New Mexico State upset the Gophers two years ago in Minneapolis, winning 28-21 in the second game of Jerry Kill’s career as Minnesota head coach. McKinley Boston, the former Gophers athletic director who now holds the same position at New Mexico State, believes the Aggies can win again when the two teams meet on Saturday night in Las Cruces, although Minnesota may enter the game as a three touchdown favorite.
The Aggies are 4-20 since their big win in Minneapolis with the most recent loss a 56-7 pounding by Texas last Saturday night. “It’s obvious we’re struggling but (new head coach) Doug Martin has created a lot of enthusiasm,” Boston told Sports Headliners on Monday. “Now you and I know words and hype are one thing. You need a big win. I am very excited about the possibility (of defeating Minnesota).”
Martin was the offensive coordinator two years ago when the Aggies pulled off an upset that was big news in the Big Ten Conference and back in Las Cruces where football glory has been mostly absent through the years. The Aggies are using a no-huddle offense and are likely to fill the hot sky with footballs on Saturday night. Temps in Las Cruces on Saturday, including early evening, are likely to be in the 90s.
New Mexico State had 242 yards passing and only 104 yards rushing last Saturday against Texas in Austin. The Aggies trailed 14-7 at the half before the Longhorns scored 42 unanswered second half points on a field where the temperature was 110 degrees. “I think we just ran out of gas,” Boston said. “I think we’re improved (this season) on both sides of the ball.”
Among the Aggies’ issues in the past has been a defense that gave up over 40 points seven times last season. Against New Mexico State the Longhorns had 715 total yards in offense, 359 rushing and 356 passing.
But Texas has a talented roster and hopes for returning to the elite in college football this fall. The Gophers, who are 10-14 since their loss to the Aggies, are still building their resume.
Hosting the game in New Mexico plays a part in Boston’s optimism and excitement about Saturday. The game is being advertised as the first ever visit to Las Cruces by a Big Ten opponent and from a business perspective a win over the Gophers will mean more future ticket sales and revenues.
Boston said there’s “no ifs, ands or buts” about the total importance of the game. “The fact we beat them before, a lot of people believe we can win,” he said.
Worth Noting
Boston is predicting attendance in the mid-20,000 range for the game, about 5,000 short of capacity at Aggie Memorial Stadium (capacity 30,343). On Friday night and at the game he will entertain friends with Minnesota connections including Leon Trawick and Curt Wilson, both former teammates of Boston with the 1967 Big Ten champion football Gophers.
Boston said September 7 “will be the only Saturday of the year” he’s not cheering for the Gophers.
Twins president Dave St. Peter talking to Sports Headliners about Terry Ryan: “I wouldn’t trade him for any other general manager in the game.”
Ryan is closing in on 24 months since he took over the franchise’s general manager role for a second time in his career. Ryan’s desire for a less demanding lifestyle drove him away from the job in 2007. “I have no indication he won’t come back (for next season),” St. Peter said.
Although Twins phenoms Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano won’t be among the minor leaguers recalled in September, both will be in spring training camp with Minnesota next year, according to St. Peter. He also said Buxton will play in the Arizona Fall League and Sano will participate again in winter baseball in his native Dominican Republic.
Although former Gophers guard Al Nuness is a distant cousin of Tyus Jones, it was coincidence the two were in Waco, Texas last weekend. Nuness arrived last week and is still in Waco celebrating the first birthday (today) of granddaughter Jasmine Nuness. She is the daughter of Jared Nuness who is Al’s son and works as director of player development for the Baylor men’s basketball team that is recruiting Jones.
“I am not involved and have never been involved in Tyus’ recruiting process,” Al said.
Jones, rated by Rivals.com as the No. 2 prospect in the country for the class of 2014, made an official visit to Baylor a few days ago. Joining him in Waco was his friend Jahlil Okafor, the No. 1 rated prospect. It’s almost certain the two players, Jones a point guard from Apple Valley High School, and Okafor, the center from Whitney Young High in Chicago, will attend college together.
The Vikings won’t make the playoffs, according to the September 2 issue of Sports Illustrated. The magazine’s pro football issue predicts the Vikings will have a 9-7 record, finishing second in the NFC North behind the Packers, 10-6. The Vikings are ranked No. 8 among NFC teams, four listings behind the Packers, one ahead of the Bears and seven in front of the Lions.
The publication’s article on the Vikings (no surprise) focuses on quarterback Christian Ponder. “Ponder, 25, must prove he’s the club’s unquestioned No. 1 quarterback,” writes Don Banks.
The Patriots will defeat the Seahawks, 30-23, in the Super Bowl, according to Peter King who leaves the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson off his list of predicted NFL individual award winners. The Patriots’ Tom Brady is the pick for MVP, the Titans’ Chris Johnson Offensive Player of the Year and the Packers’ Eddie Lacy Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The Vikings open the regular season in Detroit on Sunday against a franchise Minnesota has dominated historically and in more recent years. The Vikings are 68-33-2 all-time against Detroit. The Lions have only six wins versus the Vikings dating back to 1998.
