David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Minnesota RB Phenom Darius Taylor: ‘He’s a Beast’

Posted on December 27, 2023 by David Shama

What to know after Minnesota’s 30-24 Quick Lane Bowl win over Bowling Green yesterday in Detroit:

No Darius Taylor, no seventh straight bowl win for the Golden Gophers.

And guess what? No Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) earnings, no Darius.

Taylor ran 35 times for 208 yards, including a fourth quarter TD that proved to be the winning margin. The true freshman, who was limited to six games this year because of injury, carried the load for an offense that totaled 281 yards.

Coach P.J. Fleck said after the game “we put the team on his shoulders.” Quarterback Cole Kramer, also talking on the KFAN Radio postgame show, said of Taylor: “…He’s a beast. He can be someone that you can count on, and I am very proud of him.”

Gopher fans in the know might say: keep Phil Knight away from the phenom who is the Quick Lane Bowl MVP. Knight, the Nike founder, is a generous benefactor of Oregon athletics and NIL in Eugene.

Remember 2021 Gopher freshman running back Bucky Irving who left Dinkytown after one season? He reportedly received a sweet NIL deal at Oregon and was a star for the Ducks the last two seasons.

Darius Taylor photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

A lot of Gophers fans still haven’t bought into NIL but it’s a reality. Without the efforts of local collective Dinkytown Athletes, Minnesota wouldn’t be retaining its better players starting with Taylor who likely tops the money list. The Gophers and their collective can’t match the money of many Power Five teams but there’s substantial progress being made by DA which launched less than 18 months ago.

In the uncertain environment of college football roster stability is more difficult than ever to maintain. Who is on board can change week to week during the periods when the transfer portal is open, but for now the Gophers can be thankful that Taylor has remained loyal to Minnesota.

Taylor, who humbly praised his teammates after yesterday’s performance, will be option No. 1 for the offense next season. Fleck even used him in the Wildcat offense for the first time in the bowl game. The Gophers practiced with Taylor throwing the ball, although he didn’t toss it yesterday.

A key question next season will be how to find balance between too many and too few carries per game for Taylor who excels with niftiness, strength and speed. Fleck’s offenses love to run the ball, go on long scoring drives, and eat up game time. When games are close in the fourth quarter, the tendency is to run the star tailback (see Mo Ibrahim film) over and over.

The Gophers will invite a high risk of Taylor becoming injured if they choose to duplicate his 35 carries yesterday in all 12 games next season. Ohio transfer Sieh Bangura, a preseason choice for All-MAC and 2022 MAC Freshman of the Year, presumably will receive a dozen or so carries per game.

Fleck will protect Taylor in the offseason including during spring football and preseason training camp. The Detroit native missed seven games but still led the team in rushing yards with 808 and average per game at 133.17. He was selected Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times.

Gophers Notes

Taylor’s returns will help sell tickets for next season as will one of the more attractive home schedules in recent memory. Iowa, North Carolina, Penn State and USC come to Minneapolis.

The Gophers trailed 10-9 at halftime but got much better production from the offensive line in the second half. All the unit’s starters are back next season except for center Nathan Boe.

Left tackle Aireontae Ersery is one of the nation’s highest graded run blockers. He was second team All-Big Ten in 2023 and should be an All-American candidate in 2024.

True freshman guard Greg Johnson, from Prior Lake, played a lot of minutes off the bench and is a future star.

Fleck is 5-0 in bowl games at Minnesota. He has a strategy and philosophy on how to approach those games but doesn’t offer details to the media.

Fleck’s attention now will be the interviewing process to hire a new defensive coordinator. It’s likely some candidates are with bowl teams. A new hire could be announced by around January 10.

2 comments

Football Gophers Make Merry with 2024 Recruiting Class

Posted on December 20, 2023December 25, 2023 by David Shama

The Golden Gophers football program today announced what could turn out to be the best recruiting class of the P.J. Fleck era that began in 2017. The 24-man class has that potential and breathes positivity into a program that experienced a disappointing 5-7 record last fall and saw the December departure of elite defensive coordinator Joe Rossi for Michigan State.

