Golden Gophers – Page 3 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings May Surprise the NFL Prognosticators Again

Posted on September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 by David Shama

How will the Vikings play during their 2023 regular season schedule that begins next Sunday in Minneapolis against the Bucs? After shocking the NFL with a 13-4 record last season, you may need a sleuth to find a pro football authority who thinks that record will be duplicated.

Projected win totals from many knowledgeable sources are under 10 wins. BetMGM has the wagering number at 8.5. Sports Illustrated magazine’s football preview issue is more pessimistic offering possible season records of 6-11 and 7-10. There’s a bandwagon of naysayers who don’t believe the Purple will repeat as NFC North Division champions.

The lack of enthusiasm is based on a couple of major factors. The Vikings, due to their success in 2022, have a challenging schedule that includes six teams who made the playoffs last season and they face five of those clubs in the first seven games. Second, the Vikings had a subpar defense last season and doubts remain despite bringing in new defensive coordinator Brian Flores and shuffling personnel.

A Sports Headliners source, a former front office leader with NFL teams, spoke with cautious optimism about the Vikings. Asking that his name not be published, he said Minnesota could win the division again, with the race likely to be decided in the closing weeks of the season when the Vikings and Lions play twice (weeks 16 and 18). The Lions are a popular choice to win the NFC North after closing 2022 by winning eight of their last 10.

The early part of Minnesota’s schedule has the source’s attention. “I think if they can get off to 4-3, 4-2, 5-3 (record)… then I think they’re in really good shape because then I think the schedule starts to turn a little bit. But It’s not going to be easy. They’ve got that first-place schedule and that’s what you get when you win the division. …”

Vikings fans will like hearing that the authority believes the Lions are “overrated” and receiving more praise than deserved because of their strong finish last season (Detroit didn’t qualify for the playoffs). The Lions will be competitive, though, and the division’s other teams, the Packers and Bears, will be, too, he said. He projects Minnesota’s record at 10-7 and “good enough to win the division.”

The source has concerns about the Minnesota defense, most specifically the pass rush and cornerbacks. Outside linebacker Marcus Davenport, acquired in the offseason as a free agent, must prove capable of being a force along with veteran sack specialist Danielle Hunter. Davenport, going into his sixth NFL season, had nine sacks for the Saints in 2021 but 0.5 last year.

The authority thinks another offseason acquisition, Byron Murphy, could be an “upgrade” over departed veteran Patrick Peterson. The other starting corner, Akayleb Evans, receives a positive nod from the source, too. The “tricky part” he said is the cornerback depth and how things go if Murphy or Evans are injured. Rookie Mekhi Blackmon is inexperienced, and second year corner Andrew Booth has been a disappointment.

“Andrew Booth, I just think he is a guy that just has not played great and he gets hurt a lot and if they have to play him, I think it’s a potential problem,” the source said. “I think that’s why they use a lot of three safety looks because they do have strength at safety with obviously Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, (and Josh) Metellus is a good player. Lewis Cine (second season) seems to have improved, even though he will still give up a play every once in a while. And I like Jay Ward, the rookie safety, a fourth-round pick. I thought he did some really good things in camp, and especially in that last preseason game. …”

Also on the safety roster is second-year player Theo Jackson. The reality is that the hefty number of six safeties indicates a couple of things. Flores likes mixing up his personnel and options by using three safeties on the field at times and the depth at the position may help cover up cornerback issues.

The source admires Flores but has a word of caution, too. Flores is known for taking chances with his schemes and play calls but his aggressive style “can also burn you at times.”

The NFL insider refers to the Viking offense as “excellent.” And why not? Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, known for his accuracy and durability, has No. 2 ranked NFL player Justin Jefferson leading a receiver corps that could be better than last season with the development of rookie WR Jordan Addison and a full season with tight end T.J. Hockenson who was acquired last fall from the Lions. The offensive line is led by two of the better pair of tackles in the NFL in Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw.

Yes, the Vikings no longer have explosive runner Dalvin Cook but the authority quoted here isn’t that concerned about the running game. Reserve Alexander Mattison moves up to replace Cook with Ty Chandler positioned as his backup. Mattison was better than Cook last year in short yardage. “I think they’ll be okay at running back, honestly, if those guys stay healthy,” the source said.

In another interesting roster move the Vikings have kept four tight ends with Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse. Head coach Kevin O’Connell wants to have opponents guessing as to what’s next and while the Vikings have a superb passing game, they will probably frequently use two tight ends, and possibly three when they want to power run, or disguise a pass.

Worth Noting

Daniel Jackson’s toe-dragging touchdown catch that allowed Minnesota to tie the score at 10-10 against Nebraska late in the fourth quarter last Thursday night must rank among the most spectacular catches in Gopher football history. The tie positioned Minnesota to later kick a field goal as time ran out and win 13-10 in the opening game for both Big Ten teams.

