MIAC – Page 46 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Here’s a ‘Vote’ for U Win Saturday

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

Winning won’t be easy but it seems like there are too many valid reasons not to predict the Gophers (4-1) will defeat Northwestern (5-1) tomorrow at TCF Bank Stadium.

Odds-makers believe the Wildcats will win by about three points. Sports Headliners predicts a fourth quarter field goal—perhaps wind aided—sailing over the goalpost crossbar to give Minnesota a 30-27 victory on Homecoming.

There’s no doubt a team takes on the personality of its head coach and Minnesota’s players are likely to play Saturday’s game against the Wildcats with a lot of passion. Gophers coach Jerry Kill stewed over the Iowa loss two weeks ago and was critical of himself, not just the team.

Wide receiver A.J. Barker was asked about Kill’s emotions after the Iowa loss and since then: “He gets on us when we win and he gets on us when we lose,” Barker said. “He’s very consistent and you know what to expect with him and the staff. He did a great job coming off this loss, just motivating us, keeping the foot on the gas and moving forward.”

The Gophers will have more than emotion and focus going for them on Saturday. Because of a bye in the schedule, Minnesota had two weeks to prepare for tomorrow’s game while Northwestern has not. Kill used the extra time not only to strategize against the Wildcats, but last week put an emphasis on fundamentals.

That mid-season tune-up should help the Gophers. “Sometimes we forget blocking and tackling, and using your hands, and playing with good technique and having leverage on the ball and those kind of things,” Kill said.

The extra time off helped injured players recover. Among those who didn’t play against Iowa but could be on the field tomorrow, even if in a limited role, is quarterback MarQueis Gray.

Gray’s return is a must for Sports Headliners to write its prediction in ink, rather than pencil. The senior quarterback is one of the nation’s best running quarterbacks. In spot duty tomorrow he could potentially throw Northwestern defense off balance. The Wildcats won’t look forward to stopping Gray’s runs, something Iowa didn’t have to contend with against Minnesota’s pass-oriented quarterback, Max Shortell.

Shortell, who replaced Gray in the first half of the Western Michigan on September 15, was asked about the offense that has produced just four touchdowns in the last two games. “We need to make plays as an offense. We need to convert on third downs,” he said. “Keep sustaining drives, and I think scoring touchdowns in the red zones. We can’t settle for field goals. That will really help our points per game.”

Gray’s presence on Saturday, for a few plays here and there, could not only help produce more points for the slumping offense but take minutes off the game clock. The Gophers want to have more time of possession than Northwestern, a team whose strength is on offense. The Wildcats rank 14^th nationally in rushing yards per game, 233.50, and No. 43 in total offense, averaging 432.50 yards per game.

In Minnesota’s favor, though, is Northwestern uses a spread offense similar to what the Gophers have faced in four of their first five games. And Minnesota’s defensive unit has played better than the offense or special teams this season. The Gophers rank No. 23 nationally in total defense giving up 320.80 yards per game.

Northwestern is a formidable team. The Wildcats proved that with nonconference wins over BCS opponents Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Boston College and Indiana. Pat Fitzgerald, only 37 years old, is one of the Big Ten’s better coaches, but the Gophers staff is impressive too, including a group of assistants that Kill probably frets about losing to better paying BCS schools.

May be the difference tomorrow in Minnesota’s favor is simply playing at home. With the parity of talent in the Big Ten, the home field and a noisy crowd is meaningful.

Worth Noting

The No. 1 ranked FCS North Dakota State football team, 5-0, has over 30 Minnesotans listed on the roster. Former Totino-Grace running back John Crockett leads the Bison in rushing with 432 yards. The Bison have outscored opponents 221 to 42.

North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl, a former Nebraska assistant, will surely have his name mentioned if the Cornhuskers head coaching job opens up.

Zach Zenner, formerly from Eagan High School, has rushed for 1,077 yards, averaging 215.40 yards per game for South Dakota State. He leads all FCS players with both totals.

Roy Terwilliger told Sports Headliners the Minnesota Sports Facilities Commission retained the HKS architectural firm a few years ago to do preliminary work on the Metrodome as a potential site for a new Vikings stadium. The firm concluded the 20 acre site was sufficient for such a facility, according to Terwilliger, the former commission chairman.

