Golden Gophers – Page 71 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Bret Bielema Bedevils Golden Gophers

Posted on October 11, 2022October 11, 2022 by David Shama

Bret Bielema has a history with University of Minnesota football and it’s an unhappy one for Golden Gophers fans. Let’s put it this way: Bielema doesn’t receive many greeting cards with Minnesota postmarks on the envelopes.

As a head coach Bielema is 8-0 against the Gophers and he hopes to make it 9-0 Saturday in Champaign where his Big Ten West Division leading Fighting Illini are a 3.5 point underdog. While leading Wisconsin from 2006-2012, the Badgers were 7-0 against Minnesota. Then last season, Bielema’s first as Illinois head coach, he surprised a heavily favored Gopher team with a 14-6 upset in Minneapolis.

Gopher fans who harbor hard feelings can tell you the circumstances and score of the 2010 game in Madison. Deep in the fourth quarter the Badgers scored a touchdown to go ahead 41-16. With a 25-point lead, Bielema opted for an unsuccessful two-point conversion try that raised the eyebrows of the college football world. Gophers head coach Tim Brewster was angered by the strategy not to kick the extra point, and Minnesota fans found another reason to resent the Badgers, piling on the hurt of losing every year to their border rival to the east.

Bielema left the Badgers after the 2012 season to take the head coaching job at Arkansas. For whatever reasons, things didn’t work out in Fayetteville and Bielema was fired with a 29-34 record in five seasons. After a stint in the NFL, Illinois jumped on the opportunity to hire him after firing Lovie Smith who recruited successfully but didn’t see his teams live up to expectations.

Last year the Illini finished 5-7 but now are 5-1 and ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press poll of top 25 teams. The success doesn’t surprise Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck.

“Obviously, he’s one of the best college coaches—maybe of all time. You can start to see that blueprint starting to take shape over there at Illinois. I’ve got a lot of respect for what they do and who they are, especially him as a person and as a coach.”

Fleck, speaking at his weekly news conference Monday, said the Illini are “incredibly physical” and there is a lot of athleticism on the roster. “They want to just beat you up and they’ve done that to a lot of people this year. They’re a really good football team.”

The Illini hold Big Ten wins over Iowa and Wisconsin, with a three-point loss at Indiana. Bielema’s team has scored 24 points or more in four games. No longer is Bielema just relying on a power-run game that had much to do with his success at Wisconsin including three Big Ten titles. Now his teams may show formations with five wide outs or three tight ends.

Defense is really where the Illini show their prowess. Illinois has given up only three touchdowns and ranks third in the country in yards yielded per game, 227.8. Minnesota is No. 1 giving up 222 yards per game. The Gophers have allowed five touchdowns.

The Gophers, 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten, likely need to win Saturday to have some control in contending for the program’s first-ever West Division championship. Going to No. 10 ranked Penn State with a 1-2 conference record a week from Saturday wouldn’t be a good position for the boys from Dinkytown. Two of those losses would be to division foes, while the Illini’s only conference loss came out of the division against Indiana.

Nebraska and Purdue are tied with Illinois for the division lead with 2-1 records. Purdue holds a win over the Gophers and its only league loss was to Penn State from the East Division. Nebraska’s loss came to West Division rival Northwestern.

Minnesota still has seven conference games to play, but Saturday has a must-win feel to it. Success could well be determined by players who have been injured and whether they will play Saturday. lllinois starting quarterback Tommy DeVito and playmaking wide receiver Isaiah Williams were injured in Saturday’s 9-6 win over Iowa. Key defensive players are dealing with injuries, too.

Who all will play for the Illini probably won’t be known until Saturday morning. The Gophers will have All-American tailback Mo Ibrahim returning from his ankle injury sustained September 24 at Michigan State. He didn’t play in Minnesota’s offensive malaise against Purdue, when the Gophers lost 20-10. “He is the straw that stirs the drink here,” said Ryan Burns, the Gopher authority from GopherIllustrated.

Ibrahim’s replacements against Purdue, Trey Potts and Bryce Williams, were ineffective in a game where the offense was sluggish, the defense unable to make enough big stops and good fortune didn’t seem to favor maroon and gold.

