The Vikings will open a season on Monday Night Football for only the third time in franchise history when they play at Green Bay on September 8 in an ESPN televised game. In the franchise’s other two MNF games the Vikings played at Detroit on September 20, 1971 and Minnesota was at Washington on September 11, 2006. The Vikings won both games by three points, with the 2006 game being Brad Childress’ debut as the team’s head coach. The complete 2008 Vikings schedule will be announced later this month.
Two players who are impressing sideline observers at Gopher spring football practices with improved physiques are sophomore quarterback Adam Weber and junior guard Otis Hudson. Both could be impact players this fall for Minnesota.
John Sherman is proving journalists can do more than report and write about sports. The Sun Newspapers sportswriter coached the Minnesota Transitions team to the Class 1A championship game in the boys’ state tournament last week.
Winona State, 38-1, earned its second national championship in three years last Saturday coming back after trailing Augusta State 53-37 in the first half before winning the game 87-76. It was the second largest comeback ever in an NCAA Division II championship game. Winona State qualified for the title game by beating two undefeated teams earlier in the tournament, 67-54 over Grand Valley State in the quarterfinals on Wednesday and an 86-75 semifinal win against Bentley on Thursday. Grand Valley State defeated Michigan State in an exhibition game last fall.
The Division II Bulletin publication named Winona State senior center John Smith the Division II Bulletin Player of the Year. Smith, who also won the award in 2007, scored 17.7 points and averaged 8.6 rebounds per game for the Warriors, and also blocked 103 shots during the regular season. He was named the NSIC Most Valuable Player.
Coach Mike Leaf of Winona State was named the 2008 Molten/Division II Bulletin Coach of the Year. He was also the publication’s Coach of the Year in 2006.
Canterbury Park begins live racing on Saturday, May 3, the same day as the Kentucky Derby.