David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Look-Alike Vikings & Jags Meet Sunday

Posted on September 4, 2012September 4, 2012 by David Shama

Two second-year quarterbacks trying to prove worthy of leading their teams compete on Sunday at Mall of America Field. The Vikings Christian Ponder and the Jaguars Blaine Gabbert, first round draft choices in 2011, will lead their offenses in the NFL opening game for both teams.

Vikings Nation knows Ponder’s story, a 2011 season in which he started 10 games and at times threw the ball to guys wearing a different color jersey. Sometimes lacking poise and showing his inexperience in reading defenses, Ponder threw 13 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. His passing rating was 70.1.

Gabbert’s critics “lampooned him for everything from his accuracy to questionable pocket presence,” according to an online story last Saturday in Jacksonville’s Florida Times-Union. Gabbert started 14 games for the Jags last season, threw 12 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions and had a rating of 65.4.

Not surprisingly in the quarterback-centric NFL, neither the Vikings (3-13) nor Jags (5-11) were winners last season. Better times in 2012? Most NFL authorities don’t think so including Sports Illustrated—predicting in its pro football preview issue both franchises will be 4-12, finishing last in their divisions (NFC North and AFC South).

Former Vikings tight end Mike Mularkey, the new Jags coach, has the assignment of helping make Gabbert effective enough to one day remove the 22-year-old’s training wheels. S.I. describes Gabbert as the NFL’s “most skittish” quarterback last season but reports Mularkey, the ex-Falcons offensive coordinator credited for some of quarterback Matt Ryan’s development in Atlanta, has stressed fundamentals with Gabbert.

That seems like a “duh” but the 2011 off-season NFL labor dispute didn’t allow normal preparation for the season. Included among the victims were Gabbert and Ponder, two first round draft choices trying to find their way playing the most demanding position in pro football as rookie starters.

Vikings, Gophers & Other Notes:

Sports Illustrated predicts the Bears will win the NFC North with the Packers, Lions and Vikings finishing second, third and fourth. But the publication picks the Pack to beat the Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Few Vikings observers probably thought that when the club signed McLeod Bethel-Thompson as a free agent last January he would make the team. The 24-year-old quarterback is on the final roster after previous pro football experience in the NFL (no regular season game action), Arena Football League and United Football League.

The strong-armed, strong-willed California native began his college career at UCLA and finished at Sacramento State. He’s interested in becoming a teacher and helping inner-city youth. His grandfather, Wilbur Thompson, was a gold medal winning shot putter for the United States in the 1948 Olympics. The younger Thompson said his grandfather has been a mentor in his life, reminding him “of the power of the mind on the body.”

The Gophers next three nonconference football opponents are New Hampshire, Western Michigan and Syracuse—all home games at TCF Bank Stadium. New Hampshire defeated Holy Cross 38-17 last week, while Western Michigan lost 24-7 to Illinois and Northwestern beat Syracuse 42-41.

Gophers coach Jerry Kill talking today about FCS member New Hampshire playing in Minneapolis on Saturday: “This is a bowl game for New Hampshire. …You’re going to get their best.”

Kill said Gophers freshman running back and receiver KJ Maye “is going to be a special player.”

Two years ago many Gophers fans were criticizing the choice of Adam Weber as the team’s starting quarterback, lobbying for MarQueis Gray. Weber ended his college career as a four-year starter in 2010. He is second only to Drew Brees in career Big Ten total offense. Gray took over as Minnesota’s starter last season, completing 50.7 percent of his passes while throwing eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions. In Minnesota’s first game this season an over anxious Gray missed open receivers and sure touchdown passes.

Ron Gardenhire said on his most recent Sunday morning 1500 ESPN show he accepts responsibility for his team that will finish with one of the worst records in baseball. “I haven’t been able to figure this thing out,” he said. But Gardenhire didn’t talk like he won’t return as manager, and general manager Terry Ryan has been a big admirer of Gardenhire’s managing that started in 2002.

Gardenhire also said on the show he’s seen growing confidence in Chris Parmelee, the first baseman, right fielder and designated hitter that has compiled some frequent flyer miles this season shuttling between AAA Rochester and Minneapolis. Gardenhire has “big plans” for the 24-year-old left-handed hitter who batted .338 at Rochester with 17 home runs and 49 RBI in 228 at bats.

Local businessman John Dovolis was a good friend of the late Dark Star, the former WCCO Radio talk show host and all-time Minnesota character. Star, who died from a heart attack last spring, didn’t have a healthy diet. Dovolis recalled that Star once told him that at his funeral he wanted an open bar and buffet, and “to make sure there was no salad, vegetables or fruit.”

Star’s suburban Minneapolis apartment was filled with sports memorabilia. “There was barely a pathway to go from the kitchen to the bathroom to the bedroom,” Dovolis said.

