The Gophers have played USC here in three previous games, winning 25-19 in 1955, and losing 29-20 in 1968 and 24-7 in 1980.  The 1955 and 1968 games were particularly memorable.  The Trojans were ranked No. 10 in the country in 1955 but the Californians couldn’t deal with an early season Minneapolis snowstorm, and lost.

In 1968 USC was a glamour team, ranked No. 2 in the country and featuring the now infamous O.J. Simpson.  Minnesota coach Murray Warmath instructed the groundskeeper at Memorial Stadium to let the grass grow long prior to the season opening game, hoping to slow down Simpson, the USC tailback who later that year would win the Heisman Trophy.  Didn’t work, though, as Simpson ran for 236 yards and four touchdowns against the No. 16 ranked Gophers.

The Wild open training camp tomorrow and the regular season begins with a pair of games on October 7 and 8 in Finland against Carolina.  Hope is that this season has a better beginning than last.

In 2009 the Wild lost six of its first eight games.  Forward Matt Cullen, the Minnesota native who signed on with the Wild in July, has played with several NHL clubs and knows that kind of start is troublesome, even with an 82 game schedule.

Cullen was with Carolina when the team went to the conference finals in the spring of 2009.  Then last season Carolina started poorly and didn’t make the playoffs.

Cullen wants to see a fast start by the Wild.  “It’s nearly impossible to make up that ground,” he told Sports Headliners. “This league is too tight.  You have to come out of the gate strong.  So that for us is going to be a primary focus from day one of camp.”

If the Twins finish with the best record in the American League it seems certain Ron Gardenhire will be voted Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America.  Gardenhire has managed five division winners since becoming the Twins field boss but never been honored as American League Manager of the Year.

Former Twins great Tony Oliva told Sports Headliners pitcher Francisco Liriano, who is having his best season since 2006, might have even greater arm strength next season and a better year.

Local author Dave Wright has a book signing tomorrow starting at 2 p.m. at Valley Bookseller in Stillwater.  Wright’s book, 162-0: The Greatest Wins, is about memorable Twins games.

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If quarterback Brett Favre can throw two touchdown passes in Sunday’s home game against Miami, he will become the first player in NFL history to have 500 touchdown passes.

Favre needs 500 yards to become the first NFL quarterback to throw for 70,000 yards.

Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams talking about Miami’s simple offensive approach: “They ain’t doing nothing pretty.”

Former Gopher and Green Bay Packer Darrell Thompson started watching Miami quarterback Chad Henne when Henne was at Michigan.  Thompson said Henne, who was a 2008 second round draft choice by the Dolphins, has improved as a pro and includes him in the NFL’s top 30 percent of quarterbacks.

Thompson helps local youth while heading up the Bolder Options organization as executive director.  Bolder Options has fundraising long distance runs at Lake Nokomis tomorrow.  www.bolderoptions.org

The just released History of the Minnesota Vikings DVD is almost four hours long and details the franchise’s success as it celebrates 50 seasons. The DVD is available for purchase at Vikings Locker Room stores, www.vikingslockerroom.com and other DVD retail outlets.

Athletic sophomore MarQueis Gray had a career high nine receptions for the Gophers against South Dakota.  He’s learning the wide receiver position while he remains quarterback Adam Weber’s backup.  “MarQueis will become a more precise route runner,” Gophers coach Tim Brewster said.

The September 13 issue of Sporting News magazine includes seven Big Ten basketball teams in its top 50.  Michigan State is No. 1, Purdue No. 3, Ohio State No. 5, Illinois No. 15, Wisconsin No 18, Minnesota No. 34 and Northwestern No. 41.

On the list of 30 finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award are two former MIAC athletes who have completed their eligibility.  Former Gustavus Adolphus hockey player Melissa Mackley and ex-St. Thomas softball player Alison Wright are among the 10 Division III finalists for the honor. There are 10 finalists each from Division I, Division II and Division III.

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Fans are justifiably upset with last Saturday’s loss to South Dakota but the extremists asking for the firing of coach Tim Brewster are wrong.

The Gophers have 10 games remaining on their schedule.  Brewster, his staff and players deserve the opportunity to show what they can do in those games starting with Saturday’s home game against Southern California.

Brewster believes that his squad has more athleticism, football talent and potential than his previous teams.  You can be sure University officials are going to give Brewster every chance in the weeks ahead to earn some wins.  They’re not going to make a change in September.

The loss to a South Dakota team that is part of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) was a “hot poker” to the faces of angry fans who have been upset for decades with Gopher football.  There was frustration coming into this season as Brewster started his fourth year with a losing record and fans found much to complain about after the 41-38 loss on Saturday.

But it makes no sense not to allow Brewster to see what he can do in the remaining nonconference games and the eight Big Ten Conference games that follow.  No one knows how the Gophers will play in those games.

What’s certain is Gopher football has the potential to be better than it is, much better.  The public should continue to be outspoken.  The emails, phone calls and letters that are flying around this town might be the best hope for helping Brewster or whoever is coaching the Gophers in the years ahead.

A public demanding that the University make winning football a priority is a healthy first step.  Historically the University has often made poor decisions regarding football and its importance, although the new football stadium is a valuable resource and step in the right direction.  It’s time to thoroughly address all the problems and find solutions.

Loyal fans can recite the years of bad and mediocre football at Minnesota.  They can complain about all the reasons it’s a challenge to win games here.  They can even empathize with Minnesota coaches about smaller budgets compared to some Big Ten schools that spend more money on their football programs.

But action resulting from public outcry is what might move the dial forward.  We need a constituency that demands Gophers football become a winning program.  If you care, make your voice heard (repeatedly) via emails, phone calls and letters.

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