Now HKS has been retained to design the new stadium. Terwilliger refers to HKS as a “great firm” and said the company also designed acclaimed NFL stadiums in Indianapolis and Arlington, Texas. “I am pleased they (the Vikings and the Minnesota Sports Facility Authority) hired them,” Terwilliger said.

Wide receiver Percy Harvin, who currently ranks second in the NFL with 38 receptions, was passed over by a majority of teams in the league before the Vikings took him with the No. 22 pick in the first round of the 2009 draft. Credit front office executive Rick Spielman, then head coach Brad Childress and wide receivers coach George Stewart with taking Harvin.

When the Vikings play the Redskins on Sunday they will see former Minnesota defensive backs Cedric Griffin and Madieu Williams. This will be the third consecutive season the Vikings have played the Redskins in Landover, Maryland.

Next Tuesday, October 16, is the NFL trade deadline.

John Gagliardi, now in his 60^th season coaching Saint John’s, is off to a 2-4 start and the Johnnies have lost four straight. His Saint John’s teams have never lost more than four games in a season and he’s had only two years when the Johnnies lost more games than they won. Saint John’s has four games remaining this season including tomorrow’s home game with Carleton.

Augsburg quarterback Ayrton Scott is second among Division III players in per game total offense, 366.20 yards, and seventh in rushing yards, 150.20. The Auggies last Saturday beat the Johnnies in consecutive years for the first time since 1926-27.

Former NBA coach Flip Saunders said the Timberwolves are “potentially a playoff team.” The difference in whether the Wolves qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2004 will have much to do with how fast and effectively point guard Ricky Rubio recovers from his ACL injury, Saunders told Sports Headliners.

“I think right now you look at the West (Western Conference), there are seven teams that are playoff locks,” Saunders said. “And at that eighth spot, there’s probably about five teams that have a chance to get to that spot, and I think they’re (the Wolves) one of those teams in there.”

Who does Saunders, the former Wolves head coach, believe will be in the NBA Finals? “I think it will probably be the Lakers and Miami,” he said. “I think those are the two best teams.”

Saunders said with forward LeBron James and guard Dwayne Wade the Heat has two of the five best NBA players for closing out games. He also said Miami is “maybe the best team in the league defensively.”

Saunders, though, “wouldn’t be surprised” if the Lakers won the NBA title. “They’ve got great balance, size, a little bit of everything,” he said.

Saunders last coached in the NBA with the Wizards during the 2011-2012 season and he isn’t employed by a league team now. He’s interested in getting back into the NBA but wouldn’t say if the Wolves might one day be a possibility. Saunders could interest NBA teams as either a coach or general manager.

How about the following for TV ratings competition? The second Wolves telecast of the fall will be next Tuesday night in a preseason home game against Maccabi Haifa, the same evening of the presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Single game tickets for the WNBA Finals at Target Center range from $20 to $225. The Lynx host Indiana in game one on Sunday night starting at 7 p.m. ESPN2 will televise the game.

The Aeros, the Wild’s American Hockey League affiliate, open their season tomorrow night in Houston against Charlotte. In the Aeros’ last preseason game Mikael Granlund scored four goals as part of a five point night as Houston defeated Oklahoma City, 6-2.

The Aeros play Rockford on November 18 at the Xcel Energy Center in a regular season AHL game. Tickets are on sale via www.wild.com.

The estate sale last month for Dark Star, the former WCCO Radio personality who passed away in June, generated over $75,000 with some of the proceeds dedicated to the new Gophers baseball stadium.

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Iowa Rivalry Absorbs U Players

Posted on September 28, 2012September 28, 2012 by David Shama

There’s no mistaking the awareness of Gophers football players about their annual game against Iowa.

This week the “pig” visited the Gophers’ locker room. Before the season the Gophers players talked about the team’s rivalries including, of course, the fight tomorrow in Iowa City for the bronze “pig”—Floyd of Rosedale.

In the lobby of Minnesota’s football complex this week there was a scoreboard image showing a 12-0 score. Underneath the score was this statement: “The last time we went to Iowa City.” In 2009 the Hawkeyes won 12-0 at home. The Gophers have won two straight against Iowa, but both games were in Minneapolis.

