NCAA – Page 64 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Implode Versus Winless Lions

Posted on December 5, 2021March 15, 2023 by David Shama

“It’s kind of a scary game with all the injuries they have.”

Those were the words of former Minnesota Vikings GM Jeff Diamond this morning. His words were prophetic after the Vikings did the improbable by blowing a 27-23 lead in the last minute in Detroit today against the previously winless Lions.

The Vikings are now 5-7 after the 29-27 defeat and must prepare fast for Thursday night’s home game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “It’s a big week for the Vikings,” Diamond told Sports Headliners before the game. “I think they need to win these two games (Detroit and Pittsburgh) and get over .500 before they head into Soldier Field for that Monday night game (December 13).”

With five games remaining on the schedule a loss to the Steelers and another to the Chicago Bears at Solider Field will seal Minnesota’s playoff fate that is already in deep peril. Vikings radio analyst Ben Leber echoed the sentiment of fans on the KFXN post game show when he said the team’s playoff chances may have “gone out the window.”

The Vikings played without injured personnel who count among the team’s most important contributors. Absent were Anthony Barr, Dalvin Cook, Christian Darrisaw, Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks and Patrick Peterson. All were out with injuries except Griffen, sidelined because of mental health, and Peterson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Then early in the first quarter Adam Thielen was injured and didn’t return to the game.

Head coach Mike Zimmer (who many fans want dismissed immediately) acknowledged “a lot of guys missing” but didn’t alibi about it on the radio after the game. “We didn’t play good enough today,” he said. “That’s my fault.”

Inexplicably the Vikings used a three-man rush trying to protect a 27-23 lead in the last minute of the game. The Lions drove 75 yards with no pressure on Detroit quarterback Jared Goff other than a safety blitz by Minnesota’s Harrison Smith (he may have called the play on his own). The Vikings chose eight-man pass coverage and the Lions took advantage, driving down the field for a last second TD with zero timeouts remaining.

The Lions, now 1-10-1, played at times like the team they are—trying to give away games to opponents. Twice in the game coach Dan Campbell told his team to try for a first down on fourth down. In the first half the strategy led to a Viking field goal. In the second half the failed effort led to the Vikings taking a 27-23 lead with 1:50 to play.

With a makeshift defense playing without its best cover corner in Petersen and perhaps the unit’s MVP in linebacker Kendricks, the Vikings faced a scary closing minute. The ending was a nightmare.

Worth Noting

The Vikings’ offense couldn’t be faulted (as in other games) for not targeting play-making whiz and wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He had a career high 182 yards in receptions and one touchdown. He even threw a first half pass.

The second-year Viking needed 73 receiving yards going into the game to tie Hall of Famer Lance Alworth as the fourth fastest player ever to reach 2,500 receiving yards (both players in 28 games). Odell Beckham Jr. (25), Charlie Hennigan (26) and Bill Gorman (27) reached 2,500 yards in fewer games.

Multiple sources report it’s the intent of Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck to hire Kirk Ciarrocca as offensive coordinator but processes must be completed before an official announcement is possible. Those stages include a University of Minnesota job posting and possibly legalese in contracts with past employers of Ciarrocca who was the Minnesota coordinator from 2017-2019.

Ironically, as of this moment he is an offensive analyst at West Virginia, the team Minnesota will play in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix December 28. West Virginia, from the Big 12, is 6-6 this season while the Gophers are 8-4.

Two-time All-American Gopher defensive end Bob Stein will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Stein, who played high school football for St. Louis Park, was a junior on Minnesota’s last Big Ten title team in 1967. He was honored as an All-American in both 1967 and 1968 by four major organizations including the Associated Press and United Press International.

Jim Carter, the former Gophers fullback from South St. Paul, was Stein’s roommate at Minnesota and the two have been close friends for over 50 years. “Stein contributed a lot (to the championship team),” Carter told Sports Headlines. “He was a damn good defensive end.”

Stein was schooled by legendary U assistant coach Butch Nash who made sure his ends excelled in fundamentals. Stein played defensive end with a high football IQ and a mean streak. “I tell you what, Stein was a tough son-of-a-bitch and I had to go against him a lot (in practice),” Carter said.

Stein and Carter were drinking buddies at Minnesota. Sometimes they would face-off the next morning in practice after a night of partying. They engaged in one-on-one drills with Carter trying to pass block his on-rushing pal who wasn’t about to give him preferential treatment. “He’d hit me in the head and then laugh,” Carter remembered.

A two-time Academic All-American, Stein earned a law degree after his undergraduate years at Minnesota. His post-Gopher career included eight years in the NFL and founding president of the NBA expansion Minnesota Timberwolves.

