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Gopher Catalyst: Illini Loss in 2018

Posted on October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 by David Shama

A Tuesday notes column:

The Golden Gophers are 7-1 since last year’s embarrassing 55-31 loss to a bad Illinois team on the road. Minnesota has also won six straight games dating back to last season and that includes road wins over Wisconsin in 2018 and at Purdue last Saturday.

The last time the Gophers won six straight was during the 2003-2004 seasons. Minnesota’s overall records during those years were 10-3 and 7-5; with 5-3 and 3-5 totals in Big Ten games. Off to a 4-0 start this season, coach P.J. Fleck got his first opening conference win in three years against Purdue.

Right now the Gophers are favorites in their next four games, including this Saturday at home against 2-2 Illinois. The favorite label changes almost for sure when Big Ten power Penn State comes to Minneapolis November 9. After Illinois the Gophers face Nebraska, Rutgers and Maryland.

No team in the country runs slant patterns better than Minnesota does with its outstanding wide receivers. That’s what former Minnesota coach Glen Mason said on BTN Saturday after watching the Gophers gain 396 yards passing in their 38-31 win over Purdue, with a lot of yards coming on slant patterns.

Minnesota had four touchdown receptions from wide receivers in the game, with two by sophomore Rashod Bateman and one each from sophomore Chris Autman-Bell and senior Tyler Johnson. Fleck, who saw his Gophers score two touchdowns on plays following timeouts he called, said on his KFAN Radio show this afternoon that Bateman and Autman-Bell run about 22 miles per hour.

Minnesota sophomore quarterback Tanner Morgan is the Big Ten’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week after setting a single game conference record for passing completions. He was 21 of 22, a .955 percentage, the most in league history for any quarterback with 13 attempts or more.

The Gophers had issues with missed tackles in the Purdue game and Fleck said on the radio there was an emphasis on correcting the problem in practice today.

It will be interesting to see if the Gophers Athletic Department offers any more $10 flash sale tickets for home games. That seems unlikely for the Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin games but possible for Maryland and perhaps Penn State. A flash sale resulted in 7,150 tickets being sold for the home opener against South Dakota State.

The Nutrition Center at the Gophers’ Athletes Village is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A variety of breakfast and lunch items is offered for about $11 per person.

Congratulations to Bob Stein and Alan Page on being selected for the Sports Business Journal list of the 100 most accomplished NFL alumni for what they achieved in their post-football careers. Stein, the former Gophers All-American defensive end who played for four NFL teams including the Minnesota Vikings, was a driving force as CEO for the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves and prior to that was a sports attorney. Page, the former Vikings defensive tackle and league MVP, is a retired state of Minnesota Supreme Court Justice who has devoted much of his life to community causes and last year was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.

BTN covers Big Ten Men’s Basketball Media Day Wednesday including the news conference by Minnesota coach Richard Pitino starting at 8:30 a.m. from Rosemount, Illinois.

Sales of the new Goldy Gopher book (What Should I Be When I Grow Up?) has already resulted in $1,500 being donated to the Goldy Gopher Enhancement Fund at the University of Minnesota. Goldy’s Locker Room has partnered with Karen Kaler (wife of former U President Eric Kaler) to publish the children’s book featuring Goldy Gopher, with proceeds benefitting future Goldys.

The book, which follows the popular mascot on a journey around the University as he explores various fields of study, is exclusively available at Goldy’s Locker Room stores throughout the Twin Cities and online at goldyslockerroom.com. “Contributing to the mission of Goldy Gopher and the student athletes who make up the Spirit Squad is important to us. After all, Goldy is the face of our brand,” said Ron Leafblad, President and CEO of Gold Country.

Prep football coaching milestones: Marc Franz, Rogers, and Brian Remick, Red Lake County, won their 100th career games last Friday. Franz’s career record is 100-60 in 17 seasons as head coach at Rogers High School. Remick is 100-91 in 20 seasons as a head coach, including 12 at Red Lake County.