Minnesota signed to National Letters of Intent the No. 1 rated players in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin—a program rarity. Safety Koi Perich from Esko, Minnesota got a heavy recruiting rush from Ohio State this month but the state’s top ranked player by the 247Sports composite rankings chose the Gophers.

Perich is a superb athlete with a fluid running style and other skills that raise expectations he could follow in the steps of Minnesota All-American safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. (2019) and Tyler Nubin (2023). Fleck and assistant coach Danny Collins prioritized Perich for a couple of years. Fleck and previous Gopher coaches have been spurned too many times in the past by the state’s No. 1 recruit so today was a win worth celebrating.

Perich may have the potential to one day make a living playing football on Sundays. The same may work out for Wisconsin’s No. 1 player, offensive tackle Nathan Roy, and North Dakota’s No. 1, defensive lineman Riley Sunram. All three are four-stars, per 247Sports.

Perich, Roy and Sunram, along with Kansas offensive lineman Brett Carroll, have invitations to the prestigious All-American Bowl in San Antonio January 6. That’s the first time in the Fleck era four Gopher recruits have been invited to the game formerly known as the Army All-American Bowl, which showcases many of the best prep seniors in the country.

High school recruits who signed today include six Minnesota natives. None may have as much maroon and gold DNA as Detroit Lakes linebacker Mason Carrier. His brother Ethan, a defensive back, is already on the roster and Mason posted this on X a few days ago:

“…We would rather MAKE a better team than FIND a better team. Thanks coaches and those loving and loyal to MN. I am Mason Carrier. Get used to the name.”

The 2024 recruiting class is vital to future success and could prove historic to Gopher football. Minnesota was coming off nine wins or more in 2019, 2021 and 2022 before this season’s fall. Fleck wants a return to the norm and even better results in the future where rewards could include entry into the 12-team college football playoff coming in 2024-2025.

This class and the ones that follow need to provide talent and depth. The Gophers struggled last season when they ran out of both, including at linebacker and running back. Inconsistent quarterback play from Athan Kaliakmanis was a problem, too, and he left the program recently. Don’t be surprised if his transfer process leads him to Rutgers.

QB is the most important position for Big Ten football teams. Fleck’s signings aimed at delivering results this fall and into the future. It all starts with New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer, probably one of the top 10 quarterbacks available in the transfer portal. Brosmer was nearly flawless at times playing for the FCS Wildcats. The Gophers expect big things from him in accuracy, pocket presence, decision making and leadership.

Fresno State transfer Logan Fife is an experienced quarterback who has been both a key reserve and starter. He will have two seasons of eligibility and his presence will be reassuring if Brosmer misses time because of injury.

Freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey comes from a family with Arkansas Razorback roots. At about 6-6, the three-star Lindsey, whose grandfather Jim Lindsey played for the Vikings, will have no issues seeing receivers from the pocket and he could be the starter in two years.

It might be that the Gophers have more work to do in the recruitment of pass catchers between now and next summer, particularly targeting a wide out. Dropped passes and failure to get open bugged the wide receivers and tight ends last season. It’s been an issue for wide receivers dating back to 2019 when Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson were both named first team All-Big Ten.

The 2024 class includes two wide receivers and two tight ends. Among the promising preps is Mankato West’s Jalen Smith. He only had one other Power Five offer (Iowa State), per 247Sports, but he could be a sleeper in this class.

With 19 high school players and five college transfers, the Gophers rank No. 37 among recruiting classes across the country, according to 247. For a program that still doesn’t have the Name, Image and Likeness money of many other programs, and doesn’t cheat in recruiting like the blue-bloods and others allegedly do, that’s impressive.

The Gophers leave for Detroit and the Quick Lane Bowl on Friday in preparation for their day after Christmas game. After losing their final regular season game against Wisconsin, there is a want among the players to get a W for the seniors in their last go round.

Among the seniors is quarterback Cole Kramer who will make his first college career start. He is the ultimate loyalist who has stayed with the program through minimal playing time and changes in offensive coordinators.

