Vikings – Page 216 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

U Not Topping Dome Football Crowds

Posted on November 8, 2013November 8, 2013 by David Shama

Despite the momentum of winning three consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since 2008, there was a reminder this week TCF Bank Stadium hasn’t been a cure-all for Gophers football attendance. The University of Minnesota athletic department has been airing radio commercials titled “Bring the Heat” to entice Minnesotans to buy tickets for tomorrow’s outdoor football game when the 7-2 Gophers play 5-3 Penn State in a November Big Ten game.

If enough ticket buyers respond and decide to watch the “hot” Gophers on a chilly day (temps predicted in the low 40s at kickoff) the athletic department will have its second sell out of the season. The Gophers have played five home games so far this season, including a historic upset of Nebraska, but sold out only the Iowa game when record TCF Bank Stadium attendance of 51,382 was announced. As of yesterday morning, an athletic department spokesman said 47,000 tickets had “been distributed” for Saturday’s game.

The $288.5 million TCF Bank Stadium, with official capacity of 50,805, opened in 2009 and that season every game sold out. The season averages since have been 49,513, 47,714 and 46,637. This year the average is 46,673, with home games yet to be played tomorrow and November 16 against Wisconsin.

In the last four seasons in the Metrodome the Gophers averaged 50,494 fans. The four-year average from 2009-2012 at the Bank is 48,667.

Winning and losing was comparable during the 2005-2008 and 2009-2012 periods. The final four years in the dome saw the Gophers win 10 conference games and lose 22. From 2009-2012 the league record was 9-23.

With a capacity of 64,172 at the dome, large crowds for some games (think ticket buying Iowans and Wisconsinites) did inflate season averages more than is possible at the Bank. But it’s hard to support the position that the new on-campus stadium created a ticket buying boom among consumers.

During the last two years the Gophers have sold out only two home games. Even when the weather is mild many of the best seats in the stadium are unoccupied. A University policy to guarantee 10,000 seats for students has been a flop, with less than half that many showing up for games and filling a portion of seats in the student section of the stadium.

When the weather turns cold — and in past years when losses are also piling up— luring fans to the Bank can be even a bigger problem than in September and October when temperatures are warm and there’s optimism about the team. The dome’s guarantee was that indoor temps were as steady in November as September and no one needed to use an umbrella or wear a parka while watching the game.

There was a vote of confidence for the dome in the first four years (1982-1985) that it was home to indoor Gophers football. Minnesota averaged 55,102 fans per game compared to the previous four seasons at outdoor Memorial Stadium when the average was 41,528.

Being back on campus with the opening of the Bank has its perks. The stadium is beautiful and the sightlines are outstanding. The environment, including a walk through campus to the stadium, provides a college experience the dome can’t offer. With the Gophers owning the facility, the team doesn’t have the scheduling problems faced at the dome when Twins playoff games created chaos. And the University captures revenues from various sources including parking and concessions.

Through the years the Gophers have learned there are trade-offs to indoor and outdoor football venues but where they play comes second to winning. That’s what really “Brings the Heat.”

Worth Noting

This year the University has designated a football tailgating lot just for students. Nadine Babu, a passionate Gophers fan and social media expert whose successes include Gopherhole.com, said “probably a handful” of students used the lot at the last game on October 26. “I just remember a lot of people came up to me and made comments; asked if that was the student tailgate lot because they couldn’t believe it was so empty.”

Gophers senior associate athletic director Chris Werle said student attendance is an issue at other schools, not just Minnesota. “You need to change behavior like you do with any consumer marketing program. And we need to get kids in the habit of coming to games to see what it (is like), to enjoy it, to see what it brings them.”

Whether it’s the students or adults, Babu encourages the athletic department to continue working on gameday atmosphere. “Create a real experience, a gameday experience like they do in Green Bay (for Packers games). Like they do down South for games, so even when the teams are losing, people are still loving that experience. They’re loving the tailgate, they’re loving the camaraderie, they’re loving seeing people. They’re going to enjoy going to the games regardless of the win or loss.”

