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Big Ten Authority Picks Cats Tomorrow

Posted on October 10, 2014October 10, 2014 by David Shama

“J” Leman predicts a close game tomorrow when the Gophers, 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten Conference, play Northwestern, 3-2 and 2-0, at TCF Bank Stadium. But the former University of Illinois All-American who is now a Big Ten Network football analyst told Sports Headliners he predicts the Wildcats will win.

Leman followed Northwestern’s 0-2 start this season, losing to California and Northern Illinois in Evanston, but since then the Wildcats have won three consecutive games including a dominating performance against Penn State on the road and a home win last Saturday over nationally-ranked Wisconsin. Leman, who was the analyst on BTN’s coverage of the Northwestern-PSU game, said this is a “tale” of two Wildcat teams and the group now on a three-game winning streak is featuring an “opportunistic defense” that stops teams from scoring at 20 yards and closer to the goal line.

“They’ve never been a shut down, lock’em down Michigan State style defense,” Leman said. “They bend a lot. They’re not going to give up a big play. …They’re going to make you work all the way down the field.”

Last Saturday the Wildcats held Wisconsin’s nationally-feared run game to 284 yards and only one touchdown rushing in a 20-14 win. The Wildcats came up with four interceptions including three by safety Godwin Igwebuike who was honored this week as Big Ten Defensive and Freshman Player of the Week.

The Wildcats and Gophers are tied for second in the Big Ten behind Michigan State with +6 turnover margins. “Here’s the key for Minnesota—it’s not turning the ball over and it’s red zone efficiency,” Leman said. “Northwestern is great at making a play when they need a play. …If Minnesota can win the turnover battle, they’ll win the football game.”

But Leman predicts the Gophers, who had a bye on the schedule last week, won’t win because of Minnesota’s suspect passing game. The Gophers are last in passing among conference teams averaging 113.2 yards per game, although quarterback Mitch Leidner did have his best performance of the season against Michigan when he completed 14 of 22 throws including one touchdown in an upset win on September 27.

“Until they can find consistency at that position, they’re going to struggle in close games,” Leman said. “That’s usually what happens when you have issues at quarterback. When you have issues at quarterback you’re going to turn the ball over, and you’re already playing an opportunistic defense (Northwestern).”

When Leman looks at the Wildcats he sees an “offense that’s coming together.” Senior quarterback Trevor Siemian can be productive and has talent among his receivers but the player Leman raves about is 5-11, 185-pound freshman running back Justin Jackson. He ran for a career high 162 yards against the Badgers. “I think Jackson will be the premier running back in this conference by the time he’s a junior or senior,” Leman said.

That statement should make an impression with the Gophers and so too is Leman’s comparison of Jackson with former Minnesota All-American running back Laurence Maroney. “I think if you look at Justin Jackson’s build—Maroney was a little bit thicker—but the way Justin Jackson runs with breakaway speed, runs angry and knows when to cut it up (the field) on the stretch play like Maroney…there’s some eerie similarities,” Leman said.

Leman is a fan of Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald and also an admirer of the Gophers’ Jerry Kill. During Fitzgerald’s nine-year career at Northwestern the Wildcats have drawn national attention with their success and have sometimes specialized in winning close games.

Fitzgerald was one of Northwestern’s greatest linebackers in the 1990s and Kill said the Wildcats “reflect” their head coach’s intensity and intelligence. “They’re always in the right place. They always step up with big plays. They have since he’s been there.”

Kill is in his fourth season as Gophers’ head coach and his staff has increased the win totals each season and Minnesota had an 8-5 record last year. “At Minnesota they develop football players,” Leman said.

Leman doesn’t think the Gophers will earn their fifth win tomorrow, but he has a positive outlook for Minnesota—a team whose attributes includes top running back David Cobb and a solid defense. “I still think Minnesota finds a way to get to eight or nine wins this year,” Leman said.

Worth Noting

Cobb ranked sixth nationally in rushing at 144.4 yards per game after last weekend. Leman rates him among the top five running backs in the Big Ten along with Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska), Tevin Coleman (Indiana), Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) and Jeremy Langford (Michigan State). Kill said Cobb, a 5-11, 229-pound senior, is faster and stronger than last season when he ran for 1,202 yards—the 12th best total in Gophers’ history.

“He’s got great vision at the line of scrimmage, and he’s got a knack of keeping his pad level down—and then the strength in his legs—he’s very strong down below,” Kill said. “I think he’s harder to tackle this year than he’s ever been and we noticed that in camp.”

Cobb often makes runs that are longer than expected. He finds running room where there is minimal space and can turn a four-yard opening into 10 because of vision, burst and strength. “You know what? He’s amazing,” said Gophers offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover.

