Golden Gophers – Page 379 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

‘Superman’ Inspires, Breaks Record

Posted on November 12, 2012November 12, 2012 by David Shama

Maybe it was fate that Adrian Peterson broke a Vikings’ rushing record yesterday against the Lions.

The All-Pro running back went over 1,000 yards for the fifth time in a season and broke a tie with Robert Smith for the franchise record of most 1,000 yard seasons. Peterson ran for 171 yards in a 34-24 win over the Lions, including a 61-yard touchdown run. It was the fourth consecutive game that Peterson, the NFL’s leading rusher, has totaled over 100 yards this season.

Peterson, now in his sixth pro season, is a clear choice as the franchise’s best running back ever. He plays in a division, the NFC North, that has three other franchises with legendary running backs. During their eras Barry Sanders (Lions), Walter Payton and Gale Sayers (Bears), and Jim Taylor (Packers) were superstar runners. Sanders is regarded by some historians as the greatest running back of all-time.

At 27 years old and healthy again after last season’s ACL injury, Peterson is on track to join Sanders, Payton and Taylor in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After yesterday’s win, Peterson’s teammates talked about him like he’s already a legend.

Yes, they described him as the “best back in the league” but the praise went beyond that. “Adrian is kind of a Superman,” left guard Charlie Johnson said. “He’s a freak. You would never think that an injury like that would happen to him. But it happened, and the way he fought back, it is inspiring to us.”

Peterson has been playing since the opening game of the season despite the brutal injury he suffered. He’s his old self running with power, making superlative cuts and possessing the straightaway speed to race past secondary defenders.

“He’s pretty darn good, huh? Best back in the league right now,” center John Sullivan said. “Those all-time discussions (best runner ever) are always going to be debatable. What he’s doing—especially in a pass happy league—is fantastic.”

Johnson agrees there’s no lasting impacting from the ACL injury. “He’s unbelievable. I really don’t think you can tell if he got hurt or not. It’s just the way that he’s running, and seeing the field well. It’s fun to block (for him).”

Johnson said Peterson’s ordeal of suffering the injury and then coming back so dramatically to reclaim his spot as the NFL’s premier running back set an example for the other Vikings. “He means a lot. For him to get hurt last year and for him to attack his rehab the way he did, that gets our attention. That the guy…had a major knee injury and he’s back way ahead of when everybody thought he was, that makes you work hard. It makes the whole locker room want to work hard and get better every day seeing that.”

The Vikings have a bye next week and for now they can celebrate being 6-4, ending a two-game losing streak. There were contributions from many Vikings on both offense and defense yesterday in beating the Lions (4-5) in a key division game but the main donor was No. 28.

Four of the Vikings’ six remaining games are on the road. Vikings marketing executive Steve LaCroix said small numbers of tickets are still available for the team’s last two home games, December 9 versus the Bears and December 30 against the Packers. Both games will sellout. Information on tickets: www.vikings.com.

Gophers, Wolves & Other Notes

The Gophers are bowl eligible for the first time since 2009 with their 17-3 win over Illinois on Saturday, winning the game with a reshuffled offensive line and using several true freshmen including quarterback Philip Nelson who had a difficult day facing Illini blitzes that seemed to have him and his receivers off balance.

Nelson passed for 78 yards. It didn’t help that two of his most reliable receivers, A.J. Barker and Derrick Engel, were injured and didn’t play.

Coach Jerry Kill has been shuffling personnel on the offensive line all season including having to replace starting left tackle Ed Olson and left guard Tommy Olson. At Illinois, injuries forced the Gophers to play three different centers.

In addition to Nelson, the Gophers received significant minutes from these true freshmen: defensive tackle Scott Ekpe, defensive end Alex Keith, wide receiver Andre McDonald, tight end Lincoln Plsek and running back Rodrick Williams.

Much of the Timberwolves’ fast start this season can be attributed to the team’s defensive play. The Wolves, despite a run of injuries that has sidelined multiple players, have a 4-2 record. They rank fifth among NBA teams in fewest points given up per game, 89.5, and third best in lowest field goal percentage allowed, .415.

But on Friday night before the Wolves earned their fourth win of the season, forward Andrei Kirilenko told Sports Headliners there’s much potential for improvement. “I still think we’re far from playing great defense but I think we’re doing a very good job in the mental effort. Everybody (is) trying to play defense. A lot of things when you play on defense, comes from the state of mind. …”

Kirilenko is a former all-NBA defense first and second team selection. He said it can take years for teams to maximize their defensive effectiveness as they learn assignments, how to help each other and develop the required work ethic.

Kirilenko said his wife, former Russian pop singer Marina Masha Lopatova, is living with him in Minnesota. Can Kirilenko sing? “I can sing in the shower,” he said.

The Wolves other Russian player, 23-year-old rookie guard Alexey Shved, has improved his English in the last few months. “I tell them you’re in America now, you have to speak English,” teammate Chase Budinger joked.