This year the Gophers’ season ticket total is 33,361 including 4,908 student season tickets, according to Werle.

The Gophers’ offense struggled early in the season but in the last two games has scored 76 points with 1,003 yards in total offense. “We’re still not even close to where we can be,” coach Jerry Kill said.

Kill described redshirt freshman tight end Maxx Williams from Waconia as an “unbelievable player for his age.” Williams, 19, caught the winning pass in last Saturday’s 42-39 victory over Indiana.

Dieter Kurtenbach, writing for the October 31 Sun-Sentinel.com, speculated on candidates for the Florida Atlantic head football coaching job and included Tim Brewster with this comment: “This is a wildcard selection but Brewster established a better-than-expected program at Minnesota before getting the boot.”

Quarterback Christian Ponder played one of his better games last night in helping the Vikings defeat the Redskins and win their second game of the season. All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson noticed Ponder’s confidence.

“Yeah, he looked more calm. He looked comfortable. He just went out there and played football. The way he came out and approached it allowed us to be balanced offensively. He was able to complete a lot of balls to a lot of different receivers and it kept Washington’s defense on their heels. He was able to sneak a run in there and be more balanced offensively…and we were able to move the ball.”

Cris Carter was honored by the Vikings last night during halftime for his 2013 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His son, wide receiver Duron Carter, had a tryout this year with the Vikings but didn’t make the team and is playing in the CFL for Montreal averaging 18.6 yards per catch. He has 909 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Bethel (8-0 overall, 6-0 MIAC) can earn at least a share of the conference football title with a win tomorrow over St. Olaf (1-7, 0-6). If the Royals stay unbeaten and St. Thomas (6-2, 4-2) defeats Concordia (7-1, 5-1) tomorrow, Bethel will clinch the outright MIAC championship. Bethel last won the league title in 2007 and is seeking its fifth conference championship.

When the Gophers hockey team plays at Notre Dame tonight it won’t be the first time this fall Minnesota coach Don Lucia has seen his son Mario play for the Fighting Irish. The older Lucia’s schedule has allowed him to watch Mario’s games at Minnesota-Duluth and Vermont.

Lucia has two goals and one assist in eight games. He was friends in suburban Minneapolis youth hockey with Gophers Mike Reilly and Justin Kloos. Lucia and Reilly helped the BCHL’s Penticton Vees set a North American junior hockey record with a 42-game win streak in 2011-12 en route to RBC Cup and Doyle Cup championships.

Notre Dame, 6-2, is ranked No. 4 in the USCHO national poll while the 5-0-1 Gophers are No. 1. Boston College, who the Gophers played in an October two-game series, is probably the most talented team Minnesota has faced but the Irish will be a challenge, too. Notre Dame has 10 seniors on their roster.

The Lehigh basketball team that plays the Gophers tonight at Williams Arena in Minnesota’s opening regular season game could be a contender in the Patriot League despite losing shooting guard C.J. McCollum who went No.10 in last June’s NBA draft. The 7 p.m. game will be televised by ESPN3.

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Surging Gophers Draw National Attention

Posted on November 6, 2013 by David Shama

With a surprising 7-2 record and three consecutive Big Ten wins, the Gophers are drawing national attention this week leading up to Saturday’s game at TCF Bank Stadium against Penn State.

ESPN’s Samantha Ponder was at the Gophers’ football office yesterday to interview coach Jerry Kill and defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys who serves as head coach when Kill is absent. Her segment will air on Saturday’s College GameDay show.

SI.com college football writer Stewart Mandel listed his bowl game predictions on Monday and he predicted the Gophers will play in the Gator Bowl against SEC power South Carolina on January 1. If so, that will be the Gophers’ first January 1 bowl appearance since the 1962 Rose Bowl.

The Associated Press, Harris Interactive and USA Today top 25 polls all have the Gophers receiving votes this week. Although Minnesota didn’t make anybody’s top 25, the Gophers are earning attention from voters, probably more so than at any time in Kill’s three years as head coach in Minneapolis.