In Iowa City starting at 11 a.m. tomorrow the two teams resume a travelling trophy game dating back to 1935. It can be argued this is among the most famous trophy games in college football.

Floyd of Rosedale originated to encourage civility between the schools and their fans. No one has been killed over the years but strong feelings remain between the two border states.

University of Minnesota students were chanting “We hate Iowa!” weeks ago. The statement has characterized the identity of student fans in recent years and certainly is something the Gophers’ players are aware of.

“There’s a lot of animosity between the two schools,” said John Rabe. The Gophers’ senior tight end is an Iowa native and growing up in that state certainly gives him perspective on the “We hateIowa!” chant. “That just shows how much it (the game) means to these people and us.”

Rabe expects to make his new hometown fans happy by late tomorrow afternoon. “We’re gonna get this win. I feel confident that we will.”

The Gophers, 4-0 in nonconference games, still haven’t made believers out of the odds-makers. Iowa, 2-2, is about a touchdown favorite, and Gophers coach Jerry Kill said for his team to win turnovers will have to be avoided.

Minnesota had no turnovers in a 17-10 win against Syracuse last week, despite starting a sophomore quarterback. Max Shortell, making only his third career start, had no interceptions or fumbles. “We can’t turn the ball over (at Iowa),” Kill told Sports Headliners.

Iowa has started the season slow, often playing poorly, particularly on offense but Kill said “we’re gonna get their best” tomorrow. He’s followed Iowa under coach Kirk Ferentz for years. “Iowa has a pattern of improving as the season progresses,” Kill said.

Kill admires Ferentz who coached in the pros before taking over at Iowa and has earned a reputation of being among the better college coaches. Ferentz and staff are known for their teaching abilities. “They run as good a practice as anyone,” Kill said.

Football & Other Notes:

Ferentz, 57, is in his 14^th season at Iowa, the most seasons of any current Big Ten head coach. Second in seniority are Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema, 42, and Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, 37.

Gophers’ quarterback MarQueis Gray, injured in the Western Michigan game, was walking cautiously on his high ankle sprain this week and isn’t expected to play against Iowa.

Iowa beat the Gophers 55-0 in 2008. Gophers’ defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman wasn’t on the team then but the Minneapolis native remembers hearing about the game and was asked if it was embarrassing. “I mean it would embarrass anybody. I am pretty sure no team would want to lose by that much. …”

Big Ten Network football analyst Chris Martin talking about the Gophers before last Saturday’s win over Syracuse: “They (the Gophers) can beat Iowa.”

Kill, in his second season at Minnesota, was asked where he’s at in building the program: “…I think very similar to where we were at Southern Illinois. I think we were 1‑10 the first year, and we weren’t very good, and next year we got better and we won four games that year. And I don’t do so much with wins and losses, but I think we’re certainly better than we were a year ago.

“We’ll find out how much better over the next eight weeks and how much they’re going to improve. If we stay the same, results won’t be very good. We’ve gotta continue to make progress. …”

Lester Bagley said last week the odds are about 50-50 the new Vikings stadium will have a “retractable feature.” That doesn’t necessarily mean a retractable roof. Bagley, a Vikings’ stadium executive, said odds of a moving roof are less than 50-50 because of budget limitations.

The new downtown stadium may have a retractable feature like a large window at one end of the facility. Bagley said until the design of the stadium is finalized it won’t be known if there is sufficient money to have a retractable roof but he didn’t express much likelihood the Vikings, state or city of Minneapolis will go beyond the $975 million budget.

“$477 million (from the Vikings). It’s the third largest (NFL) team contribution in history (for a stadium),” Bagley said. “I don’t see the public coming up with more money either. I am not sure that’s an option.

“I guess never say never, but we’re gonna try to design and build and stay on time and at budget which is $975 million. …We are confident in getting a great facility for $975 but that’s the budget. There’s no discussion about any more money.”

Bagley said the stadium will seat 65,000 but can be expandable to 73,000 for a Super Bowl. The Vikings have informed the NFL they want to host the 2018 Super Bowl. A decision on the host city for that year will be made in 2014, according to Bagley.

