Vikings – Page 191 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Tigers Growl When ‘Script’ Calls for Yawn

Posted on January 1, 2015January 1, 2015 by David Shama

Missouri didn’t follow the “script” and left no doubt today the Tigers are a superior team to the Gophers. Missouri defeated Minnesota 33-17 in the Citrus Bowl and the Gophers lost their seventh consecutive postseason game.

This writer and others who follow the Gophers passionately thought the Tigers might sleepwalk their way through the game but after a sluggish start Missouri sharpened its play. The “script” was for the Tigers—10-3 and SEC East Division champs—to be disinterested at the Citrus Bowl. The Gophers—the 8-4 underdogs from the mediocre Big Ten and playing their first New Year’s Day bowl game in 53 years—figured to be primed for the “kill” against a good team from the mighty SEC.

The Gophers were impressive early in the game and the Tigers were “yawning” for awhile but by halftime Missouri had a 10-7 lead. Minnesota trailed only 19-17 when the fourth quarter started but Missouri’s superior personnel wore down the Gophers and by the closing minutes the game wasn’t even close.

At most positions the Tigers were better offensively and defensively. And they were better in special teams, too. Missouri, trailing 7-0 in the first half, used a fake punt to gain a first down and change momentum. Then to start the second half the Tigers surprised the Gophers with an onside kickoff and moved down the field to kick a field goal to increase their lead to 13-7.

The worst special teams goof up of the day came on a horrendous fumble by Gophers punt returner Marcus Jones. The senior tried to catch a short punt with Tigers converging around him. His fumble and later a Minnesota personal foul led to a Missouri touchdown and 19-14 lead.

Not long before Jones’ fumble, the Gophers had moved ahead of Missouri 14-13 on a 54 yard touchdown by redshirt sophomore tight end Maxx Williams. He made a spectacular run and effort, eluding and jumping over Tigers defenders.

The Gophers had the best tight end on the field in the All-American Williams. Minnesota’s defensive backs gave an elite performance, too, but overall Missouri had better players and the game was a reminder that coach Jerry Kill and his staff have to continue upgrading personnel.

The Gophers never lacked for effort this season. Sometimes, including today, they often missed in their execution. And other times, like against Missouri, Ohio State, TCU and Wisconsin, they just didn’t have enough playmakers.

The Gophers and their fans dreamed big about a Citrus Bowl win but Minnesota’s nightmare run of bowl losses continues.

Worth Noting

Stubhub.com listed tickets yesterday morning for the Citrus Bowl ranging in cost from $13.95 to $399.99. The website also had tickets for the Rose Bowl starting at $144.34 and going up to $2,813.25. The price ranges for the Sugar Bowl—the other semifinal college football playoff game—were $167.94 to $2.051.99.

Former Viking Bob Lurtsema will speak at the January 8 CORES luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. Lurtsema remains close to the Vikings and before this season predicted the team’s record would be 8-8. In Mike Zimmer’s first season as coach the Vikings finished 7-9. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans. Reservations for the Lurtsema event should be made by Monday. Contact Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

Zimmer’s most immediate predecessors as Vikings head coaches were all assistants this past season for NFL teams that didn’t make the playoffs. Brad Childress and the Chiefs finished 9-7, while Leslie Frazier was 2-14 with the Bucs, and Mike Tice and the Falcons had a 6-10 record.

Zimmer said he will be out of town this weekend with some season-ending relaxation plans that include a “little red wine.”

Former Gophers offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, who had the same title with the NFL’s Jaguars, was dismissed earlier this week.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal website reported Monday ex-Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham is the new head football coach at Silverado High School in Las Vegas.

Ryan James from GopherIllustrated.com writes that Malik Ellison, son of former NBA overall No. 1 NBA draft choice Pervis Ellison, will be in Minneapolis for the Gophers-Ohio State game at Williams Arena next Tuesday night. The younger Ellison plays at Life Center Academy in Burlington, New Jersey and is rated a three-star player by Rivals.com. The high school senior is a small forward.

ESPN’s Dick Vitale, during the Tuesday telecast of the Maryland-Michigan State game, described the Terps as the “surprise team” of college basketball. The Terps are 13-1, ranked No. 12 in the country by Associated Press, and host the Gophers on Saturday. The Terps had five players transfer out after last season but have been winning including a double overtime victory at Michigan State on Tuesday. The Gophers are 0-1 in the Big Ten after losing to Purdue on Wednesday.

The Gophers hockey team plays its opening game of the Mariucci Classic tomorrow night against Merrimack but will be without three players competing at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship in Montreal and Toronto. Hudson Fasching and Ryan Collins will play for the U.S., while Leon Bristedt competes for Sweden.

