Golden Gophers – Page 258 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Maturi Attending Greatest Game Reunion

Posted on September 13, 2016September 13, 2016 by David Shama

Former Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi and his wife Lois leave for South Bend, Indiana tomorrow and Notre Dame’s 50th reunion of the 1966 “Game of the Century.”

It will be a half century in November that the Fighting Irish and Michigan State played one of the most famous college football games of all-time in East Lansing. Maturi, a graduate of Chisholm High School on Minnesota’s Iron Range, was a student trainer on the 1966 team.

A series of reunion events starts Friday and continues Saturday night at the game between the 2016 Fighting Irish and Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium. At halftime the Notre Dame alums from the 1966 team will be honored with a ceremony.

Attendees are also using the reunion to raise money for the helping others foundations of former Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian and Alan Page who was an All-American tackle for the Irish in 1966 and later an All-Pro for the Minnesota Vikings. Parseghian, 93, was the Notre Dame coach for 11 seasons starting in 1964 and is expected to attend the reunion.

Maturi is bringing a large number of family members to celebrate the weekend including his three-month-old granddaughter. He spent over $1,000 on game tickets but said no to Notre Dame’s policy that everyone—including infants—must have a ticket. Balking at buying a ticket for granddaughter Lucille, Maturi contacted a school official who agreed to “smuggling” the infant into Notre Dame Stadium Saturday night.

Maturi remembers many details about the famous game between the two undefeated teams with star players galore, including Irish quarterback Terry Hanratty and 6-foot-7 Spartan defensive lineman Bubba Smith. Hanratty got hurt in the game and Irish All-American running back Nick Eddy didn’t even play because of a bad shoulder. “We had lots of injuries,” Maturi remembered.

The night before Irish games Maturi visited the hotel rooms of players to provide medications. He remembered a disgruntled player greeted the knock on his door like this: “Maturi, you’re the only guy who wakes somebody…to give him sleeping pills to go to sleep.”

Maturi talked about gamesmanship even before kickoff in East Lansing on that famous November 19 day. “I remember some of the Michigan State guys standing outside greeting the bus as we were entering (the stadium). Kind of trying to intimidate, I would say, in some ways. …”

The game ended in a 10-10 tie when Parseghian decided to run out the clock rather than try to position his team down field for a possible winning field goal. Irish quarterback Coley O’Brien had taken over for Hanratty but wasn’t physically strong, Maturi said. O’Brien had diabetes and was physically run-down. Maturi believes that may have been a reason Parseghian was conservative at game’s end.

After the 10-10 tie the Irish made a statement in the next game, a season-ending 51-0 win over USC. Back in 1966 national champions were determined by polls—not playoffs—and most polls selected Notre Dame as No. 1, although some honored Michigan State.

Worth Noting

Dick Jonckowski, public address voice of Gophers basketball and baseball since the 1980s, will be presented with an Honorary M at the M Club Hall of Fame event October 20 at TCF Bank Stadium. Jonckowski starts his 31st season of Gophers basketball this fall and last spring finished his 29th season of baseball.

Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi, formerly the defensive coordinator at Michigan State and now in his second season at Pitt, will be a featured speaker at the Minnesota Football Clinic next spring. The Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s website also reports other clinic “headliners” will be North Dakota State head coach Chris Klieman and former Gophers interim coach Jeff Horton now an assistant at San Diego State.

J.D. Spielman, the 2015 Mr. Football Award winner from Eden Prairie, has yet to catch a pass or make a run in two games as a wide receiver for Nebraska. The 5-9, 180-pound freshman was one of the most explosive runners and kick returners in state history.

With a 21-6 record in nonconference games after two weeks play, and featuring five teams in the top 15 of the Associated Press college football rankings, the Big Ten Conference can do a little strutting. High scoring games have been common with five teams totaling over 50 points last weekend, including the Gophers’ 58-28 win over Indiana State. It’s the first time the Big Ten has had five teams top 50 points since September 13, 1997.

After two weeks following the 14 Big Ten teams, impressions are more solid than in August. With that introduction, here are my initial power rankings of Big Ten teams.

1. Ohio State. Urban Meyer is 52-4 as Buckeyes coach. That’s code for the talent is good and deep in Columbus where OSU is ranked No. 3 nationally.

2. Michigan. Coach Khaki has the No. 4 ranked Wolverines headed for a national championship. We just don’t know how soon.

3. Michigan State. The No. 12 ranked Spartans are defending Big Ten champions and will find out how good they are Saturday at Notre Dame. Nobody scowls better than Spartans coach Mark Dantonio.

