Media – Page 53 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings to Face “Lousy” Team Sunday

Posted on December 7, 2016December 7, 2016 by David Shama

Bob Lurtsema makes his opinion clear about Sunday’s Vikings-Jaguars game in Jacksonville. “If you can’t beat a team that lousy, you got problems,” he told Sports Headliners.

The former Vikings defensive lineman is still close to his old team. When he speaks about his favorite franchise, it’s a good idea to listen. He predicted, for example, the 2015 Vikings would finish with a 10-6 record even though they had been 7-9 the season before. The Vikings made Lurtsema look good with an 11-5 record and an NFC North Division title in 2015.

The 6-6 Vikings, who still could qualify for the playoffs, play a Jaguars club that is 2-10. The other three teams remaining on the Vikings schedule are the 6-6 Colts, 6-6 Packers and 3-9 Bears. The Jaguars look like the weakest of the four opponents.

What about the Vikings’ playoff chances if they lose to Jacksonville? “It’s over,” said Lurtsema who thinks Minnesota may make the playoffs as a Wild Card team.

Among reasons the Jaguars are struggling is third-year quarterback Blake Bortles, who has thrown 15 interceptions in 12 starts and has a low passer rating of 76.9. The Jaguars made him the first quarterback and No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft—the same year the Vikings chose Teddy Bridgewater at No. 32 in the first round. “That’s who (Bortles) the Vikings really wanted when they drafted Teddy,” Lurtsema said. “Look how…he is playing.”

Injuries have forced the Vikings to rotate offensive linemen like a game of musical chairs. The result has frequently been fatal with the offense featuring an anemic rushing attack and a quarterback often facing constant pressure by pass rushers. But Lurtsema was encouraged by the line’s performance in last week’s 17-15 loss to the Cowboys.

“The offensive line played much better, believe it or not,” Lurtsema said. “They were sliding, (and) they were making the pickups a little better as far as adjusting to different defensive stunts the Cowboys had. They’ve got to play longer together. I think they’re still a game or two away from playing (even better)—seeing how good they’re actually going to be.”

In the closing seconds last Thursday night Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford threw high on an attempted pass and two-point conversion that if completed would have tied the score 17-17 with the Cowboys and sent the game into overtime. The Cowboys’ Cedric Thorton appeared to hit the Vikings quarterback on the face mask but the officials didn’t throw a flag and penalize the Cowboys for roughing the passer, so instead of replaying the down the game ended.

“The officials affected the game on both sides of the Dallas game,” said Lurtsema referring to multiple calls Thursday night. “Officiating is getting worse by the game. I mean it’s just brutal. When Bradford got hit on the two point conversion, people don’t understand what (a difference) one bad call can make (to a season).”

Worth Noting

Vikings fullback Zach Line told Sports Headliners yesterday that Adrian Peterson looks stronger every week. Line’s opinion is chances are “good” Peterson will play before the season ends next month. Peterson continues to rehab following surgery for a torn meniscus in September.

The Golden Gopher volleyball team is among the favorites to win the 2016 national championship. Minnesota’s potential path to its first title continues Friday night in a NCAA regional match against Missouri at the U Sports Pavilion. Also playing that night in the Minneapolis Regional are North Carolina and UCLA. Friday’s winners advance to the regional title match in the Sports Pavilion Saturday evening. The Minneapolis champion will then join three other regional winners in the national semifinals December 15 in Columbus, with the NCAA title to be decided there on December 17.

Gophers volleyball has become a major story with the media in this town. That development has caught the attention of former Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi who hired Hugh McCutcheon in 2011 hoping the former Olympics coach would build on the success of retiring U coach Mike Hebert.

The Gophers are the No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament (Nebraska is No. 1) and Maturi is impressed. “My goodness, the attention that this volleyball team is getting is deserved, but it’s new. We’re selling out the place (the Sports Pavilion).

“We’ve been good before…(although) not No. 2 in the rankings. But we’ve been top 10 which is pretty good.

“I just think what he’s brought (McCutcheon) to the whole program is the awareness of the sport. The success that we’ve had. The energy that he has brought to the building, and now the media has picked it up.

“You’re calling about them and other (media) people have called about them. You’ve got (Patrick) Reusse going to volleyball matches, and (Jim) Souhan going to volleyball matches. I mean when the hell did that ever happen? With all due respect, you know?”

McCutcheon was friends with Hebert who led the Gophers to three Final Fours. McCutcheon, who coached U.S. Olympic men’s and women’s teams to gold and silver medals, met Maturi through Hebert years ago. Maturi had no idea when Hebert wanted to retire but told the USA Volleyball coach he was interested in making him a candidate for the Gophers’ job when an opening occurred.