Maxx Williams, the Gophers’ sophomore tight end who could be named All-Big Ten this season, said he, too, is faster than last year. Could the 6-4, 250-pound Williams, who is known for his speed, run as fast as the team’s wide receivers? “Do my best to,” he answered.

Athletes have different ways of handling pregame anxieties. Gophers’ senior wide receiver Isaac Fruechte told Sports Headliners he vomited before football and track events while in high school, and up until this season at Minnesota.

East Ridge High School junior quarterback Seth Green’s parents, Bryan and Teresa Green, both attended the University of Minnesota. Bryan was a running back for the Gophers in the early 1990s. Seth is expected to announce his college choice October 15, with Michigan State, Minnesota and Oregon the contenders.

Vikings’ executive vice president Lester Bagley told Sports Headliners the franchise has thought about one day hosting the NFL Draft. “We haven’t worked on it but certainly it has crossed our minds,” he said.

New York City has been the long-time home of the league’s college draft but that will change next year in Chicago. The draft will be held at a large Chicago theatre, and NFL fan activities will be staged at the city’s Grant Park.

Bagley said this area has the venues and spaces to host the draft and fan festival but the franchise has its “hands full” now with details in playing temporarily at TCF Bank Stadium, building the new downtown Vikings stadium and planning for the 2018 Minneapolis Super Bowl. “We’re sure it’s something community (Minneapolis-St. Paul) leadership would be interested in,” Bagley said. “We’ll see how it goes in Chicago.”

During an interview Tuesday morning on 1500 ESPN, Gophers’ basketball coach Richard Pitino indicated the most uncertainty about the team’s starting lineup is at small forward and center. There’s competition at small forward between Carlos “Squirrel” Morris and Daquein McNeil, while Elliott Eliason and Mo Walker are trying to win the starting center job. Guards Andre Hollins and DeAndre Mathieu, and power forward Joey King, look like starters at their positions.

The Timberwolves play their second exhibition game of the fall tonight against the 76ers at Target Center and FSN North will televise starting at 7 p.m.

Add Cardinals’ relief pitcher and Minnesota native Pat Neshek to the list of players excelling after leaving the Twins. He has pitched in four games during the post-season with a 2.45 ERA in 3.2 innings. During the 2014 regular season Neshek had a 1.87 ERA and 7-2 record.

Dick Jonckowski, the Gophers’ baseball and basketball public address announcer, said he sold about 4,000 of 8,000 sports memorabilia items during his sale at the Canterbury Park Expo Center. Although he doesn’t have the final total, he thought sales might reach $13,000.00 for the fundraiser to help pay medical bills and restore the basement at his home that was flooded earlier this year. He is planning to sell the remaining inventory from the Canterbury sale to a Minneapolis sports memorabilia dealer.

Jonckowski is being treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and type 2 diabetes. He finishes chemotherapy in early December and expects a full recovery from the cancer. His 71st birthday is October 22.

For the first time in 2014 the MIAC has five teams receiving votes in both the AFCA Division III Coaches’ Poll and the D3football.com Top 25. In the D3football.com rankings, Bethel leads at No. 11 with Concordia 23rd, Saint John’s 24th and St. Thomas 25th, and Gustavus made the “others receiving votes” section of the poll. In the AFCA, Bethel is 16th, St. Thomas 21st and Concordia 25th, with Saint John’s and Gustavus also receiving votes.

Wild center Ryan Carter, from White Bear Lake and Minnesota State, is one of 16 WCHA alumni on NHL opening week rosters. Last night the recently signed Carter made his regular season debut with the Wild in the team’s 5-0 win over the Avalanche.

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Vikings Likely to Tame Lions on Sunday

Posted on October 8, 2014October 8, 2014 by David Shama

Although the Vikings embarrassed themselves in last week’s loss to the Packers in Green Bay, a win seems likely against the Lions on Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium. You don’t have to buy a crystal ball from the Vikings Locker Room store at Mall of America to be optimistic.

The 42-10 loss to the Packers occurred on Thursday, while this past Sunday the Lions’ inept field goal kicking cost them a win at home against the Bills. The Vikings, 2-3, will have the advantage of extra preparation time for the Lions game. No doubt the 3-2 Lions wish they had played Thursday because more rest might increase the chances of injured offensive stars Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush being available in Minneapolis.

The Lions will be using their third field goal specialist this year against the Vikings after dismissing Alex Henery who missed three kicks in the Bills game. That doesn’t speak well for the Lions, long known as a dysfunctional organization and one the Vikings have a 69-34-2 all-time record against including wins in three of the last four games.

