Golden Gophers – Page 254 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Scottish Great Picks U.S. to Win Ryder Cup

Posted on August 8, 2016August 8, 2016 by David Shama

Scottish-born Colin Montgomerie predicts the United States team will win the Ryder Cup when the famous biennial golf competition with Europe is held September 30-October 2 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska. Montgomerie, in town for last weekend’s 3M Championship in Blaine, is now on the senior tour but is famous as one of Europe’s legendary Ryder Cup players.

Europe has won six of the last seven Cups but Montgomerie told Sports Headliners he expects a supportive and electric crowd at Hazeltine will be among key reasons the United States wins the match play event. He believes the U.S. team will be motivated to end Europe’s domination that includes three consecutive Cup wins.

Montgomerie said other factors favoring U.S. success are the leadership of captain Davis Love III, and the “aura” of having vice captain Tiger Woods being around the American players. The 12-man U.S. roster won’t be finalized for awhile but qualifying point totals show Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker will be leading the team.

Montgomerie will be covering the Ryder Cup for both British and American television. A former captain, he played for Europe eight times and was on five winning teams. Undefeated in Ryder Cup singles matches, he is famous for holing the winning putt at the 2004 competition at Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan.

Montgomerie makes his feelings known about the Cup on his website with this quote: “If I tell you that I can remember virtually every shot I have hit in a Ryder Cup, it will go some way towards explaining how much this biennial contest means to me.”

After the second round of the 3M Championship on Saturday, the 53-year-old Montgomerie was tied for fourth with Jeff Maggert at 11 under. When the tournament ended Sunday, nine other golfers were ahead of Montgomerie. Joe Durant won $262,500 with his playoff win yesterday against Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Worth Noting

NBC’s Olympic coverage seen locally on KARE 11 had Minneapolis-St. Paul area ratings of over 7 yesterday afternoon, while the Twins-Rays game on Fox Sports North was under 1.

It will be interesting to see who emerges as Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner’s favorite receiver this season. That role last year went to KJ Maye but among the possibilities now is senior wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky. He is the team’s leading returning receiver, having caught 39 passes for 524 yards in 2015.

Off the field Wolitarsky is majoring in English and is an avid writer. He has written several science fiction stories and had a six-part short story published in The Wake, a student-run magazine at the University of Minnesota.

At Saturday’s second practice of training camp, Leidner was impressive with deep passes. He had difficulty with long throws last season while playing on an injured left foot.

Bob Coughlin, father of promising Gophers freshman linebacker Carter Coughlin of Eden Prairie, told Sports Headliners on Saturday his son has no lingering problems from the mild concussion he suffered in a national prep all-star game last January.

Rob and wife Jennie were chaperones at the family’s lake residence when Carter hosted about 19 of his freshmen teammates earlier this year. Rob said players from the south wore socks into the lake, explaining that is what they do back home.

Jennie handled the cooking for the lake getaway. Asked about the sizeable appetites of Carter and teammates, Rob said, “Thank God for Costco.”

There was talk following spring practice that redshirt junior Ryan Santoso, who probably will be the team’s punter, might also handle long field goal attempts this fall. Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said he hadn’t even thought about that after two training camp practices.

“If I had to make a decision today, I’d say no,” Claeys said. “I’d just as soon he punt and live with that. Emmit (Carpenter) has done a good job on the field goals, and we would go (with him). We get closer to around 15 practices, we should have that all fine for sure.”

Santoso concentrated on field goals last season, making 17 of 21. His .810 percentage was second best in the Big Ten. The Gophers, though, need to replace graduated all-conference punter Peter Mortell. Santoso punted in high school in Florida and Carpenter, a redshirt sophomore from Green Bay, has impressed this year in practices, although he has yet to attempt a field goal in a Gopher game.

Recruiting authority and writer Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners the Gophers haven’t offered a scholarship to Chicago-area defensive back Juawan Treadwell but might do so. Treadwell’s older brother Laquon Treadwell, a wide receiver from Ole Miss, was the Vikings No. 1 draft choice earlier this year. Burns said the younger Treadwell was in the green room on NFL Draft night when the Vikings selected his brother—an indication of their relationship.

Last Monday’s column about U.S. Bank Stadium and TCF Bank Stadium prompted emails including from readers who noted the walking distances from the University’s student center (Coffman Memorial Union) to both facilities. One reader wrote that it’s 1.5 miles to U.S. Bank Stadium and 0.7 to TCF Bank Stadium.

Much was written and said about Tony Dungy last weekend when the former Vikings assistant coach and Super Bowl winning Colts head coach was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A detail forgotten about Dungy is that while on scholarship as a Gophers quarterback, he played basketball for one season. During 1973-74 Dungy was a reserve guard, averaging 2.6 points per game while making .485 percent of his field goals and .600 percent of his free throws.

The Vikings will have a 6,000 seat outdoor stadium as part of their new practice and team headquarters in Eagan. Dave Stead, executive director of the Minnesota State High School League, told Sports Headliners the Twin Cities Orthopedics Stadium could be the site of prep football, lacrosse and soccer games. Among details to be determined is how the Vikings would compensate host schools for revenues lost by moving games to Eagan. The stadium is expected to open in 2018.

