Golden Gophers – Page 309 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Zimmer Frustrated with Vikings Opener

Posted on September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 by David Shama

Wednesday morning quarterbacking in today’s column after the Vikings’ embarrassing 20-3 loss to the 49ers on Monday night. Here are several observations:

Minnesota was favored to win its opening game against a 49ers team labeled mediocre, but the defeat raised questions about what kind of team the Vikings are and will become this fall. Minnesota has been a trendy summer pick to become a surprise team in the NFL—a club that improves on last season’s 7-9 record and finishes in the playoffs. The Vikings, though, didn’t impress anybody Monday night including head coach Mike Zimmer who indicated his players were out of position, flustered and frustrated against the 49ers. “It was just a really, really uncharacteristic performance from our football team and it’s disappointing,” the second-year coach said during a news conference yesterday in which he was critical of the offense and defense.

For one game at least the Vikings are a flop. The final score indicated the difference in the performance of the two teams, but the Vikings could have lost the game by even more than 17 points. The 49ers messed up potential early scoring drives in Vikings territory with penalties. They also had a punt return for a touchdown nullified because of a penalty during a first half that looked like a ragged scrimmage for both teams.

For all the attention given to flashy skill position players like quarterbacks, receivers and cornerbacks in today’s NFL, linemen still have a big say in determining outcomes. Monday night the 49ers offensive and defensive lines were superior to the Vikings. The 49ers sometimes ran through the Vikings defense like they were playing a college team. Second-year running back Carlos Hyde rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns. His performance was different from the Vikings Adrian Peterson who came into the game looking for redemption and found frustration.

Hyde ran with speed and deception, moving quickly through holes or making his own space. Peterson, 30, wasn’t explosive in the first game he played since missing 15 of 16 games last season because of the infamous incident with his son. He didn’t look very frisky compared with the elusive Hyde as he rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries. In fact, he sometimes looked more like a fullback than a halfback including a determined effort where he carried multiple tacklers on his back for several yards.

Peterson’s image didn’t gain any ground either when he was benched in passing situations. The Vikings didn’t seem to want him on the field as they struggled to maximize pass protection while using a line that has shuffled personnel because of injuries. The rebuilt offensive line came into the game as the Vikings’ most suspect unit and collectively they failed at run and pass blocking on Monday night.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was under plenty of pressure from 49ers rushers and at times looked rattled. Zimmer agreed his quarterback appeared unsure at times.

“Yeah, that’s the first time I’ve really seen him like that,” Zimmer said. “Usually he’s got so much composure, but he did seem that way (rattled).”

Praised for his accuracy in the past, Bridgewater had some bad throws even when he wasn’t under that much duress. Without a rushing game to relieve pressure, the Vikings weren’t that effective passing.

Not only didn’t the Vikings run the ball, they sometimes couldn’t stop the 49ers from success on the ground. Running and tackling requires physical play, and Zimmer lamented his team’s lack of it. “Not the team I’ve come to know,” he said on KFAN Radio after the game.

Zimmer made his radio remarks after midnight on Tuesday morning as rain began to fall in Eden Prairie near the Vikings Winter Park training facility. It was an appropriate ending to a dreary evening.

Worth Noting

Former Gophers and Packers running back Darrell Thompson talking about Peterson’s opening game and the season ahead: “I’ll bet he’ll rebound and play well.”

A source told Sports Headliners the Gophers received $200,000 from Colorado State for playing in Fort Collins last Saturday.

Minnesota coach Jerry Kill said at his news conference yesterday starting guard Jon Christenson had knee surgery on Monday and won’t play for three to four weeks. Injuries have disrupted the offensive line’s cohesiveness and Kill said two other starting linemen who he declined to identify wouldn’t practice yesterday. Regarding the line, Kill said, “Three starters down and we’ll see how it works.”

Injuries are also expected to keep defensive backs Damarius Travis and Charlie Rogers out of Saturday’s home game with Kent State.

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Isaiah Gentry hasn’t played in Minnesota’s first two games, a loss to TCU and win against Colorado State. Gentry had a hamstring problem but is expected to make his college debut Saturday and the coaches are looking forward to seeing what he can do.

“He’s a big play receiver,” said offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover. “He’s a guy that can change that field in a hurry, and we’re excited to get him back.”

