Gophers Football – Page 255 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Spring Football Games Not-for-Sures

Posted on April 11, 2014April 12, 2014 by David Shama

The Gophers play their annual Intrasquad Spring Football Game tomorrow at TCF Bank Stadium beginning at 2:30 p.m. Fans might wonder how many more games will be played in future years because there’s a growing awareness about preventing football injuries in college and on other levels, amateur and professional.

Minnesota coach Jerry Kill is concerned and suggests elimination of spring games at Minnesota and elsewhere is a way of reducing injuries. “In the future I don’t think you’re going to see spring games,” Kill said on WCCO Radio’s “Sports Huddle” program last Sunday.

Intrasquad spring games count as one of 15 NCAA approved spring practices for major college programs. Rather than devote time to entertaining fans with a game, some coaches insist there is a better way to get teams ready for next fall’s schedule of nonconference and league games. The University of Pittsburgh, for example, cancelled its spring game for 2014 because head coach Paul Chryst wanted to maximize practice time.

A few other programs reportedly are not staging spring games this year. Among them is Texas A&M, a school that cancelled the game because of stadium renovations. The cancellation didn’t bother head coach Kevin Sumlin who downplayed the value of the annual spring game, describing the event as a “glorified scrimmage,” according to a March 4 story by Zac Ellis on College-football.si.com.

The elimination of spring games may develop into a real trend but it’s probably going to be slow in coming. Passionate fan bases at powerhouse schools like Ohio State wouldn’t be happy to see the spring game go away.

Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer told Doug Lesmerises in a March 19 story for Cleveland.com that he plans to keep the spring game indefinitely. “I just think it’s priceless for a player to get a rep in front of 50, 60, 70,000 (people),” Meyer said. “If I was at a school where you get 400 people (you might do away with it) because what are you really getting.”

Gophers offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover sees the advantages and disadvantages of spring games including the issues of having enough healthy players and how to divide them into competitive teams.

“I enjoy it (the spring game). I think it’s good for the fans,” he told Sports Headliners. “I think in our situation it’s good to continue to build support, build enthusiasm. Kind of (create) a buzz around the program but at the same time it does have its challenges.”

Labeled as the spring game, the Gophers’ event tomorrow will be more of a scrimmage. Punt and kickoff returns, for example, aren’t expected to be part of the action. The scrimmage will start at 2:30 p.m. and probably end about 90 minutes later, much shorter than a game.

Back in the 1950s the Gophers had a special spring show delighting fans, while the coaches may have gobbled Maalox. Head coach Murray Warmath sent his team out to play the annual game against an alumni group that included Gophers legends liked Bronko Nagurski and Leo “The Lion” Nomellini.

The grizzled and out of shape alums used their wisdom and skills to give Warmath’s young men all they could handle. Truth was the Gophers sometimes looked bad against the alumni team.

Warmath devoted part of spring practice to preparing for the alumni game, minimizing the time he and his staff could use for teaching. He disliked the game and was delighted when the alumni series ended after a few years.

Tomorrow a Gophers alumni flag football game will be played starting at 1 p.m. The two teams will be captained by former All-Big Ten players Tyrone Carter and Ron Johnson.

BTN2Go will provide live coverage of the intrasquad game. The Big Ten Network will show a replay starting at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Following the intrasquad game players will sign autographs on the field. Admission to the game is free.

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U RB Goal to Become Big Ten’s Best

Posted on April 7, 2014April 7, 2014 by David Shama

A year ago in spring practice running back David Cobb didn’t know how much he would contribute to the Gophers’ success. Now he wants to be the best runner in the Big Ten Conference.

Cobb was one of the team’s surprises last fall, becoming the No. 1 running back and rushing for a Gophers’ best 1,202 yards. Among Minnesota’s roster of running backs, he offered the best combination of speed, elusiveness and power as the Gophers did some surprise work achieving a 4-4 record in the Big Ten, the program’s best since 2005.

That breakout season for the then junior from Killeen, Texas boosted his confidence. “I definitely think I am a lot better than what I was at this time last year,” Cobb told Sports Headliners in late March. He and teammates are going through practices leading up to the annual spring game this Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.

The success of 2013 came about because Cobb was physically stronger, understood his assignments better and played with confidence. It was a transition no one was certain would happen.

When a player isn’t even included on the travel roster for a game, doubt can develop. Thoughts occur about whether the program is the right fit. Cobb played minimally as a freshman in 2011 with 10 carries and 57 yards rushing. The numbers as a sophomore declined to one rushing attempt and eight yards.

“You question yourself and you question the coaches whether they want you here,” Cobb said. “This is where you want to be. The hardest thing for me was knowing what I could do but just not having the opportunity.”

Cobb learned the coaches did want him. Among those who have helped is Nate Griffin who has the title of offensive quality control coach but has a background working with running backs. “I can’t thank him enough,” Cobb said.

Early last season the Gophers were searching for a No. 1 runner. Some observers thought that runner might be Donnell Kirkwood but he missed games because of injury. The chance to play more became available to Cobb.

