The California Legislature has exempted a proposed downtown Los Angeles football stadium from state environmental laws, according to a September 13 online Los Angeles Times article.  The article reported governor Jerry Brown hasn’t signed the legislation.  A Sports Headliners source believes L.A. interests want an NFL team in southern California by 2012 and playing in a new stadium by 2016.

Sometimes criticized Vikings center John Sullivan was a standout on Sunday against the Bucs and so, too, was tight end Jim Kleinsasser.

The Hollywood produced movie “Smith of Minnesota” made its national debut in September of 1942 in Faribault, the home town of Gophers Heisman Trophy (1941) winner Bruce Smith, according to a September 27, 1942 article in the Minneapolis Sunday Tribune & Star Journal. The shy halfback played himself in the movie and had a clause in the movie contract stating he didn’t have to kiss an actress, according to the newspaper article.

Former Gophers coach Glen Mason, who provided color commentary for the Big Ten Network on a Minnesota game for the first time last week, will also work the North Dakota State game this Saturday.

Westbrook-Walnut Grove coach Carter Ross will try for career win No. 100 on Friday against Cleveland High.  His career record is 99-46.

Detroit Lakes prep coach Flint Motschenbacher is also after win No. 100.  Motschenbacher, 99-41, coaches his team on Friday against Staples-Motley.

The MIAC announced its football players of the week are Tyler Maxwell (offense), Billy Morgan (defense) and Fritz Waldvogel (special teams).  In his first college game Maxwell ran for 173 yards, the most for an Augsburg running back in seven years as his team defeated Hamline last Saturday.  Morgan, a Bethel linebacker, had 17 tackles in a win over Carleton.  Waldvogel, a wide receiver and kick returner for St. Thomas, had 228 all-purpose yards against St. Olaf including punt returns of 40, 29 and 22 yards.

Don’t think the Gophers aren’t under pressure already to gain a verbal commitment from nationally-pursued Apple Valley sophomore point guard Tyus Jones.

Expect another big crowd at Target Center tonight for game three of the WNBA Western Conference semi-finals between the Lynx and San Antonio.  Friday night’s game drew 11,891.  In previous playoff games the Lynx attracted 4,227 (2004) and 3,622 (2003).

Only Houston (14) has been swept in more series than the Twins, Mariners and Pirates (13 each) among major league baseball clubs this season.  The Twins were last swept at least 13 times in a season in 1978 when the total was 17, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

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Vikings defensive end Jared Allen wasn’t trying to make excuses after Sunday’s 24-20 loss to Tampa Bay, a game that left his team 0-2 on the season.

It was the second consecutive game the Vikings let a halftime lead get away. After holding a 10 point lead in the fourth quarter, Allen declared yesterday’s defeat worse than the opening game 24-17 loss against San Diego.

“It’s inexcusable.  It’s unacceptable,” Allen said in a quiet and stunned locker room after the game.

In San Diego, particularly in the second half, the Vikings offense wasn’t productive.  Yesterday it was the defense that couldn’t hold back a Bucs team that led by quarterback Josh Freeman built a reputation last season for comebacks and wins on the road.

Allen was asked about the Bucs’ track record for rallying late in games, but focused on the Vikings with his answer.  “I don’t know.  We just didn’t finish the game, honestly.  I gotta watch the film.  I am in disbelief still we lost this game.  We were in complete control, dominating, and somehow we let it slip away.”

The Vikings had the Bucs off balance with their offense in the first half and led 17-0.  But in the third quarter Tampa Bay began to take over the momentum with their offense while the Vikings offense ran only five plays and had just one first down.

In the second half Tampa Bay scored on four of five possessions.  The only drive that didn’t produce points was when Freeman threw an interception in the end zone.

The Vikings, including center John Sullivan, had no difficulty explaining the loss.  “It’s very matter of fact,” he said. “You gotta play for 60 minutes in the NFL.  We haven’t done that the last two weeks. …We’ll learn to play for 60 minutes and then we’ll be fine.  Until that happens, obviously the last two weeks are what you get.”

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After three weeks Sports Headliners has seen enough to rate the Big Ten football teams from 1-12.  Here’s how they rank:

Wisconsin: Quarterback transfer Russell Wilson elevates Badgers offense to elite national level.

Nebraska: Remember these names: quarterback Taylor Martinez, defensive lineman Jared Crick, linebacker Lavonte David.  Remember these dates:  Huskers at Wisconsin, October 1; home against Ohio State on October 8 and Michigan State October 29.

Ohio State: Injuries, suspensions and the departure of quarterback Terrelle Pryor put a major hit on what was once the conference’s most talented roster.

Illinois: Illini have high impact assistants in offensive coordinator Paul Petrino and defensive coordinator Vic Koenning.

Michigan State: Spartans have Big Ten’s best passing offense but need to play more physical football on both sides of the ball.

Michigan: Defense is part of the Wolverines vocabulary this season, but how in the hell do you take the most exciting quarterback in the league and move him under center?

Penn State: quarterback dilemma in Happy Valley has Joe Paterno undecided and Nittany Lions fans worried.

Iowa: Hawks gave up 71 points in last two games and are still trying to figure out how to put defense back on a pedestal in Iowa City.

Northwestern: Super coach Pat Fitzgerald still needs to attract better players to Evanston.

Minnesota: Keep the faith but talent this season seems better suited to competing in the MAC.

Purdue: Boiler fans clamoring for a game against Slippery Rock after opening 2-1 against Middle Tennessee State, Rice and Southeast Missouri State.

Indiana: Hoosiers wear uniforms and helmets like No. 1 Oklahoma, play like last place Indiana.

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