The Gophers offense has both faltered and been clutch in the first two games. Quarterback Mitch Leidner has been criticized and praised, but Kill pointed out the redshirt junior from Lakeville has now thrown 153 passes without an interception.

Kill raved about the play of sophomore defensive lineman Steven Richardson against Colorado State. “Steve Richardson played one of the best games I’ve ever seen a defensive tackle play. I mean, he played flat unbelievable. Highlight video. I mean, unreal.”

The Mid-American Conference served its annual notice last Saturday that MAC teams can’t be taken for granted when playing power conference schools. MAC members Toledo and Bowling Green pulled off upsets over Arkansas and Maryland, although it’s not likely Kent State will do the same against the Gophers. The Golden Flashes, 2-9 last season, lost their opening game this year to Illinois, 52-3. The Illini led 38-0 at the half. Kent State was 11-3 in 2012 but might be reverting to a dark period like 1989-2000 when the Flashes weren’t so golden, winning 16 games in 12 years.

The Kent State roster includes fifth-year kicker April Goss. The 5-6, 134-pound native of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania converted an extra point in Kent State’s win over Delaware State last week to become just the second woman ever to score a point in a major college game. Goss was mobbed by teammates after her second quarter conversion, carried off the field on their shoulders and congratulated on the sidelines by the Kent State president. A walk-on with the Golden Flashes in 2012, she had seen no game action prior to this season.

Miami athletic director Blake James, a graduate of Coon Rapids High School and Minnesota State Mankato, is a name that could draw speculation for the Gophers AD opening. James has been athletic director at the Florida school for more than two years, and he has extensive experience in college athletics including administrative and development work.

It will be interesting to see if the University of Minnesota hires a search firm to assist with hiring the next athletic director who could be someone with Minnesota roots (the opposite of former AD Norwood Teague who came with an East Coast background and didn’t have relationships here). Perhaps a firm that will be considered for the search is College Sports Solutions founded by Jeff Schemmel, who worked for 13 years in the Gophers athletic department and is the former athletic director at San Diego State.

Twins rookie Miguel Sano, who drove in two runs last night in a 5-4 loss to the Tigers, now has an impressive 47 RBI in 62 games. Joe Mauer reached base for a 35th consecutive game, the second longest streak of his career after his 36 games in 2009-2010.

The Wild have capped season ticket sales at 15,000, an increase of “several hundred” from a year ago when sales also went well, according to a team spokesperson. The franchise has a waiting list for season tickets.

The Wild opens training camp Friday at 8:30 a.m. in Xcel Energy Center. Fans can attend practice at Xcel on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Entry to the building will be through Gate 1. The team’s first preseason game is next Monday at home starting at 7 p.m. against the Sabres.

Saint John’s is 2-0 this season after nonconference wins and the Johnnies are ranked No. 8 nationally in the D3football.com top 25. Two Johnnies have been honored with Player of the Week recognition following Saturday’s 56-7 win over Buena Vista. Junior linebacker Carter Hanson (Blue Earth, Minn.) is the MIAC’s Defensive Player of the Week after returning a fumble for a touchdown against Buena Vista and also making nine tackles and one sack. The Johnnies Josh Bungum (Paynesville, Minn.) returned three punts Saturday for 58 yards (19.3 average) and set up three touchdowns. He is the MIAC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Gustavus Adolphus senior quarterback Mitch Hendricks (Bemidji, Minn.) threw for 353 passing yards and five touchdowns in a 49-0 win over Lake Forest last Saturday to win the MIAC’s offensive award for the week. This is his fourth MIAC Offensive Player of the Week award in the last two seasons.

The recent death of basketball Hall of Famer Moses Malone prompted memories of Bill Musselman, the former Gophers coach from the 1970s who revived interest in Minnesota basketball and packed Williams Arena with frenzied fans. Musselman was a tireless recruiter who targeted Malone as a high school player in Norfolk, Virginia but the 6-10 center went directly to the American Basketball Association and never played in college. Malone might have joined a Gophers roster in 1974 that included future pros Mark Landsberger, Mychal Thompson and Mark Olberding.

