Golden Gophers – Page 246 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Gophers, Claeys on the Spot Now

Posted on November 11, 2016November 11, 2016 by David Shama

The last three regular season games—starting Saturday in Lincoln—will define the Gophers’ football season. This stretch could also be a “final exam” for Tracy Claeys as head coach.

University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler and interim athletic director Beth Goetz set up this potential drama for Claeys last November when they named him head coach. The three-year contract given the Gophers’ former defensive coordinator included a reported buyout of $500,000 after this season—a bargain-basement sum in big time college football.

After popular head coach Jerry Kill resigned in October of last year, Kaler and Goetz decided not to open up a national search for Kill’s successor. Instead, they opted for something of a trial balloon approach by changing Claeys’ title from interim to head coach.

The announcement of Claeys’ promotion came on November 11. Three days later the Gophers lost to No. 8 ranked Iowa. As interim head coach, Claeys had lost games to No. 15 Michigan and No. 1 Ohio State.

The 2015 Gophers had a difficult schedule and run of injuries. Claeys did get his first win November 21 against Illinois, and then lost to Wisconsin in the regular season final game. The Gophers had a victory over Central Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl and made their final record 6-7.

This season Minnesota is 7-2 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten games. The schedule so far has been the easiest in memory. The Gophers have conference wins against Maryland, Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue. Those teams are a combined 5-19 in league games. Colorado State, Indiana State, and Oregon State—the three teams Minnesota defeated in nonconference games—are a combined 6-12 in their league games.

Minnesota’s two losses—to Penn State in overtime and Iowa by seven points—are missed opportunities. Penn State is now a top 20 team nationally, while Iowa is mediocre. Wins over either would have bettered the public perception of Claeys and his record, which includes no wins over nationally ranked teams, or rivalry teams like Iowa and Wisconsin.

New opportunities, though, are coming this month against No. 21 ranked Nebraska, improving Northwestern and No. 7 Wisconsin. Make that opportunities with an exclamation mark!

Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin are tied for first place in the Big Ten’s West Division with 4-2 records. Northwestern is 3-3 but played impressively the last two weeks in league losses to No. 6 ranked Ohio State and Wisconsin. Iowa, 3-3, is also in the West Division logjam that eventually will sort itself out and send the winner to the Big Ten championship game against the king of the East in Indianapolis in December.

Claeys told Sports Headliners last summer he wanted the Gophers positioned in November to make a run for Indy. A West Division title this fall, or even two wins in the last three games, would boost Claeys’ popularity with skeptical fans. Funny how championships and wins over hated border rivals can impact things.

What are the Gophers’ chances in their remaining regular season games? Minnesota is likely to play competitively against Nebraska and Northwestern, but Wisconsin is a big reach. The Badgers have a defense that compares favorably with any in the nation and the game is in Madison where the Gophers haven’t won since 1994.

As both interim and head coach, Claeys has a 9-6 record. Three of the six losses have been by seven points or less. Down the stretch he and the Gophers have to flip close losses like last year’s 30-25 Iowa game and the 29-26 Michigan score.

Claeys has won tight games against lesser opponents, including three this year by seven points or fewer. If the Gophers are to win big boy games in November—even by narrow margins—then they must play with more consistency. The offense has the conference’s second leading rusher in Rodney Smith but the line—playing without injured starters—has faltered at times, just like senior quarterback Mitch Leidner who has thrown untimely interceptions. The defense—the foundation of the program’s revival dating back to the first season of Kill and Claeys in 2011—has often been impressive. NCAA statistics earlier this week had the Gophers ranked 23rd in total defense and No. 3 in turnover margin, but the unit has been susceptible to big plays, partly because of suspended defensive backs. The Gophers have also had penalty problems on both offense and defense including a pattern of targeting calls by the referees.

To the credit of Claeys and his staff, adjustments have been made during games that helped Minnesota win. Last week’s halftime changes defensively limited Purdue to only three points in a 44-31 win. Being able to make the right moves during games is one of several things Claeys has done that deserve listing in the positive category.