After the 2010 season Hebert retired. McCutcheon had to finish up his 2012 Olympics commitment with the U.S. women so Laura Bush filled in as interim coach for 2011 and for awhile in 2012 until the new boss could take over.

The Gophers basketball team has been invited consecutive years to play neutral court games at the Sanford Pentagon arena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Kelby Krabbenhoft, a committee member with the group selecting teams for games at the arena, indicated before last Saturday’s Minnesota-Vanderbilt game that the Gophers will be invited back, but was noncommittal about 2017.

Krabbenhoft said in addition to Minnesota, teams of future interest include Notre Dame and Creighton. The Gophers have split two close games at the Pentagon, losing to Oklahoma State and defeating Vanderbilt while attracting Minnesota fans to help sell out the 3,250 seat building. “We love Minnesota,” said Krabbenhoft, president/CEO of Sanford Health.

Participating teams receive guaranteed sums ranging from $60,000 to $200,000 to play at the Pentagon, Krabbenhoft said. His son Joe, by the way, was a high school star in Sioux Falls who almost chose the Gophers instead of Wisconsin where he became a starter and now is an assistant coach. Dad said the decision to attend a school came down to a family vote.

University of Minnesota alum T. Denny Sanford celebrated his 81st birthday last Friday night with about 750 friends as singer Harry Connick Jr. entertained at the Pentagon.

Former Gophers coach Jerry Kill has several December book signings scheduled in the metro area including three next Saturday. Kill will be at Lexus of Maplewood from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Barnes & Noble Galleria 1 to 3 p.m.; and Barnes & Noble HarMar Mall, 4 to 6 p.m. He will be signing copies of his new book Chasing Dreams: Living My Life One Yard at a Time.

Minnesota sports fan Steve Erban, who has owned winning racehorses over the years, talking about criticism directed at Gophers football even when the team wins: “…I tell them this: You’ve never owned a race horse. Because when you win, you win. When you win, you take the win and move on to the next race.”

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Maybe Walsh Late Entry for Turkey Award

Posted on November 23, 2016November 23, 2016 by David Shama

Just an outsider looking in, but I can’t help anticipating Patrick Reusse’s announcement tomorrow of his Turkey of the Year. The Star Tribune columnist has made his TOY coronation a Thanksgiving tradition for decades by selecting and writing about a prominent Minnesota sports figure that experienced a dismal 12 months.

Reusse and his “committee” must be feverishly sorting through finalists on Thanksgiving Eve. Here on the prairie there are never any shortages of candidates from the professional teams and University of Minnesota. Perhaps compounding the selection process this year is the late entry of Blair Walsh, the woe-begone placekicker who made a matinee thriller out of extra points and was released by the Vikings last week.

It will also be hard to ignore the Twins who lost a franchise record 103 games last season. I could see the TOY gang arguing over whether to bestow the honor on former general manager Terry Ryan, or take a more inclusive approach by naming the entire baseball department.

Joe Mauer could be in contention too after earning $23 million and hitting just .261, with 11 home runs and 49 RBI. Another likely contender is Gophers basketball coach Richard Pitino who lost a school record 16 Big Ten games in 2015-2016.

Reusse’s declaration of his 2016 Turkey winner will be part of a day that includes a rare Thanksgiving game by the Vikings. If the club follows past history, fans won’t have to worry about the final score giving them a bad case of heartburn and upset stomach. The Vikings have won five of six times on turkey day since the franchise began in 1961. All have been road games, with Minnesota 3-0 against the Cowboys and 2-1 versus the Lions.

Tomorrow the Vikings play the Lions in Detroit for the first time since 1995. Although both teams are playing on just three days rest since last Sunday, it’s an honor to have a “place at the table” in Detroit. No franchise in professional sports is more identified with a holiday than the Lions who have been playing on Thanksgiving Day since 1934.

After 69 holiday games, the Lions are 33-34-2 against 24 opponents. One of those Detroit wins came in the 1995 game when defense was out and offense was in. Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell threw for 410 yards and four touchdowns in his team’s 44-38 win. Three Lions receivers had over 100 yards in receptions. Vikings quarterback Warren Moon passed for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Jake Reed had 149 yards in receptions including two touchdowns.

Go ahead and wager the best drumstick in town that kind of offensive show won’t happen tomorrow. The Vikings’ defense is too good, ranking among the best in the NFL giving up 306.9 yards per game and 17.6 points (although controlling the run has been a problem of late). The Lions are yielding 358.2 yards and 22.5 points.