A guess right now is Dr. Bill McGuire and his ownership group that intends to bring a MLS team to Minnesota will choose St. Paul as a stadium site and make an announcement within 60 days.

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Leidner, U Offense Expected to Step Up

Posted on September 12, 2015September 12, 2015 by David Shama

The Gophers produced 17 points and 341 net yards in their opening game loss to No. 2 ranked TCU last week. Since then head coach Jerry Kill has told the offense he needs over 400 yards and 31 points a game.

That assignment starts today in Fort Collins against Colorado State in another nonconference game. The 1-0 Rams don’t have the quality defense of TCU and this could be a confidence building game for Minnesota’s offense.

Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner and the offense were inconsistent against the Horned Frogs. Kill said Leidner missed on a couple of “critical” throws a week ago Thursday night. Offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said Leidner and the offense had “ups and downs” but he liked the maturity his quarterback showed in postgame self-evaluation.

“I think the important thing was that more than any other time he was proactive in being self-critical,” Limegrover said. “Before we ever got together, he had already watched the film on his own and came in prepared.”

Leidner is a redshirt junior and in his second season of being the full-time starter. The expectation is he will be a better quarterback this season.

Darrell Thompson saw improvement in the TCU game, specifically in Leidner’s decision-making, poise and self-trust. Thompson, the Gophers all-time leading career rusher and radio game analyst, is predicting more improvement from Leidner in today’s game. “I would expect that Mitch will step up and play better, and I also think that the offensive line is going to play better,” Thompson told Sports Headliners.

Against the Horned Frogs the Gophers were without starting left tackle Josh Campion (concussion) and first turned to Ben Lauer who was recovering from minor knee surgery and not expected to play. Kill said the coaches made a mistake with that decision and eventually settled on switching Jonah Pirsig from right tackle to the critical pass protecting position of left tackle.

Leidner’s protection was inconsistent and on one play he was hit and fumbled the ball, leading to a TCU drive from the Minnesota 15-yard line that ended up as a touchdown. Limegrover said it’s imperative for any quarterback to feel comfortable in passing situations.

“I think once Ben Lauer gives up the sack early, that causes the turnover, (and) that’s going to play on anybody’s mind,” Limegrover said. “Then moving Jonah over there… in Mitch’s mind, he’s wondering, okay, we’re actually on our third left tackle over there. It’s hard to block that out. I thought he did a good job with that, but occasionally I think that does play into a guy’s thinking.”

The expectation is Pirsig, a redshirt junior with the talent to one day play in the NFL, will start at left tackle today with Campion at right tackle. Campion is a redshirt senior who entered this season having made 39 consecutive starts on the offensive line. Limegrover said Pirsig did a “great job” against TCU playing in his new spot and Kill said it’s “huge” having Campion recovered from his concussion.

Leidner’s best moments in the TCU game included the closing minutes when the Gophers, trailing 23-10, had a 91-yard drive ending with a 22-yard touchdown pass to KJ Maye. Leidner’s passing and leadership in that situation is part of why Thompson gives the quarterback a B letter grade for his overall performance last week.

“I think he (Leidner) gained some confidence,” Thompson said. “At the end of the game I thought he played really well. The last drive (for a touchdown) was really phenomenal.

“There was a lot of pressure on him early in the game. When quarterbacks get hit, especially when they get knocked down and hit right after they throw the ball, it’s just like when you go through an intersection, and you almost get in an accident. You’re like looking for an accident for probably like two or three days, and it’s a little bit similar…situation. I am encouraged where Mitch is at and I hope he grows with it.”

The Gophers must have more than an improving Leidner and better offensive line performance to achieve Kill’s goals of over 400 yards and 31 points per game. They will need consistent production from running backs and receivers.

Redshirt freshman running back Rodney Smith is likely to play major minutes today after not starting in the TCU game but gaining a team-best 88 yards rushing and turning in a perfect performance. “He’s the only back I’ve had in a long time that played 46 plays and he graded out perfect,” Kill said. “Never made a mistake. Not in pass protection, not running the ball, no mental errors…so I’d say he needs to play more.”

Thompson, who played in the NFL after his Gophers career, said Smith’s perfect grade is unusual. Thompson couldn’t recall a game he graded out perfect.