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be an estate sale of Star’s memorabilia with part of the proceeds going to the new Gophers baseball stadium. Items will include a Michael Jordan signed jersey and basketball, Jim Brown and Dick Butkus autographed helmets, signed baseball bats and balls, model boats and airplanes, slot machines, coin operated games and a lot more. The sale will be at 212 Second Street Southeast in St. Anthony Main and conducted by Dennis Hagen Estate Sales. www.dennishagenestatesales.com. Dovolis said the sale will be advertised in Thursday’s Star Tribune classifieds.

Prep basketball authority Ken Lien emailed today that Edina basketball guard Graham Woodward will make a recruiting visit to Washington State this weekend.

The seventh annual Hockey Day Minnesota, celebrating the sport from the peewees to the pros, will be on Saturday, January 19. Three outdoor high school games will be played on Lake Pokegama in Grand Rapids: Eagan versus Hibbing (boys); Benilde-St. Margaret’s versus Grand Rapids (boys); Hibbing versus Grand Rapids (girls). The Gophers will play at home against North Dakota on Hockey Day while the Wild host the Penguins.

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Nice to Win U Opener, But Oh My!

Posted on August 31, 2012August 31, 2012 by David Shama

Winning was elating but the Gophers were a disappointment in last night’s 30-27 three overtimes victory against UNLV in Henderson, Nevada.

Playing against a Rebels team that only won four games in the last two years and is predicted to be among the worst in the mediocre Mountain West Conference, the Gophers made problems for themselves all night with way too many mistakes including 11 penalties. False starts, illegal motion, delay of game and personal fouls are unwanted any time but the Gophers often found the most inopportune moments for infractions.

Major issues also included a faltering passing game from MarQueis Gray. It was the senior quarterback, expected to be the team’s 2012 MVP, who four times missed open receivers potentially ready to run in the end zone for touchdowns.

Had Gray been on target, Minnesota’s opening game never would have gone three overtimes and the Gophers could have fulfilled predictions of a double digit win. But credit Gray with having the poise to come back from a rough four quarters to throw touchdown passes in the first and second overtimes that enabled his team to make it to the third overtime.

Gray’s interception led to UNLV’s only first half points, an opening quarter field goal. Expected to be an improved passer in 2012, Gray was sometimes better in 2011 when he threw only eight touchdown passes.

The Gophers out gained the Rebels 478 yards to 275. But Minnesota’s third down conversions—three of 15—were a problem, just like Gray’s inaccurate throws.

Gray’s receivers, though, were often able to get open and his offensive line was superior at pass protection than run blocking. The wide receivers, a group in search of a resume coming into the game, were impressive catching the ball, including A.J. Barker who caught three passes for 101 yards.

The defense was more consistent than the offense last night. The Gophers recovered from a porous first quarter effort to control UNLV for much of the game but couldn’t hold a late fourth quarter 13-10 lead when the Rebels drove down the field to tie the game at 13-13 and force overtime.

The defense particularly faltered in containing UNLV runners on the perimeter. But overall this was a unit that looked improved over last season when Minnesota ranked No. 77 nationally in scoring defense. The defensive line had moments of physical play and pass rushing effectiveness. The secondary coverage was more consistent, playing in better position, showing more speed and surer tackling than in the past.

Senior Jordan Wettstein kicked three field goals in the game, including the winning 32-yard kick in the third overtime. He had the poise to recover from a missed 32-yard attempt in the first half.

Wettstein’s performance was a special teams highlight on a night when there were also lowlights. That list is headed by Troy Stoudermire’s third quarter muffed punt that led to UNLV’s only second half touchdown. (Another special teams issue: Minnesota averaged an inadequate 35.1 yards per punt.)

But Stoudermire made a big play in the final overtime when his cornerback blitz hurried UNLV quarterback Nick Sherry’s throw in the third overtime. Minnesota safety Derrick Wells intercepted that ball in the end zone on what would be UNLV’s last possession of the night.

Like Gray, Stoudermire gained some redemption when it counted most. Those two and the other weary Gophers were able to pump life back into the dream of a successful 2012 season last night.

A game that ended almost two hours after midnight in Minneapolis wasn’t a nightmare for the Gophers. For that they can rest easier today but if this team is to realize its bowl ambitions and the optimistic predictions of winning six games there’s a whole lot of heavy lifting ahead.

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Gophers Need to Make ‘Statement’

Posted on August 29, 2012August 29, 2012 by David Shama

The way Troy Stoudermire looks at things it’s time for the Gophers to break away from the past. The assignment starts tomorrow night on the road against UNLV in Minnesota’s 2012 opening game.

“It means a lot to go win this game,” Stoudermire told Sports Headliners. “Winning this game is just one step to what we’re trying to accomplish. We gotta come make a statement.

“Every year we’ve been having a team full of talent but we never could get that done. That’s the way we gotta look at it. But this year we’re gonna get that done.”

No player on Minnesota’s roster has more perspective about the program than Stoudermire, a senior cornerback and record-setting kickoff returner. He was a freshman on the 2008 team and was granted a fifth season of eligibility in 2012 by the NCAA because a broken arm limited him to four games last season.