4. Wisconsin. The No. 9 ranked Badgers defeated SEC bully and preseason national title contender LSU in their season opener. Maybe the Badgers should play all their games at Lambeau.

5. Iowa. The No. 13 Hawkeyes have got a bunch of exceptional players and a great one in cornerback Desmond King who won the 2015 Jim Thorpe award. Among Iowa’s best are senior quarterback C.J. Beathard and freshman defensive end Anthony Nelson who at 6-7 reminds some folks of the legendary Ted Hendricks.

6. Nebraska. The Huskers are 2-0 but have a lot of damage control work to do after last season’s 6-7 Mike Riley coaching debut. Probably time to start believing if Huskers, averaging 47.5 points per game and giving up 13.5, defeat No. 22 Oregon Saturday in Lincoln.

7. Minnesota. Is this too high a spot for the Gophers? They are an iffy team but we’ll know what to make of Year One in the Tracy Claeys era after Minnesota’s opening Big Ten game at Penn State on October 1. Not good that two cornerbacks are suspended and potential all-Big Ten tight end Brandon Lingen is injured again and out for an indefinite period.

The remaining power rankings look like this: 8. Penn State, 9. Indiana, 10. Northwestern, 11. Maryland, 12. Illinois, 13. Rutgers and 14.Purdue.

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What Vikings Fans Need to Know & Do

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

With the Vikings’ season starting in a couple days, there is a new book to help fans celebrate their franchise. Star Tribune sportswriter Mark Craig educates and entertains fans with 100 Things Vikings Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (Triumph Books).

Craig has been a regular on the Vikings beat for years and is known for his comprehensive coverage. Craig’s thoroughness shows up in his paperback book that includes the prominent names from the franchise’s start in 1961 up through 2015. There is plenty of good storytelling in 100 short chapters, with surprises mixed in including the song Prince wrote for his favorite team.

Mark Craig book Vikings fans will learn how the franchise got its name and why the first game was played in South Dakota. Howard Webb Field in Sioux Falls is where the Vikings got their start in August of 1961 before 4,954 fans. Craig suggests Vikings fans visit the field as one of the things that true Purple Heads will enjoy. Other recommended destinations include Kezar Stadium in San Francisco where Jim Marshall made his infamous wrong-way run for a touchdown.

Craig interviewed many sources for the book including former Vikings owner Red McCombs who talked about his trade of star receiver Randy Moss in 2005. McCombs dispatched Moss to the Raiders shortly before selling the team. Craig writes that McCombs didn’t make the trade out of revenge for not being able to secure funding for a new stadium. Moss, moody and unpredictable, had just worn out his welcome with McCombs and a lot of other people.

In the chapter about Moss’ trade to the Raiders, Craig recalls details about the closing seconds of the 2004 season finale against the Redskins when Moss left the field, and later in the locker room where he was confronted by livid teammate Matt Birk. That wouldn’t be the end, though, to Moss’ erratic behavior in the NFL.

Moss is a recurring figure in Craig’s book. Chapters include “Randy and Red Resurrect a Franchise,” “Visit Lambeau Field, the Site of Moss’ Moonshot,” and “Eat at Tinucci’s—Where Randy Moss Wouldn’t Take His Dog.”

Moss had a brief but second hook up with the Vikings, joining the team in 2010 after the season began and lasting less than a month. Craig writes that in a move that didn’t follow franchise protocol, Vikings coach Brad Childress unilaterally released Moss after the wide receiver had been “wildly insubordinate” the day before in a game against the Patriots. Within weeks team ownership fired Childress.

Craig acknowledges that the former Vikings coach annoyed players because he was too strict. Childress won no popularity contests with the fans, either, but Craig reports how without notice the coach once stopped what he was doing in his office and accompanied offensive lineman Anthony Herrera to his U.S. citizenship ceremony in St. Paul.

It was Childress who coached the Vikings in 2009 when almost 40-year-old Brett Favre arrived as the Vikings quarterback. Craig tells about Favre’s magical debut game when in the closing seconds he brought the Vikings from behind to win a game that almost blew the top off the Metrodome. Receiver Greg Lewis caught the winning touchdown pass with two seconds remaining. Favre was under such pressure he didn’t even know who he was throwing to and six years later Adrian Peterson still called it “the most amazing” play he’s ever seen.

Peterson receives his own attention in the book including a chapter about his startling and successful comeback from knee surgery. Peterson had torn up his left knee in a game on Christmas Eve in 2011 but soon was determined to return for the next season, and he did so rushing for over 2,000 yards.