Minneapolis businessman and former Gopher football player Mark Sheffert was instrumental in Stein’s candidacy for the Hall of Fame. Congratulations to both Bob and Mark.

Stein is one of 21 ex-Gophers in the College Football Hall of Fame. Who could be next from the U? Two-time consensus All-Americans Tyrone Carter and Greg Eslinger have the credentials (winners of the Jim Thorpe and Dave Rimington awards respectively).

Billie Jean King, the tennis trailblazer and advocate for equality, is the 2021 winner of the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. As an elite gate attraction for the Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team Tennis, she helped the league set an attendance record in 1974 at the old Met Center for a match against the Minnesota Buckskins.

A sports marketing authority, speaking anonymously, told Sports Headliners the Minnesota Twins may have prevented the cancelling of up to 500 season tickets by signing Byron Buxton to a $100 million contract. “Had to do this in my mind,” he said.

Dain Dainja, the power forward from Park Center High School, has transferred from Baylor to Illinois. He was a consensus four-star recruit in the high school class of 2020.

Gophers’ first season basketball coach Ben Johnson is 7-0, while the man he replaced, Richard Pitino, is 5-3 leading New Mexico. Johnson and his staff have the Gophers playing extraordinary team basketball, with their latest triumph coming today in an 81-76 win at Mississippi State.

It will be interesting to see if U athletic director Mark Coyle, whose name was linked earlier this year to openings at Kansas and Missouri, is mentioned for the Florida State job.

New Minnesota United CEO Shari Ballard, the former Best Buy executive, speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers Friday.

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Notre Dame Could Target P.J. Fleck

Posted on November 30, 2021 by David Shama

The surprise news yesterday that Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly is leaving for LSU prompts speculation Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck will be on the candidate list to become the next head football coach of the Fighting Irish. There are more prominent names than Fleck for Notre Dame to consider but his name could be top 10.

Several years ago Kelly was going through a difficult stretch at Notre Dame and Fleck—then at Western Michigan and among the hottest young coaching names in the country—was in the rumor mill as a successor in South Bend. Fleck’s energetic personality and success making the Broncos a national story had drawn impressive media coverage including in-depth features by the New York Times and Sports Illustrated.

Notre Dame’s legacy is all about rah-rah and few coaches can give a butt-kicking Friday night campus pep-talk better than the creative and passionate Fleck. Critics might scoff that his Row the Boat mantra wouldn’t be accepted by the conservative Catholic school in South Bend, but not so fast with that. Fleck could dump Row the Boat at “Touchdown Jesus,” explaining that program building at Western Michigan and Minnesota required cultural changes, but not at storied Notre Dame.

The Irish coaching history has often focused on leaders from the Midwest whose background and values fit the school and team. The list includes national championship coaches Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine (from Proctor, Minnesota), and another colorful personality who coached the Gophers, Lou Holtz. Fleck, an Illinois native who has made his coaching reputation in the Midwest, fits the Irish coaching profile in multiple ways from leading a faith-based life to relishing recruiting to demanding accountability from his players. And, oh yes, his conservative run-first offense, is a perfect fit on those snowy, sleeting Saturdays at Notre Dame Stadium.

Maybe Luke Fickell, Dave Aranda, Matt Campbell, Lane Kiffin or another headliner will be the next Notre Dame coach. Maybe Fleck, the 2019 Big Ten Coach of the Year, doesn’t even want the job if offered. “America’s team” is a pressure cooker assignment where every year the playoffs are the expectation. The annual schedule serves up few “cupcakes,” and the Notre Dame environment, with its emphasis on church and academics, isn’t a fit for certain recruits.

Fleck has a new seven-year contract with the Gophers. He likes working for his boss, athletic director Mark Coyle. He and wife Heather are genuine in their liking for the lifestyle here, including summer celebrations at Lake Minnetonka. They refer to Minnesota as home. Their commitment could also get a test in coming days and weeks.

Worth Noting

Fleck planned to celebrate his 41st birthday Monday night at a local restaurant accompanied by Heather and Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

That was state senator Paul Gazelka tweeting Sunday about the Axe being back home and showing a photo of himself with the famed rivalry trophy.

The Golden Gophers held Wisconsin 17-year-old freshman phenom Braelon Allen to just 47 yards rushing in Minnesota’s 23-13 upset win last Saturday. The UW tailback had rushed for over 100 yards in seven consecutive games. Minnesota defenders swarmed Allen and consistently tackled him low.

In 12 games the Gophers have allowed 100.2 yards rushing per game. That’s a program best since the 1962 Gopher defense held opponents to 52.2 yards, a school record. Minnesota’s figure of 100.2 yards ranks 10th nationally and second in the Big Ten to Wisconsin.