Minnesota’s season records during the Stoudermire era are 7-6-, 6-7, 3-9 and 3-9. That adds up to 19 wins, 31 losses and the record of the last four years has a lot to do with why the college football world has low expectations again for the Gophers. Stoudermire said nobody outside the program gives the Gophers “a chance” to accomplish much in 2012 “but we gotta make a name for ourselves.”

He has been impressed with his teammates during August practices leading up to tomorrow night’s game when the Gophers are expected to win by a touchdown or more. He said the offense is “really good,” led by senior dual-threat quarterback MarQueis Gray who “can do anything.”

The defense?

“This has been the lowest penalty rated camp that I’ve been at on defense,” Stoudermire said. “…I’ve seen the defense improve way more than any other year I’ve been here. We’ve just been on point. Everyone is making calls. Everyone is in the right spot and doing what they’re supposed to do, and not trying to do a little extra, and that’s all you need to have a really good defense.”

Gophers, Vikings & Other Notes:

UNLV is a struggling program like the Gophers. The Rebels were 2-11 last season, winning games at home against New Mexico (45-10) and Wyoming (42-16). Third-year coach Bobby Hauck is 4-21 at UNLV.

Among NCAA teams last season the Gophers ranked 110^th in total offense, UNLV 117^th. In total defense Minnesota ranked No. 77 with the Rebels at No. 105.

Kickoff for the Minnesota-UNLV game is 10:04 p.m. tomorrow. A daytime high of 102 degrees and overnight low of 79 in Las Vegas is forecast by weather.com. Gophers coach Jerry Kill will “play a lot of kids” and the players were told starting last week to consume plenty of fluids.

Quarterback MarQueis Gray had to leave the opening game at USC last year because of heat-induced arm cramps. That’s something Kill expects Gray to avoid tomorrow night. “We’ll take care of that,” Kill said. “MarQueis sweats a ton so we’ll have to make sure he takes plenty of fluid in.”

Kill plans to redshirt all his freshmen offensive linemen including Isaac Hayes and Jonah Pirsig, the two highly publicized Minnesota natives. He will also redshirt former Lakeville South High School quarterback Mitch Leidner.

That means Philip Nelson, the freshman from Mankato West, along with sophomore Max Shortell will be the backup quarterbacks to Gray for the UNLV game. Kill didn’t say so but he probably hopes to redshirt Nelson too.

Kill brought in outside speakers to address the team during August practices including former Gophers All-American safety Tyrone Carter. Don Banham, former Minneapolis police officer and father of Gophers football player Cole Banham and Gophers women’s basketball star Rachel Banham, also spoke to the team.

The Big Ten Network is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month.

The Vikings need a win tomorrow night in Houston over the Texans to finish the preseason at 2-2. Last Friday night at Mall of America Field the Vikings lost 12-10 to the Chargers and it looked like about 65 percent of the seats were filled.

With new automated parking meters near the stadium, the city was charging a Vikings game night rate of $3 per hour Friday. Unless you pay by credit card, that’s 48 quarters to park for four hours.

Merchandise sold in the stadium concourse Friday night included a Christian Ponder jersey for $115 and a limited edition Adrian Peterson jersey for $155.

Former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber, who has been doing TV-radio sideline reporting during the team’s preseason games, told Sports Headliners he will be a game analyst for Conference USA football games on Fox. He will also provide game analysis on two Western Michigan games for ESPNU.

Red McCombs, who sold the Vikings in 2005, has mixed feelings about not having the franchise anymore, according to Chad Ostlund who worked for McCombs and remains a friend. Ostlund said McCombs was “frustrated” about the team’s new stadium efforts when he, McCombs, owned the team.

The Twins, who lost a second consecutive game last night to Seattle at home, haven’t hit a home run in 10 of their last 11 games. They have been out scored 47-19 in their last eight games (seven losses).

Joe Mauer has now caught 833 games for the Twins, surpassing Earl Battey’s franchise record for a catcher of 831.

The St. Thomas football team, recently ranked No. 4 nationally by Lindy’s Sports and No. 7 by USA Today, begins its season on Saturday at UW-Eau Claire. The Division III Tommies are coming off consecutive 10-0 regular seasons.

St. Thomas’ Curtis James, Riley Dombek, Chinni Oji, Harry Pitera and Garrett Maloney, Augsburg’s Adam Carl, Saint John’s Bobby Fischer, Bethel’s Josh Wolfe and Concordia’s Tom Knowlton were selected preseason Division III All-Americans by various sources. Saint John’s kicker Jimmie Mattson was named to the Fred Mitchell Award Watch List for the second consecutive season. The award is annually presented to the nation’s top collegiate kicker, regardless of division.

Schools and other non-profit organizations serving youth located within a 50 mile radius of Target Center can enter a contest to win a $10,000 donation for basketball court renovation. www.timberwolves.com/community

Lindsey Berg, who helped the USA volleyball team to the silver medal in the 2012 Olympics, is among nine women and men who will be inducted into the Gophers Sports Hall of Fame on September 20 at TCF Bank Stadium. Ticket information about the event is available by calling 1-800-U-Gopher.

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