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is offering a half-season subscription package for WCHA.tv that provides fans up to 99 remaining games for the price of $69.99. The package starts Friday and includes the WCHA Final Five semifinal games in March at Xcel Energy Center. Subscribers will watch games streamed live to a PC, tablet or phone (or archived for later viewing). More at WCHA.tvlandingpage.

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Bowl Worth Bonuses to Gophers Kill

Posted on December 30, 2014December 30, 2014 by David Shama

Financial incentives in coach Jerry Kill’s contract include a $50,000 payout if the Gophers win Thursday’s game against Missouri in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl.

The new contract Kill and the University of Minnesota agreed to last February includes a two-page Exhibit A document detailing “annual incentive bonuses” that can boost his income beyond the over $2 million guaranteed compensation he receives. Among those bonuses is $50,000 for a bowl victory against a team from the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 or SEC. Missouri is a member of the SEC, or Southeastern Conference.

Just by getting the Gophers to a bowl game, Kill earned a $50,000 payout. Other $50,000 bonuses achieved in 2014 are for being named Big Ten Coach of the Year and leading the Gophers to five conference wins (5-3 record). It’s common for major head coaches like Kill to have incentive bonuses.

Kill’s guaranteed compensation total for 2014-15 is $2.1 million. That amount increases through the duration of his contract to $2.5 million in 2018-19. Kill’s $2.1 million is less than seven other Big Ten head football coaches receive, according to a November 20 article by USA Today detailing compensation earned by college coaches nationally.

Prior to his new contract, Kill was once the lowest paid head football coach in the conference at $1.2 million. Gophers fans have seen him resurrect the program including trophy game wins this year over Iowa and Michigan, and earning an invitation to the school’s first January 1 bowl game in 52 years. His accomplishments include dramatically raising the grade point averages of players and keeping them away from off-field problems. He has also endeared himself with the public in his battle against epilepsy while being active in volunteerism.

In the high-paying world of college football coaches, Kill is far from a leader in compensation among his peers. Reportedly at the top of the list is Alabama’s Nick Saban at $7.1 million.

Kill is loyal to his assistant coaches, most of whom have been with him for years. His contract states the University “will provide an assistant coach (nine assistant football coaches) salary pool that shall place the school within the top 6 salary pools in the Big Ten. …” Those salaries for assistants currently include $600,000 for defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys and $550,000 for offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover.

The 2014 Gophers team is Kill’s fourth at Minnesota and his best. The team’s 5-3 league record was the program’s best since 2003. The yearly progress made by Kill and his staff is consistent with his track record at four previous schools including Southern Illinois where his teams were in the FCS playoffs five consecutive years.

Claeys said the staff could be at Minnesota for a long time, noting that other schools they have coached at haven’t been in college football’s elite conferences. “As a staff we love it here,” he said. “You can’t play at a higher level (of college football). That’s what’s different than all the other moves that we’ve made.”

Claeys also said the Gophers coaches “want a chance to compete with the big dogs” in college football. That means a commitment to win by the University and outside community, and for the program to have the necessary resources. “So far the people have shown that commitment and as long as that continues…this will be a great place,” Claeys said.

Gophers fans at Thursday’s game in Orlando could total between 12,000 and 15,000. It appears certain Minnesota will have its largest bowl game turnout since 1962 when the Gophers played in the Rose Bowl.

“We’re just as excited as everybody else is,” Claeys said. “We think we got a bright future.”

Worth Noting

Oddsmakers have consistently had Missouri as almost a six-point favorite since the Citrus Bowl matchup was announced. Claeys knows not only will the Gophers be facing a formidable team in the SEC East Division champions, but the 10-3 Tigers are likely to show surprise formations or plays—or both—at Minnesota. “I am sure they’ll have a curveball or two…and hopefully it goes our way,” he said.

A new “wrinkle” is common for teams playing in bowl games because they have more preparation time than during the regular season. Claeys doesn’t become upset with the thought of seeing something new.

“You’ll play scared if you worry about it. …Anytime you have 30 days you’re going to do something new. We feel like our (defensive) concepts are sound. You just gotta play fast and furious and believe in your keys. If you sit around and play like you wonder what they’re going to do, it will slow you down.”

The Gophers gave an underwhelming effort in last year’s 21-17 loss to a mediocre Syracuse team in the Texas Bowl. “I think this year’s group is more focused,” said Gophers defensive tackle Cameron Botticelli. “I think this year’s group is more task oriented. I think this year’s group is more disciplined. I am not sure if that has to do with us being selected for the Citrus Bowl (a New Year’s Day game), or just having another year under coach Kill’s coaching, but you definitely do sense a difference in this locker room than you have years past.”