Since defensive coordinator Joe Rossi succeeded Robb Smith after a blowout 55-31 loss to Illinois on November 3, 2018, the Gophers have a 25-11 record. Rossi and his staff excel at player development, game preparation and in-game adjustments. Minnesota didn’t allow an offensive touchdown in the Wisconsin win.

Among the assistants on the Gopher staff is tight ends coach Clay Patterson who had an impressive resume with offenses at smaller programs. As the coordinator at Trinity Valley Community College in 2015 his offense broke the all-time yards per game record at any level with an average of 656.1. Could he be in the mix to succeed Mike Sanford as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator?

Quarterback Tanner Morgan, born April 17, 1999, will be 23 years old before the Gophers play their opening game next season. Quarterback Trey Lance, the Marshall, Minnesota native drafted in the first round this year by the 49ers, will be 22 next spring. In NFL history there are a number of quarterbacks who started for their teams when 21 including Matthew Stafford and Michael Vick.

Morgan drew speculation about being a second round draft choice in 2019 when he was second team All-Big Ten and a contender for two national QB of the year awards. He has solid mechanics and more opportunities to pass next season compared with 2021 will help him. And so, too, would an improved receiver corps. All of that could position him to be either a draft choice or free agent invite.

Morgan’s work ethic is admired. “No one works harder than him,” Rossi said.

Morgan’s leadership among teammates is also praised. “They don’t want to let him down,” Rossi said.

The last quarterback drafted out of the Gopher program was Craig Curry, an eighth round pick in 1972 taken by the Dolphins.

At least as important for success in 2022 as the return of Morgan is the decision by All-American tailback Mo Ibrahim to pass on the NFL Draft and play one more season at Minnesota. “He’s going to have an unbelievable year next year,” Sanford said recently.

In retrospect, it looks like the Gophers should have targeted a wide receiver in the transfer portal last winter. Fleck and the coaches scored with transfer help from linebacker Jack Gibbens, defensive lineman Nyles Pinckney and field goal kicker Matthew Trickett.

Minnesota will be active in the portal this offseason likely searching for help at linebacker, in the offensive and defensive lines, and perhaps wide receiver.

How about Christmas in the Big Apple? Richard Johnson from SI.com predicts Minnesota will play Miami (Florida) in the December 29 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

The Gophers start the 2022 season football season with five consecutive home games, then play only two games in Minneapolis from October 8 thru November 26. Included in the early slate is a rare September date with Iowa.

The Hawkeyes match up better with Michigan than Ohio State for this Saturday’s Big Ten championship game. If the Buckeyes had won the right to advance to the title game, their explosive offense figured to have Iowa playing from behind early on, and catch up is not an Iowa strength.

This writer’s Big Ten power rankings: Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, Penn State, Illinois, Rutgers, Maryland, Nebraska, Indiana and Northwestern.

Former Gophers wildcat quarterback Seth Green is a tight end at 11-1 Houston where he has caught 12 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns. The Cougars play undefeated Cincinnati Saturday in the AAC championship game.

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U Axe Win Not Just Another Victory

Posted on November 28, 2021 by David Shama

The Golden Gophers’ 23-13 win over No. 18 Wisconsin was the 57th game of the P.J. Fleck era and one of the most SIGNIFICANT during his five years as head coach at Minnesota.

Euphoric Golden Gophers fans dancing with delight after a home win has seldom been seen in these parts over the decades. But it’s happened twice now in three seasons, with delirious fans on the stadium field celebrating Saturday night’s repossession of the Axe—and two years ago when the Gophers upset No. 5 ranked Penn State in Minneapolis on their way to a historic 11-2 season.

A “here we go again” malaise has hung over Gopher football for decades. Whether it’s coaching tenures that didn’t work out, blown leads in big games, or losing streaks in border rivalries, Gopher football has hardly been the toast of the town for a long time. Just two weeks ago the Gophers lost a seventh consecutive game in the series with the hated Hawkeyes of Iowa. Yesterday’s win over the Badgers won’t wipe away the past but it is a shot of confidence for a skeptical public that waffles in its interest and support for the program.

Minnesota went into the Wisconsin game a touchdown underdog to the nationally ranked Badgers who with a victory could have advanced to the Big Ten championship game. By halftime the Gophers trailed 10-6, partly because of an interception turned into a Badger touchdown.

But the Gophers clearly out-played their opponent in the second half, defeating the Badgers in Minneapolis for the first time since 2003. They also claimed the Axe for the second time in four years, having beaten “Bucky” 37-15 in Madison in 2018.

“This program is all about responding, not reacting,” Fleck said Saturday night after Minnesota defeated the Badgers for only the fourth time this millennium.