You might want to hold off rolling out the turkey and all the fixings until after 3 p.m. Tomorrow’s 11:30 a.m. game is kind of a big deal. The teams are tied for first place in the NFC North with 6-4 records, and the Vikings intend to have a better day than earlier this month when the Lions won, 22-16, in Minneapolis. Quarterback Matthew Stafford rallied the Lions late and they tied the game as time expired. Then Stafford was clutch in overtime and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate for the winning points.

That game gave indigestion to “Purple People.” Might have even produced a Turkey of the Year candidate, too.

Worth Noting

Vikings defensive end Brian Robison talking about tomorrow’s game with the Lions: “It’s about who wants it more.”

If the Gophers can win Saturday in Madison against the Badgers it will be among the most significant upsets in the rivalry that dates back to 1890. The Badgers are ranked No. 5 in the latest Associated Press poll and are close to earning an invitation next month to the four-team College Football Playoffs.

Wisconsin was 0-2 in Big Ten games in mid-October but has now won five consecutive league games. With an overall 9-2 record and 6-2 in the Big Ten, a win against Minnesota sends the Badgers to the conference title game next month in Indianapolis. A victory by the Badgers also would put the all-time series standings against Minnesota at 59-59-8.

But the Gophers, 8-3 and 5-3, would spoil Wisconsin’s CFP hopes with an upset, and that’s just part of how wild things could end in the West Division by Saturday night. Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin could all finish with 6-3 records. The Badgers, though, would be invited to Indianapolis because they have wins over Iowa and Nebraska, and the Gophers lost to both the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers.

Even with an 8-4 final record, the Gophers figure to earn an invitation to one of their better bowl destinations in the last 10 years. At last Saturday’s Minnesota-Northwestern game at TCF Bank Stadium, press box seat assignments were made for representatives of the Fiesta, Foster Farms and Holiday bowls.

Ryan Burns, the high school football authority from GopherIllustrated.com, told Sports Headliners he predicts Totino-Grace will win by seven points over Eden Prairie in the Class 6A state championship game Friday. Burns wonders whether EP has enough “firepower” to win against Totino. A state title win by Totino would be a third consecutive victory over Eden Prairie including a 17-14 win earlier this year. “That would be a hell of an accomplishment,” Burns said about Eden Prairie, a program that has won four of the last five big school state titles.

Asked about the 10 finalists for the 2016 Mr. Football Award, Burns suggested the likely winner will either be Grand Meadow running back/linebacker Christopher Bain, Crosby-Ironton quarterback/linebacker/kicker Noah Gindorff, or Lakeville North running back Wade Sullivan. Among the 10 candidates, Marshall tackle Blaise Andries is the only one with offers from FBS schools. He is verbally committed to the Gophers.

Gindorff has committed to FCS North Dakota State. Alexandria quarterback Jaran Roste, another Mr. Football candidate, has a preferred walk-on invite from the Gophers, Burns said.

The 2016 Mr. Football Award, sponsored by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association and the Vikings, will be presented on December 4 at the Doubletree by Hilton in St. Louis Park. Candidates for the award, which dates back to 2004, must be high school seniors.

The Rochester Quarterbacks Club that began in 1955 is still meeting on Mondays under the leadership of Ed Rauen, a familiar voice in southern Minnesota for decades on KROC Radio. The club meets at a place called Canadian Honker Catering, features speakers from various sports and has had only two presidents, the late Ben Sternberg and Rauen. “It’s the only club in America that doesn’t have an election,” baseball icon Joe Garagiola once said.

Former Gopher Darrell Thompson, the program’s all-time leading career rusher, turns 49 today.

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Ex-Gopher Captain Wants Regent Role

Posted on November 9, 2016November 9, 2016 by David Shama

Former Gopher football captain Jim Carter is submitting an application for membership to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The State Legislature will approve individuals to fill four vacancies on the board next year.

Carter, who played for the Gophers from 1967-1969 after a legendary schoolboy career in South St. Paul, said many people have urged him to apply. He is known for his passion and straight talk about the University. As a regent he wants to help with issues such as student tuition costs and debt, student preparedness to enter the workforce, and enhancing athletics including the revenue-producing sports of football, basketball and hockey.

Carter, who lives in the Hastings area and hopes to represent the Second Congressional District on the Board of Regents, played for the Green Bay Packers where he was elected team captain. He has decades of business and civic experience including 28 years as an automobile dealer in Wisconsin, and participation on many boards including the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. In addition to his experience in governance, Carter has been a donor to many organizations including the University of Minnesota Foundation.