Budinger suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee on Saturday night against the Bulls in Chicago. Surgery will be scheduled later this week.

The November 12 issue of Sports Illustrated includes the magazine’s annual college basketball preview. The Gophers are ranked No. 31 in the country and forecast to earn a win in the NCAA Tournament. Indiana is No. 1, with two other Big Ten Conference schools in the top 10, No. 6 Michigan and No. 7 Ohio State.

The magazine includes former St. Cloud Tech High School guard Nate Wolters among its three players who are potential “game changers”—players from lesser known schools that could make a big impact this season. S.I. reports the South Dakota State point guard is a potential NBA draft choice, and last season accounted for 27.2 percent of his team’s field goals and 33 percent of the free throws.

The NHL lockout could end soon as players feel the pressure of continued lost paychecks. Meanwhile, players from the Wild work out at rinks in Edina, Orono and Wayzata knowing they have to be in shape and keep their skills sharp, or they will be at a competitive disadvantage if training camp and the season starts. It’s presumed NHL training camps will last only seven to 14 days.

The 2013 NHL Winter Classic scheduled for Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor has been cancelled but look for the site to host the game in 2014. The 2015 game? It’s worth a bet Target Field will be the site.

Gophers hockey reunions are planned for February 23 and March 2 recognizing the 10^th anniversary of the 2003 national championship team and the 30^th anniversary of the 1983 WCHA title team. The Gophers athletic department is inviting former team members, coaches and staff to receptions prior to Minnesota’s home games on those dates with Minnesota-Duluth and Denver. There will also be on-ice recognition of the anniversary teams during the games.

Twins president Dave St. Peter will speak at the Minnesota Minute Men Holiday Event on December 3 at Jax Café. The Minute Men welcome prospective new members at the 6 to 8 p.m. event that will include complimentary beverages and appetizers. RSVP at www.minnesotaminutemen.com.

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Rodney Williams: U Deserves Top 25

Posted on November 9, 2012November 9, 2012 by David Shama

Preseason college basketball polls have been giving the Gophers “sniffs,” but Minnesota hasn’t been included in the top 25 men’s basketball rankings of polls by the Associated Press, USA Today Sports, Sports Illustrated, and AthlonSports.com. Gophers forward Rodney Williams told Sports Headliners he believes Minnesota should be ranked with the nation’s better teams.

“I definitely think we deserve to be in the top 25,” he said. “I think we’re a team with a lot of depth, a lot of experience now. I think we can give a lot of teams trouble.”

After two exhibition wins, Minnesota opens the regular season tonight at home against American University and can begin to make its case with the pollsters. The Gophers return all five starters from last season’s NIT finals team. The regulars consist of Williams, a senior, and junior guard Austin Hollins, and sophomores Joe Coleman (forward), Andre Hollins (guard) and Elliott Eliason (center). Off the bench are two players who could become starters, senior forward Trevor Mbakwe and sophomore center Maurice Walker.

Coach Tubby Smith told Sports Headliners earlier this fall his team has three potential NBA draft choices in Andre Hollins, Mbakwe and Williams. But despite the talent and depth, there are doubts about the Gophers including whether the team can effectively close out games and avoid the injuries that have contributed to consecutive 6-12 regular season finishes in the Big Ten.

Williams thinks the Gophers are ready for a successful season in his last year at Minnesota. “It would definitely mean a lot because these past years we’ve been so close,” he said. “We lost a lot of games that we could have won with little turnovers at the end, or not getting that big rebound, but I think with the team we’ve got now we’ll be able to get over that hump and make some noise in the Big Ten Tournament, in the conference play and the NCAA Tournament.”

Mbakwe, who missed most of last season because of his injured ACL, has played limited minutes in the two exhibition games. He said his leg strength isn’t 100 percent but he expects to be at that level in a month or so.

But Williams already sees the physical, explosive power player that could impact games blocking shots, rebounding and scoring inside like Mbakwe did last year before the injury.

“You haven’t been able to see much of him out there in exhibition games because they are exhibition games and you don’t want to risk anything with him being back a little earlier than a lot of people thought,” Williams said. “I definitely think Trev is back to his old self and you’ll be able to see that a lot more on Friday.”

American University is a Washington, D.C.-based school and member of the Patriot League. The Eagles, who were 20-12 last season, placed third in their conference last year and could push for a similar finish in 2013.

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Prediction for U Win at Illinois

Posted on November 9, 2012November 9, 2012 by David Shama

J Leman, former Illinois linebacker and now a football reporter for the Big Ten Network, has twice seen both the Illini and Gophers play this season. Who will win tomorrow’s game in Champaign? “I would think the Gophers would win,” Leman told Sports Headliners this week.

The Illini are 0-5 in the Big Ten and are rebuilding under new coach Tim Beckman. The Gophers, 1-4 in conference games, are rebuilding too, but Leman said Minnesota is “the better team.”