Burns said Potts and Williams didn’t break a tackle in 20 combined carries. “Trey and Bryce don’t play well. Do I expect that to happen again? No, I expect them to be able to break a tackle. It was just a strange, strange week against Purdue.”

Burns has a prediction about Saturday’s game while making the assumption key injured players will play. “Illinois’ defense is tremendous, and their offense is a work in progress, but they have a really talented running back too in Chase Brown who…leads all of college football in rushing. So it’s going to be who can get to 17 points first because whichever one does, I think they’re going to win.”

When Bielema coached at Wisconsin he said on a Big Ten basketball telecast he considered Minneapolis part of the Badgers’ recruiting territory. Over the years it’s been a sore point with Gophers fans to see the parade of Minnesota preps in football and basketball play for the Badgers. When Bielema was at Arkansas he reached into Chanhassen and made center Frank Ragnow a Razorback. Ragnow became an All-American and was a 2018 first round pick of the NFL Lions.

Illini offensive line coach Bart Miller, who held the same title in 2016 under then Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys, is recruiting the Gopher state for Bielema. The Illini have made offers to Minnesotans including Osseo offensive lineman Jerome Williams who has verbally committed to the Gophers.

If the Gophers can keep the Illini shut out in recruiting here and deliver a win Saturday, Minnesota fans may mellow a bit about Bielema who not only was a kingpin at Wisconsin but played and coached at Iowa, that other heated border rival.

Maybe mellow (a bit).

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Vikings Great, Until They Are not

Posted on October 9, 2022October 9, 2022 by David Shama

Who are these Minnesota Vikings?

They looked like the 2009 version of the Purple in the first half today, making almost all the right moves while taking a 21-3 lead over the then hapless Bears from Chicago. But the now 2-3 Bears made adjustments after trailing 21-10 at halftime and forced a close game before the Vikings won 29-22 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

These Bears aren’t the legendary “Monsters of the Midway.” In fact they probably are the worst team Minnesota has played this season while rolling to a 4-1 record and sole possession of first place tonight in the NFC North.

Living up to their reputation, the Bears started their initial possession in the first quarter with a delay of game. Hard to duplicate that even in Pop Warner ball. But give them credit for rallying in the second half before screwing up again. Trailing 29-22, Bears receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette declined to duck out of bounds in the closing moments of the fourth quarter and stop the clock. Much criticized Minnesota cornerback Cam Dantzler made the play of his young career by stripping Marsette of the football and ending Chicago’s hopes.

This was supposed to be a verdict day on how good the Vikings are. They started by scoring a knockout. Quarterback Kirk Cousins set a franchise record by completing 17 consecutive passes in the first half. Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson had 10 catches for 138 yards. Dalvin Cook ran for two scores.

The third touchdown of the first half came on a flip pass from Cousins of one-yard to reserve receiver Jalen Reagor. The score was set up on a drive that included Jefferson throwing across the field to Dalvin Cook on a 23-yard reception.

The creativity of the first half had a Vikings historian wondering how soon it will be before head coach and play caller Kevin O’Connell will be anointed the franchise’s greatest offensive mastermind ever. It was O’Connell, a week after his punter completed a pass for a first down, that devised schemes allowing Jefferson room to catch passes despite being one of the NFL’s most targeted playmakers.

The unflappable new Vikings coach is Mr. Popular in Purple Nation. He stands in contrast to his predecessor, Mike Zimmer, who often looked dour and had a disconnect with Cousins. Now Cousins seems reborn under the new administration. He even used his legs to run for the winning touchdown today before throwing to Jefferson for a two-point conversion making the score 29-22. Often targeted by critics for not delivering enough results, he has quarterbacked Minnesota to three consecutive wins and fourth quarter comebacks in two of the last three games.

The Vikings are following the NFL trend of playing games not decided until the closing minutes. Their success has been a surprise, partially because the schedule hasn’t been overly imposing. They caught Aaron Rodgers with a new band of receivers in their opening game and won. Across the pond in London last week, the Saints were playing without their top quarterback and running back, factors helping Minnesota to another win.

