Vikings – Page 194 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Bridgewater Chasing Tarkenton Record

Posted on December 1, 2014December 1, 2014 by David Shama

In today’s column why Teddy Bridgewater, who broke one Viking rookie quarterback record yesterday, is on track to break another—and why a Gopher star with remaining eligibility could be gone before next spring.

Bridgewater broke Christian Ponder’s rookie season record of 158 pass completions in yesterday’s 31-18 win over the Panthers. Bridgewater has 173 completions this season, besting Ponder’s total in 2011.

Bridgewater passed for 138 yards against the Panthers. In nine games and eight starts he has 1,827 total passing yards. In franchise history, Frank Tarkenton, with 1,897 yards, holds the club record for passing yards by a rookie quarterback.

Bridgewater, needing only 71 more yards, seems certain to break Tarkenton’s total next Sunday when the Vikings play the Jets at TCF Bank Stadium. Seven times this year Bridgewater has exceeded 150 yards passing, with a season-best 317 against the Falcons.

Ponder is second to Tarkenton among Vikings rookie quarterbacks for most touchdown passes. Tarkenton threw for 18 scores in 1961, while Ponder had 13 his rookie year. Bridgewater has eight touchdown passes and with four games remaining seems unlikely to break Tarkenton’s record.

Known for his slow game starts, and sometimes criticized for inaccuracy, Bridgewater threw two first half touchdown passes yesterday and completed 15 of 21 passes during the game. It was his most accurate performance of the season and his 120.7 rating was the first time he bettered 100.

After the game Bridgewater credited better execution by himself and teammates for the impressive day against the Panthers. He was specific when answering a question about where the improvement has come since his first start back in September.

“I think I’m better at just making quicker decisions,” he said. “…If I’m able to make quicker decisions I’m able to get the ball out faster.”

Has Maxx Williams played his last Big Ten game for the Gophers?

The team’s big play tight end is eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft. Matt Miller, the draft writer for Bleacherreport.com, posted this on November 13:

“The senior tight end class isn’t great for 2015, which is why one area scout I spoke to believes redshirt sophomore Maxx Williams (Minnesota) may come out early. Williams, if he were to declare, would be my top-ranked tight end.”

When asked a couple of times this fall about leaving school early, Williams wouldn’t address the subject other than to say his focus was on the next game. Now the only game remaining is a bowl assignment later this month or early January, with an announcement coming on December 7 or 8 as to where the Gophers are headed.

Williams is one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award, recognizing the nation’s best tight end. Matt Spaeth, a Minnesota native like Williams, won the award in 2006 and he raves about Williams. “He’s got all the tools and does all the right things,” said Spaeth who plays for the Steelers. “His playmaking ability sets him apart from other people. That’s something you either have or don’t have.”

This season Williams has made a couple of catches worthy of storage in the “vault” for best ever receptions by a Gophers tight end. He has shown glue-like hands, body control, speed, toughness, and consistency while establishing himself as the team’s best receiver statistically with 29 receptions for 471 yards and seven touchdowns. His athleticism has even allowed the coaches to use him as a wide receiver.

The word playmaker keeps coming back into the conversation about the 6-4, 250- pound Williams. “The NFL is comprised of playmakers and that’s what he is,” Spaeth said.

But tight ends must block—both on the college and pro levels. For the casual fan blocking is something that can be overlooked with Williams but it’s another of his many attributes. His ability and willingness to block is an important contributor to the Gophers running game, the primary component of the team’s offensive success.

Spaeth didn’t want to offer public advice on whether Williams should leave early for the NFL and the riches that could await. He said, though, another season of college football will “absolutely” help Williams. “The stronger he gets the better off he will be.”

The Mackey Award winner will be announced on December 10. If Williams wins the award, that will heighten his national profile and perhaps encourage him to leave the Gophers for the draft.