The Twins rank No. 5 in a Usatoday.com power rankings story about the 10 MLB playoff teams. Ahead of the Twins in the article posted yesterday are the Astros, Dodgers, Yankees and Braves.

When the Twins open their playoff series Friday against the Yankees in New York they face a team that defeated them four of six times during the regular season. The most memorable game might be the extra inning 14-12 Yankees win at Target Field July 23 that lasted five hours. There were six home runs in the game, with three travelling over 400 feet including a 457 blast by Minnesota’s Miguel Sano.

The Twins depart for New York on Wednesday and will work out at Yankee Stadium Thursday afternoon.

Twins president Dave St. Peter talking about the joy this year’s team brought to owner Jim Pohlad: “Jim…at his heart is a fan.”

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Vikings Face No Ordinary Sunday

Posted on September 22, 2019September 22, 2019 by David Shama

Today’s Vikings-Raiders game at U.S. Bank Stadium has more drama surrounding it for the Purple than was predicted a couple of weeks ago. The 1-1 Vikings not only need a win to maintain their status as one of the NFL’s better teams, but quarterback Kirk Cousins badly needs redemption after last Sunday’s 14 of 32 passing performance in the team’s 21-16 loss to the Packers in Green Bay.

Cousins, the team’s $84 million man, didn’t do enough to justify his big contract in year one last year as the Vikings finished 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs after going 13-3 the previous season. In two games this season he hasn’t significantly impacted the outcomes, including a two interceptions performance in Green Bay. With a reputation for not being at his best under pressure dating back to his days playing with the Washington Redskins, it’s high time for Cousins to deliver today and on future Sundays.

Cousins acknowledged several days ago he won’t continue to hold his spot as the team’s starting quarterback if he doesn’t play better. The passionate Vikings fan base read that statement and could lose faith in the seven-year veteran before head coach Mike Zimmer does. A bad day for both Cousins and the Vikings against a mediocre 1-1 Raiders team known for their leaky pass defense will turn the Purple faithful into the unfaithful.

Cousins appeared shaken in the second half against the Packers after making an awful judgment on an attempted end zone touchdown pass that resulted in an interception, and was a turning point in the game. It might have been that kind of play Zimmer had in mind when he issued this vote of confidence for his quarterback last week:

“Kirk had an up and down game last week. He’s going to be fine. We have the utmost confidence in him. He’s in a good place where he’s going to play good this week and continue to play good for the rest of the year.”

If Cousins is fine today and during the remainder of the season it will certainly help Zimmer’s job security. Expectations are high in 2019 for the Vikings with an ownership group that wants a Super Bowl. The Wilf family has provided all the resources including a supportive payroll, new practice home and perhaps the NFL’s best stadium. Success is expected from Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman, both of whom surely promoted the Cousins signing to the owners.

If a quarterback change is made, presumably an opportunity will be given to backup Sean Mannion, the only other QB on the active roster. Acquired in a free agent signing during the offseason, Mannion is in his fifth NFL season but has minimal game day experience—10 games and one start. He has yet to see the field with the Vikings in a regular season game, and in four previous seasons with the St. Louis-L.A. Rams he attempted 53 passes, with 33 completions, one interception and no touchdowns.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound former Oregon State quarterback throws a harder pass than Cousins who has more touch, according to Vikings cornerback Mike Hughes. “Yeah, he does have a pretty good fastball,” Hughes told Sports Headliners, while adding the extra zip can deliver the football in tight spaces.

Mannion has a one year contract with the Vikings and while he admitted everyone wants to start in the NFL, he is happy with his role. He is also a Cousins admirer. He even studied the throwing mechanics of his older peer while with the Rams, watching how Cousins used his feet to maximize timing with receivers.

“Kirk is great…with his feet and playing on time,” Mannion said. “That’s something that I’ve tried to really do as part of my game as well. Trying not to get behind the timing of the play and force a bad decision, really lifting my feet.”