More good fortune may await. Next Sunday the Vikings play the Dolphins who because of injuries were down to their third string quarterback today. Yes, the Vikings may not emerge as a great team this fall, but so far they seem to be in the right place at the right time. Just ask Marsette, the former Viking, who turned his first reception with the Bears into a costly boo-boo.

Worth Noting

St. Paul native and Cretin-Derham Hall alum Patrick Markley takes over as North Oaks Golf Club general manager October 17. He has worked at various private golf clubs accros the country and most recently was head professional at Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Luis Arraez had a $2,125,000 one-year deal to play for the Twins this season. The 2022 American League batting champ was paid less in base salary than 15 other rostered players including Miguel Sano at $9,250,000 and Emilio Pagan, $2,300,000, per Spotrac.com.

With promising young outfield talent like Forest Lake’s Matt Wallner, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Twins move on in the offseason from veteran right fielder Max Kepler who made $6,750,000, according to Spotrac. Wallner, 24, is the Twins Minor League Player of the Year, after hitting 277 with 27 home runs and an OPS of .953.

Other developments in the offseason could be a new pitching coach (with interim Pete Maki staying with the organization) and changes in strength and conditioning personnel after an injury-riddled season.

The Twins finished the season with a 78-84 record. The prediction here last summer was 76-86.

Home attendance was under 2 million for the third time in the last four seasons (dating back to 2018 and not including the pandemic year of 2020). Minnesota finished No. 9 among AL franchises with Target Field attendance of 1,801,128.

Forbes reported MLB attendance was down almost 6 percent from the 2019 season prior to the pandemic. With an exciting team that won the Central Division title the Twins drew 2,294,152 fans at home.

University of Minnesota alum and Redwood Falls native Craig Thompson, who has been head of the Mountain West Conference for nearly 24 years, will resign as commissioner effective December 31.

Word is out Colorado State, one of that league’s more competitive teams, will come to Minneapolis October 22 for a private scrimmage against Ben Johnson’s Gophers in Williams Arena. Minnesota native Niko Medved, a former Gopher student-manager under Clem Haskins, has won 20 games or more the last three seasons at Colorado State.

Former Gophers guard Jamal Mashburn Jr., playing for ex-Minnesota coach Richard Pitino at New Mexico, will be a favorite to be first team all-Mountain West next winter. He was a third teamer last season.

Lindy’s college basketball magazine predicts New Mexico will have a so-so season but picks Long Beach State, led by former Gopher coach Dan Monson, will win the Big West Conference. Monson has been coaching at Long Beach since he was fired by the Gophers during the 2006-2007 season. His record with the Beach is 237-242.

When UCLA joins the Big Ten in 2024, the Bruins will bring with them 11 national championships in men’s basketball. Big Ten teams collectively have won 10.

St. Thomas, in its second season of Division I football, is tied with Valparaiso for first place at 2-0 in the Pioneer League. The Tommies defeated Davidson 27-16 yesterday.

Mark Haugejorde, the project manager of Tepetonka, is the latest guest on “Behind the Game.” He talks with co-hosts Patrick Klinger and Bill Robertson about the new high-end golf club being built near New London- Spicer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU9dA9T1rxI

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Vikings Take a Liking to London

Posted on October 2, 2022October 2, 2022 by David Shama

Jolly good, Vikings.

The Purple beat the Saints today, 28-25, in London. At least for Vikings fans who travelled to the game, kicker Greg Joseph is now more popular in England than fish and chips.

Joseph booted five field goals including the game winner from 47-yards in the closing minutes. Playing where soccer is known as football, the Vikings and Saints did their part in showing off the foot in the American game. Saints’ kicker Wil Lutz missed a 61-yard field goal attempt as time ran out, attempting to send the game into overtime at 28-28.

Minnesota, now 3-1 in 2022, won for the third time during the regular season in London. Playing in the 100^th NFL international game (preseason and regular season games), the Vikings have a liking for London.

On the first quarter opening drive, running back Alexander Mattison ran 15 yards on a pass reception for a touchdown to put the Vikings ahead 7-0. It looked like he celebrated by simulating a sip of tea from an imaginary cup.

Wide receiver Adam Thielen, who had eight receptions for 72 yards, had Ted Lasso’s name on his shoes. The cast from the award-winning comedy show (Ted is an American football coach hired to lead a British soccer club) attended the game.