Worth Noting

A Gophers source said yesterday the most likely bowl destinations for Minnesota are the December 27 National University Holiday Bowl in San Diego, or two January 1 bowls, the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in Orlando and the Outback Bowl in Tampa. He acknowledged because the Gophers aggressively recruit the Southeast, the two Florida bowls could be preferred destinations. Minnesota hasn’t played in a Florida bowl game since 2000.

Among the many admirers of Gophers football coach Jerry Kill are members of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association, the organization of high school coaches with a long list of activities promoting their sport. Ron Stolski, the MFCA executive director, praised Kill with these words in an e-mail:

“You demand only the BEST from yourself, your staff and the boys you love. Your example of resilience, spirit, toughness and resolve is infectious, and permeates all you do. You are too humble to ever acknowledge this truth, but I am not, and I sing your much deserved praises at every opportunity.”

The winner of the 2014 Mr. Football Award, sponsored by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association and the Vikings, is Hutchinson High School running back and free safety Robbie Grimsley. He averaged 10.7 yards rushing last season and caused 12 turnovers on defense. He totaled five touchdowns on interception, kickoff and punt returns, and rushing and receiving.

Grimsley, who was announced as the Mr. Football winner at a banquet yesterday at the DoubleTree hotel in St. Louis Park, told Sports Headliners he will accept a scholarship to North Dakota State where he expects to play safety for the Bison.

Grimsley was one of 10 finalists for the award and some of those players, including Prior Lake linebacker and running back Alex Hart, may interest the Gophers as walk-ons. Hart’s brother, redshirt freshman tight end Nick Hart, is on the Minnesota roster now as a walk-on.

Kez Flomo, the running back from Totino-Grace and another finalist, has no Division I offers but his coach, Jeff Ferguson, hopes FCS and Division II offers will be coming. Totino-Grace lost to Eden Prairie in the Class 6A state title game and should be better next season. The Eagles had 16 underclassmen starting, including eight sophomores.

Taste of the NFL Founder Wayne Kostroski, the Minneapolis restaurateur and 2010 James Beard Humanitarian of the Year, was recently presented with the Pedestal Award honoring philanthropy. Taste of the NFL, now entering its 24th year, has distributed more than $22 million through its programs and events to help feed 37 million Americans who have turned to local food banks for assistance.

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No More Joking When Vikings Lose

Posted on November 24, 2014November 24, 2014 by David Shama

Notes from Mike Zimmer’s news conference this afternoon:

The Vikings first-year coach expects professional conduct by his players and he will act if he doesn’t see it. “There was a situation earlier this year that we got beat and there was some joking going on afterwards,” Zimmer said. “I put a stop to it pretty quickly.”

The Vikings, 4-7, have lost two consecutive games but Zimmer said the players are “taking the losses hard.” His players are developing the “mindset” he wants.

“The way we work in the weight room—intangible things a lot of you don’t see,” Zimmer said. “We’re on time. We act like professionals in a lot of different ways. We need it to show up more on Sundays with wins and that’s really where we’re at. But I don’t have a problem with the football team and the way they do things.”

Zimmer confirmed reports from earlier in the day that starting offensive tackle Phil Loadholt is out indefinitely with a pectoral tear. Loadholt will probably have surgery on Friday and reserve lineman Mike Harris, who hasn’t started a game this season for the Vikings, will likely be the replacement.

“I think Phil is a great person,” Zimmer said. “He’s very conscientious (and) works hard. He’s got a great heart. Obviously we’ll miss him but we’re not going to let it hold us back from what we’re trying to get done.”

Zimmer’s other starting tackle, Matt Kalil, is struggling with his performance on the field. After yesterday’s loss to the Packers, Kalil declined to talk with reporters after the game and then confronted a fan outside the stadium, reportedly knocking the person’s hat off.

“He was wrong in what he did,” Zimmer said. “We appreciate 99.9 percent of the fans. They’re great for us and he should have conducted himself in a better manner. I know in the past there have been times I’ve been upset with people, too, but they pay money to go watch us play and watch us perform so they have a right to express their opinion.”

