Gopher football coach Tim Brewster talking about Saturday’s non-conference game against Florida Atlantic at the dome: “For us to have a chance to win against Florida Atlantic, it’s going to take our best effort.”
The Gophers, 3-0, have had an easier non-conference schedule than the Owls, 1-2. Florida Atlantic has lost to Texas and Michigan State on the road, with a home win over UAB. The Gophers won at home against Northern Illinois and Montana State, and on the road at Bowling Green.
Brewster said the Gophers are No. 1 in the country in red zone efficiency (inside the 20 yard line).
When the Gophers play in Columbus against Ohio State a week from Saturday they could be seeing true freshman Terrelle Pryor starting at quarterback for Ohio State. Arguably the most highly sought prep recruit in the country earlier this year, Pryor looks on course to replace senior Todd Boeckman at quarterback.
Manager Ozzie Guillen said in the September 15 issue of Sporting News that his White Sox team has “more talent” than the Twins. Guillen admires Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire, saying he doesn’t receive the credit he deserves. Writer Steve Greenberg described the interview as “crude, hilarious and unfailingly provocative.”
The Twins have lost 13 of their last 22 games but are still only 1.5 games behind the White Sox in the Central Division race. The White Sox come to Minneapolis for a three-game series starting next Tuesday.
Last night’s Twins-Rays game in St. Petersburg drew 17,296 fans at the 36,000 seat Tropicana Field, according to the Star Tribune. That’s startling since the Rays and Twins are contenders for division championships. Tampa Bay has been the most pleasant surprise among major league teams but season attendance is awful. Usually a winning team brings out the fans even in a mediocre sports market, but not in Tampa-St. Pete.
The Minnesota Thunder is promoting breast cancer awareness at its final regular season home game on Saturday at the National Sports Center. In conjunction with Rock The Cure (www.rockthecure.org), the Thunder organization is donating a portion of the game’s proceeds to Twin Cities area breast cancer charities.
The Thunder will be wearing pink jerseys at Saturday’s game which will be auctioned off for charity during the game. Players will autograph the jerseys before the winning bidder receives them.
Fans can purchase a limited edition pink t-shirt and ticket package for only $20, or can purchase the t-shirt separately for $10. Both can be purchased online at www.mnthunder.com or by calling 651-294-4664. T-shirts will also be available for purchase at the game. To purchase single game tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 651-989-5151.
Safety Joey Lehman, from Coon Rapids High School, ran an interception back 40 yards for a touchdown to help Concordia University-Saint Paul beat Minnesota State University Moorhead 27-23 victory last Saturday. He also blocked an extra point attempt and was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week.