The Gopher mantra is “the football is the program.” The Gophers lived up to that by making fewer mistakes than Nebraska and because key Minnesota’s playmakers made big plays including Jackson’s heroics. Preseason All-American safety Tyler Nubin intercepted two passes including one that set up the winning drive where Dragan Kesich, who had kicked one previous field goal in his college career, delivered the winning three points. Another playmaker, cornerback Justin Walley, punched the football loose from a Nebraska ball carrier and the recovery gave Minnesota momentum for its drive that tied the game 10-10.

Word is there would have been even more Nebraska fans at the game if many had not chosen to be in Boulder, Colorado September 9 when Big Red plays Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes.

The announced attendance Thursday night was 53,629, the fifth largest crowd in Huntington Bank Stadium history.

As of late last week, Minneapolis native and cornerback Craig McDonald was still awaiting a waiver ruling from the NCAA to be eligible for the Gophers this season. The waiver approval is necessary because McDonald has transferred twice in his college career, having been first at Iowa State and later Auburn. McDonald would have three years of eligibility with the Gophers and can be a contributor in 2023.

Friends are looking for help in locating former Gophers’ basketball assistant coach Jimmy Williams who was most recently known to be living in Texas but not heard from in about 12 months. Williams was an assistant coach at Minnesota for 15 seasons including for the 1972 and 1982 Big Ten title teams.

Darrell Thompson, the Gophers’ radio analyst and former record-setting running back in the late 1980s, heads up the Minneapolis-based Bolder Options nonprofit that benefits youth with a mentor-focused program. The organization celebrates its 30^th birthday Friday night at a dinner at Quincy Hall (northeast Minneapolis) featuring a live auction and entertainment. The event will honor the late Mark Sheffert, a prominent Minneapolis businessman and Gopher supporter who served two terms as chair of the Bolder Options board and was highly impactful to the organization’s success. https://www.bolderoptions.org/

Beloved former Golden Gophers athletics trainer Jim Marshall, age 93, is scheduled for a trip to Washington D.C. on September 11 at the invitation of Honor Flight Twin Cities. The non-profit organization flies war veterans to D.C. for a day and provides a tour of various memorials including those for World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Arlington Cemetery and Iwo Jima. Marshall served his country during the Korean War and was assigned to a Navy submarine. https://www.honorflighttwincities.org/

The Twins’ starting pitchers for their key series in Cleveland against the Guardians Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be Pablo Lopez, Sonny Gray and Joe Ryan. The Guardians are expected to go with Lucas Giolito, Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams.

The Twins announced today that utility player Willi Castro (mild left oblique strain) has been reinstated from the 10-day Injured List. To make room for Castro, outfielder Michael Taylor, with a right hamstring strain, has been placed on the 10-day Injured List.

It’s a memorable year for Minikahda Club golf instructor Jeff Sorenson who last week won the Minnesota PGA Professional Championship at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay and earlier in the year was selected for induction into the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame.

Bill Robertson, the Minnesota native whose career accomplishments included commissioner of the WCHA, is making a successful transition after about a month to his new home in South Carolina where activities include diving into about 300 unread sports books he has collected over the years.

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U Season Ticket Sales at Best Total in P.J. Fleck Era

Posted on August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 by David Shama

The University of Minnesota had sold 25,317 public season football tickets as of last week, a record total during the coach P.J. Fleck era. With the seven game Golden Gophers season not beginning until August 31, aditional public season tickets will be sold and further surpass last year’s total of 24,551.

This year and in the past Sports Headliners requested and received ticket sales information from the University through the discovery process. In Fleck’s first three seasons with the Gophers of 2017-2019, the totals for public season tickets (not including student season tickets) were in the 21,000 to low 22,000 range. This year is the third consecutive year where totals will exceed 23,500 at the 50,905-seat capacity Huntington Bank Stadium. (Note: the public couldn’t attend games during the COVID season of 2020).

The Gophers have the fourth best winning percentages for nonconference and league games among Big Ten teams dating back to the 2019 season, as pointed out this summer by Lindy’s Sports in its Big Ten football preview. The Gophers trail only Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa with their .696 percentage in all games and .618 against Big Ten opponents.

The Gophers are 21-13 in league games during this stretch. Minnesota’s 21 Big Ten wins over four years is the most ever for the football program that began in 1882, although it needs to be noted that in this era of expanded schedules college teams are playing more games than they often did in the past. The Gophers are 32-14 overall, including three consecutive bowl wins during the last four-years. Throw out the COVID season of 2020 when the Gophers were 3-4 (all Big Ten games) and the numbers are even better.