The Vikings are studying personal seat licensing for a portion of the new stadium. Such licensing means fans pay a fee beyond the price of tickets for a specific seat location. Bagley said the 49ers expect to generate more than $300 million from licensing in their new Santa Clara facility but the Upper Midwest market can’t be expected to approach that kind of figure.

A longtime Vikings season ticket holder said to resell his tickets this year he accepted less than $100 each for his face value $128 per game tickets. He said the team’s 3-13 record last season and this year’s unusually late (December) NFC North home games against Chicago and Green Bay diminished value. He’s holding on to his tickets, though, and expecting a sharp increase in value when the new stadium opens.

The Vikings, 2-1, play at Detroit, 1-2, on Sunday in the first NFC North game of the season for either team. The Vikings won’t play another division game until November 11 when Detroit comes here.

The Vikings’ Percy Harvin leads the NFL with 27 receptions. That’s the most catches by a Viking in the first three games of a season since 1997 when Cris Carter had 23 receptions.

An MIAC game to follow tomorrow is at Augsburg between the 3-0 Auggies and 3-0 Bethel. The Royals lead the MIAC in scoring both on offense (43.0 per game) and defense (7.0 per game). The Auggies may have the most dynamic newcomer in the conference in freshman quarterback Ayrton Scott, named the MIAC’s Offensive Player-of-the-Week each of the last two weeks.

North Woods football coach John Jirik won his 100^th high school game last week. North Woods High School opened in 2011 combining students from the Cook and Orr communities.

Gophers’ baseball coach John Anderson said his team will open its new on-campus outdoor baseball stadium on April 5, 2013 against Ohio State. Minnesota will play 17 home games before then in the Metrodome and has 17 scheduled outdoors. He hopes the Gophers can use the dome in the spring if weather prevents home games from being played outside.

Twins’ utility infielder Alexi Casilla, who is hitting .233 this season, has a lifetime average of .571 against Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia who won his 14^th game of the year on Wednesday against Minnesota. Casilla had two hits in three at bats in the game. His career average of .571 is the highest of any hitter against Sabathia with at least 15 at bats. Casilla has 21 at bats.

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Vikings’ Simpson Plans to Stay Humble

Posted on September 19, 2012September 21, 2012 by David Shama

Jerome Simpson told Sports Headliners he’s learned his lesson after pleading guilty earlier this year to a felony drug charge and then being suspended by the NFL for violating league substance abuse policy.

“Just getting back to the old Jerome Simpson, and just being myself and not getting out of character,” Simpson said. “Just always staying humble and doing the right thing.”

It was reportedly a year ago this month that a marijuana shipment to Simpson’s home in Kentucky led to his problems. That development would detract from a breakout season while playing for Cincinnati.

The Vikings signed Simpson in the offseason, hoping he will become the deep threat receiver the offense needs. The 6-foot-2, 189-pound North Carolina native who grew up an only child influenced by his mother’s values will finish his three-game suspension by the NFL after this Sunday’s Vikings-49ers game.

Simpson described the waiting to play as “grueling” but believes he’s circled back to the values he was raised with. “I’ve grown so much in being able to appreciate the position I am in, and the influence that I have on the community and a lot of youth, and people back home, and just all around me,” he said.

A second round pick by the Bengals in 2008, Simpson never had more than 20 catches until last season. In 2011 he had 50 receptions for 725 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 14.5 yards per catch. Among the highlights was a front flip into the end zone touchdown against the Cardinals that has become YouTube content.

The Vikings have been searching for an elusive big play receiver since Sidney Rice left for Seattle after the 2010 season. In two games this season the Vikings’ longest pass completion by quarterback Christian Ponder is 29 yards and the team’s average pass reception is 8.3 yards. With an exceptional slot receiver in Percy Harvin, promising tight end in Kyle Rudolph and All-Pro running back in Adrian Peterson, a speed-blessed wide receiver to stretch the field and the defense is a missing element in the offense.

The wait to learn if Simpson is the answer is almost over.

Notes:

Controversial former Viking Randy Moss will receive attention locally this week and on Sunday when the 49ers come to Mall of America Field. But at age 35 Moss is no longer the dominating wide receiver he was when he played here from 1998 to 2004. Moss didn’t start for the 49ers in either of his team’s first two games this month. He caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in the opening game and one ball for 14 yards last Sunday.