At times yesterday Zimmer was disappointed with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s accuracy in the loss to the Packers. But Zimmer also had praise for Bridgewater.

The coach said Bridgewater has had slow starts in games but makes adjustments and he likes the rookie’s composure. “Maybe the biggest thing is when the game is on the line, he seems to make a lot of plays,” Zimmer said.

With a wintry forecast this week, the Vikings may practice both indoors and outdoors in preparation for Sunday’s home game against the Panthers at TCF Bank Stadium. “If we can get out, we will get out,” Zimmer said.

With this being Thanksgiving week, the coach was asked what he is thankful for. “I’m thankful for the guys that I get to work with every single day. I’m thankful for my family and the coaches that we have. I’d be more thankful with some wins.”

Worth Noting

Gophers coach Jerry Kill makes $300,000 more than the $1.8 million average pay for the head football coaches at FBS schools, according to the November 20 issue of USA Today. The newspaper annually reports on compensation for college coaches including in the Big Ten where Kill’s $2.1 million pay is less than rivals at Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio is the highest paid coach in the league at $5,636,145, while Ohio State’s Urban Meyer is second at 4,536,640. Nationally, Dantonio’s compensation ranks behind only Nick Saban at $7,160,187, according to USA Today. The publication reported Alabama pays a $32,395 annual premium on a $6 million term life insurance policy for Saban.

Gophers defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun is Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week today along with Northwestern safety Ibraheim Campbell. Calhoun forced and recovered a fumble in the closing minutes of Minnesota’s upset win over Nebraska on Saturday. He leads the Gophers in interceptions with four and ranks third in the conference.

The winner of the 2014 Mr. Football Award, sponsored by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association and the Vikings, will be announced at a banquet Sunday morning at the DoubleTree hotel in St. Louis Park. The 10 finalists for the prep award are: Dalton Elliott, Nicollet; Jackson Erdmann, Rosemount; Kez Flomo, Totino-Grace; Robbie Grimsley, Hutchinson; Alex Hart, Prior Lake; Will Rains, Eden Prairie; John Rumpza, Blooming Prairie; John Santiago, St. Francis; Ryan Schlichte, Mankato West; and Michael Veldman, Becker. Information about the banquet is available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

In the state football semifinals coach Cory Larson from Dawson-Boyd High School earned his 100th career victory, but on Saturday he saw his team lose the Class 1A state championship game to Minneota. His career record is 100-47-3 in 13 seasons of high school coaching—all at Dawson-Boyd, his alma mater.

WCHA Commissioner Bill Robertson is pursuing additional teams including Arizona State for the 10-team league. ASU announced its intent last week to play Division I college hockey. Robertson, a St. Paul native with West Coast relationships, is also working on other Pac-12 and West Coast schools as potential WCHA members.

Michigan Tech head coach Mel Pearson, who played for Willard Ikola at Edina East High School in the mid-1970’s, has his Huskies off to a 10-2 start, although the team did lose consecutive games last weekend to Minnesota State. Pearson’s father, George Pearson, played with the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the World Hockey Association.

The Gophers basketball team will visit Ground Zero in New York tomorrow. The Gophers are in New York to participate in the two-game NIT Season Tipoff tournament at Madison Square Garden. Wednesday night the Gophers play St. John’s and Friday they will have a second game against either Georgia or Gonzaga.

The Minnesota players will eat their Thanksgiving meals at a New York hotel.

Former Gophers wide receiver Lewis Garrison has a busy schedule officiating college basketball and football games. Last week he refereed the Iowa-Texas basketball game and was part of the officiating crew for the Illinois-Penn State football game. Tonight he will referee the Indiana-Eastern Washington basketball game.

ESPN will debut a “30 for 30” documentary next year about former Timberwolves forward Christian Laettner who starred at Duke and is famous for his buzzer beating shot against Kentucky. The film is titled “I Hate Christian Laettner.”

