David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Take a Liking to London

Posted on October 2, 2022October 2, 2022 by David Shama

Jolly good, Vikings.

The Purple beat the Saints today, 28-25, in London. At least for Vikings fans who travelled to the game, kicker Greg Joseph is now more popular in England than fish and chips.

Joseph booted five field goals including the game winner from 47-yards in the closing minutes. Playing where soccer is known as football, the Vikings and Saints did their part in showing off the foot in the American game. Saints’ kicker Wil Lutz missed a 61-yard field goal attempt as time ran out, attempting to send the game into overtime at 28-28.

Minnesota, now 3-1 in 2022, won for the third time during the regular season in London. Playing in the 100^th NFL international game (preseason and regular season games), the Vikings have a liking for London.

On the first quarter opening drive, running back Alexander Mattison ran 15 yards on a pass reception for a touchdown to put the Vikings ahead 7-0. It looked like he celebrated by simulating a sip of tea from an imaginary cup.

Wide receiver Adam Thielen, who had eight receptions for 72 yards, had Ted Lasso’s name on his shoes. The cast from the award-winning comedy show (Ted is an American football coach hired to lead a British soccer club) attended the game.

Justin Jefferson image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Thielen’s running mate at WR, Justin Jefferson, had his best game since the opener against the Packers. In London he had a big fourth quarter catch and then a run from scrimmage that gave the Vikings a 28-25 lead (Joseph missed the extra point). He had 10 receptions for 147 yards.

The Saints, playing without three of their best offensive players, hung around in the game despite costly errors and penalties. Two Saints fumbles led to Joseph field goals, and New Orleans was penalized 10 times for 102 yards.

The Vikings, who led after every quarter, found themselves in a 25-25 tie after Lutz kicked a 60-yard field goal with 1:51 to play. “This team always just wants the next opt (opportunity),” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said on KFAN Radio after the game.

Joseph delivered it and tonight Vikings fans can eat fish and chips, and guzzle warm beer.

Worth Noting

O’Connell said on the radio rookie safety Lewis Cine has a badly fractured left ankle and will remain in London for medical care while the team flies home.

What was learned from the Gophers’ 20-10 loss to Purdue Saturday? When the offense doesn’t execute and is without All-American tailback Mo Ibrahim, points are scarce because this team isn’t deep in talented playmakers.

Minnesota is 0-30 in its last 30 games when behind by 10 points or more, per ESPN. The Gophers trailed Purdue 10-0 after the first quarter before going on to lose their first game of the season.

Big Ten home teams keep all the ticket revenues for their home football games so Saturday’s near sellout for the Gophers was a big payday. Contrary to rumor, the Athletic Department had no plans to offer special last minute ticket discounts to the public.

Gophers’ basketball coach Ben Johnson and his staff are facing high expectations to gain a commitment from highly recruited 7-1 center Dennis Evans from Riverside, California. The Gophers are considered a favorite to land Evans. He visited Minnesota over the weekend and the skilled shot blocker is not only a top 40 recruit but shows NBA potential. Before Saturday’s football game Evans, accompanied by assistant coach Dave Thorson, walked on the stadium field and heard cheers from the student section.

Conversation started awhile ago that freshman forward Pharrel Payne from Cottage Grove will have pro scouts following him. At 6-9, 230, Payne is already a strong, physical player.

The Gopher basketball program, criticized in the past for not recruiting the state of Minnesota, has nine Minnesotans on the roster including sure starters Jamison Battle from Robbinsdale and Dawson Garcia from Savage. Both forwards are proven scorers with Battle and Garcia candidates for All-Big Ten honors.

Johnson said Luke Loewe, a senior starting combo guard on the team last season from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is pursuing a pro bass fishing career. He also said Payton Willis, the starting point guard on last season’s team, is playing professionally in Israel.

Minnesota AD Mark Coyle told Sports Headliners volleyball looks on track to become a revenue program, joining a small number of other U programs that help to fund the 21-sports Athletic Department. Minnesota, averaging 4,709 fans at home, ranks fourth in the country behind Wisconsin, Nebraska and Hawaii.

New baseball hall of famer Tony Oliva speaks to the Capital Club October 11 at Mendakota Country Club. He will be interviewed by the radio voice of the Twins, Cory Provus. More information is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com

Twins president Dave St. Peter and friends annually attend a popular out of state college football game. The trip this fall will be to Auburn and a matchup against the Tigers and Texas A&M on November 12. Last year’s trip was to Seattle and the majestic setting of Husky Stadium on Lake Washington.

Target Field has been the site of college football in the past and St. Peter is “optimistic over time we will play football again here” but nothing is scheduled for the foreseeable future.

Target Field will have new video displays next season including replacement of the main board in left field. The new video board will be among the largest in MLB.