He seized that opportunity to get on the field and become a starter. Now he has a more ambitious goal. “I want to be the best back in the Big Ten. If I am the best back in the Big Ten that does our team a whole lot of favor. As a team we want to win the Big Ten and we feel like we will win the Big Ten.”

Worth Noting

Running back is a position to watch with the Gophers. Kirkwood led Minnesota in rushing during 2012 with 926 yards. The senior is the team’s most experienced back. Junior Rodrick Williams is Minnesota’s most powerful runner and has caught Cobb’s attention. “That’s a load to bring down at 5-10, 250,” Cobb said earlier this spring.

Cobb has seen Williams benefit from increased confidence. “When you know the offense, you play with a lot more confidence,” Cobb said. “He’s playing faster and he’s looking great. Picking up blocks, running people over…making moves. So he’s looking good. I definitely see the change.”

Redshirt freshman Berkley Edwards will be among the fastest backs in the Big Ten. The Gophers will use him on more than plunges into the line. Play calls for Edwards could include reverses and pass receptions—opportunities to put his speed and elusiveness out in the open field.

“I definitely know that we’ll both be on the field at the same time,” Cobb said. “He’ll help complement me and I’ll complement him as well.”

Former Gophers defensive lineman Ra’Shede Hageman said he won’t be disappointed if he isn’t chosen during the first round of the May 8 NFL Draft. “Not really. There’s a lot of great players that have went second round that were able to do well so that doesn’t really concern me at all.”

The 6-6 Hageman weighs over 300 pounds and is viewed as someone who could play multiple positions on the defensive line. He said that versatility and his explosiveness after the ball is snapped are attributes pro scouts like.

What do scouts doubt about the Minneapolis native? “Just my motor. Just my consistency. …But that’s something I can easily change,” Hageman answered.

Rick Pitino, the legendary Louisville basketball coach and father of Gophers head men’s coach Richard Pitino, admires Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague. “He is regarded as one of the top five AD’s in the business,” Pitino said last Thursday on 1500 ESPN following the Gophers NIT championship. “…He’s an awesome AD. He is going to bring them to heights they’ve never seen before.”

Verbalcommits.com is reporting Djuan Piper, the Seattle small forward who is targeted by the Gophers, will make a college commitment this week.

Although there has been no official announcement and update, Saint John’s in Collegeville, not St. Cloud State, will host the Tackle Cancer All-Star game on June 28 starting at 1 p.m. The North versus South game showcasing outstanding senior players from the 2013 Minnesota high school football season can’t be held in St. Cloud because the artificial field is being replaced at Husky Stadium.

Players and coaches representing 85 schools and 30 conferences will participate in the game, and they were selected by members of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association. College-bound players include Columbia’s Lord Hyeamang (Apple Valley); Penn’s Drew Trabing (Prior Lake); Eastern Michigan’s Tim Gordon (Cretin-Derham Hall); Montana State’s Joey Marinello (Eastview); Northern Iowa’s Ezra Szczyrbak (Moose Lake/Willow River); North Dakota recruits Keaton Studsrud (Benilde-St. Margaret’s), Grant Aplin (Chanhassen), Reid Taubenheim (Farmington), Deion Harris (Hibbing) and Connor Bolduc (Mahtomedi); and North Dakota State’s Aaron Steidl (Alexandria) and Christian Triplett (Delano).

Head coaches for the game are Bill Weiss of Chisago Lakes Area (North) and Mike Grant of Eden Prairie (South).

The Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association honored Grant last month with the Tom Mahoney Man of the Year Award. Grant has won nine state titles including three in a row.

Former Vikings center Matt Birk spoke at the recent MFCA Clinic and talked about the importance of making the right choices and decisions. He has authored a book titled Pro Wisdom: The 7 Choices That Lead to Greatness.

Birk is an appeals judge for the NFL, deciding whether players will be disciplined by the league.

The Twins lost 99 games in 2011, and 96 each of the last two seasons. They will lose 100 this year if Sports Illustrated is correct. In the magazine’s baseball preview issue last month the Twins’ record was forecast at 62 wins, 100 losses. The Twins were ranked No. 14 in the 15-team American League.

The magazine quoted an anonymous and rival scout on the Twins. Among the more interesting comments was that pitchers “Phil Hughes and Ricky Nolasco will be a tremendous upgrade to their staff,” plus this evaluation of center fielder Aaron Hicks:

“I always had high hopes for Aaron Hicks, but he can’t keep it together. Too many hitters think they’re supposed to be power guys instead of learning how to handle the bat.”

Hicks, who is outstanding in the field, is hitting .190 in six games so far this season after batting .192 as a rookie in 2013. Nolasco has started two games and is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA. Hughes has one start, 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA.

The Twins, 3-3 so far this season, have their home opener this afternoon against the A’s. The prediction here is the Twins will win 70 or more games and easily avoid a 100 loss season.

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Storytelling Part of Football Clinic Fun

Posted on March 21, 2014March 21, 2014 by David Shama

A Texas High School football coach who shall go unnamed went 9-3 in his first season and “got nothing but heat” for his record. Next year the same record. In football crazy Texas expectations are for championships, or there can be consequences.