During player introductions on Sunday night Moss said he was from Rand University, a school that doesn’t exist. The reference was to his hometown while growing up, Rand, West Virginia.

Gophers football coach Jerry Kill said yesterday he isn’t sure when MarQueis Gray’s high ankle sprain will allow him to play again but didn’t rule out the senior quarterback’s participation in Saturday’s home game against Syracuse. The guess here is Gray will be able to play against Iowa on September 29, or following Minnesota’s bye week in early October.

As of yesterday afternoon the Gophers had about 1,500 tickets at $40 each available to the public for Saturday’s game. A spokesman said all 5,300 tickets on sale earlier in the week at a special discount price of $10 are gone.

Friends and family of John Williams will feel joy and sorrow tomorrow night at the M Club Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in TCF Bank Stadium’s DQ Club Room. John passed away this summer and I know how pleased he would have been to attend the ceremonies along with eight other honorees including volleyball’s Lindsey Berg, football’s Tyrone Carter, hockey’s Butsy Erickson and wrestling’s J Robinson. John was a Time Magazine All-American offensive tackle on the Gophers 1967 Big Ten championship team. He was admired for his football accomplishments, including playing in the NFL, but family and friends know what made him special was his devotion to helping others.

John was a good friend who was quietly proud of the Gophers and his many achievements including his dental practice in north Minneapolis. I can’t give John a higher compliment than to say “I can’t replace him in my life.”

St. Thomas confirmed what most MIAC observers thought last week when the Tommies defeated Saint John’s 43-21 in their famous rivalry game. The Tommies are among the best Division III teams in the country and have impressed with a 3-0 start that includes a defense holding opponents to 98 total yards rushing for the season. The Tommies have a schedule bye this Saturday.

Former Vikings wide receiver Leo Lewis and ex-Stillwater head football coach George Thole will be among the speakers for the MVP event on Tuesday, September 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater. MVP is an abbreviation for Men, Value and Purpose. MVP gatherings celebrate sports with “food, fellowship and inspiration.” The public is welcome to attend next Tuesday’s event and more information is available by emailing Todd Fultz, toddfultz@me.com.

Former Gustavus tennis coach Steve Wilkinson received the Iowa Varsity Club Lifetime Achievement award last Friday. On Saturday the former Hawkeyes’ tennis player and assistant coach was introduced at Kinnick Stadium prior to the start of the Iowa-Northern Iowa football game. Wilkinson has the most coaching victories (929) in the history of college tennis, was five times national tennis coach of the year and is a member of six tennis halls of fame, according to the Varsity Club.

Twins’ Target Field attendance for the 2012 season is 2,580,329 with two home stands remaining. Attendance totals the first two seasons at Target Field (2010 and 2011) were 3,223,640 and 3,168,107.

Stubhub.com listed tickets on Monday starting at $5 to $7 for next week’s Yankees series at Target Field.

The Twins, tied for last place in the Central Division with a 61-87 record, have been swept 11 times this season.

Scott Diamond, the team’s leading pitcher in wins with 11, has only one victory since August 6. He has an ERA of 7.33 in his last four starts.

Zack Greinke, known for not liking a lot of media attention, will be a free agent during the off-season. This market seems like a comfortable fit for Greinke who is pitching for the Angels.

St. Paul native Ken Mauer starts his 27^th season as an NBA referee this fall. He may officiate for another five to six years. Mauer said salaries for NBA officials range from $90,000 to $400,000. He will work 70 to 75 games per season and be on the road about 25 days per month.

Close friends know Mauer has a 1989 Rolls Royce convertible. He acquired the car after making a successful investment. “It’s not as fancy as everybody thinks it is but I take good care of it because I probably won’t be able to get another one,” he said.

Bleacherreport.com puts the Timberwolves at No. 17 in its new NBA power rankings out this week. The website said “on paper” the Wolves are better than last season but won’t make the playoffs. Too many ifs including point guard Ricky Rubio’s recovery from ACL surgery, and how effectively new but aging acquisitions Brandon Roy (shooting guard) and Andrei Kirilenko (small forward) perform.

Coach Kevin McHale’s Rockets receive a No. 29 ranking. Coach Randy Wittman’s Wizards are No. 24. Both are former Wolves head coaches.

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