Last offseason Claeys showed he would run the program his way by dismissing offensive coordinator and line coach Matt Limegrover. He kept the rest of Kill’s staff together—a group known for its longevity and skills. Claeys also signed a recruiting class in February that includes several freshmen who have displayed exceptional promise. The coach has also worked his way through the off field problem with the already mentioned defensive backs. With good fortune and preparedness, he has managed to keep his team relatively healthy even if a few key parts like tight end Brandon Lingen have missed much of the season. He and his staff have also shown skill in player development including breakthrough seasons for wide receiver Drew Wolitarksky and kicker Emmit Carpenter.

But despite winning seven games and being bowl eligible for a fourth consecutive season, Claeys and the Gophers have stirred minimal interest and passion in this competitive sports marketplace. Attendance is down at home games with the Gophers headed toward their lowest average since moving into TCF Bank Stadium in 2009. Claeys talks about recruiting “going well” but the Gophers’ 2017 class ranks near the bottom of the Big Ten, according to authorities like 247sports.com. Recruits include those with minimal or no offers from prominent football schools.

Claeys is a humble, straight talking bachelor from small town Clay Center, Kansas who is completing his first contract year and wants to stick around Dinkytown. He hopes new athletic director Mark Coyle will extend his deal, and Claeys mentioned on his Tuesday KFAN Radio show this week that having only two years on a coach’s contract can be used against the Gophers in recruiting.

Claeys probably won’t have to work under such circumstances. Coyle will either extend Claeys, or go in a different direction before December. The coach can finish the regular season no worse than 7-5 overall, and 4-5 in conference games. Those could be chancy numbers when it comes to Claeys’ future.

The good news is he and the team will have a lot to say about their fate the next three Saturdays.

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Ex-Gopher Captain Wants Regent Role

Posted on November 9, 2016November 9, 2016 by David Shama

Former Gopher football captain Jim Carter is submitting an application for membership to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The State Legislature will approve individuals to fill four vacancies on the board next year.

Carter, who played for the Gophers from 1967-1969 after a legendary schoolboy career in South St. Paul, said many people have urged him to apply. He is known for his passion and straight talk about the University. As a regent he wants to help with issues such as student tuition costs and debt, student preparedness to enter the workforce, and enhancing athletics including the revenue-producing sports of football, basketball and hockey.

Carter, who lives in the Hastings area and hopes to represent the Second Congressional District on the Board of Regents, played for the Green Bay Packers where he was elected team captain. He has decades of business and civic experience including 28 years as an automobile dealer in Wisconsin, and participation on many boards including the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. In addition to his experience in governance, Carter has been a donor to many organizations including the University of Minnesota Foundation.

Minneapolis businessman Mark Sheffert, a University alum and advisor to the Board of Regents, is familiar with Carter’s background. “He is passionate about and cares about the University,” Sheffert said. “He has attended many meetings of the regents to learn what they do. He has also talked to regents and University administrators to give his constructive thoughts.”

Typical of Carter’s involvement and support for the University is the assistance and leadership he provided this fall to increase awareness about the proposed Lineman Center for the Gophers. Carter has urged regents and others to help make the center part of the new football facility in the now under construction Athletes Village project on campus.

After attending the Board of Regents meetings last month, Carter is optimistic the University will approve the center early next year. He told Sports Headliners there is an anonymous donor willing “to pay at least half” the cost for the Gophers Center.

It’s anticipated the center will add thousands of square feet to the football practice facility and cost several million dollars. Carter said without the center, offensive and defensive linemen won’t have a large enough place indoors that is dedicated to improving their skills—a space big enough to accommodate not only the players but also practice equipment including blocking sleds. The center space would also be used by Gopher athletes in other sports.

Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys has stressed the importance of the center to Carter and others.

Worth Noting

The Gophers have their first road night game Saturday at Nebraska. Quarterback Mitch Leidner said it’s important for the players to stay relaxed during the day. “Don’t burn too much energy thinking about the game,” Leidner said. “Conserve that energy all the way up until game time starts.”

Emmit Carpenter, the Gophers’ kicker is not only from Green Bay but is a self-described “die-hard Packers fan.” He said his family has owned Packers season tickets for decades. A redshirt sophomore, he is 16 of 18 on field goals this season, and his 16 are tops in the Big Ten.