There are a lot of feel-good stories in Craig’s book including the author’s suggestion fans visit Peterson’s hometown of Palestine, Texas. In June of each year Adrian Peterson Day celebrates the future hall of famer’s achievements on the field and gifts he has made to the community.

Readers will find some chuckles as they make their way through the book. There is, for example, a chapter on “prankster” Wally Hilgenberg, and another on the “dirty jobs” that some former Vikings experienced prior to their pro football careers. For “dirty” details you will have to buy the book.

Craig told Sports Headliners it took a year to write the book. “Learned to wake up early,” he said. “Getting up at 4:30 in the morning and putting things together—talking to people.”

Craig is pleased he can pass along his Vikings knowledge and the new tales he learned in a year’s worth of research. “I get to share them (all) in a book form,” he said. “It’s a pretty neat concept, I think, being able to present 100 things that people should know or do.”

Worth Noting

Former Gophers coach Jerry Kill is in Minneapolis tomorrow and Saturday signing copies of his new book Chasing Dreams: Living My Life One Yard at a Time. Kill will be in the Dairy Queen Club at TCF Bank Stadium from 8 to 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. From 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow he will be at the University of Minnesota Bookstore at 300 Washington Ave. S.E. Saturday Kill will be available from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Buffalo Wild Wings location at 2001 University Ave. S.E.

A friend in Las Vegas reports the Vikings’ odds to win the Super Bowl are 10 to 1. He visited a sports book yesterday and learned that with the addition of quarterback Sam Bradford, the Vikings’ odds are superior to all but five other clubs. The five with shorter odds are New England 6 to 1; Arizona 6 to 1; Green Bay 8 to 1; Seattle 8 to 1; and Pittsburgh 9 to 1.

Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen after being asked this week about Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers: “I am focused on the Tennessee Titans. I don’t know who Aaron Rodgers is right now.”

The Vikings open their regular season Sunday against the lowly-regarded Titans before facing the Packers and Rodgers in their home opener September 18. The Packers have won the last three games in Minneapolis.

Eden Prairie native and offensive tackle Carter Bykowski, who was added to the Vikings’ practice squad this week, told Sports Headliners he was going to give his pro football ambitions at least another 30 days if no NFL team had signed him. Bykowski, 26, has a business degree from Iowa State and some day could end up working for a local company.

Former Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson completed 28 of 32 passes including five touchdown passes in his debut game for East Carolina last Saturday when the Pirates routed West Carolina 52-7.

Creative Charters is offering Gophers football fans travel packages to away games including November 12 at Nebraska—with no overnight stay. A charter plane will leave Minneapolis the morning of November 12 and fly to Lincoln for the 6:30 p.m. game between the Gophers and Cornhuskers. The charter returns to Minneapolis following the game.

Creative Charters is offering transportation and more to all five away Gophers games but the Illinois and Maryland games are already sold out. For more information, visit the company website, creativecharter.com.

Pioneer Press sports columnist Charley Walters comes from a golf family. He has an 11.2 handicap and brothers Dick and Steve Walters, who work part-time at Wayzata Country Club, have handicaps under five. Charley has played a lot of courses including in Ireland but Augusta National is his favorite. “As good as it gets,” he said.

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Peterson Can’t Come Up Short Again

Posted on September 6, 2016September 6, 2016 by David Shama

The Vikings don’t want to see Adrian Peterson repeat his opening game results of last season when he ran for only 31 yards against the 49ers. With starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater out for the year, the Vikings will be relying more than they planned on Peterson when they begin their season next Sunday in Tennessee against the Titans.

It’s a legitimate question, though, as to how Peterson, who led the NFL in rushing last season, will perform in Tennessee. Peterson, 31, didn’t play in any preseason games this summer—just like last year. When he ran against the 49ers defense last September his longest run was nine yards and he had his second lowest rushing total of the year. Two NFL authorities told Sports Headliners that no physical contact in preseason games makes NFL running backs, including Peterson, less ready for the regular season opener.

To preserve his health Peterson hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2013. In opening regular season games in 2013 and 2014 he was more productive than against the 49ers, but in neither one reached his common standard of 100 yards or more (seven games in 2015).

Adrian Peterson (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

One NFL source referenced above said there is another factor relating to Peterson’s production in opening games. He said opening games typically feature defenses that are more polished than offenses which are more complicated and take more time to develop. “Defenses are flying around ahead of offenses, with low scoring games (typical),” he added.