The Vikings played without Teddy Bridgewater at Green Bay but the 21-year-old rookie quarterback returns on Sunday. That figures to give the whole team a lift while juicing an adoring crowed that will roar approval every time he completes a pass or scrambles for yardage.

The Vikings should be in a determined mood on Sunday—looking for a make-good performance. Mike Zimmer preaches resiliency and the Vikings can show what they have learned from their head coach. Veteran defensive end Brian Robison talked to Sports Headliners awhile ago about Zimmer’s influence.

“It doesn’t matter what happens to us. All we can do is move forward and get ready for the next opponent,” Robison said last month. “I think that’s the approach he takes and I think that’s the approach he’s instilled into us. …And that’s what you want out of a head coach.”

Worth Noting

The game with the Lions can be considered sold out. Vikings’ executive vice president Lester Bagley told Sports Headliners on Monday that at mid-week there are likely to be tickets returned by the Lions from their visiting team allotment.

The game at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus will be the club’s fifth, counting regular season and preseason games. Bagley said reaction by fans to the team’s new temporary home has been positive. “Our fans love it because it’s such an upgrade from the Metrodome.”

Transportation and parking have been a challenge for fans. “Our message is plan ahead on how to get in and out ,” Bagley said.

This Saturday and Sunday is the only weekend when the Gophers and Vikings both have home games at TCF Bank Stadium. Scott Ellison, the Gophers’ associate athletic director for facilities, said it will require eight workers about 12 hours to prepare the stadium for Sunday’s NFL game after the Gophers finish their contest with Northwestern on Saturday. The Gophers’ game begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday but Ellison said even if Minnesota was playing at night his crew could have the stadium ready Sunday morning for the Vikings.

The Vikings announced yesterday quarterback Chandler Harnish has been signed to the practice squad where he provides depth behind Bridgewater and Christian Ponder. Harnish replaced McLeod Bethel–Thompson who was released.

Last month ESPN announced the results of what fans think of all 122 MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises. The results were based on surveys, research and calculations developed by Oregon’s Warsaw Sports Marketing Center that figures “how well teams turn fans’ money into wins.” Results on each franchise were calculated in the following eight categories: affordability (price of tickets, concessions, parking), coaching, fan relations, ownership, players, stadium experience, bang for the buck (“wins in the past year, per fan dollars”) and title track.

Title track means “championships won or expected within the lifetime of current fans.” In that category baseball’s Cardinals are No. 1 while the Timberwolves are last at 122nd. The Vikings are No. 102 while the Wild are 61st and Twins 51st.

In the overall rankings of the 122 franchises the Wild are No. 24, Twins 62, Vikings 103 and Timberwolves 114. The Wild are fourth among all franchises in stadium experience while the Twins are ninth.

The Wild rates No. 7 among 14 Western Conference teams, according to the October 8 Sports Illustrated NHL power rankings. The Blackhawks—picked by S.I. to win the Stanley Cup—are first in the rankings with the Kings, Ducks, Blues, Avalanche and Stars also ahead of Minnesota. The magazine said the Wild’s strength is on “the blue line” and noted Minnesota defenders last season allowed “just 27.7 shots-against per game, fifth best in the NHL.”

The Wild’s season opening game will be tomorrow night starting at 7:30 p.m. at Xcel Energy. A pre-game party outside Gate 2 will be from 5 to 7:15 p.m. and includes music, food, beverages, happy hour prices and interactive games.

In a move to reduce payroll, the Blackhawks traded former Gopher Nick Leddy to the Islanders. Leddy, a 23-year-old defenseman reportedly making $2.7 million, was a key contributor to the Blackhawks’ 2013 Stanley Cup championship.

Author George Rekela’s new book, A History of Professional Hockey in Minnesota from the North Stars to the Wild, is a well researched and entertaining description of the highs and lows of the NHL here through the years. More at Historypress.net.

Former Gophers’ golfer and New York Times best selling author Harvey Mackay received a surprise birthday present last month when wife Carol Ann provided—on 48 hours notice—a trip to Scotland to watch the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup, he told Sports Headliners, had been on his personal “bucket list.”

East Ridge High School junior quarterback Seth Green is expected to announce his college choice October 15 with Michigan State, Minnesota and Oregon the contenders. The guess here is he will choose Oregon where he visited September 6.

Dr. Phil Esten, the former Gophers’ associate athletic director who was most recently working in the University of California athletic department, starts a new position next week as deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer for intercollegiate athletics at Penn State. His career experiences also include University of Minnesota Alumni Association president.