Sid Hartman is no longer doing sports analysis weekdays at 7:40 a.m. for WCCO Radio. Mike Max has that slot now, with Hartman on air at 8:40 a.m. as in the past.

P.J. Fleck—the young Western Michigan coach who has the undefeated Mid-American Conference Broncos ranked No. 14 by the Associated Press—quietly has his name mentioned by Gophers boosters as a future coach. Fleck is a media favorite who last week was featured by the New York Times and this week was written up by the Washington Post. Other national media coverage has come from Sports Illustrated and Forbes.com.

The 5-3 Vikings rank second among NFL teams in points allowed per game at 15.8. Although the offense has struggled to score, that unit has just one turnover in eight games going into Sunday’s road game with the 4-3-1 Redskins.

Eden Prairie sophomore quarterback Cole Kramer is the grandson of former Gophers athletic director Tom Moe. The Eagles are among the playoff favorites for the November 25 Class 6A state title game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Minikahda Club pro Jeff Sorenson shot a course record 12-under par 60 Monday at Cabo del Sol Golf Club in Cabo San Lucas. Playing in a tournament for TaylorMade club professionals, the 2016 Minnesota Section PGA Player of the Year beat the previous course record by four strokes.

Twins reliever Glen Perkins, recovering from shoulder surgery, said on Monday he expects to pitch in spring training games next March. Perkins, the Twins All-Star closer, pitched just two innings during the 2016 season.

The Twins Hall of Fame is way overdue to induct the late Halsey Hall, the colorful radio-TV analyst from the club’s early years in Minnesota. Inductees for next year perhaps will include former outfielder Michael Cuddyer and ex-general manager Terry Ryan.

The Wild has recalled forwards Christoph Bertschy and Zack Mitchell and defenseman Mike Reilly from its Iowa affiliate team in the American Hockey League. The Wild has placed defenseman Marco Scandella on long-term injured reserve because of a high right ankle sprain (October 27 at Buffalo).

Hollywood comedian and actor Erik Stolhanske, a Minnesota native, will be the first keynote speaker for the free Bremer Bank Game Changers Speaker Series November 22 at Xcel Energy Center. Stolhanske was born without a fibula and has a prosthetic leg, but despite obstacles has earned roles in shows such as Super Troopers and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Visit the Minnesota Wild website and Speaker Series page for more information. https://www.nhl.com/wild/fans/game-changers-speaker-series

Olivia Paradise, the granddaughter of hockey legends Herb Brooks and Bob Paradise, played No. 1 singles for the Class 2A champion Mahtomedi tennis team this fall and is known for her modeling work.

The WCHA has the three top-ranked women’s teams in the national USCHO.com poll, No. 1 Wisconsin, No. 2 Minnesota and No. 3 UMD. The Big Ten Gopher men’s team has moved up to No. 8 in that USCHO poll, two spots behind No. 6 North Dakota who Minnesota tied in one game and defeated in another last weekend. UMD is No. 1.

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Twins New Bosses Face Fan Anger

Posted on November 7, 2016November 7, 2016 by David Shama

The Twins introduced new baseball department bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine to the media and fans today. News of their appointments won’t sell many tickets or immediately improve a team that lost 103 games last season.

Falvey is the new executive vice president and chief baseball officer. Levine’s title is senior vice president and general manager. They represent a new start for a franchise that has lost over 90 games in five of the last six seasons. Home attendance has declined every year, with the Twins drawing less than two million fans last season for the first time since moving into Target Field in 2010.

Fans have become both angry and apathetic. A knowledgeable sports industry source told Sports Headliners he heard the Twins’ season tickets total is about 8,800 right now. Another source believes the final total for 2017 will be about 10,000. When the club started playing at Target Field the season tickets total was approximately 25,000.

TV viewership was dismal at times last season. A ratings authority said the Nielsen results for a Twins-Blue Jays game in August showed no viewers in the 600-home meters sample size. “That’s never happened before with the Twins,” the source said.

Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners earlier this year market research shows fans “desperately” want to get behind the franchise. To rally the fan base, though, Falvey and Levine will have to make changes that re-energize the public.