After Mannion arrived at the Vikings practice facility, he learned what others already knew about Cousins as a person. “He’s just an awesome dude. Just the way he treats people, everybody in the building…he treats with total respect.”

Worth Noting

Hughes, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL, could make his 2019 debut today. As of Thursday, he was undecided whether to wear a brace when he does return.

With a win today against the Raiders, the Vikings will have their 500th victory in franchise history dating back to 1961.

Brent Musburger, the 80-year-old famous sports broadcaster who graduated in 1957 from Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, is in his second season as the Raiders play-by-play man.

WCCO Radio change: The Sports Huddle program, a Sunday ratings leader for decades, has been moved from a 9:30 a.m. start to 10 a.m. Purple Sunday Pregame airs from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald (1,316) needs 10 receptions today against the Carolina Panthers to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez for second on the NFL’s all-time list of career receptions. The Arizona Cardinals receiver has the league’s longest active streak of games with a reception (229).

A friend living in Athens, Georgia texted that interest in last night’s Georgia-Notre Dame football game was so intense that locals were asking and receiving rent of $4,000 to $6,000 per night with a two night minimum for their houses.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor acknowledging earlier this month that season ticket sales are down: “I would just say they (the sales force) have goals that they haven’t achieved yet.”

Tyus Jones, the former Timberwolf point guard now with the Memphis Grizzlies, will play a mentoring role to point guard Ja Morant, the team’s 2019 No. 1 draft choice.

Minnesota United, competing to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, plays at Providence Park in Portland this afternoon. The stadium is 95 years old, one of the iconic facilities in American sports, and home to the Portland Timbers.

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Wolves Owner Praises Wiggins Effort

Posted on September 19, 2019September 19, 2019 by David Shama

Enjoy a Thursday notes column with a focus on Minnesota’s professional basketball franchises.

For many observers the Minnesota Timberwolves player to watch in preseason and beyond this fall will be enigmatic 24-year-old forward-guard Andrew Wiggins. The franchise opens training camp October 1, and in this town the five-year veteran’s name is synonymous with unfulfilled potential.

So flashy his nicknames have included Junior Jordan, Wiggins can prompt gasps from spectators because of his athleticism. He has a career scoring average of 19.4 and that is exceptional by NBA standards. The rest of his stat line, though, is pretty blah and his numbers in categories like assists (2.2 per game) and rebounding (4.3) hint at Wiggins not being a player who makes teammates more productive. His many critics see a high potential player who lacks the focus and intensity to be a star on both offense and defense.

Waiting on Wiggins to consistently perform at a high level seems like part of the franchise DNA. This season he gets a fresh start with new instructors, a revised coaching staff led by Ryan Saunders in his first full season as head coach. Directing from the top is Gersson Rosas, the new president of basketball operations.

How Wiggins prepared for this season may provide a clue as to things could go in the coming months. Team owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners he likes the approach of Wiggins who he rewarded with a five-year contract in 2017 that reportedly approaches $150 million. He said Wiggins has invested more effort this offseason than in at least a couple of years.

“Everything has really been positive,” Taylor said. “He’s stayed around (Minneapolis and) worked. Done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s working on the things that we thought were important.

“If he has a tough year (in 2020), or a good year…he has put in the effort. That was the first big step. If he didn’t put in the effort we would really be concerned. Now we’ve gotta see, does that effort translate into results?”

When Rosas was hired last spring many Wolves fans assumed general manager Scott Layden would move on. Layden had been hired by Tom Thibodeau in 2016 when he took over as president of basketball operations and head coach. Speculation was Layden might leave, or be asked to exit, months after Thibodeau’s firing in January of this year.

After hiring Rosas, Taylor told him that Layden was under contract and to decide about his future. Rosas said he had worked with Layden in the past and respected him. “He said, ‘I got no reason to push him out. If he finds another job, if he wants to do something else he thinks would be better, I am okay with that, too.’ “

Layden remains with the Wolves with responsibilities that include evaluating personnel.