Claeys is looking forward to coaching Iowa Western Community College recruit Charlie Rogers who will be eligible to participate in Minnesota’s spring practices. The defensive back and Iowa City native started his college career at Iowa State. His experience and athleticism, and football IQ, are likely to provide immediate help to the Gophers secondary next year. “I think he’s an all-conference type of player,” Claeys said.

Another player the Gophers are enthusiastic about is true freshman Connor Mayes who played this season because of injuries to more experienced offensive linemen. “He is going to be a great player,” Kill said. “It’s one of those things he’s sacrificed a lot…because of the injuries we’ve had and so forth. He’s learning on the run and that’s not easy to do.”

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer held his season-ending news conference today, talking about a number of subjects including the futures of Adrian Peterson, Chad Greenway and Cordarrelle Patterson. He said Peterson, the NFL suspended Vikings running back, adds “value to any team” and that he will be in Peterson’s “corner” whatever the decision is about the future including where he plays. “That’s the most important thing, he gets his life in order,” Zimmer said.

Greenway, who turns 32 on January 12, is still capable of being a starting linebacker next season, Zimmer said. “He’s the kind of guy we’d like to have.”

Patterson, the second-year wide receiver and kickoff returner, had a disappointing season despite his immense talent. Zimmer has an offseason plan for Patterson with a mentor the coach wouldn’t identify. Zimmer said Patterson’s issues are “not really about life” and described him as a “good kid.”

Thee basketball Gophers (11-2) have a winnable game tomorrow (2:15 p.m. BTN) at Purdue. The Boilermakers were only 8-5 during nonconference games with losses at home to Gardner-Webb (8-5) and North Florida (7-7) at home. Purdue is also on a three- game losing streak.

The challenge, though, is winning at a place where the Gophers have struggled over the years. Senior guard Andre Hollins has never been on a Gophers team that has won at Mackey Arena and he said the crowd can make it difficult for the visiting team. Minnesota hasn’t won a game at Purdue since 2002.

Isaac Haas, a 7-foot-2, 297-pound freshman center, leads Purdue in scoring at 11.5 points per game. Another freshman, 6-7 forward Vince Edwards, is best in rebounding at 6.1.

After the Gophers open their conference schedule tomorrow, they play at No. 12 ranked (AP poll) Maryland on Saturday. The league home opener is next Tuesday night with Ohio State.

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New Gophers Football Facility Set for 2015

Posted on December 28, 2014December 28, 2014 by David Shama

Ground breaking and construction on the much talked about and coveted new Gophers football facility will begin next year, according to a donor who is providing $15 million.

Although the Athletic Department has yet to make an announcement, Janis Larson told Sports Headliners Gophers football coach Jerry Kill will get the facility he says is needed to make his program competitive with others in the Big Ten. The building will be named the David and Janis Larson Football Performance Center.

Janis is the widow of David Larson who passed away unexpectedly at age 70 last fall. Her husband was a University of Minnesota regent and loyal Gophers football fan. He raved about Kill’s work in turning around the football program and praised the coach’s high character. “He had my back,” an appreciative Kill said last fall.

The two men became friends not long after Kill was named the Gophers coach in late 2010. Larson, who had been one of Cargill’s top executives, once gave $500,000 to the football program to pay for tutors, laptops and also enhancements to the weight room.

The new football performance center will make a lasting statement about the Larsons’ commitment to Gophers football. “We talked about it before he passed away,” Janis said. “He knew about it.”

The facility will be three stories high, Janis said, and with all its components—including much needed indoor practice space—will put the Gophers in a competitive recruiting situation with other Big Ten programs. The total cost for the building, according to another source, could be at least $25 million.

The Gophers’ present indoor facility was built in the 1980s at a cost of $5.5 million. It has many deficiencies including a roof so low punts bounce off the ceiling. The building is acknowledged to be at or near the bottom when compared with those of other Big Ten schools.

This year Kill reportedly told recruits the Gophers would start breaking ground on a new facility in 2015. He also voiced confidence about the building becoming a reality when talking with Howard Griffith from the Big Ten Network last August. “There’s no question I am looking forward to the new facility,” Kill said. “We have to have that. That’s been kind of a deal in recruiting, and so coach Kill has put a lot of pressure in that situation. That’s going to come through.”

But Gophers fans have rightfully fretted about whether the facility would become a reality for Kill’s 2015 timeline. The football building is part of an overall $190 million campaign to upgrade athletic department facilities. Department officials have been mostly quiet about fundraising progress—and regarding the football complex a spokesman recently said construction will start “as fast as humanly possible.”

The concern has been that if Kill doesn’t see the football facility become a reality he will leave Minnesota and find a program where resources are in place and winning is more of a priority. Gophers’ fans don’t want to lose a popular coach who delivered trophy game wins over Michigan and Iowa this season, and now is preparing his team for the school’s first January 1 bowl game since 1962.