At the top of the to-do list is adding a couple of marquee players to the roster before next season. The Twins have a reputation for usually not spending significantly on free agents—nor wisely when they do. Their offseason shopping list might start with free agent catcher Wilson Ramos who the Twins errantly traded away to the Nationals in 2010 for closer Matt Capps. Ramos, 29, had a breakout year in 2016, becoming a National League All-Star and hitting .307 with 22 home runs with 80 RBI.

Everyone knows the Twins need to upgrade their pitching staff and that assignment might be where Falvey and Levine can show their smarts first. If they can identity the right pitching help this offseason, that will be impressive. Without better starters and relievers, the Twins are probably a lock to finish last in the American League Central Division again.

The shopping list should also include a clubhouse leader. The Twins never replaced role model vet Torii Hunter who retired after the 2015 season. His leadership and hitting production were key reasons why the 2015 team had a winning record (83-79).

Falvey and Levine should show the fan base they are changing the culture in the baseball department. Change is anticipated to include increased use of analytics but it’s also expected to result in new faces in the organization. Changes might include new coaches.

Levine indicated at today’s news conference he and Falvey see manager Paul Molitor as “someone they can invest in.” No reassurances were made, though, that all the coaches on Molitor’s staff will return. Rob Antony, who has been leading the baseball operation, drew praise from Falvey who didn’t hint at change there.

The 33-year-old Falvey and the 44-year-old Levine have a big job ahead. In a few years the results of their decisions will be known. Let them do things now they believe will give the Twins the best chance to win in 2017 and beyond.

Falvey comes from the Indians where he was assistant general manager. His most extensive experience with the organization was serving four years as the director of baseball operations. Levine has spent the past 11 seasons as assistant general manager for the Rangers.

Worth Noting

Falvey and Levine impressed with their answers at today’s news conference, with the latter more than once showing a sense of humor. The transplanted Texan said he had been warned about Minneapolis weather in November but temps have been mild. “This is actually a lovely time of year up here,” Levine said.

Bo Hellquist, the former UMD pitcher from Savage who signed as a free agent with the Twins in June, had a 5-3 record with a 2.25 ERA in 11 games pitching in the Gulf Coast League for rookies.

Jay Buckley’s Baseball Tours, operating from La Crosse, Wisconsin, has announced 30 trips for 2017 including games to see the World Series champion Cubs. Billed as the “Ultimate Wrigley Field Experience,” the Chicago trip will allow fans to watch games from the stadium and a rooftop. More at Jaybuckley.com.

Give the Gophers and coach Don Lucia credit for a weekend with a tie and a win over North Dakota, a team that has been ranked No. 1 in the country. Saturday night’s announced attendance was 10,310—the ninth largest ever at Mariucci Arena.

The Sports Illustrated College Basketball Projection System simulates the season ahead 10,000 times and ranks teams from No. 1 to 351. The Gophers are No. 97, just behind East Tennessee State and one spot ahead of South Dakota State. Minnesota ranks 13th in the 14-team Big Ten Conference. Rutgers—ouch!—is 224th.

S.I. ranks Duke No. 1 in the nation, while Big Ten teams in the top 16 are Wisconsin No. 8, Purdue No. 11 and Indiana No. 14.

Emmit Carpenter, who kicked three field goals including two of over 50 yards in the Gophers’ win over Purdue Saturday, was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week today.

New Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur impressed yesterday with his use of various personnel and play calling, including a surprise touchdown run by reserve tight end Rhett Ellison in Minnesota’s 22-16 loss to the Lions.

Bleacherreport.com’s NFL power rankings this morning have the Lions at No. 11 and the Vikings No. 12. The Redskins, who the Vikings play next Sunday, are No. 13, while the Patriots rank first.

Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a current exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, and one that Vikings fans will enjoy. The travelling exhibit, on display through January 15, includes an area devoted to the Minnesota NFL franchise. In addition to the Hometown Heroes section, fans can enjoy and learn about the history of pro football including how Ole Haugsrud purchased the Duluth Eskimos franchise for $1 in 1925. Haugsrud later became one of the original Vikings owners.

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