Minneapolis businessman Mark Sheffert, a University alum and advisor to the Board of Regents, is familiar with Carter’s background. “He is passionate about and cares about the University,” Sheffert said. “He has attended many meetings of the regents to learn what they do. He has also talked to regents and University administrators to give his constructive thoughts.”

Typical of Carter’s involvement and support for the University is the assistance and leadership he provided this fall to increase awareness about the proposed Lineman Center for the Gophers. Carter has urged regents and others to help make the center part of the new football facility in the now under construction Athletes Village project on campus.

After attending the Board of Regents meetings last month, Carter is optimistic the University will approve the center early next year. He told Sports Headliners there is an anonymous donor willing “to pay at least half” the cost for the Gophers Center.

It’s anticipated the center will add thousands of square feet to the football practice facility and cost several million dollars. Carter said without the center, offensive and defensive linemen won’t have a large enough place indoors that is dedicated to improving their skills—a space big enough to accommodate not only the players but also practice equipment including blocking sleds. The center space would also be used by Gopher athletes in other sports.

Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys has stressed the importance of the center to Carter and others.

Worth Noting

The Gophers have their first road night game Saturday at Nebraska. Quarterback Mitch Leidner said it’s important for the players to stay relaxed during the day. “Don’t burn too much energy thinking about the game,” Leidner said. “Conserve that energy all the way up until game time starts.”

Emmit Carpenter, the Gophers’ kicker is not only from Green Bay but is a self-described “die-hard Packers fan.” He said his family has owned Packers season tickets for decades. A redshirt sophomore, he is 16 of 18 on field goals this season, and his 16 are tops in the Big Ten.

Sid Hartman is no longer doing sports analysis weekdays at 7:40 a.m. for WCCO Radio. Mike Max has that slot now, with Hartman on air at 8:40 a.m. as in the past.

P.J. Fleck—the young Western Michigan coach who has the undefeated Mid-American Conference Broncos ranked No. 14 by the Associated Press—quietly has his name mentioned by Gophers boosters as a future coach. Fleck is a media favorite who last week was featured by the New York Times and this week was written up by the Washington Post. Other national media coverage has come from Sports Illustrated and Forbes.com.

The 5-3 Vikings rank second among NFL teams in points allowed per game at 15.8. Although the offense has struggled to score, that unit has just one turnover in eight games going into Sunday’s road game with the 4-3-1 Redskins.

Eden Prairie sophomore quarterback Cole Kramer is the grandson of former Gophers athletic director Tom Moe. The Eagles are among the playoff favorites for the November 25 Class 6A state title game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Minikahda Club pro Jeff Sorenson shot a course record 12-under par 60 Monday at Cabo del Sol Golf Club in Cabo San Lucas. Playing in a tournament for TaylorMade club professionals, the 2016 Minnesota Section PGA Player of the Year beat the previous course record by four strokes.

Twins reliever Glen Perkins, recovering from shoulder surgery, said on Monday he expects to pitch in spring training games next March. Perkins, the Twins All-Star closer, pitched just two innings during the 2016 season.

The Twins Hall of Fame is way overdue to induct the late Halsey Hall, the colorful radio-TV analyst from the club’s early years in Minnesota. Inductees for next year perhaps will include former outfielder Michael Cuddyer and ex-general manager Terry Ryan.

The Wild has recalled forwards Christoph Bertschy and Zack Mitchell and defenseman Mike Reilly from its Iowa affiliate team in the American Hockey League. The Wild has placed defenseman Marco Scandella on long-term injured reserve because of a high right ankle sprain (October 27 at Buffalo).

Hollywood comedian and actor Erik Stolhanske, a Minnesota native, will be the first keynote speaker for the free Bremer Bank Game Changers Speaker Series November 22 at Xcel Energy Center. Stolhanske was born without a fibula and has a prosthetic leg, but despite obstacles has earned roles in shows such as Super Troopers and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Visit the Minnesota Wild website and Speaker Series page for more information. https://www.nhl.com/wild/fans/game-changers-speaker-series

Olivia Paradise, the granddaughter of hockey legends Herb Brooks and Bob Paradise, played No. 1 singles for the Class 2A champion Mahtomedi tennis team this fall and is known for her modeling work.

The WCHA has the three top-ranked women’s teams in the national USCHO.com poll, No. 1 Wisconsin, No. 2 Minnesota and No. 3 UMD. The Big Ten Gopher men’s team has moved up to No. 8 in that USCHO poll, two spots behind No. 6 North Dakota who Minnesota tied in one game and defeated in another last weekend. UMD is No. 1.

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