Gophers radio analysts Ray Hitchcock and Darrell Thompson think Minnesota is among the top six teams in the Big Ten. Hitchcock likes Minnesota’s chances of winning two of its three remaining regular season games. That script would leave the Gophers at 9-3 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten.

The present record of 7-2 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten surprises Thompson and others. “I think it’s a big surprise, quite honestly,” Thompson said. “It also goes as a credit to the coaching staff and the kids. The hard work is starting to pay off. We’ve seen improvement in losses but it’s good to finally see the kids have earned — and the coaching staff has earned — victories.”

Minnesota has won two of its last three games by three point margins. The other victory was by 11 so the Gophers haven’t dominated Big Ten opponents but that doesn’t mean the players and Kill are without solid confidence.

“I think we can play with whoever we want,” said tight end Maxx Williams. “We know our potential. We know how good we are and we know what we can do as a team. …We go into every week thinking we have a chance to win that game. I think that’s what helps us with our success.”

Kill agrees the Gophers can be good if injuries don’t become a problem. “I think that’s the key to the next three to four weeks. The off-week will help us.”

After the Penn State game the Gophers have a bye before playing at home against Wisconsin on November 23 and then closing the season at Michigan State November 30.

Good news yesterday was Kill’s prediction starting quarterback Philip Nelson, who injured his hip last Saturday against Indiana, will be ready to play in the Penn State game.

Worth Noting

The Big Ten has one of the nation’s best teams in Ohio State, ranked No. 4 in the major polls. But the league has no other teams in the top 15 of polls and that’s probably not fair to Michigan State and Wisconsin who deserve better.

Here are the latest Sports Headliners power rankings:

1. Ohio State: Buckeyes look on course for a national championship in next few years.

2. Michigan State: Spartans’ defense compares with any in the country.

3. Wisconsin: Badgers discover the forward pass under new coach Gary Andersen.

4. Michigan: These aren’t Bo Schembechler’s Wolverines; too many mistakes and leaks on defense.

5. Nebraska: Where have you gone Taylor Martinez? Coach Bo Pelini fighting for his job.

6. Minnesota: Swallow hard but Gophers deserve this ranking after three consecutive league wins.

7. Iowa: Hawks battle but offense lacks creativity and playmakers.

8. Penn State: Bowl ban and scholarship reductions will continue to topple this once mighty program.

9. Northwestern: Preseason thoughts of a Big Ten championship have died because these are unlucky Cats.

10. Indiana: If tackling is ever eliminated, pencil in pass-happy Hoosiers for the national title game.

11. Illinois: Illini have lost 18 consecutive league games but wait in anticipation for Indiana and Purdue.

12. Purdue: In their last three Big Ten games the beleaguered Boilermakers have been outscored 114 to 7.

High school senior basketball players can sign NCAA Letters of Intent from November 13-20. Minnesota prep stars Tyus Jones from Apple Valley and Reid Travis from DeLaSalle will reportedly make commitments during the early signing week instead of waiting until the next period, April 16-May 21. Jones is likely to announce his college choice next week at Apple Valley High School while Travis will do so this Friday at DeLaSalle High School.

Don’t be surprised if the Gophers sign Travis. No chance with Jones, though.

Former Twins vice president of corporate partnerships Eric Curry became vice president of sales for Sun Country Airlines last month. Curry is also an NCAA men’s basketball referee and officiated 85 games last season. He will work Big Ten, Pac-12 and Mountain West games this season. He officiates his first game ever at legendary Pauley Pavilion on November 12 when UCLA hosts Oakland (Rochester, Michigan).

The Vikings have lost two games this season by four points and another by one point. If Minnesota had won those games their record going into tomorrow night’s game at Mall of America Field against the Redskins would be 4-4, not 1-7. The other teams in the NFC North, the Lions, Bears and Packers, all have 5-3 records so if not for those losses the Vikings would be in the division race.