After the second season a guy off the street came into the coach’s office and without introduction said, “I made $12 million last year. I am going to spend every damn cent of it to get you fired.”

The coach responded, “Sir, you write me a check for $3 million (and) I am out of here—and you’re $9 million ahead.”

Minnesotan Ron Stolski chuckles when telling that Texas tale. The coach told him that is a true story and the only reason he is still coaching is because he later won a state title.

Stolski met that coach a few years ago at a national coaches’ convention. The Texan is part of a network of coaches nationally and in Minnesota that Stolski and other leaders of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association have used to build the Minnesota Football Clinic into a model event.

This 2014 clinic will be held next week at the DoubleTree Hotel in St. Louis Park. Last year’s event drew a record attendance of over 1,100 attendees and with presenters the total reached 1,300. Vendor spaces are sold out for this year but advance registrations to attend are still being accepted and walk-ups are also welcome for the March 27-29 clinic.

High school and college presenters from Minnesota and other states will talk about the technical, organizational and psychological aspects of football at the clinic. The teaching sessions draw not just one or two individuals from prep football programs but multiple members of staffs who can learn more about their responsibilities. Lining up the presenters is the job of Claud Allaire who is the clinic’s program manager. “He does a tremendous job,” Stolski said.

The extensive 2014 roster of clinic speakers will include Gophers coach Jerry Kill and former Vikings center Matt Birk, and on the evening of March 29 a new group of Minnesotans will be inducted into the MFCA Hall of Fame. Clinic attendees will also watch the Gophers practice at TCF Bank Stadium on March 29.

Stolski, who is both executive director of the MFCA and head football coach at Brainerd High School, has been a clinic organizer for years but credits others for its successes. The state has a long history of successful football clinics and Stolski praises Minnesota football coaching leaders like Les Dreschel, Chuck Elias, Tom Mahoney, Dave Nigon, Bob Roy and Don Swanson for their early contributions.

The MFCA broke away from the Nike Clinic several years ago and decided to co-sponsor the Minnesota Football Clinic with the Gophers. The effort has been rewarding while creating and maintaining an event where attendees not only come to learn but also to network and enjoy the company of fellow coaches.

A couple of presenters from Texas let Stolski know a few years ago what they think of the Minnesota clinic, describing it as “the best high school clinic we’ve been to.” One of the presenters said the session rooms are not only packed with attendees but the coaches have a “thirst for learning.”

Then the coach added, “We go into a lot of clinics across the country. You just don’t see that (elsewhere).”

Stolski attended his first football clinic in the spring of 1964 at the University of Minnesota. Saint John’s football coach John Gagliardi, whose team had won the 1963 NAIA national title, was speaking in front of 400-plus attendees.

Stolski admired how the Johnnies’ ball carriers fought for yardage and were difficult to bring down. He asked the unconventional Gagliardi if he could describe a drill the Johnnies used in practice to make those ball carriers so difficult to stop.

Stolski recalled that Gagliardi responded by saying at Saint John’s players are taught to have faith. “They damn better not go down,” Gagliardi told the young coach who was expecting a more technical answer.

Through the years Stolski has met major college coaching legends at various clinics including Nebraska’s Bob Devaney. Al Fisher, a neighbor of Stolski, had played for Devaney. He encouraged Stolski to meet the great coach, and by chance that opportunity came one day at a clinic. The encounter made a huge impression on Stolski.

Devaney not only remembered Fisher but also knew the names of his children and wife. Devaney showed Stolski there was much more to relationships and caring for former players than just recalling they played for the coach. “That was a great lesson for a young coach,” Stolski said.

The clinics of years ago didn’t have concurrent small group sessions like today that offer topics such as “The Spin & Spread Series,” or defending no huddle offenses. The old clinics featured national headliners like Paul Bear Bryant, Woody Hayes, Duffy Daugherty or prominent college assistant coaches talking in a large hotel ballroom.

In his early days of attending clinics, Stolski learned it was wise to not sit too close to the stage. That was the case when a college assistant coach named Buck Nystrom was speaking.

“Very much of a tiger of a guy,” Stolski remembered. “You kind of wanted to see who was going to sit up front because you knew Buck was gonna get a couple of them up there (on the stage) as he demonstrated blocking techniques, how to shed a block and how to properly block.

“Before you know it old Buck would have his sport coat off (and) his tie off. He would be down to his T-shirt. He would be in a sweat, and he would be pounding the living hell out of these coaches who he called up there to demonstrate with.”

For several years the Leamington Hotel in downtown Minneapolis was the site of popular winter football clinics. As with clinics today, there was time for fellowship after a long day of listening to speakers. Stolski’s memories of the Leamington include being in a room with a few friends late at night when they heard a lot of noise out in the hallway.

Stolski investigated and on a narrow stairway he found some coaches moving a pop machine. The unit was several floors from its original location and still on its way to where the ambitious clinic attendees wanted it. Pushing and tugging, they were working hard on their post-midnight project.

Why were the fellas going to so much trouble that night? “The elevators were not working,” Stolski explained.

Hmm. Sounds like the coaches were thirsty for more than knowledge at that clinic long ago.

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