The Wolves will train in Taylor’s hometown of Mankato for the first time since 2014. Taylor’s wife Becky will prepare a lasagna dinner and the two will host a team party at their home for players and staff.

Although most media who cover the NBA don’t predict a spot in the playoffs for the Wolves, Taylor is upbeat because of new leadership with Rosas and Saunders, and promising young players like rookie guard Jarrett Culver joining Karl-Anthony Towns, one of the league’s premier centers.

Taylor was elated over the 2019 regular season performance of his other basketball franchise, the WNBA Lynx. Despite a roster reshuffle after losing star players following the 2018 season, the team made the playoffs.

The Lynx are four-time WNBA champions, with the last title coming in 2017. During the past offseason, coach and front office decision maker Cheryl Reeve asked Taylor how to approach the 2019 season, with options that included rebuilding. Taylor had seen Reeve’s past skills to acquire talent and coach the team to high performances. He didn’t want a rebuild.

Taylor told her: “…Cheryl, I got you (to do things). I’d just as soon go for it (not rebuild). I am betting on you. Let’s go for it, and we’ll help.”

Taylor got involved with “recruiting” players to Minneapolis but he downplays the importance of what he did. He told players the Lynx has a culture that distinguishes the franchise from other WNBA organizations. “So you know I did the pitch,” Taylor recalled. “It helped her but I am not implying anybody came because of me.”

It was announced yesterday that Reeve was voted by her peers WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year for her work as the Lynx’s general manager.

Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen led the team in receptions and receiving yards against Green Bay last Sunday, with five catches for 75 yards. He holds the franchise record for most receptions against the Packers, coming up with 12 in two different games.

Thielen, a Minnesota native, was asked if his focus or intent is different in the rivalry games against the Packers. “No, no, not at all,” he told Sports Headliners. “It’s the National Football League. If your emotions aren’t the same for every game, you got a problem. You only have 16 games. You gotta bring it every week.”

Thielen has 212 receptions since 2007, tied for fourth most in the NFL.

The Vikings, 1-1 after their loss to the Packers, play the Oakland Raiders Sunday in Minneapolis. The two franchises met in Super Bowl XI, with the Raiders winning 32-14, and giving the Vikings one of their four Super Bowl losses. Ten individuals associated with that Raiders team, including owner Al Davis and coach John Madden, have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Defending WCHA regular season and playoff champion Minnesota State is the favorite to repeat as league champions in the 10 member conference, receiving nine first-place votes in the eighth annual Mankato Free Press WCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll and all 10 votes in the WCHA Preseason Media Poll.

Minnesota Twins Luis Arraez and Mitch Garver appear at the Fan HQ Ridgedale store on September 21 and 22 respectively. The Minnesota Wild’s Zach Parise is scheduled there September 30. Details on celebrity appearances at Fanhqstore.com.

The 3-0 football Gophers, who are one of five Big Ten teams with byes this weekend, rank No. 13 in the country in average of time possession at 34:36. Wisconsin is No. 1 at 37:13.

CollegeAD.com reported that through Sunday tickets sold on Vivid averaged $611 for next Saturday’s Georgia-Notre Dame game in Athens. That’s the most expensive college ticket this season, CollegeAd said on Wednesday. By contrast the average for the Wisconsin-Michigan game coming up in Ann Arbor is $184.

September birthdays: Gophers basketball coach Richard Pitino turned 37 Monday, and former University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler will be 63 next Monday.

Prep football coaching milestones: Jay Loven, Upsala/Swanville Area, and Tim Kirk, Mountain Lake Area, won their 100th career games last Friday. Loven’s career record is 100-55 in 16 seasons as a head coach at Upsala/Swanville. Kirk is now 100-71 in 17 seasons as a head coach at Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin and Mountain Lake Area.

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