In that scenario there would be local optimism about a division title, too, because both the Bears and Packers are playing without their injured starting quarterbacks, Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier will have Christian Ponder make his third consecutive start tomorrow night. Ponder completed 25 of 37 passes last Sunday in a four point loss to the Cowboys. He threw one touchdown pass and had a pass intercepted. In five games this season Ponder has thrown three touchdown passes, been intercepted six times and has a 72.5 quarterback rating, but Frazier saw improvement last Sunday.

“I thought he was more confident in some of the things he was doing, more control,” Frazier said. “I like the decisions that he made when he had to escape the pocket, getting out of trouble and avoiding sacks. There are some things that he can do better obviously…but I like the way he moved and the way he handled our no huddle situation as well. He really seemed comfortable there. We thought he would with the way he practiced and he did a good job of directing our team.”

Despite the Vikings’ record, general manager Rick Spielman expressed public support for Frazier last week. Frazier, however, said he hasn’t spoken to his boss about his status that includes a contract with an option only for 2014.

With the Metrodome being torn down after the Vikings season, the baseball Gophers will play only 18 home games next year after having 34 in 2013. The Gophers don’t have a home game scheduled until March 26 when they play Saint John’s from the MIAC. Minnesota opens its 2014 schedule on February 14 in Glendale, Arizona against Northern Illinois.

The Gophers “M” Club for letter winners will be 100 years old next year. Director George Adzick said dues paying members now total nearly 1,000, an all-time high.

Reservations are requested by next Monday for the November 14 CORES luncheon program featuring Matt Majka, the chief operating officer of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment whose business interests include the Minnesota Wild. The program will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington. For reservations or more information, contact Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

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Frazier to Address Locker Room Attitude

Posted on November 4, 2013November 4, 2013 by David Shama

Leslie Frazier wasn’t pointing fingers at his news conference today despite the team’s fourth consecutive loss yesterday, a 1-7 record and criticism from veteran players. The Vikings head coach plans to address his players this afternoon about team attitude in the locker room.

Today’s Star Tribune reported that following yesterday’s game Vikings players made critical comments about defensive coordinator Alan Williams and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. “I respect their opinions and I know how competitive they are. How much they want to win,” Frazier said. “I’d like for them to talk to their coaches and myself about whatever concerns they have. Try to get those worked out, but I do understand their frustration.”

Frazier, who expressed confidence the Vikings can start winning, acknowledged he “probably” needs to talk with individual players who have been critical in the media. He wants players on the “same page.”

Frazier doesn’t foresee any staff changes in responsibilities or titles.

Former Vikings head coach Jerry Burns remains supportive of Frazier despite the record and preseason optimism about contending for the NFC North Division championship. “I think Leslie Frazier is a very fine coach,” Burns told Sports Headliners. “If he gave too much command (to his coordinators) I don’t know. I don’t think Leslie Frazier is at fault.”

Burns said criticism causes problems for team cohesiveness. “I don’t like to see that to be honest with you,” Burns said. “It doesn’t help the team. It doesn’t help the fans behind the Vikings.”

Burns is “proud” of Frazier and advises against any major changes to staff and personnel during the season. He said players could be making staff decisions look bad because of problems with execution, and added that it’s difficult to make any major changes in the middle of the season.

The Vikings’ 1-7 record is the worst in franchise history since the same start to the season in 1961. Burns said the team’s record should be better but isn’t partly because of having lost three games in the final minutes of fourth quarters.

Worth Noting

How times change. Sports Headliners was told by a local source that Vikings officials and Frazier discussed extending the coach’s contract late last summer. There was supposedly mutual interest after Frazier’s 10-6 record in 2012 and optimism about the 2013 season. Frazier’s current contract reportedly has an option for the 2014 season but management has declined to make a further commitment.

The same source who talked about Frazier’s contract said ex-NFL coach Jon Gruden was in town several weeks ago but didn’t know the reason for the visit.

Frazier said today tight end Kyle Rudolph’s fractured left foot could keep him from playing for another month. The coach plans to start Christian Ponder at quarterback for a third consecutive game when the Vikings play at home on Thursday night against the Redskins.