Riding the winning seasons and popularity of head coach Jerry Kill, the Gophers sold 27,885 season tickets in 2015. That was the year he resigned in late October for health reasons. The next year, under first-year head coach Tracy Claeys, season ticket sales declined by several thousand.

In 2015 Minnesota had a home attendance average of 52,355, the best in stadium history for the facility that opened in 2009. Capacity was larger than now because of expanded seating back then in the west bleachers.

The 2023 public season ticket total includes 1,002 tickets sold via the Gopher Pass and 1,197 to the faculty. Those totals last year were 737 and 1,170. The Gopher Pass is a mobile ticket that allows fans access to all home games with either a reserved seat or standing room if the game is sold out.

The U attributes the increase in public season ticket sales to the program’s consistent winning (nine or more wins three of the last four years) and attractive schedule of opponents including Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin. The Nebraska game is sold out and anticipation is the other three games will sell out or come close. The most recent sell out at Huntington Bank Stadium was in September of 2021 against Ohio State.

Season ticket prices didn’t increase from 2022 but average single-game price is up. That’s because prices vary per game based on the opponent, date and demand.

As of last week, 6,886 student season tickets were sold, but that total will increase. Last year 8,370 student season tickets were sold. Free tickets to first year-students are being distributed for Thursday’s season and home opening game.

A student football season ticket costs $99. Packages that include season tickets to other sports are priced at $175 and $272.

Worth Noting

If the Gophers are in on a close game Thursday night the outcome could be decided by Dragan Kesich who has only one previous field goal attempt in his college career. The 6-4, 240-pound senior, the team’s kickoff specialist last season, is replacing the departed Matthew Trickett for field goals and Fleck said the Wisconsin native has improved in “leaps and bounds.”

Fleck added that while Kesich must prove himself in games, his specialist has a “huge leg” and made himself into a “really good, solid, reliable kicker.”

Kesich averaged 64.6 yards on kickoffs last season, tied for best in the nation. His 59 touchbacks ranked third.

Minnesota does have its punter returning, 30-year-old Australian native Mark Crawford whose parents have been visiting him. “Talk about a mature person being able to handle that role,” Fleck said about his punter who has added two percent hang time and four yards further on punts.

Fleck also said last week he had a “pretty healthy team” headed into the opener, but he wasn’t going to detail injuries.

Fox brings its lead TV crew of Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft to call the Minnesota-Nebraska game before a national TV audience.

Bryce Benhart, the Lakeville North alum, has started most games the last three seasons at right tackle for Nebraska and is expected to be part of the first-team offense Thursday night.

Omar Brown, a Nebraska defensive back from Minneapolis North who played three seasons at Northern Iowa where he was an FCS All-American, is back for a second season with the Huskers and is an expected starter at safety.

Emmett Johnson, the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Football from Minneapolis, and Holy Angels, is a reserve running back expected to return kickoffs Thursday night.

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Mystery Solved on Gophers’ Play Caller?

Posted on August 27, 2023August 27, 2023 by David Shama

With esteemed offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca gone to Rutgers since last January, who calls the plays Thursday night when Minnesota opens its season at home against Nebraska?

After Ciarrocca couldn’t refuse an offer for more money, and opportunity to be closer to family back East, Fleck named Greg Harbaugh Jr. and Matt Simon co-coordinators. Simon held that title last season with Ciarrocca but it was Kirk in charge on game days.

For unknown reasons Fleck has kept his play caller for Nebraska and presumably the entire season secret. The prediction here, and acknowledged by a trusted source, is Harbaugh makes the play calls this season.

Why? Because more than anything, Harbaugh coaches the quarterbacks. With that vital relationship, it will seem odd if Harbaugh doesn’t receive the play calling assignment. Ciarrocca was quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Minnesota.

Simon, who specializes in coaching wide receivers, has called plays on an interim basis in two bowl games. His input, of course, is valued as the Gophers move forward, as is the contribution of offensive line coach Brian Callahan who is also the run game coordinator.

Callahan has been coaching the offensive line with considerable success since 2018. The Gophers have rushed with the best teams in the nation and produced an impressive list of All-Big Ten linemen.

Nathan Boe knows Callahan well as a sixth-year offensive lineman. He said his coach brings out the best in everyone’s potential. “He’s really a molder and he molds people into being the best version of themselves,” Boe said. “He’s been very demanding but you wouldn’t want anything less from your offensive line coach. …He’s a masterful mind at creating opportunities, especially short yardage, and goal line. It’s really fun to learn from him and just understand his knowledge of the game.”

Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck has to hope 2023 will start a run of stability with the play-calling responsibility and coordinator leadership. Ciarrocca left the Gophers after the 2019 season to accept the same job at Penn State. Mike Sanford Jr. replaced Ciarrocca, but he lasted just two seasons. Ciarrocca, who had the Gophers averaging a near school record 34.1 points per game in 2019, came back for 2022.

Harbaugh, who called plays at Western Michigan when he was an assistant coach there, will go through a growth cycle if he is the play caller at Minnesota. The Gophers will hope he is more than good Thursday night and even better when the regular season ends in November against Wisconsin.

A former college coach, who texts with Sports Headliners, said it will be “fun” to watch how play calling works out for the Gophers. He spoke candidly knowing his name would not be published.

“There is no such thing as co-coordinators on game day! Someone needs total responsibility to make quick and final decisions,” he wrote. “Co-coordinators are good during the week for practice planning or run/pass breakdown, but on Saturday only one coach can truly call plays to be successful.

“I am not a big fan of ‘on the job’ training for play calling at the power five level. To me (the) experience of calling plays at any level is worth more than gold. There is nothing like the speed and pace in the (press) box when calling plays in football. You literally have 4-6 seconds to get the personnel group, formation and play in right after the tackle occurs on the previous play.

“Sometimes the greatest skill of a play caller is the plays they don’t call, meaning they have a feel for what stunt/blitz might be coming and they know not to call certain plays at certain times (turning) into…potentially bad situations. Ultimately, it comes down to the players’ execution of each play. After all, every play works when you draw it up on the board!

“It will be a lot of pressure on the first-time (Gopher) play caller and will be interesting to see how they react. More importantly how do they adjust on the fly—as the game does not slow down. …”

The assumption is Fleck will okay more pass plays this season with promising quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis returning with his strong arm, and record setting rusher Mo Ibrahim gone to the NFL. While the Gophers may approach a 50-50 pass-run ratio, don’t anticipate a wild aerial show. Fleck’s core coaching philosophy prioritizes an effective running game.

Fleck pointed out that in 2019, when the Gophers had two first team All-Big Ten wide receivers in Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson, they threw the ball only 38 percent of the time. Don’t expect the 2023 offense to deviate too much (no matter who is calling plays) from ball possession football.

“There’s reason why we do hire from within to keep that system very similar,” Fleck said.

Fleck is 44-27 in six seasons at Minnesota. The win total is fifth in program history and his 26 Big Ten wins are sixth best. His winning percentage of .619 is third best among 11 coaches with 45 games or more leading programs at Minnesota.

Much of the success has been because of superb defenses led by coordinator Joe Rossi. Since 2019 when Rossi became the full-time coordinator the Gophers are 32-14 overall and 21-13 in the Big Ten. In 2022 the 9-4 Gophers had the No. 4 scoring defense (13.85 points) nationally and No. 9 total defense giving up 295.1 yards per game.

Tyler Nubin photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Gopher preseason All-American safety Tyler Nubin has taken note of Rossi’s wisdom. “That’s a guru, man. He knows it all. We have a check, a call for everything. He’s one of those guys that will sit in his office until 3 o clock in the morning and just game plan cause that’s the type of guy he is. …The things that you can do extra in order to put yourself ahead of the game, he’s a perfect emulation of that, and that’s what we try to accomplish every single day.”

Worth Noting

Jerry Kill, who turned 62 last Thursday, saw his New Mexico State Aggies lose 41-30 Saturday to UMass. A peerless rebuilder of programs, he led the once hapless Aggies to a surprising 7-6 record last season during his first year in Las Cruces. The former Gophers’ football boss is a ball coach through and through. He may try to coach forever.

The Vikings have the leverage in contract talks dragging out with tight end T.J. Hockenson. He is under contract this season and although he’s undoubtedly seeking a lot more than $12 million in 2024, the club knows it can franchise tag him for about that amount. His camp can argue the going rate for the better tight ends in the NFL is more and to keep him happy a richer deal is deserved but that negotiating approach isn’t that formidable.

The Vikings have one of the better tight end rosters in the league, with Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt backing up Hockenson. That quality depth is assured if Hockenson is injured or for any reason unavailable.

The Vikings must reduce their roster to 53 players on Tuesday. Here is a guess at rookies who make the team: WR Jordan Addison, CB Mekhi Blackmon, OLB Andre Carter, LB Ivan Pace, CB/special teams NaJee Thompson.

The Twins decision makers are all-in on position-less baseball as they continue to show. Joey Gallo started in center field Friday night, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see rookie second baseman/DH Edouard Julien play at first base.

MLB.com points out the AL Central Division leading Twins and second place Guardians have decided every game they’ve played against each other this season by one or two runs. There are six remaining games between the two this season, with a three-game series starting Monday at Target Field.

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