Gopher linebacker Cody Lindenberg said Kramer never complained, just “put his head down and worked.” Lindenberg described it as “awesome” to see the former Eden Prairie star get his opportunity.

Kramer said “it means the world” to be leading the Gophers in the bowl game. He is an ultimate legacy player with his grandfather Tom Moe, uncle Bob Coughlin and cousin Carter Coughlin all being former Gophers.

Grandpa Moe began the legacy playing for the Gophers in the 1950s and was named team MVP in 1959, but he likely won’t be attending the bowl game. “I don’t think he’s going to make it,” Cole said. “He’s going through some things right now. But my dad’s side…my grandma and grandpa will be there. My fiancé and her family will be there, and my mom and my dad and my brother will be there as well.”

The Gophers are about a 4-point favorite to defeat Bowling Green, a team with a 7-5 record that closed fast winning five of its last six games. Fleck is 4-0 in bowl games but his struggling offense (averaged 20.2 points) and defense (uncharacteristic 26.2 points) need to show up with improved play.

The optics are such that the Gophers, playing against a non-Power Five team, must not only win but be impressive doing it. That will add to the juice of positivity created by today’s signing day and maybe ease the sting of losing coordinator Joe Rossi.

Rossi had more credibility than any assistant coach in the Fleck era. Fans and players had watched him turn Minnesota’s defense around in 2019 and beyond, with his units excelling in top 10 categories nationally. Last fall wasn’t Rossi-like but no one questioned his coaching chops even then.

The players referred to Rossi as a “guru” and it’s a painful departure that surprised them. Lindenberg and others felt they were blessed to play for a man with so much wisdom who also cared deeply about them. “…Yeah, just a lot to be grateful for that he’s been able to teach me,” Lindenberg said.

Why did Rossi leave? Maybe he thought Michigan State, with superior Name, Image and Likeness resources, offered the opportunity to coach for a bigger winner. For now his shadow hangs over the program but today’s recruiting class, a bowl win next week and the announcement of a high quality replacement in the days ahead can sooth the loss.

BTW: Stillwater-based Creative Charters is in the holiday spirit donating 20 airline seats for Bolder Options mentors and youth to attend the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit between the Gophers and Bowling Green on December 26. Creative has a sold-out plane doing a same day trip for the game and company owners Steve and Dorothy Erban are taking care of the game tickets, too!

2 comments

Strange Calls Slow Vikings’ Playoff Push in Loss to Bengals

Posted on December 16, 2023December 16, 2023 by David Shama

The reputation of Kevin O’Connell as a superb play-caller took a hit this afternoon in Cincinnati when the Vikings lost 27-24 in overtime to the Bengals. Consecutive short yardage tush-push calls in OT failed and turned the ball over to the Bengals who went down the field to kick a 29-yard winning field goal.

On third down in OT Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens tried tush-push No. 1 and came up short of a first down. Strangely, the fourth down play call was more of the same as Mullens lost yardage and was stopped inches short of a first down at the Bengals’ 42 yard line.

O’Connell indicated on the KFAN postgame radio show that the ball placement by the officials after the third down try may not have been accurate. Maybe that gave him confidence to use the same play again but why use Mullens in that kind of situation?

The backup quarterback was making his first start in a game in almost two years. At 6-1 and 210 pounds, the inexperienced Mullens isn’t a powerful runner. And among the tush-pushers was wide receiver Brendon Powell, one of the smaller NFL players at 5-8 and 181 pounds.

Ty Chandler, starting in place of the injured Alexander Mattison, had a breakout day for the Vikings rushing for 132 yards. It made sense to have Chandler, perhaps running behind fullback C.J. Ham, carry the ball on at least one of those vital downs.

Now the Vikings are 7-7, with three games remaining. They still have an opportunity to make the playoffs with home games against the Packers and Lions, and an away matchup with the Lions who lead the NFC North Division.

But this loss will rightfully have Purple followers wondering if the best outcome in the weeks ahead is to lose games and improve draft position. With a muddled quarterback future, the world knows the Vikings are interested in choosing a top prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

More losses could push Minnesota toward a place among the top dozen or so draft selections. It will be interesting to see if the Vikings slide in that direction or continue their roller-coaster season with enough success to make the playoffs.