Apparently no decision yet on whether 40-year-old Kevin Garnett wants—or will be asked—to play another season for the Timberwolves. The process might be slowed by new Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau being at the summer Olympics where he is an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team. Garnett is a strong locker room personality and it’s not known how Thibodeau will view that as he shapes a new culture with his new team.

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Rivalry Games Already on U Radar

Posted on August 5, 2016August 5, 2016 by David Shama

The Gophers begin training camp today, and yesterday it was evident players want to end past frustrations, and surprise sportswriters who are predicting a fifth place finish in the Big Ten’s seven-team West Division.

Senior corner Jalen Myrick didn’t hold back expressing his feels about Minnesota border rivals Iowa and Wisconsin. “I hate Iowa. … I hate Wisconsin. I want to beat them at least one time. I didn’t get a chance (because of injury) to play against each one of them last year. I got a big statement to prove in each of those games.”

The Hawkeyes won the division last season, the Badgers the year before. Minnesota’s record against Iowa since 2000 is 5-11. Dating back to 1990, the Gophers are a dismal 5-21 against Wisconsin including 12 consecutive losses beginning in 2004.

Senior quarterback Mitch Leidner joined Myrick and several other teammates yesterday to talk with the media prior to practice opening. Leidner predicted the Gophers will play with an edge this season and added he wants a Big Ten title before his college career ends.

Leidner knows the Gophers need to end the drought against the Badgers, and Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys talked about that during an interview with Sports Headliners in June. “It bothers the hell out of me,” Claeys said. “We’re on our way to try to get that back to where it’s a rivalry. We gotta win sooner or later for it even to be considered a rivalry anymore.”

Worth Noting

Myrick also returns kickoffs for the Gophers and is considered the team’s fastest player. A recent NFL.com story identified him as the Big Ten’s fastest player. Myrick said he’s faster than last year. How much? “We’ll see,” he replied.

Myrick intentionally lost a couple of pounds to bring his weight to about 200, and he has speed on his mind. “Anytime I can build my speed, that’s what I am trying to do,” he said.

Leidner said he’s healthy after playing injured the last couple of years. He even acknowledged that in a 2014 game ligaments attached to a big toe were so torn the toe was “floating around” in his shoe.

Leidner predicted yesterday that senior offensive tackle Jonah Pirsig might be named an All-American this fall. The 6-9, 325-pound Pirsig has played much of his career with injuries. “This is the healthiest I’ve felt since I’ve been here,” Pirsig said.

Both Leidner and Pirsig praised new offensive line coach Bart Miller and the impact he’s had on that unit. “He’s completely changed the mindset around,” Leidner said.

Coaching staff decisions about starters will be made after 18 practices. Claeys said starters need 10 days of practices to prepare for the first game.

Prior to their September 1 opener against Oregon State, the Gophers have five practices open to the public. Practices August 6, 9 and 12 begin at 10 a.m. at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex. Two practices August 13 are also open to the public—starting at 9:10 a.m. at Gibson-Nagurski and 4:45 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium.

Retired Twins executive Jim Rantz has talked recently with Terry Ryan who owner Jim Pohlad let go as the club’s general manager last month. Rantz and Ryan worked with each other for decades. Rantz said the 62-year-old Ryan is “doing fine,” still has passion for baseball and watches the Twins on TV.

Rantz’s guess is his friend will eventually get back into baseball. “I don’t think he’s going to call it a career,” Rantz said. “I think he’s going to hang in there, and we’ll see what happens here. I am sure he’ll hang out until the end of the year and then go from there.”

The Thursday morning Go 96.3 radio show offered a few critical comments about U.S. Bank Stadium’s debut sports event Wednesday night between soccer teams AC Milan and Chelsea. Comments included too much congestion inside the stadium, “spotty Wi-Fi” and at least one or two concessionaires running out of menu items. A sausage for $7 that cost $2 more for peppers and onions also prompted comment.

General manager Rick Spielman said the Vikings’ new practice facility and team headquarters in Eagan (opening in 2018) will be the best in the NFL and can contribute to attracting free agents. “Just like the new stadium (downtown), I think was a big factor this year,” he said. “(But) it’s always going to come down to your football team, and it will come down to the financial commitment you’re willing to make to the player. I think a lot of it has to do (also) with your coaching staff and our head coach. …”

It will be interesting to watch the development of high-potential Vikings second-season defensive lineman Danielle Hunter. Could Hunter, who doesn’t turn 22 until October, replace 10-year veteran Brian Robison this season? Robison, 33, might one day finish his career as a situational pass rusher.

At 6-5 and over 250 pounds the Vikings 2015 third round draft choice is an intriguing prospect. He had 33 tackles and six sacks last year. Hunter’s NFL.com draft analysis in 2015 described him as having a “freakish combination of size, athleticism and explosiveness.”

The Minnesota Wild will offer single game regular season tickets starting at $35. Tickets go on sale September 24. Pricing for single game regular season tickets is based on demand factors like rivalries, day-of-week, marquee teams or superstar players.

