Timberwolves – Page 35 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Gophers Prepared for MSU ‘Woodshed’

Posted on September 20, 2022September 24, 2022 by David Shama

Mel Tucker probably has a teddy bear personality inside but he looks like a man who growls at the walls when he gets out of bed every morning. The muscular head football coach of the Michigan State Spartans is an imposing dude who has a stern expression and expects ultimate effort from his players and coaches—or else.

Not surprisingly Tucker refers to Spartan Stadium as “The Woodshed.” It’s a nickname that suggests MSU fans should make the facility deafening in support of the Spartans. while creating an intimidating environment for visiting teams. The imposing name was first used at State over 20 years ago when Nick Saban coached there and Tucker was a grad assistant.

Since the 2021 season the Spartans are 8-0 in “The Woodshed,” including raucous victories against Michigan and Penn State a year ago. This season the Spartans hold home wins over Western Michigan and Akron. After the September 11 game against the Zips Tucker, who likes to use social media, took to Instagram thanking fans for their performance at the stadium.

On Saturday the Golden Gophers will be in the “The Woodshed” and it’s a visit Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck has prepared his team for. The Gophers have been readying themselves for difficult environments and situations since January. Fleck’s 3-0 group is going on the road for the first time this season.

“We know it’s going to be a hostile environment,” he said Monday. “…They’ve got a great fanbase. They’ve got a wonderful stadium. We know it will be loud. We’ll be prepared for that.”

Michigan State is a physical team as demanded by its coach. The Spartans will be a bigger challenge for the Gophers with their toughness and talent than they faced in dominating wins over New Mexico State, Western Illinois and Colorado. But Fleck, now coaching his sixth team at Minnesota, knows the Gophers have their own prowess. He said 2022 spring practice and training camp were the most physical of his years in Minneapolis.

“If you’re preparing for this—Michigan State now—it’s going to be a long day,” Fleck said. “You better be preparing for those types of teams back in spring ball, in training camp, and we did more good-on-good in training camp and spring ball than we ever did in our six years (previously); knowing what kind of slate we were going to have this year, especially once we get into Big Ten play.”

College football sources see the game this Saturday as a toss-up. The Spartans were No. 11 ranked nationally by the Association Press prior to last Saturday when they lost 39-28 to Washington in Seattle. A chronic issue surfaced again as the Spartans gave up 397 passing yards to the Huskies (507 total yards). Although MSU had an 11-2 season in 2021, the Spartans had a leaky pass defense giving up 324.8 yards per game—the worst in the country. As of today, State has the 101st ranked pass defense in the among 131 FBS teams, yielding 264.3 yards each game.

The Gophers are second nationally in total offense, averaging 554.7 yards per game. It’s been run-first for Minnesota, with the Gophers ranking No. 2 in rushing (312.7 yards per game). Minnesota’s All-American Mo Ibrahim is tied for second in the country with Nebraska’s Anthony Grant for most rushing yards (464).

How effectively the Gophers can throw the ball, though, may determine the outcome of a game that is the Big Ten opener for both programs. The Minnesota pass game ranks No. 77 nationally but has improved with the return of offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca.

Even though the season-ending injury to leading wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell last Saturday is a setback, the Gophers have other experienced targets. Fleck expressed confidence in his receivers. “Everybody can (potentially) be the focal point,” he said.

The offensive line, of course, will have to give quarterback Tanner Morgan time to throw and be consistent with run blocking as well. Minnesota lost 181 game starts from last year’s offensive linemen who moved on, but line coach Brian Callahan and preseason All-American center John Michael Schmitz have helped the Gophers regroup.

“I love how they have jelled together,” Fleck said about the line while acknowledging more improvement is needed. “I love how connected they are.”

As expected, the Spartans are a resilient team. They trailed the Huskies 29-8 after two quarters but played a strong second half. Quarterback Payton Thorne, who Fleck calls the “heartbeat” of the Spartans, is a high level competitor and he threw for 323 yards and three touchdown passes against the Huskies.

The Spartans rank No. 60 in the country in total offense. Their rankings in running and passing are No. 66 and No. 44 respectively.

