Frazier’s defense held the Colts to 25 yards on 19 rushing attempts last Sunday.

ESPN.com’s Rick Reilly wrote a column this week about which pro sports teams rule their cities. The Vikings, of course, were a no-brainer for Minneapolis.  Reilly wrote:  “The Twins get no love. Once, they were playing a Saturday afternoon game in the HumpDome, and it went extra innings. The game was stopped so the stadium crew could get the field ready for a football game that night. Ouch.”  https://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3576248

Jared Allen is not only among the better potential pass rushers in Vikings’ history, he’s also the best paid cheerleader.  Allen, who came to the Vikings in the off-season for the richest contract for a defensive player in the NFL, was frequently raising his arms to encourage crowd noise during last Sunday’s game in the Metrodome.

The Purple Nation responded and the Colts’ offensive players had to run their plays in a noisy environment that furthered the dome’s reputation as one of the loudest stadiums in pro football.  Last week, even before Allen played his first Vikings regular season game in the dome, he was talking about the importance of the home crowd to the defense.

“Yeah, definitely,” he told Sports Headliners.  “You thrive off the crowd. …”

Allen said defensive players respond to energy from the fans.  Plus, the opposing offense sometimes can’t “hear their checks (play changes),” he said.  The results can be penalties or turnovers such as fumbles.

The Vikings’ Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing after two games with 263 yards.

Dave Mona’s new book, “Beyond the Sports Huddle,” is headed for a second printing.  Mona said earlier this week about 4,200 books from the original press run of 5,000 had been sold.

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Gopher football coach Tim Brewster talking about Saturday’s non-conference game against Florida Atlantic at the dome: “For us to have a chance to win against Florida Atlantic, it’s going to take our best effort.”

The Gophers, 3-0, have had an easier non-conference schedule than the Owls, 1-2.   Florida Atlantic has lost to Texas and Michigan State on the road, with a home win over UAB.  The Gophers won at home against Northern Illinois and Montana State, and on the road at Bowling Green.

Brewster said the Gophers are No. 1 in the country in red zone efficiency (inside the 20 yard line).

When the Gophers play in Columbus against Ohio State a week from Saturday they could be seeing true freshman Terrelle Pryor starting at quarterback for Ohio State.  Arguably the most highly sought prep recruit in the country earlier this year, Pryor looks on course to replace senior Todd Boeckman at quarterback.

Manager Ozzie Guillen said in the September 15 issue of Sporting News that his White Sox team has “more talent” than the Twins.  Guillen admires Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire, saying he doesn’t receive the credit he deserves.  Writer Steve Greenberg described the interview as “crude, hilarious and unfailingly provocative.”

The Twins have lost 13 of their last 22 games but are still only 1.5 games behind the White Sox in the Central Division race.  The White Sox come to Minneapolis for a three-game series starting next Tuesday.

Last night’s Twins-Rays game in St. Petersburg drew 17,296 fans at the 36,000 seat Tropicana Field, according to the Star Tribune.  That’s startling since the Rays and Twins are contenders for division championships.  Tampa Bay has been the most pleasant surprise among major league teams but season attendance is awful.  Usually a winning team brings out the fans even in a mediocre sports market, but not in Tampa-St. Pete.

The Minnesota Thunder is promoting breast cancer awareness at its final regular season home game on Saturday at the National Sports Center.  In conjunction with Rock The Cure (www.rockthecure.org), the Thunder organization is donating a portion of the game’s proceeds to Twin Cities area breast cancer charities.

The Thunder will be wearing pink jerseys at Saturday’s game which will be auctioned off for charity during the game. Players will autograph the jerseys before the winning bidder receives them.

Fans can purchase a limited edition pink t-shirt and ticket package for only $20, or can purchase the t-shirt separately for $10.  Both can be purchased online at www.mnthunder.com or by calling 651-294-4664.  T-shirts will also be available for purchase at the game.  To purchase single game tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 651-989-5151.

Safety Joey Lehman, from Coon Rapids High School, ran an interception back 40 yards for a touchdown to help Concordia University-Saint Paul beat Minnesota State University Moorhead 27-23 victory last Saturday.  He also blocked an extra point attempt and was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week.

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Let’s be direct about the announcement to name the new baseball stadium Target Field.  The naming rights provide a bold face entry into the Minnesota Twins’ revenue budget.  It also furthers Target Corporation’s name and identity in its hometown.

However, I doubt that the Target Field name wins a popularity contest with Twins fans. A Star Tribune online poll on Monday was showing respondents disapproving 57 to 42 percent.

There’s no baseball connection to the name and Target Field isn’t exactly a charming nameplate either.  Awhile back this space suggested Wheaties Field.  Wheaties, the long time hometown product and breakfast of champions, has a special image and even sponsored Minneapolis Millers baseball years ago.

Instead, I suppose, we’ll hear the stadium referred to by some as “Discount Field.”  That’s not a feel good phrase but it’s an easy wisecrack from those who have described the nearby Target Center as the “Discount Center.”

An ongoing criticism of the Twins’ management is not spending enough money to acquire talent.  A potential coupon clipping reputation at Target Field will be new material for the cynics.

I will take the Target Field name over the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome nameplate.  The tribute to the former vice president of the United States is fine but Metrodome is part of the overdone tradition that included Metropolitan Stadium and the Metropolitan Sports Center.

Metro?  Clever, eh?

Give me a name like Memorial Stadium, the former home of Golden Gopher football that was a tribute to University students and workers who served in World War I.  The old Millers’ stadium, Nicollet Park, was spot on as well, although it could have been Wheaties Field.

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