medved speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers on September 9 at Interlachen Country Club. BTW the late John Anderson, the beloved former Gophers baseball coach, spoke 20 times as the featured speaker at Dunkers. The most ever for the organization that began as the Minneapolis Dunkers in 1948.

Becker high school football coaching legend Dwight Lundeen enters his 57^th and final season this year leading that program. Son Matt, head football coach at Redwood Vallely in Redwood Falls, has written a tribute to his dad in the new book Success is Temporary. Impact is Forever. 57 Years of Impact.

“This book isn’t simply about football,” Matt Lundeen said in a news release. “It’s about the kind of legacy every parent, coach, teacher, business leader, and mentor hopes to leave. My dad has spent nearly six decades proving that success is temporary, but the impact we make on others can last for generations.”

The book retails at $17.99 and is available on Amazon.

Good quote for golf hackers like me: “The toughest course is the one between our ears.”

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Minnesota Twins Just Keep on With Surprising Good Vibes

Posted on June 21, 2026July 8, 2026 by David Shama

There’s an unexpected positive vibe around the Twins so far this season. At least there is in my head and that of acquaintances.

After the roster shuffling and gaffes of ownership in recent years, the bar for expectations was admittedly low going into the season. This spring the Twins are flirting with a .500 record and Wild Card spot in the playoffs.

Gasp.

With questions about the talent on the roster and unknowns concerning new coaches and manager Derek Shelton, it was easy to be pessimistic about the Twins last winter. The starting pitching has been surprisingly good and so, too, has the run scoring. The defense has been solid and sometimes spectacular. The preseason woebegone bullpen has been just that, but occasionally something better.

Check your pulse if you are not more interested in the Twins after last night’s 16-8 rout of the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. Byron Buxton hit a grand slam in a 10-run fifth inning and he’s now tied with Yordan Alvarez of the Astros for the American League lead in home runs with 24. Minnesota, 37-41 this season, has won seven of its last 10 games.

Shelton and staff have impressed. There’s emphasis on fundamentals and execution. It’s an exaggeration but it seems like the Twins have laid down more successful bunts in 78 games than they did in seven years under previous bench boss Rocco Baldelli.

Kudos to Shelton and the coaches including hitting coach Keith Beauregard for reviving the offense from last season. Only the Yankees with 388 runs scored have touched home plate more times than the Twins (384) among American League teams.

Pitching coach Pete Maki and assistant Luis Ramirez deserve kudos, too. Starters like Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley, Bailey Ober and Zebby Matthews can deliver outstanding performances. Reliever Yoendrys Gomez has been a surprise in the bullpen, stingy with runs, and he leads the team with six saves.

Buxton, 32, is having a career season with home runs and remains a superb centerfielder. Another outfielder, Trevor Larnach, has been hot at the plate—and often the third outfielder is utility journeyman Kody Clemens who has sharpened his stick enough to hit third in the lineup.

Royce Lewis, the man of many stances, has returned from exile in St. Paul to make enough contact with the ball to raise his batting average to .200 and match his 200 pound frame. He may also have found a home at first base while valued young performers Luke Keaschall and Brooks Lee play at second and third base respectively.

Then there are google guys, players you didn’t know about but are contributors to the spring vibe. Shortstops Tristan Gray and Ryan Kreidler have had their moments as have catchers Victor Caratini and Alex Jackson.

The Twins are playing without one of their key starters and veterans in catcher Ryan Jeffers. The injured Jeffers, along with Ryan and Buxton, are drawing trade speculation as the MLB August 3 Trade Deadline approaches.

Such rumors are partially fueled by ownership which has been unwilling in the past to pay pricy veterans. Burned by the past gaffes, fans are reluctant to embrace the Twins now. Parting ways with the team’s best veterans will only deepen the “wound.”

And oh, if the front office hadn’t traded away North St. Paul’s Louie Varland last season! He has 15 saves, with a 0.86 ERA for the Blue Jays. If he had remained a Twin, the club would likely have four or more wins.

Worth Noting

Murray’s restaurant owner Tim Murray, who has visited all the MLB stadiums, now gets his baseball travel fix going with friends every other year to World Series games. His favorite parks are Fenway, Wrigley and PNC. (Murray’s is a longtime advertiser of this space.)

Hats off to former Golden Gophers athletics director Joel Maturi and wife Lois for their volunteer role in hosting a hugely successful open house last week at Second Harvest Heartland in Brooklyn Park. Maturi is a board member for the food bank which is the second largest of its kind in the nation. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch is also on the board.

Spanish playmaking guard Sergio de Larrea is the most speculated pick by the Wolves at No. 28 in the first round of Tuesday’s NBA Draft, per AI.

Don’t be surprised if Wolves assistant coach Michah Nori is the new head coach of the NBA Trail Blazers.

With a corporate naming rights deal, Williams Arena is now The Barn by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. No word I am aware of as to how or if the University of Minnesota will preserve the name of Dr. Henry Williams, the longtime namesake of the arena.

Williams coached Minnesota football from 1900-1921 and has the best football winning percentage in school history. He was 136-33-11 (.786) as coach of the Gophers, and his team won or shared eight conference titles.

Former Gopher football great Bobby Bell — Bobby Bell

Bobby Bell turned 86 last week. He terrified opposing offenses as a defensive tackle for Gophers teams from 1960-1962 that won a national championship and Rose Bowl. He should be on a short list of Gopher football legends deserving statues at Huntington Bank Stadium.

The football Gophers figure to have at least a couple thousand fans in Seattle for their September 26 game against Washington. A friend is asking if anyone knows of people selling individual boat tickets for “sail-gating” on that Saturday. Anyone who has a connection can email ds@shamasportsheadliners.com.

My late father was in the Army during World War II. He was stationed in Panama and liked to quip: “The enemy never took the Panama Canal.”

Happy Father’s Day!

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