There is already anticipation about the Gophers women’s basketball team playing at home against Maryland on January 11. The Terps are led by former Gophers coach Brenda Frese and ESPN2 will televise the game—Minnesota’s only ESPN appearance of the season. Maryland is ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press poll.

New Gophers coach Marlene Stollings once coached a men’s club team in Europe, although initially she wasn’t sure the invitation was “serious.”

If the Twins make a deal with free agent Torii Hunter to rejoin his old team it’s a sure sign new manager Paul Molitor wants a vocal veteran leader in the locker room. Hunter, the 39-year-old outfielder who left the Twins after the 2007 season, was outspoken when he was here. With his quotes and personality, he’s a media favorite.

The Twins increased their roster to the 40-man limit with the recent additions of right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer, left-handed pitcher Jason Wheeler, outfielder Eddie Rosario and infielder Miguel Sano. Meyer, Rosario and Sano will be closely watched by fans in spring training because they have been hyped as prospects for awhile but Wheeler is an unknown.

Wheeler, 24, pitched at Single-A Fort Myers, Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester last season. He overall record was 11-9, with a 2.67 ERA (158.1 innings pitched, 47 earned runs). He walked 37 batters, with 115 strikeouts, two complete games and one shutout in 26 starts. The 6-foot-6, 251-pound left-hander was originally drafted by the Twins in the eighth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Loyola Marymount University.

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No Home Sellouts for Gophers in 2014

Posted on November 21, 2014November 23, 2014 by David Shama

In six seasons at TCF Bank Stadium the Gophers are averaging about the same per game attendance they had in the last half dozen years at the Metrodome.

The stadium opened in 2009 as the new on-campus home for Gophers football. During six years playing in the $288.5 million outdoor facility, the Gophers are averaging 48,389 fans per game. From 2003-2008 the average at the dome was 48,950.

The lure of a new stadium and sitting outdoors boosted attendance in 2009 with all seven games selling out in the 50,805 seat facility. During the five years since, the per game averages starting with 2010 are 49,513, 47,714, 46,637, 47,797 and 47,865.

This year stadium capacity was increased to 52,525 to accommodate the Vikings who are using the facility for home games in 2014 and 2015. The Gophers didn’t sell out a single game this fall, although the announced crowd of 51,241 for Purdue came close. Minnesota has sold out only four games since 2009.

Annual attendance is impacted by several factors including the box office appeal of the Gophers and their opponents. Also factoring in are the number of tickets sold in the off-season including public and student season tickets. Other variables are ticket prices, weather and times of day for kickoffs, with mid-afternoon and evening games more popular than 11 a.m. starts.

When cold and snow arrive on game week it’s an easy decision for fence-sitting fans to stay home and watch the Gophers on high definition television. Last Saturday’s game against No. 8 ranked Ohio State might have attracted 55,000 to 60,000 at the dome but an announced crowd of 45,778 was the lowest for a Gophers’ Big Ten home game this year.

Nice weather in September and October is when TCF Bank Stadium is most attractive to fans who can not only sit outside but also enjoy the tailgating experience in nearby areas. The Gophers drew their largest consecutive crowds this year on October 11 and 18 when 49,051 watched the Northwestern game and 51,241 saw Purdue.

The Gophers played on campus and outdoors at Memorial Stadium from 1924 through 1981. The first six seasons at the dome saw a big jump in attendance with the Gophers averaging 54,898 fans. In the six prior years at Memorial Stadium the average was 40,872.

The Metrodome capacity for Gophers football was 64,172 from 1991-2008. Capacity at Memorial Stadium was 56,652 from 1970-1981.

Worth Noting

Fans concerned about cold temperatures and outdoor seating during the Prep Bowl today and tomorrow at TCF Bank Stadium have an indoor option. For $50 there is admission to the stadium’s indoor club. More at mygophersports.com/online/prep-bowl.