The Illini are 2-7 overall and don’t have the incentive of qualifying for a bowl game. Leman, though, is familiar with his old program and said Gophers fans shouldn’t expect a demoralized Illinois team. “I expect a full effort,” he said.

In various aspects of football the Illini haven’t been able to execute, despite having talented players and preseason expectations by some observers that Illinois would qualify for a bowl game. Leman said the team strength is the front seven on defense, particularly the four down linemen. The Gophers have an inexperienced offensive line and for the Illini to win the game, the front four probably has to “dominate,” Leman said.

The Gophers, 5-4 overall, can qualify for their first bowl game invitation since 2009 with a win tomorrow. Freshman Philip Nelson, who Leman predicts can become a “special quarterback,” talked about the game’s importance.

“Being at five wins right now, we want to get that sixth one and get those seniors to a bowl,” he said. “Every week is very important to get a victory but this one does have a little more meaning to it, just like last week (a loss to Michigan).”

Senior linebacker Mike Rallis is focused on the Illinois game and didn’t want to look at tomorrow’s game as more winnable than Minnesota’s last two games against Nebraska (7-2) and Michigan State (5-4). “We can’t get caught up too much in what the sixth win means,” he said. “We gotta prepare for this game, one single game. If we get too big picture minded, it’s going to hurt us.”

Worth Noting

Gopher football players shaved their heads last week in support of teammate Connor Cosgrove who has cancer. Rallis had shoulder-length hair prior to the trim. How does he like the new hairdo? “I am a little bit lighter and quicker on the field,” he joked.

Nelson is a primary runner in the Gophers’ offense. Although he’s a quarterback, he doesn’t foresee sliding to the ground to avoid contact in future games, and he referenced quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski.

“The way coach ‘Z’ teaches us, there’s no sliding allowed,” Nelson said. “We want to run physical. We want to split defenders and fall forward, and get extra yards. That’s the philosophy that we’re taught and that’s what we go by.”

Former Gophers quarterback Tim Salem is the Illinois running backs coach and special teams coordinator. Salem’s dad, Joe, was the Gophers head coach from 1979-1983.

Mike Dunbar is offensive coordinator at Northern Illinois for the 9-1 Huskies. Dunbar was Minnesota’s offensive coordinator in 2007.

Here are Sports Headliners’ Big Ten football power rankings: Ohio State, Nebraska, Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan State, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue and Illinois.

The Vikings will try to defeat the Lions for a second time this season when the teams play on Sunday at Mall of America Field. But it’s not at all probable the Vikings will have the same kind of special teams success they achieved in a 20-13 win in Detroit on September 30. In that game Percy Harvin had a 105-yard kickoff for a touchdown and Marcus Sherels ran 77 yards to score on a punt return.

Harvin leads the NFL in receptions with 62. He’s caught a pass in every game of his NFL career, 62. He also leads the league in kickoff return average at 35.9 yards.

Adrian Peterson, who has run for over 100 yards in each of his last three games, leads the NFL in rushing with 957 yards. He’s second in yards per carry at 5.7.

Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was asked yesterday if Peterson, who rehabilitated in the off-season from ACL surgery, is capable of a continued heavy workload. “I think he’s back up to full speed. I think he is. He’s doing a terrific job and we’re doing a good job of blocking and creating some air in the defense for him to do his thing.”

Musgrave also said it wasn’t known yesterday if Harvin’s sprained ankle would allow him to play on Sunday.

The Vikings have 74 sacks since the start of the 2011 season, the most in the NFL. During that period the Vikings have the second most forced fumbles, 25.

Former Vikings receiver Nate Burleson is on injured reserve and won’t play for the Lions on Sunday. He has a broken leg and is out for the season.

Silas McKinnie, a regional scout for the Lions, had the same responsibilities with the Vikings from 1997-2002. He was once an assistant basketball coach for Clem Haskins with the Gophers.

Former Gophers tight end Charlie Sanders is assistant director of pro personnel with the Lions.

Gophers hockey coach Don Lucia told Sports Headliners he believes his team was probably a “little overrated to start the year.” The Gophers have been ranked No. 1 or 2 in the country dating back to last month but he said the team needs time to work in new players, particularly goalies.

The Gophers (5-2 overall) are at Alaska Anchorage (2-2-2) for WCHA games tonight and tomorrow night. A week from this weekend the Gophers play Wisconsin at home. The Badgers are celebrating their 50^th season of hockey and 40^th anniversary of the 1973 national championship team.

The Timberwolves are off to a 3-1 start for the first time since the 2001-2002 season. The Wolves play the Pacers at Target Center tonight.

Gophers baseball players will lay 40 square feet of sod at the new Siebert Field on Saturday. Players were told to wear their “oldest and dirtiest clothes,” assistant coach Rob Fornasiere said. One player responded: “That’s my daily wardrobe.”

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