The Gophers are No. 2 nationally in total defense, giving up 170.3 yards per game. “We have a really smart defense,” Fleck said. “They understand the calls. They understand why the calls are that way. It helps having (linebacker) Mariano Sori-Marin in the middle who is basically a defensive coordinator on the field. He can make a lot of things right really quick. …”

On Saturday the Gophers hope to keep things right on the road, visiting “The Woodshed.” They haven’t played at Michigan State since 2013 and not won there since 2006 but the Gophers have been an impressive road team under Fleck. They are 14-4 in their last 18 away games including bowls. Only Ohio State, 17-3, has a better travel record among Big Ten teams.

Worth Noting

Fleck talking about Autman-Bell’s role now that he is sidelined for the season: “His leadership is second to none and we’re going to need that from him as we keep going through Big Ten play here.”

Fleck is impressed with the work ethic of his team. An hour after practice ended Sunday, 40 players were still on the field working on their own even though they were not required to do so.

The Athletic 131 ranks every FBS football team weekly and has the Gophers No. 39, with 3-0 Maryland No. 29. Not on board with that.

Vikings running back Alexander Mattison talks every Tuesday on KYCR AM 1440 on the “10,000 Takes” show with Eric Nelson and Wally Langfellow. The veteran sports journalists host their show from 5:05 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The Timberwolves, who have their first training camp practice September 27, host Fan Fest presented by Mayo Clinic October 1 at Target Center. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the team will take the court at 3 p.m. for a practice and scrimmage. Fan Fest tickets are complimentary with a $1 processing fee. https://www.Timberwolves.com/fan-fest

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Vikings Earn ‘A’ Grade in Opener

Posted on September 11, 2022September 11, 2022 by David Shama

Describe the first game of the Kevin O’Connell era a rousing success. The Vikings dominated the Packers today in their NFL opener, 23-7, and deserve high marks for their performance.

O’Connell, the new head coach, called an impressive game in a new offensive scheme that included motioning wide receiver Justin Jefferson before the ball was snapped. The Vikings offense played with tempo and aggressiveness against a Packers defense considered one of the NFL’s best. Even the suspect offensive line exceeded expectations, providing time for quarterback Kirk Cousins to throw and also opening holes for Dalvin Cook.

Jefferson, heading into his third NFL season, showed why his NFL peers consider him one of the league’s elite players. He had 186 receiving yards on nine catches, an impressive 20.4 yards per reception. He scored both of Minnesota’s touchdowns during an explosive performance that included his second quarter 36-yard TD reception. It was an A+ day for No. 18 who befuddled Packer defenders in the first half when he scored both of his touchdowns.

Wreaking havoc on the Packers and setting a tone for a physical defense was outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith. He was part of a gang tackling effort in the third quarter that caused Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers to fumble. The Vikings turned that opportunity into a 56-yard Greg Joseph field goal to extend their lead to 20-0.

Smith and teammates came up with the defense’s biggest play of the day in the second quarter with the Vikings ahead 7-0. Green Bay had fourth down on the Minnesota one-yard line but couldn’t get in the endzone. Smith, Jonathan Bullard and Harrison Phillips stopped AJ Dillon’s run and a 79-yard Packer drive.

Smith, the former Packer signed by the Vikings in the offseason, not only earned high marks for his day but is worthy of a game ball along with O’Connell and Jefferson. When those three and the other Vikings and coaches weren’t frustrating the Packers, the boys from Green Bay were doing it to themselves.

On Green Bay’s opening play of the game, rookie wide receiver Christian Watson ran past defenders in the secondary and Rodgers delivered a pass into his hands. Those hands didn’t secure the ball, though, and an almost certain 75-yard touchdown.

The Vikings went on to build a 17-0 halftime lead and the Packers never came closer than when they scored a third quarter touchdown to trail 20-7. Rodgers showed frustration and anger as his depleted offensive line allowed pressure by the Vikings and his inexperienced receivers let him. Give the defending NFC North Division champions a D grade in their opener.

It was smiles all around by Vikings players and their delirious fans who did their best to disrupt Green Bay communications. Yeah, let’s give an A+ to the Purple Patrons, too.

Worth Noting

Don’t worry Gopher fans. Nebraska isn’t going after P.J. Fleck for its next football coach. Hiring coaches away from another Big Ten member school is a “no-no” in the conference.

Andrew DePaola, 35, is the oldest Viking; the youngest is Andrew Booth, Jr. at 21. Harrison Smith has played the most seasons with the team, 11. Blake Brandel and Brian O’Neill are the tallest Vikings at 6-7; Dalvin Cook is the shortest, 5-10. Dalvin Tomlinson is the heaviest at 325 pounds, while Chandon Sullivan the lightest at 189.