The Prep Bowl has four games today and three tomorrow in various classes. Among the matchups is tonight’s 7 p.m. Class 6A state title game between defending champion Eden Prairie and Totino-Grace. All games are televised on KSTC.

Among those cheering for the Gophers at Saturday’s game in Lincoln against the Cornhuskers will be University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler who is a major supporter of athletics.

The Gophers, despite their loss last Saturday to Ohio State, are still in contention to win the Big Ten’s West Division with two games remaining on their schedule. Senior defensive tackle Cameron Botticelli said the Gophers’ loss to OSU, 9-1 overall and 6-0 in the Big Ten, isn’t quickly forgotten as Minnesota prepared this week for Nebraska.

“There’s going to be a special fervor in practice this week in getting ready because of falling short on Saturday, and because of where this program can go still in the season,” he said.

The Gophers, 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten, play a Nebraska team and West Division rival that is 8-2 and 4-2. It will be Nebraska’s last home game and the Cornhuskers will recognize their seniors as they did two years ago when they beat up on the Gophers in Lincoln by a score of 38-14.

Botticelli said the fans can be loud at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium and he remembers the noise of two years ago. He described the energy as “electric.”

“You can feel the vibrations in your body,” he said. “That makes communication a little difficult for offenses and defenses alike. But nonetheless I feed off that energy. …”

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on whether he learned anything about Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers earlier this season when Green Bay won 42-10: “No, I’ve played him a few times in the past. …He’s pretty steady doing what he does. He’s pretty good.”

Rodgers is the face of the Packers’ franchise and that’s a role rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater wants to play for the Vikings. Zimmer, whose team plays the Packers at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday, was asked if that’s something Bridgewater can potentially achieve in his first season.

“Well, I’d be glad to let him do it instead of me,” Zimmer said. “…It’s hard for a young guy when you come in the middle of the year and you start playing but I believe he will be the face of the franchise. He can actually do all of these press conferences from now on. I’d be ecstatic to let him do them instead of me.”

St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso has the Tommies in the Division III playoffs for the fifth time in six years. But the 8-2 Tommies will need to stage an upset in Waverly, Iowa, tomorrow to defeat 10-0 Wartburg—a team that is 2-0 against the MIAC this season with wins over both Augsburg and Bethel.

Saint John’s (9-1), the other MIAC team in the football playoffs, hosts St. Scholastica (10-0) in Collegeville tomorrow and the Johnnies are likely to win. Victories by the two MIAC schools will match them against one another on November 29. Earlier this season the Johnnies defeated St. Thomas 24-14 in front of a UST-record crowd of 12,483. This fall Saint John’s won the school’s 32nd MIAC football championship and first since 2009.

Former Gophers basketball player Austin Hollins plays for a pro team in France but is sidelined with a fractured toe, according to Mo Walker. Hollins and Walker, a Gophers senior this season, text each other.

Ex-Gopher and Minneapolis native Al Nolen is operating basketball camps and giving private lessons in the metro area, according to a Tuesday story in the Minnesota Daily. His company is the Al Nolen Elite Basketball Skills Training.

The Division III St. Thomas men’s basketball team will pursue a record 10th consecutive MIAC title this season. The Tommies are already 2-0 in nonconference games and have a 74-52 exhibition win over Division II nationally-ranked Minnesota State. Coach John Tauer’s Tommies open league play against Gustavus on December 3.

The WCHA has four men’s teams ranked in the top 20 poll of USCHO.com including No. 1 Michigan Tech. The Gophers, No. 1 before the season started, have slipped to No. 4 and are the only Big Ten team in this week’s rankings.

Tom Lynn was among the first employees of the Wild’s operations staff when the Minnesota NHL franchise started. Passionate fans of the franchise will be interested in his book, How to Bake an NHL Franchise from Scratch, the First Era of the Minnesota Wild. The book is available in paperback, Nook and Kindle formats.

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