“That’s a great compliment (to Smith),” Thompson said. “Pass-pro (protection) is one of the most difficult things to pick up as a running back. In high school you usually don’t have to block very much, or it’s not very challenging. In college it is challenging. In pro it is challenging. He picked up the blitzes. He ran the right routes. He did everything he was supposed to do.”

Among receivers the Gophers will continue to look for leadership from is Maye, the redshirt senior who led the team with 73 yards and an 18.2 reception average against TCU. Kill is high on redshirt freshman receiver Isaiah Gentry but he won’t play today because of an ongoing hamstring problem.

Gophers Notes

The Gophers were impressive defensively against TCU, a team with 10 of 11 starters back on offense that averaged 46.5 points per game in 2014. Holding the Horned Frogs to 23 points, including six on a 15-yard scoring drive, gave the Gophers a chance to win in the closing minute.

Part of Minnesota’s success was because of controlling Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Trevone Boykin. “I think that’s probably one of the best offenses in the country for what they do,” said Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys. “The quarterback puts you in several conflicts as far as playing the pass or playing the run, and they work at such a high speed. I was disappointed we lost, but overall I thought our kids gave us a chance to win.”

Colorado State’s offense scored 65 points in a victory last week against Savannah State, an opponent that had lost 23 consecutive games. The Rams offense is probably the team’s strength. Wide receiver Rashard Higgins is a likely All-American who is being given a lot of hype by his school including a “Hollywood Higgins” page on the Rams’ website.

New Rams coach Mike Bobo was the offensive coordinator at Georgia for 14 seasons. Claeys said the Gophers have studied “an awful lot” of Georgia film during the offseason to gain knowledge as to what the Rams may do today.

Fort Collins is located about one hour from Denver and the elevation is nearly 5,000 feet. Claeys didn’t sound concerned about the altitude negatively affecting the Gophers’ endurance.

“No, I think that’s overrated, myself,” he said. “I think that’s all mental B.S. We ain’t there long enough for it to bother us. It won’t be a factor.”

What does Kill think? “We don’t have the budget to go out there and stay for a week. That’s what they tell you to do. We’ll go out there…play some ball, 1:30 (kickoff), be done at 4:30. Be back home at 9:30 (and) get ready for the next one.”

The Gophers flew to Fort Collins yesterday for today’s game starting at 2:30 p.m. Central Daylight time.

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Sano’s MLB Success Ahead of Schedule

Posted on September 10, 2015September 10, 2015 by David Shama

Miguel Sano did it again last night, having an impact on the Twins with a pinch-hit home run to defeat the Royals, but former Twins executive Jim Rantz is a little surprised by Sano’s success this season after not playing baseball in 2014.

The dramatic home run followed a bout with the whiffs for Sano who was called up by the Twins from Double-A Chattanooga in early July. He has struck out 11 times in his last 16 plate appearances, and been too anxious swinging at pitches. His timing could be off because of a troublesome hamstring that developed late last month. Manager Paul Molitor didn’t have Sano in the lineup Tuesday night, giving him a rest.

Faltering at the plate is a reminder to Twins fans the 6-4, 260-pound native of the Dominican Republic isn’t Superman. It’s just that there have been stretches where the 22-year-old slugger plays like it, hitting for average (.281) while clouting long home runs and driving in runs. As recently as last week Sano was finishing up a streak where he hit .333, with five home runs and 12 RBI in 10 games. He was so good in August he was American League Rookie of the Month after batting .278 with nine home runs and 26 RBI in 27 games.

Miguel Sano (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins)

Rantz, the Twins senior director of minor league operations before he retired in 2012, watched Sano when he was 16. “When I first saw him…he was hitting balls out of sight. We were looking and always looking for power type hitters, and he showed that right from the get-go at 16 years old.”

Sano hit 35 home runs in 2013 as he continued his advancement through the Twins minor league system. But then in March of 2014 he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and missed all of last season. Sano’s arrival date in the big leagues was uncertain.

Rantz thought Sano would one day play for the Twins but he has exceeded expectations this year. ”When you miss a full season it takes awhile to get your swing down and get on the field,” Rantz said.