“I can’t imagine him leaving now,” Janis said. “He is a genius.”

That’s how her husband thought of Kill, too. David and Janis have also been admirers of the coach and his wife Rebecca for their volunteerism and caring for others inside and outside of football.

The Larsons wanted to make sure their friends are here for a long time.

Worth Noting

Janis Larson will be the guest of University of Minnesota regents for Thursday’s Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl game in Orlando when the Gophers play Missouri. Buffalo Wild Wings is based in the Minneapolis area. Sally Smith, CEO and president, is expected to attend the game and present the bowl trophy to the winning team.

Sports handicapper Kelly Stewart made the Gophers her top pick against the spread in 38 college bowl games, according to the December 19 Reviewjournal.com. The Gophers have been a 5 to 5½ point underdog to Missouri but Minnesota has excelled this season at beating the spread.

Before the season the number was set at six by handicappers for the Vikings’ total wins this season. Gamblers who took the “over” six on wins are celebrating the Vikings’ victory today against the Bears and final season record of 7-9.

The Bears finished 5-11 and in last place in the NFC North Division. Rumors are Minneapolis-born Marc Trestman and his coaches will be dismissed soon.

Fox color commentator Brady Quinn had the understatement of the telecast today when he said this about Vikings rookie Teddy Bridgewater: “This is the quarterback of the future.”

First-year Vikings coach Mike Zimmer raved about Bridgewater after the game on KFAN Radio, but said the 22-year-old does need to improve during the offseason including becoming stronger. “I love this kid,” Zimmer said. “He’s got so much composure. He’s so accurate. …He’s everything you want your quarterback to be and he’s a winner.”

Bridgewater completed 17 of 25 passes for 209 yards. The 68 percent completion percentage was the first time in the last five games he has been under 70 percent.

Adam Thielen, the Detroit Lakes native who was bypassed by Division I schools coming out of high school and was on the Vikings practice squad last year, was all smiles after catching a 44-yard touchdown pass from Bridgewater. The reception was his first NFL touchdown catch and the Vikings lone TD in their 13-9 win today.

The Gophers basketball team was impressive again on Saturday, winning 108-82 over UNC Wilmington. The Seahawks lost at No. 4 ranked Louisville earlier this month by only 11 points but the Gophers used a 34-9 late first half run to easily win their eighth consecutive game. Minnesota now has an 11-2 record, finishing its nonconference schedule with wins by 28 points or more in five of the last six games.

Gophers senior point guard DeAndre Mathieu, who scored 13 points and had 11 assists against UNC, left the game late in the second half and didn’t return. He was hit on his right elbow and some fingers became numb. Both he and coach Richard Pitino said there are no concerns about Mathieu’s right hand as the Gophers prepare for Wednesday’s Big Ten opener at Purdue. “He likes attention,” Pitino teased.

Senior guard Andre Hollins said his right turf toe injury didn’t slow him down on Saturday. He doesn’t expect the toe, which he hurt in the Seattle game on December 10, to be a problem at Purdue.

The Gophers were outrebounded by UNC 39 to 27 and Pitino said if there is a concern going against Purdue it’s on the boards. He described the Boilermakers as a “very, very physical” team. Freshman forward Vince Edwards leads the Boilers in rebounds at 6.1 per game but they also have a pair of 7-footers in freshman center Isaac Haas and junior center A.J. Hammons. The 7-2 Haas and 7-foot Hammons are both averaging 5.2 rebounds.

WCHA commissioner and former Angels communications executive Billy Robertson is an avid baseball fan who predicts the Twins will be the “most improved team” in the American League in 2015. He believes the Twins will tie for third place in the AL Central with the Indians. He projects the Tigers will win the Central with the other AL division winners being the Angels and Red Sox. The A’s, Orioles and White Sox will be AL Wild Card entries for the playoffs. In the World Series it will be the Red Sox over the Dodgers in seven games.

Coach John Tauer’s St. Thomas men’s basketball team is 8-1 and ranked No. 6 nationally by D3hoops.com. No other men’s MIAC team is in the D3hoops top 25.

The Tommies are the only Division III men’s team in the country with six players averaging in double figures. Those players are Marcus Alipate, Bloomington, Jefferson; Taylor Montero, Cretin-Derham Hall; Conner Nord, Eden Prairie; Ryan Saarela, Lakeville North; Grant Shaeffer, Eden Prairie; and Cortez Tillman, Cretin-Derham Hall.

During the past six-plus years the Tommies’ 87 percent winning percentage is the best in the country among 417 Division III programs. UST has won nine consecutive MIAC titles, with nine straight NCAA tournament appearances and 20-plus wins during those years.

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