Justin Jefferson image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Thielen’s running mate at WR, Justin Jefferson, had his best game since the opener against the Packers. In London he had a big fourth quarter catch and then a run from scrimmage that gave the Vikings a 28-25 lead (Joseph missed the extra point). He had 10 receptions for 147 yards.

The Saints, playing without three of their best offensive players, hung around in the game despite costly errors and penalties. Two Saints fumbles led to Joseph field goals, and New Orleans was penalized 10 times for 102 yards.

The Vikings, who led after every quarter, found themselves in a 25-25 tie after Lutz kicked a 60-yard field goal with 1:51 to play. “This team always just wants the next opt (opportunity),” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said on KFAN Radio after the game.

Joseph delivered it and tonight Vikings fans can eat fish and chips, and guzzle warm beer.

Worth Noting

O’Connell said on the radio rookie safety Lewis Cine has a badly fractured left ankle and will remain in London for medical care while the team flies home.

What was learned from the Gophers’ 20-10 loss to Purdue Saturday? When the offense doesn’t execute and is without All-American tailback Mo Ibrahim, points are scarce because this team isn’t deep in talented playmakers.

Minnesota is 0-30 in its last 30 games when behind by 10 points or more, per ESPN. The Gophers trailed Purdue 10-0 after the first quarter before going on to lose their first game of the season.

Big Ten home teams keep all the ticket revenues for their home football games so Saturday’s near sellout for the Gophers was a big payday. Contrary to rumor, the Athletic Department had no plans to offer special last minute ticket discounts to the public.

Gophers’ basketball coach Ben Johnson and his staff are facing high expectations to gain a commitment from highly recruited 7-1 center Dennis Evans from Riverside, California. The Gophers are considered a favorite to land Evans. He visited Minnesota over the weekend and the skilled shot blocker is not only a top 40 recruit but shows NBA potential. Before Saturday’s football game Evans, accompanied by assistant coach Dave Thorson, walked on the stadium field and heard cheers from the student section.

Conversation started awhile ago that freshman forward Pharrel Payne from Cottage Grove will have pro scouts following him. At 6-9, 230, Payne is already a strong, physical player.

The Gopher basketball program, criticized in the past for not recruiting the state of Minnesota, has nine Minnesotans on the roster including sure starters Jamison Battle from Robbinsdale and Dawson Garcia from Savage. Both forwards are proven scorers with Battle and Garcia candidates for All-Big Ten honors.

Johnson said Luke Loewe, a senior starting combo guard on the team last season from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is pursuing a pro bass fishing career. He also said Payton Willis, the starting point guard on last season’s team, is playing professionally in Israel.

Minnesota AD Mark Coyle told Sports Headliners volleyball looks on track to become a revenue program, joining a small number of other U programs that help to fund the 21-sports Athletic Department. Minnesota, averaging 4,709 fans at home, ranks fourth in the country behind Wisconsin, Nebraska and Hawaii.

New baseball hall of famer Tony Oliva speaks to the Capital Club October 11 at Mendakota Country Club. He will be interviewed by the radio voice of the Twins, Cory Provus. More information is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com

Twins president Dave St. Peter and friends annually attend a popular out of state college football game. The trip this fall will be to Auburn and a matchup against the Tigers and Texas A&M on November 12. Last year’s trip was to Seattle and the majestic setting of Husky Stadium on Lake Washington.

Target Field has been the site of college football in the past and St. Peter is “optimistic over time we will play football again here” but nothing is scheduled for the foreseeable future.

Target Field will have new video displays next season including replacement of the main board in left field. The new video board will be among the largest in MLB.

Tom Swain, the 101-year-old whose successful career included being the Gophers ticket manager, is now an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Twin Cities Dunkers. The Lilydale resident has been a member of Dunkers since 1960.

Nostalgia note: it was 67 years ago last week (September 28) that the Minneapolis Millers played the final game ever at Nicollet Park, located on Nicollet Ave. near Lake Street. The Millers, who defeated the Rochester Red Wings to win the Junior World Series, would play the next year, 1956, in the new Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington.

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