It takes some faith to think the Vikings can beat the Titans without a 100-yard plus day from their future Hall of Fame running back. Fill-in Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill, 36, is a considerable drop-off from Bridgewater but at least he will be facing a Titans’ secondary that is probably the biggest weakness of that unit. Still, the Vikings will most likely try to pound the ball most of the time with Peterson. That seems true, too, even if newly acquired and talented quarterback Sam Bradford, the 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is familiar enough to compete using a limited playbook and minimal familiarity with receivers.

“We have maybe the best running back in the NFL,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said last week after losing Bridgewater with a severe knee injury. Zimmer also said “we have a real good team” and referenced his receivers, improved offensive line and impressive defense.

The Vikings’ best prescription for an opening win appears to be a big day by Peterson on Sunday, and turnover production from Minnesota’s defense. The Titans were 3-13 last season and there is no guarantee the club will be better in 2016. The team’s offense is likely to feature the run with offseason trade acquisition DeMarco Murray and draft choice Derrick Henry being highly anticipated rushers. The Titan’s gave up 423 points last season, the second most in the AFC.

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey is occupying a “warm seat” in Nashville. The former Vikings tight end was 2-7 as head coach last season after taking over about midway through the year. The Titans hired a new general manager in the offseason who may have interest in other coaches. Mularkey had losing records in previous head coaching opportunities in Buffalo and Jacksonville.

Effort, though, shouldn’t be a problem for the Titans Sunday. Regardless of records from last season (the Vikings were 11-5 and NFC North Division champions), almost all teams play with a lot of adrenaline in opening games. The Vikings have opened on the road five of the last six seasons and are 1-4 away from home.

Worth Noting

In its August 29 pro football issue, Sports Illustrated predicts the Titans will lose their first five games and finish the season with a 3-13 record.

The Vikings have added Eden Prairie native and offensive tackle Carter Bykowski to their practice squad and released cornerback Tre Roberson.

The Gophers have verbal commitments from many high school players for next year’s freshman class but none may turn out to be a better college player than Blaise Andries, the offensive tackle from Marshall, Minnesota. High school recruiting authority Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners Andries has all-Big Ten and NFL potential.

Burns, publisher of Scout’s GopherDigest.com, said Andries is impressive in multiple ways including his physical skills and “mindset.” Already about 6-5 and 300 pounds, Andries will likely be bigger and stronger as a Gopher.

Intelligent and influential with peers, Burns said Andries scored a 31 on his ACT test, and has a 3.99 GPA with ambitions to become an actuary. Andries has an impressive demeanor on and off the field. “He is a great leader,” Burns said.

Among others players who have made verbal commitments to the Gophers is Woodbury High School tight end Nathan Burch. If Burch becomes a Gopher, Burns said he will be the “best blocking tight end” Minnesota has signed to a letter of intent in a while.

Golden Valley resident Eddie Cohen is in his 60th season as a member of the Gophers football game day statistics crew. Cohen, for years a Minneapolis-based attorney, represented local athletes over the years including former U athletes Lou Hudson and Noel Jenke, and ex-Twin Jim “Mudcat” Grant.

The Gophers, who defeated Oregon State last Thursday night and are now 3-1 all-time against the Beavers, will play a first-ever game in Corvallis September 9, 2017. Some media outlets have ranked Corvallis as the best college town in the country.

While there is still no formal announcement on a contract extension for Gophers men’s hockey coach Don Lucia, the program has hired U alums Ben Gordon and Corey Millen. Gordon’s title is assistant director of hockey operations and Millen is an undergraduate assistant.

The Twins have recalled right-handed pitcher Tyler Duffey and first baseman Kennys Vargas from Triple-A Rochester. The Twins have also selected the contract of infielder James Beresford from Rochester and transferred outfielder Danny Santana to the 60-day disabled list. Rochester hitting coach Chad Allen is joining the Twins staff.

Slugging second baseman Brian Dozier hit three home runs yesterday and his total of 38 for the season is the most by a Twins player since Harmon Killebrew homered 41 times in 1970. He and Killebrew are the only players in franchise history to hit at least 36 home runs in a single season.

Despite having the worst record in major league baseball the Twins rank 21st out of 30 teams in home attendance, according to ESPN.com. The Twins are averaging 24,668 fans per game, their lowest figure since 23,598 in 2004. This is the seventh consecutive season of declining home attendance dating back to 2010 when Target Field opened and the Twins drew over 3 million fans averaging 39,798 per game.

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference fans can follow league news on the new MIAC website. With the 2016-2017 school year starting, more than 6,000 students are expected to participate in MIAC programs. Over 70 percent of the students are Minnesota natives.

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