Former Gophers, Olympics and North Stars coaching legend Herb Brooks, who was killed in a 2003 August car accident, would have been 79 today.

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Kepler Top Rookie of Year Candidate

Posted on August 3, 2016August 3, 2016 by David Shama

With a three home run game on Monday night, and another last evening, the Twins Max Kepler is now a favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Despite joining the Twins after the season started and for awhile not being a regular, Kepler has hit 15 home runs this year, including seven in his last 15 games. His home run total leads all American League rookies, and a baseball authority predicted yesterday he could finish the season with 25 homers.

Kepler is averaging a home run every 13.6 at bats. When former Senators and Twins great Harmon Killebrew played his first full season in the majors in 1959 he homered every 13 at bats.

Kepler’s home run totals have probably surprised everyone. In six minor league seasons through 2015 he homered every 46.8 times at the plate. His minor league batting average was .281.

Max Kepler (photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins).

“He’s got that kind of bat that he’s going to hit for average and show a little power,” former Twins executive Jim Rantz told Sports Headliners back in April.

Turns out Kepler is showing more than a “little power” with his line drives that are going over the fence and positioning him to possibly become the sixth Twins player to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The 6-4, 207-pound Twins right fielder is impressive at bat with a leveraged swing and exceptional plate discipline. He is hitting .259 with 46 RBI in 205 at bats with the Twins.

“We all thought that he was probably going to be a line drive type hitter that was going to put a lot of doubles up,” Rantz told Sports Headliners yesterday. “It’s a beautiful swing that he puts on the ball…(and) if he gets elevation, it’s going to go because when he hits a ball it carries.”

The German-born Kepler comes from an athletic family. His parents were ballet dancers. As a youngster Kepler played not only baseball but other sports including soccer, swimming, skiing and tennis. Mark Rozycki and Mary Kepler may also have raised the next AL Rookie of the Year.

“No telling how this is going to finish if he keeps going like he’s going,” Rantz said.“He’s liable to hit 25 before it’s over (the season).”

Worth Noting

Vikings owners and brothers Mark and Zygi Wilf didn’t attend yesterday’s groundbreaking event for a new privately funded practice facility and team headquarters in Eagan because their father is ill, a source told Sports Headliners. Leonard Wilf, Mark and Zygi’s cousin and another Vikings owner, represented the Wilf family.

General manager Rick Spielman, speaking at the event, predicted the new complex will be the most “unique and best” of its kind in the NFL. The 40-acre Vikings campus will have offices, a 100-yard indoor practice building and four outdoor fields including a 6,000 seat stadium that is likely to host premiere high school games.

While there’s been no announcement, it seems likely the Vikings eventually will move their preseason training camp from Mankato to Eagan. The new complex will be known as the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center and TCO Stadium. It is scheduled to open in March of 2018.

Steve Poppen, the Vikings chief financial officer, said Eagan was “clearly” the best of three sites considered. Eagan mayor Mike Maguire said before the Vikings’ headquarters was built in Eden Prairie, the Eagan site had been promoted by a St. Paul developer in the 1970s.

Twins’ right-hander Tommy Milone, who this week was assigned to the bullpen, pitched five-plus innings in four of his last five starts after not achieving that in any of his first six starts this season. Milone hasn’t walked a batter in his last two starts.

Rob Antony, the Twins assistant general manager who could be a finalist to succeed Terry Ryan as the franchise’s baseball boss, started out in the media relations department. So, too, did Twins president Dave St. Peter and director of travel Mike Herman. The organization has long been known for its loyalty to employees and for promoting from within.

The Gophers open preseason football practice Friday. Saturday’s 10 a.m. practice at the Gibson Nagurski Football Complex is open to the public.

Former Gophers coach Glen Mason compared Minnesota senior quarterback Mitch Leidner to a 10-handicap golfer last week while doing analysis on the Big Ten Network. Mason said a 10-handicapper is inconsistent and Leidner needs to more like a five-handicapper.

Gophers coach Tracy Claeys told reporters at last week’s Big Ten media days in Chicago it will be important for he and new offensive coordinator Jay Johnston to give Leidner assignments that he is comfortable with during August practices.

A lot of college football programs, including the Gophers, are discounting tickets to boost sales. Big Ten rival Purdue has single game tickets starting at $5.

The U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, with four Lynx players and Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve on the staff, has its first game in Rio de Janeiro Sunday. The U.S. team, favored to win gold, plays its opening game against Senegal starting at 10 a.m. CDT.

Vashti Cunningham, the 18-year-old daughter of former Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham, isn’t expected to win the high jump in Rio but could surprise, and the Nevada native has already put Olympic coaches on notice she is a special talent.

Hamline has hired ex-Gophers women’s tennis star Julia Courter as its new head men’s and women’s tennis coach. The Pipers now have four former Gophers as head coaches with the others being Becky Bauer Egan (volleyball), Natalie Darwitz (women’s hockey) and Cory Laylin (men’s hockey).

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