KEVIN O’CONNELL – Page 25 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

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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Vikes Earn an “A” for Persistence Today

Posted on September 25, 2022September 25, 2022 by David Shama

Let’s get right to the grades after the Vikings’ last minute 28-24 win over the Lions today at US Bank Stadium.

The Vikings, now 2-1, trailed 24-14 going into the fourth quarter. In its previous games Minnesota hadn’t produced a touchdown in the second half. But when today’s game was over the Vikings had scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, including a 28-yard strike from quarterback Kirk Cousins to wide receiver K.J. Osborn in the last minute.

Minnesota had never led in the game until the Osborn touchdown with 25 seconds remaining. Give the Vikings an A team grade for persistence.

Lions’ coach Dan Campbell gets an F for late-game strategy. It was his fourth down decision to go for a failed field goal of 54 yards that allowed the Vikings, trailing 24-21, to start their winning TD drive from their own 44-yard line. A Detroit punt sending the Vikings back near their own goal would have been a savvy option and no-brainer for most coaches.

Cousins and his offensive line deserve B- grades. A popular target for not delivering in pressure situations, Cousins threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns today. The Lions were blitz crazy but his offensive line and own awareness helped him avoid interceptions and he was sacked just once.

Kevin O’Connell photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

The offense didn’t have much of a day for explosive plays but got two big ones at the end when Osborn preceded his winning reception with another 28-yarder. Running back Dalvin Cook had his best game of the season with 96 yards on 17 carries before apparently injuring his shoulder. Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell said on the KFAN Radio postgame show he didn’t think the injury was serious.

The Vikings’ defense stopped the now 1-2 Lions in the closing seconds, ending the game with a Josh Metellus interception of a Jared Goff pass. Hard to give that unit better than a below average grade for its work today, though. The Lions consistently opened running holes and Goff’s repetitive completions over the middle were an embarrassment. The Vikings didn’t come up with a single sack and Detroit’s time of possession was 34:04, while Minnesota’s was 25:56.

The last four games in the series between the two NFC North Division rivals have been decided by four points or less. When the Vikings and Lions play again, December 11 in Detroit, the days will be counting down to Christmas. The Vikings better plan on playing better because they can’t expect another “gift” from Campbell.

Worth Noting

It’s believed the University of St. Thomas will soon announce plans to build an on-campus hockey facility after considering other sites in St. Paul. To meet CCHA guidelines the facility will have to seat at least 3,000 fans.

The Gopher football team, dominant in a 34-7 win over Michigan State Saturday, has outscored opponents 183-24 in four games. Minnesota has punted three times all season.

Minnesota is No. 21 in the Associated Press top 25 poll out today. It’s the first time this season the Gophers have been in the AP top 25. Haven’t been ranked by the AP since 2020.

U marketers are promoting the first ever Stripe Out in Huntington Bank Stadium next Saturday for the Purdue game. Fans in various sections are asked to wear maroon or gold clothing.

Former Gophers head coach Jerry Kill earned his first win at New Mexico State last night with a 45-26 home victory over Hawaii.

Often injured Byron Buxton hasn’t played in a Twins game since August 22 and will finish the year appearing in 92 games. That ties the 92 games he played in 2016 for the second highest total of his eight-year career. In 2017 the Twins’ MVP played in 140 games.

The best hope the Twins may have in retaining Carlos Correa for next season is if he and representative Scott Boras decide the less crowded free agent market for shortstops a year from now is their best strategy for a mega contract deal.

Without splashy offseason moves, including possible retention of Correa, the Twins will find it difficult to retain and grow their disappointed fanbase.

It was 10 years ago this fall that St. Paul native Tim Tschida, now 62, retired from umpiring MLB games. The affable Tschida enjoys tending bar at Mancini’s Char House.

Long before home run king Aaron Judge and hockey immortal Wayne Gretzky wore No. 99, Minneapolis Lakers great George Mikan popularized the number. He was voted Mr. Basketball of the first half of the 20th century by Associated Press.

BTW, although way overdue, the Los Angeles Lakers will retire Mikan’s number in a home game October 30 against the Nuggets.

Oddsmakers have the Timberwolves, who have their first training camp practice Tuesday, finishing second in the Northwest Division behind the Nuggets.

Gophers basketball player Parker Fox has a podcast called “Double Down.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X25lkiCNXM

For the first time ever Minneapolis will host Big Ten Basketball Media Days. The event October 11 and 12 at Target Center will include coaches and players from all 28 men’s and women’s basketball programs. Minnesota coaches Ben Johnson and Lindsay Whalen will speak October 12.

Nolan Winter, the Lakeville North basketball recruit who has verbally committed to Wisconsin, will be a nice fit in the Badgers’ offense that features outside shooting by its bigs, but his decision to turn down the Gophers is painful for local fans who over the years have watched a “parade” of Minnesota preps travel to Madison.

Apple Valley’s Tre Jones, a reliable playmaker but able to make just 19.6 percent of his three-point attempts last season, could emerge in training camp as the starting point guard for the NBA Spurs. Jones, 22, is starting his third NBA season.

The USHL Fall Classic in suburban Pittsburgh this weekend is attracting about 300 scouts and college coaches including former Wild GM Chuck Fletcher now in the same role with the Flyers. All 16 USHL teams are playing their first games of the season.

Budding superstar Kirill Kaprizov, who probably would be targeted for military conscription if still in his native Russia, played with teammates and others in the Wild’s inaugural golf tournament last Monday at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo. The course opened in 2018 but is up for sale with a possible purchase price of $8 million, per a September 20 story from Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Bally Sports North will televise three Wild preseason games: October 2 and 6 against the Blackhawks, and October 8 with the Stars.

Oddsmakers have the Wild, who started preseason practices last Thursday, finishing second to the Avalanche in the Central Division.

Some Wild preseason practices at TRIA Rink are open to fans who must pre-register. http://www.wild.com/openpractices

St. Thomas football coach Glenn Caruso speaks to the CORES group November 10 at the Bloomington Event Center. Former North and Henry basketball coach Larry McKenzie will be the January 12 speaker. More information about CORES is available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

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