Ken Mauer, Jr., the St. Paul native with 37 years of NBA officiating experience, received a two-sentence letter from the league earlier this month notifying him of his termination. The letter wasn’t a surprise after he was suspended without pay all of last season for refusing to be vaccinated for COVID.

Mauer and other referees who took the same anti-vaccine position are suing the NBA in federal court. The league allowed players to decide whether to be vaccinated but mandated referees use the vaccine. “I just don’t think that’s right. I don’t think that’s fair,” Mauer told a luncheon group in Bloomington last Thursday.

The power of the National Basketball Players Association apparently made the league take a different stance with the players than it did with the officials. Mauer is prouder of the stance he is taking in litigation than the NBA career he loved. ”What I am going to win (in court) is that it’s wrong to take anyone’s civil liberties,” Mauer told his audience. “You should be allowed to decide for yourself whether or not you want to put a needle in your arm. …”

A practicing Catholic, Mauer has a strong religious faith. However, he doesn’t criticize others who choose to take the vaccine or wear masks.

Mauer, 67, was hired by the NBA before the 1986-87 season. At 30 years old he was on his way to achieving his life’s dream. He started refereeing in grade school and continued on from there including while on a baseball scholarship at the University of Minnesota. Others scoffed at his ambition to become the first NBA ref from Minnesota.

“Well, they’re doing JV games and I refereed 37 years in the NBA,” Mauer said. “They don’t laugh at me anymore. I am a little bit proud of that.”

Despite physical challenges like broken ribs, Mauer never missed a game during his career including 19 NBA Finals that he worked. He spoke to the CORES group at the Bloomington Event Center. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

Bruce Feldman’s August 31 story for The Athletic on 37 college football assistant coaches to watch this year included Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi (“one of the most underrated coaches in college football”) and running backs coach/assistant head coach Kenni Burns (“recruiting skills and ability to have all his guys ready to perform”).

Former Gophers basketball public address announcer Dick Jonckowski is battling his third round of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and will learn Tuesday whether treatment has made him cancer free.

Steve and Dortothy Erban’s locally-based Creative Charters is offering transportation to all Gophers football away games starting with Michigan State September 24. That game will have customers flying out and back to Minneapolis the same day. The next road game, October 15 at Illinois, will have travelers Amtrak bound for Chicago and Champaign, and then returning home via plane. https://creativecharter.com/about.html

Among reasons to like the chances for the Guardians to win the AL Central Division is they close the season at home with six games against the Royals, a team that is 27 games under .500.

Ouch: Since 2002 the Twins are 38-98 against the Yankees. Since 2027 they are 2-16 at Yankee Stadium.

Word is Pete Najarian, the former Gopher and pro football player who is known nationally as a stock market guru, will continue indefinitely on WCCO Radio’s Sunday “Sports Huddle.”

All five of the Timberwolves preseason games will be televised. Bally Sports North will have the October 4, 9 and 14 games against the Heat, Clippers and Nets. ESPN will televise October 6 and 12 games against the Lakers.

At Cincinnati, where former Gopher administrator John Cunningham is the athletics director, the Bearcats’ home football games are sold out for the season.

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Key Vikings to Watch in Training Camp

Posted on July 21, 2022July 21, 2022 by David Shama

Asked to name several Vikings that fans should evaluate this summer, Jeff Diamond began his list with tight end Irv Smith Jr. who missed all of last season because of a knee injury. Diamond, the former Vikings general manager who was the 1998 NFL Executive of the Year, talked with Smith during mini-camp and believes the 2019 second round draft choice is healthy.

Diamond sees a “load of talent” in Smith. He predicts a potential “huge year” as a pass catcher not only because of Smith’s skills but the wide receiver duo of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen commands so much attention.

Center Garrett Bradbury is working to increase his weight and trying to fulfill the potential expected when the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2019 draft. “He’s just got to be more consistent and a better player,” Diamond told Sports Headliners yesterday. “He’s got the talent to do it if he does put on the weight. He’s really a key guy in that offensive line.”

Diamond said there is intrigue at right guard to see who will start. The candidate pool could include newcomers Jesse Davis, Ed Ingram and Chris Reed.