Fleck was talking about more than overcoming a halftime deficit in a big rivalry game before a near sellout crowd where patrons paid more than $100 per ticket. Time allowing, he could have detailed a lot of obstacles the Gophers have faced on and off the field, this year and in the past.

The list starts with the loss of All-American tailback Mo Ibrahim who was injured in the opening game and won’t play again until next season. In a run-heavy offense, Ibrahim is the unit’s irreplaceable player. It doesn’t require much reflection to contend Minnesota could have flipped a couple of losses into the victory column with him playing this fall. (During the season, Ibrahim was one of five tailbacks on the roster not available).

The Gophers lost three games by a total of 17 points. With Ibrahim, or more emphasis and execution of the passing game, Minnesota might have won against Bowling Green, Illinois and Iowa.

In season ending wins over Indiana and Wisconsin, Fleck and offensive coordinator Mike Sanford opened up the offense. By doing so they helped the run game and the throwing rhythm of quarterback Tanner Morgan.

Fleck’s conservative offensive philosophy of run-run-run and taking time off the clock has been a solid approach at Minnesota. Some Saturdays the Gophers face a talent disparity against their opponents, needing to reduce possessions by the other team’s skilled playmakers, and long scoring drives by Minnesota have paid off many times during the Fleck era, especially with a game changing runner like Ibrahim. But the willingness to open up the offense with more passes from Morgan and more receivers targeted is a significant change and one that should continue into the bowl game and next season.

The win Saturday gives the Gophers an 8-4 overall record, 6-3 in Big Ten games. The perception and reality of those totals is much better than records of 7-5 and 5-4. Minnesota finished in a second place tie with the Badgers and Purdue in the West Division standings. Only nine times in the last 50 years have the Gophers finished at .500 or better in conference games.

Minnesota is no coaching paradise. It is one of the more challenging jobs in the Big Ten including because of its distance from recruiting hotbeds like California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. The U has fired eight coaches since 1970—and they weren’t all inept coaches. Iowa and Wisconsin, BTW, have fired zero head coaches in the last 30 seasons.

Every Gopher head football coach in modern times has been challenged to find adequate in-state talent to make a run at even being a .500 team in the Big Ten. The better college football prospects, regardless of where they are from, want to play at a program that wins season after season, goes to big bowl games, has CFP aspirations and a track record of sending players to the NFL. That hasn’t exactly been Minnesota’s profile.

Fleck and his assistants (including highly valued defensive coordinator Joe Rossi) are on the favored side of winning and losing. Fleck’s overall record at Minnesota is 34-23. His winning percentage of .597 is the third best ever among Gopher coaches who coached in 45 games or more. Minnesota had had 19 coaches since 1900 and Fleck ranks sixth all-time in program wins.

Fleck’s Big Ten record is 21-22. Pat Fitzgerald, considered by authorities to be among the best coaches in the Big Ten and a consensus top coach nationally, is 64-68 in league games at hard-to-win Northwestern. Scott Frost, who just finished his fourth season at Nebraska and is head coach of a storied program, is 10-25 in conference games.

Fleck is also 2-0 in bowl games including a New Year’s Day Outback win over the SEC’s Auburn Tigers. The Wisconsin win could boost the chances of a quality bowl game destination for the Gophers who won’t be headed to Detroit this holiday season.

The victory over the Badgers and the overall success of the coaching staff is a return on investment for University of Minnesota leaders and outside boosters. This fall athletic director Mark Coyle and school president Joan Gabel approved a new seven-year contract for Fleck, and along with that commitment will come increased compensation for assistant coaches. The U, including the board of regents, and outside financial boosters, have made major commitments in recent years to all varsity sports with the most visible new resource being the Athletes Village.

Clearly the football program is going in the right direction and is authentic. And whether fans like it or not, it’s also time to accept Fleck as genuine. His personality is too over the top for critics but this is who Fleck is. “Row the boat,” and all that goes with it, is not an act.

This is a coach committed to the RBT culture and his way of doing things. It’s not for all recruits, players and fans. But it works for many. “We’re all about fit here,” Fleck said Saturday.

When it comes to sharing messages, Fleck’s Gophers never know what they’re going to hear but sometimes the lesson ties to his long ago vision of being an elementary school teacher. The other day he spoke about the need for his players to be themselves and no one else, referencing the children’s book Be You! That’s also authentic Fleck.

During the five years of the Fleck era the program has made progress on and off the field. The Gophers are 22-10 in the last three seasons, while dealing with the chaos of the pandemic and social unrest in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Collectively the student-athletes have achieved a record GPA, dedicated countless hours to community service helping children and adults, and avoided external incidents that could bring embarrassment to all involved.

Every Gophers football coach has been criticized for his personality and his results. It goes with the job. But they all noticed the chorus quiets when you win.

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