Sano has put up numbers that make Twins fans wish he had been with the club since the season start. He has 196 plate appearances but in a full season might have totaled 600. Right now he has 16 home runs and 43 RBI. Projecting those numbers over 500 to 600 at bats he would have been a good bet to best Twins rookie records for 33 home runs (Jimmie Hall) and 96 RBI (Rich Rollins).

Mostly a designated hitter, Sano has shown promise as a part-time third baseman with a strong arm. “His defense got a lot better as he moved up the ladder (in the minors),” Rantz said. “He improved tremendously. For a big guy he moves around pretty good. He’s got some athleticism. He’s not as slow on the base paths as you think. He doesn’t clog up the bases.”

But the Twins, who are playing meaningful games in September for the first time in five years, aren’t counting on Sano to be a difference-maker in the field or on the bases. It’s his power and producing runs that have filled a void on a club that is fighting to make the American League playoffs. Despite his late start, he has entered his name in the conversation for American League Rookie of the Year.

Sano has been a huge contributor to the Twins success after no one knew if he would arrive in Minneapolis this summer after being shut down last year. “He didn’t miss a beat (this year),” Rantz said. “He got in there and got in the groove. He’s got that confidence at the plate. He’s also got good patience at the plate. I’d be lying if I thought that he was going to take off (this season) like he did.”

Worth Noting

The Twins, 72-67, are close to overtaking the Rangers, 73-65, in the American League wild card race. The Yankees, 77-61, are better positioned to be one of the two qualifying wild card teams. The Twins are 5-4 in September, continuing a trend of playing around .500 baseball dating back to the months of July (12-13) and August (14-14). If the club makes the playoffs, Minnesota’s 20-7 record in May will be a big reason why.

“Fun is good” specialist Mike Veeck entertained the CORES luncheon group in Bloomington today with stories about himself and the Veeck family. The St. Paul Saints owner emphasized the importance of professional sports teams making their heroes accessible to the fans.

Game three of the Saints-Sioux City playoff series will be played Saturday night at CHS Field in St. Paul and comedian Bill Murray, another Saints owner, will be in attendance. Sioux City leads the series 1-0 and hosts the second game tonight.

In its NFL preview issue of September 7, Sports Illustrated predicts the Vikings (10-6 record forecast) will defeat the 49ers (9-7) in the opening game for both teams on Monday night in Santa Clara. Andy Benoit writes the 49ers have a problem with veteran quarterback Colin Kaepernick because he seldom sets up in the pocket:

“If Kaepernick’s initial read is not open, he’s liable to break down and flee, even before completing his drop-back.”

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had an impressive finish to his rookie season in 2014. Among all NFL quarterbacks from week 13 to 17 he tied for first in completion percentage (72.1), was second in passer rating (103), second in yards per attempt (8.79) and third in touchdown percentage (5.7).

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson leads all active NFL backs in opening games rushing yards with 823 and 10 touchdowns. Peterson has played in eight openers.

The Vikings return 19 starters from their 2014 opening game, with 10 on defense and nine on offense.

TCU was the No. 2 ranked team in the country when the Horned Frogs played the unranked Gophers last Thursday night at TCF Bank Stadium but the telecast on ESPN pulled a higher rating in Minneapolis-St. Paul than in Dallas-Forth Worth. Barry Horn, on the Dallasnews.com website, wrote last Friday that MSP led all 56 major markets with a 8.7 rating. Birmingham, Alabama was second at 8.2 and Dallas-Forth Worth third at 5.9.

Former Gophers linebacker and Minneapolis native Pete Najarian, the financial investing authority, will be a commentator on Saturday’s telecast for ESPNNEWS of the Indiana State at Purdue game.

One reason Gophers fans are optimistic this year about Minnesota ending its 10-game losing streak to the Badgers is the game will be played in Minneapolis on November 28. The Badgers are 68-7 at home since the 2004 season began. Only Boise State at 68-2 has a better home record in major college football.

Ryan James, writing on Monday for GopherIllustrated.com, reported Amir Coffey, the Rivals.com four-star player from Hopkins High School, might make his college choice by month’s end. James interviewed the senior shooting guard’s father, Richard Coffey, who played for the Gophers. “Amir has one other visit scheduled right now, and that visit is with Texas,” his father said. “Not this weekend but the following weekend. I think after that visit, I think there is a strong chance that Amir will make a decision. Very soon.”

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