Not only is there an injury watch with Smith on offense but on defense, too with pass rushing demons Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith, both outside linebackers. “If those guys are healthy, then the pass rush is going to be there,” Diamond said. “If they’re not, it’s really going to be hard for the secondary to be able to hold up.”

Players in the secondary fill out Diamond’s list of intriguing personnel for fans to watch as training camp opens next week and preseason games are played in August. Andrew Booth Jr., the cornerback from Clemson, had his college progress slowed by a series of injuries. The Vikings selected him in the second round of last spring’s draft but Diamond wonders if Booth has first round talent and might start at corner as a rookie replacing Cameron Dantzler.

Diamond also said to watch who emerges as the team’s second safety along with Harrison Smith. Camryn Bynum has a year of NFL experience but there are high expectations for 2022 first round pick Lewis Cine.

Worth Noting

Depending on how the tight ends, including Smith, look the first week or so in training camp the Vikings might have had interest in signing Kyle Rudolph. The former Vikings starter played for the Giants last year but has signed as a free agent with the Bucs as of yesterday.

Rudolph, 32, replaces retired legend Rob Gronkowski and will be catching passes from GOAT Tom Brady. Diamond could see Rudolph in Tampa Bay with the Bucs before it happened. “I wouldn’t be surprised. I think he could potentially be a good fit there.”

Former Vikings wide receiver standout Stefon Diggs now with the Bills and his brother Trevon Diggs, a star cornerback with the Cowobys, are on the latest cover of Sports Illustrated. Stefon’s career was controversial with the Vikings where he wanted a bigger role in the offense.

In the article Stefon said he has no problem with his former team. “I just needed a change in scenery,” he said.

The Vikings sent a news release today announcing 99 percent of season tickets have been renewed. Single game tickets go on sale July 28 and can be purchased on the team’s website. https://www.vikings.com/tickets/single-game-tickets

Twins center fielder Byron Buxton, whose home run gave the American League a ninth consecutive win over the National League Tuesday night, is hitting .216 this season. That has to be among the lowest batting averages ever for a starting player in the All-Star Game.

Yahoo.com reports TV viewership at 7.51 million was the lowest ever for baseball’s showcase but still higher than the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl and NBA All-Star Game.

Chet Holmgren, the former Minnehaha Academy prep All-American, has signed a reported four-year deal with the NBA Thunder that could be worth over $44 million. If Holmgren, the 2022 No. 2 overall NBA draft pick, has an all-star career he could eventually approach $1 billion in salary earnings based on how compensation is accelerating for top players.

The Wolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns, who this summer signed a reported $224 million super max contract extension, isn’t the best player on the team, according to The Athletic. The authority’s rankings of top 125 NBA players has newly acquired center Rudy Gobert at No. 16. Towns, Minnesota’s veteran power-forward and center, is ranked at No. 35.

Gobert, acquired in a block buster trade this summer with the Jazz, has a reported $205 million deal he signed with his former team. Gobert is a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and averaged a career-best 15.6 points last season.

Local fans have been waiting since 2019 for news Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson would one day headline the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities. They won’t be here for the 2022 tournament this week and likely not in the future either. Both legends are aging, with Woods having a difficult recovery from his severe auto accident and Mickelson now aligned with golf upstart LIV.

The 3M and other PGA Tour stops are impacted now because of LIV signing up players. The 3M doesn’t have a top 10 ranked player in the tournament. Ticket buyers may be as intrigued to see players with regional ties like Troy Merritt and Mardy Fish than they are to watch No. 14 Hideki Matsuyama and No. 17. Tony Finau.

One of golf’s best role models comes to town August 13-14 for the second annual Land O’Lakes Legends Classic presented by The Meadows at Mystic Lake. Defending champion Juli Inkster is a 31-time LPGA Tour champion with seven major championship titles.

Inkster, 62, is a past winner of the Patty Berg Award, named after the Minneapolis golf legend and given to players who exemplify the best in sportsmanship, goodwill and contributions to golf among women players. Inkster is a three time world champion and hall of famer who participated in nine Solheim Cups. She was honored by ESPN with the ESPY Award for Outstanding Women’s Golf Performer of the Year in 2002.

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon celebrates its 40th anniversary Sunday, October 2. Youth 18 and under can register at no cost. Organizers bill the marathon as the “largest sporting event in the Upper Midwest” with 300,000-plus spectators and several thousand runners.

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