Congratulations to Les Viken from Fosston High School and Bill Weiss of Chisago Lakes High School who earned their 100th career coaching wins on September 26. Viken’s record at Fosston is 100-102 in 20 seasons while Weiss’ record is 100-75 in 18 seasons at Chisago. Congratulations, too, to Underwood High School coach Chuck Ross who won his 100th career game last Friday, increasing his 18 year record to 100-75.

Bridget Hennen is the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for women’s soccer after scoring three goals in Bethany Lutheran College’s two recent wins. Hennen, a junior midfielder from Apple Valley, was also the UMAC Defensive Player of the Week in late September two years ago. She is only the second player in UMAC history to win both awards during her career.

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Day after Prescription for Vikings Fans

Posted on October 3, 2014October 3, 2014 by David Shama

Vikings fans don’t feel so chipper this morning after last night’s 42-10 loss to the boys from Brown County.

I get it. You’re not sure whether to jump off the Stone Arch Bridge, or start the morning with a double Bloody Mary. But don’t panic. Read this space—and then put your horns back on.

Do you think Jesse Ventura—our former Governor and world-class rassler—is feeling inferior to Packers fans today? Heck, no. No doubt Jesse is willing to wrestle all Wisconsin Governors—past and present—to show those Dairylanders who is boss.

The fact our ex-Governor could whip all of their leaders is a good prescription for feeling better, but why stop there? Yeah, Aaron Rodgers got lucky last night and threw three touchdown passes but our new guy, Teddy Bridgewater, is only 21 years old. When Rodgers is retired and living off the income from his annoying insurance commercials, “Touchdown Teddy” will still be lighting up the Pack.

And speaking of the Pack, let’s discuss these nicknames for the two teams. The original Vikings crossed the Atlantic centuries ago and discovered America. We’ve got the Kensington Runestone here in Minnesota to prove what the Vikings accomplished.

The Packers? Anyone can be a Packer. Pack cans…pack meat…pack clothes…blah-blah-blah. What was discovered in Wisconsin? 3.2 beer? Cheese hats? Maybe the polka?

Remember the 2009 NFL season when Brett Favre led the Vikings to two wins over the Packers? Well, he was the league’s best quarterback that year at age 40. He must have liked the water, or maybe it was our superior beer in Minnesota. And since grandpa Favre last played in the NFL for the Vikings—not the Packers or Jets—I figure we’ve got first call on him if he comes out of retirement.

Packers fans like to talk about the holy and ancient record of their football glory that includes 13 world championships and Hall of Fame heroes. There is, for example, a historical figure named Curly Lambeau—not a very inspiring football name—and, of course, “Saint Vince.” Now the thing about Vince Lombardi is he did win the first two Super Bowls but he also dumped you Green Bayites. He left the Packers to take over the—close your eyes Representative Betty McCollum—the Redskins.

Our legend is Harry Peter Grant. Bud is a smart guy. He had no choice to grow up in Wisconsin but guess what? He attended the University of Minnesota, played pro basketball for the Minneapolis Lakers and spent his entire NFL coaching career with the Vikings.

Grant lost four Super Bowls in the 1970s but that didn’t shake our collective self-esteem as Minnesotans. Not when Wendell Anderson, our Governor, was pictured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1973 with the caption: “The Good Life in Minnesota.” Wendy was holding a big fish on a stringer and we were, no doubt, making a lot of Wisconsin folks jealous.

We can not only play in Super Bowls but host them, too. Now when did you ever hear about Green Bay and Brown County putting in a bid to stage the Big Game?

You didn’t, and one reason for that is Green Bay is just a modest sized place with a population similar to Rochester, Minnesota and not a lot bigger than Bloomington. I mean how many motel rooms and tents could Green Bay make available for out of town Super Bowl guests?

We’re a pretty classy area here (not to boast or anything like that). Much of our workforce is employed by Fortune 500 companies who have also attracted Wisconsin “immigrants.” We probably have more live theatre per capita than any area other than New York City. We quote both Shakespeare and Sir Francis Tarkenton while Packers fans ice fish and watch reruns of “Grumpy Old Men” (filmed in Minnesota, by the way).

Even sportswriters in MSP are smart and creative. Legendary Minnesota columnist Don Riley once promised to get on his hands and knees to push a peanut with his nose between Green Bay and Appleton if the Vikings lost to the Packers. Never mind that he didn’t do it. What mattered to Riley was that he found another way to antagonize Packers fans whose city he always referred to as “Green Bush.”

Now that you’re feeling better, circle November 23 on the calendar. When the Packers come to Minneapolis, things are going to be different than last night. We have “Touchdown Teddy,” Cordarrelle Patterson—“The Silent Assassin,” and the ghosts of marauding Norsemen.

No more “Minnesota Nice.”

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