The NFL Network will air a one hour documentary on former Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham tomorrow night starting at 8 p.m. Minneapolis time. The program includes interviews with Cunningham, former Vikings teammate Cris Carter and ex-Vikings coach Dennis Green. Cunningham quarterbacked the 15-1 1998 Vikings team and he has lived a dramatic life on and off the field.

Cretin-Derham Hall High School assistant coach Ray Hitchcock said there’s a “pail of mail” at school every day from colleges wooing junior defensive end Jashon Cornell. He has been rated the No. 1 high school football prospect in the nation for the class of 2015 by ESPN.com. Hitchcock believes Gophers coach Jerry Kill has reason for optimism in the recruitment of the 16-year-old. “I think Jerry has a great shot,” Hitchcock said.

Jeff Jones, the Gophers’ only four-star recruit per Rivals.com who has verbally committed for 2014, ended his senior season for Washburn on Friday night with 44 touchdowns — 34 rushing, eight receiving and two kickoff returns for scores. Coach Giovan Jenkins told Sports Headliners that Kill’s struggles with epilepsy haven’t diminished his running back’s interest in the Gophers.

“If he had to pick a school today, I think Minnesota would be No. 1 due to his relationships with the coaches,” said Jenkins who coached the Millers to a 6-0 City Conference record and 13^th consecutive title.

After Saturday’s improbable 42-39 win over Indiana, the Gophers have won three consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since 2008 and only the fourth time dating back to 2003. Minnesota is a surprising 7-2 overall, 3-2 in the Big Ten and justifies the faith of program insiders who before the season thought the Gophers’ record could be significantly better than last year’s 6-7 and 2-6 totals. The last time Minnesota won four consecutive conference games was 1973.

Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson was named Co-Big Ten offensive Player of the Week for his play against Indiana including four touchdown passes and a 70 percent completion rate. Minnesota punter Peter Mortell was named Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 43 yards per kick and placing two punts inside the Indiana 20 yard line. Nelson shared his honor with Penn State running back Bill Belton who had a career high 201 yards rushing versus Illinois.

Twins players can expect new coach Paul Molitor to be up front with them. Molitor has that reputation including a willingness to talk about the cocaine addiction he experienced early in his major league playing career.

Molitor is a smart baseball man and so, too, is another Minnesota native who could be on the Twins staff some day, Gene Glynn. He recently agreed to return for a third season as manager of the Twins’ AAA Rochester team.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Twins and Saints develop a business relationship when the St. Paul minor league team moves into its new downtown ballpark in 2015.

Tubby Smith recently hired his son Saul Smith, who worked for him at Minnesota, as video coordinator at Texas Tech. Saul joins former Gophers assistants Joe Esposito and Vince Taylor on his dad’s staff at Tech.

The Gophers basketball team plays Concordia, St. Paul tonight in an exhibition game at Williams Arena. Minnesota defeated Cardinal Stritch 79-57 in an opening exhibition game last Friday night and now plays a Concordia program that was 9-18 last season.

The Gophers made 11 of 30 free throws on Friday night and were out rebounded 40-34 by Division II NAIA Cardinal Stritch. “We’re not worried about the free throws,” said Gophers guard Andre Hollins. “I think that was a lot of nerves from the first game.”

Rebounding could be an ongoing issue, though. The Gophers lack size, and coach Richard Pitino noted that 6-4 forward Austin Hollins played 23 minutes but had no rebounds.

In the Williams Arena concourse there are photos of the Gophers’ greatest players including Ron Johnson who is identified as being All-Big Ten in the late 1950s. That is correct but missing is acknowledgement of his two-time All-American status.

The Timberwolves, 3-0 for the first time since the 2001-2002 season, play at Cleveland tonight. Wolves forward Kevin Love leads the NBA in scoring average at 29.7 points per game.

Wild right wing Jason Pominville, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Capitals left wing Jason Chimera have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 3. During that period Pominville tied for the league lead in goals (4) and points (6), scoring in all three games to help the Wild (8-4-3, 19 points) earn four out of a possible team six points. He is tied for third in the NHL in goals this season with 10.

The Venture Bank 2014 Minnesota Golf Show will be February 14-16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

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