Worth Noting

Vikings fans can worry a bit more now about losing defensive coordinator Brian Flores after the season. The best head coaching job opening could be the Chargers with talented quarterback Justin Herbert. Playing without Herbert, the now 5-9 Chargers got thrashed last Thursday night by the Raiders, 63-21. Yes, that Raiders team which managed zero points in a 3-0 loss to the Vikings December 10.

Koi Perich, the Gophers’ highest ranked verbal commit, is reportedly considering signing with Ohio State next Wednesday. Here are a few points the Gophers can make to the sought after Esko, Minnesota safety:

Go to Ohio State and you will be known here as the high school superstar who said no to the home state team. Choose the Gophers, have a solid career in Dinkytown and you will be known as a home state hero—and that can present opportunities for life.
The Buckeyes, per 247Sports, already have three safeties among their verbal commitments. The opportunity to play sooner and longer could well be better in Minneapolis than Columbus.
Safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tyler Nubin were honored as All-Americans in 2019 and 2023. That’s a statement about the coaching system and development at Minnesota.
Don’t choose a school just for Name, Image and Likeness rewards but do think of the NIL potential in your home state, including in northeastern Minnesota where the Gophers seldom find football players.

Name, Image and Likeness benefiting Golden Gophers athletes is doing well through the start-up Dinkytown Athletes. One challenge DA doesn’t face in the state is that Division I St. Thomas doesn’t have an NIL collective to compete with the Gophers.

Cole Kramer, the Gophers quarterback for the Motor City Bowl December 26, has one more season of eligibility but may not use it choosing to move on from college football. The former Eden Prairie star will marry Katie Miller in Rochester, Minnesota February 3.

Word is Eden Prairie defensive lineman Mo Saine, verbally committed in the Gophers 2024 recruiting class, is solid on his pledge.

Dating back to its inception in 2011 the Big Ten football championship game has been held in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. With the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams, that will change in the future, probably after 2028. The title game is booked in Indy through that year, but Minneapolis (U.S. Bank Stadium) and Las Vegas (Allegiant Stadium) seem likely future sites.

Justin Dungy, a high school senior cornerback in Florida and son of Gopher football alum and Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy, visited Montana State with his dad earlier this month. Justin is about 5-10, 155 pounds.

Dan Stoltz, SPIRE Credit Union president, and Kirk Cousins, Vikings quarterback, are good friends. After Cousins injured his Achilles earlier this fall, Stoltz stopped by his friend’s house to offer support.

Fans and media are skeptical, but the Twins and Byron Buxton are determined he will be the starting center fielder in 2024.

Future candidates to play that position could include Ricardo Olivar who was in 100 games last season for Single-A Fort Myers. He impressed offensively and the Twins appreciate his versatility in the field, playing catcher and center field!

Buxton, Royce Lewis, Pablo Lopez and many other players are scheduled for TwinsFest January 26-27 at Fillmore Minneapolis and Target Field.

The Twins and the other sports organizations in town continue to monitor the prospect of sports wagering becoming legal in Minnesota. It’s a good bet that it’s approved by the state in 2024. Minnesota is now surrounded by states who have already legalized sports wagering.

Have to think Timberwolves GM Tim Connelly strategizes everyday how he can acquire a quality backup point guard like native Minnesotan Tyus Jones with the Wizards. It’s a nightmare scenario if the Wolves lose 36-year-old Mike Conley Jr. for an extended period.

Gophers’ basketball forward Parker Fox, unselfish with a pass first, shoot second approach, had made 20 of his 26 field goal attempts, a gaudy .769 percentage. And better than his free throw percentage at .615.

Good-guy Dave Stead, the retired former executive director of the Minnesota State High School League, will take over the one-year volunteer position of Head Coach of the Twin Cities Dunkers in 2024. He will have program meeting responsibilities for the organization that through its Dunkers Fund provides financial assistance to the athletic programs of public Twin Cities high schools.

1 comment