Tom Swain, the 101-year-old whose successful career included being the Gophers ticket manager, is now an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Twin Cities Dunkers. The Lilydale resident has been a member of Dunkers since 1960.

Nostalgia note: it was 67 years ago last week (September 28) that the Minneapolis Millers played the final game ever at Nicollet Park, located on Nicollet Ave. near Lake Street. The Millers, who defeated the Rochester Red Wings to win the Junior World Series, would play the next year, 1956, in the new Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington.

Comments Welcome

New NIL Collective Key to U Success

Posted on September 27, 2022September 27, 2022 by David Shama

Dinkytown Athletes, a name, image, and likeness (NIL) collective supporting student-athletes at the University of Minnesota, had its official launch yesterday. It may not be an exaggeration to say the collective’s success may determine whether P.J. Fleck wants to be the Golden Gophers football coach long-term.

Fleck has publicly acknowledged the importance of NIL for his program. If he sees a successful NIL in Minnesota it could be a game changer for Gophers football and other sports including men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball. Other major football programs are out in front of Minnesota with their collectives so the launch of Dinkytown Athletes, with co-founders Rob Gag and former U offensive lineman Derek Burns, is welcome news on campus including in Fleck’s office.

Per a news release yesterday,“Dinkytown Athletes (will) work with student-athletes at the U of M to connect them with the community, allowing them to earn compensation by using their name, image, and likeness. Fans, boosters, and local businesses can now directly support their favorite student-athletes through partnerships, fan-engagement events and exclusive content. Dinkytown Athlete’s mission is to build relationships with the community and further engage the passionate sports market in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, while creating opportunities for student athletes.”

Fleck, 41 and in his sixth season at Minnesota, acknowledged at his weekly news conference yesterday “how incredibly important” the new collective is to the U. As the only Power Five college sports program in the state, and with a vibrant business culture that includes a long list of Fortune 500 companies, NIL opportunities at Minnesota could translate into the Gophers consistently attracting high level athletes in the revenue sports of football and men’s basketball that support the Athletic Department.

Worth Noting

The Gophers are No. 21 in the AP college football poll but College Football News has Minnesota ranked No. 9 nationally. Only Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, Washington, Penn State and Clemson are ahead of Minnesota.

Here’s Sports Headliners’ Big Ten power rankings: Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Minnesota, Iowa, Maryland, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Rutgers, Indiana, Nebraska and Northwestern.

The 4-0 Gophers play 2-2 Purdue Saturday. Under sixth-year coach Jeff Brohm the Boilermakers have been inconsistent and lost two games they could just as easily won. Brohm is known for his offensive acumen, with Fleck describing his rival as among the best with X’s and O’s.

Putting life into the offense is wide receiver Charlie Jones who leads the Big Ten in receptions with 533 yards and seven touchdowns. Fleck said Jones might be the best in the conference going after contested balls, and as a punt returner never fair catches the ball. “He can play running back,” Fleck said about Jones’ athleticism.

Brohm made waves last spring, per Sports Illustrated, signaling his interest in coaching at Louisville. Speaking at a gathering in his hometown of Louisville, the former Cardinals quarterback reportedly was asked about turning down his alma mater in 2018. He said the timing wasn’t right (just into the Purdue job) but he expressed his love for the Louisville area, SI said. “So anything can happen in the future,” the magazine quoted Brohm as saying.

Fleck said Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan, chosen Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after completing 23 of 26 passes and throwing for three touchdowns against Michigan State, has a “mindset” that there is always a need to get better.

Morgan is 31-12 as Minnesota’s starting quarterback.

The Purdue game is a possible first of the season sellout at 50,805 seat Huntington Bank Stadium. Ticket prices begin at $65 with singles only available in some sections.

Belated happy 26^th birthday wishes to football analytics expert Daniel House, publisher of Gophers Guru.

Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen had his 50^th career touchdown reception last Sunday. He is only the fourth undrafted NFL player since 1967 to achieve that milestone (Antonio Gates, Rod Smith and Wes Welker).

Sunday’s Vikings-Saints game from London starts at 8:30 a.m. Minnesota time and can be viewed on NFL Network, NFL+ and KSTP Ch. 5.

The Timberwolves begin training camp today with the biggest question whether in a league where the trend is to smaller and mobile players they can win with 7-1, 256-pound Rudy Gobert and 7-foot, 250-pound Karl-Anthony Towns on the floor together. How well can the two bigs defend against such opposition?

The popular over-under for Timberwolves wins this season is 48.5. “I don’t think there is a ceiling for this team,” Gobert said yesterday.

New Wolves top executive Tim Connelly impresses with his authenticity. He is interested in developing relationships in the organization that are “organic,” not contrived.

The Twins might regroup next season but they will have to contend with a Guardians roster that made history in winning the AL Central. The Guardians are the first team ever to win a division or league title with at least 16 rookies making their debuts, per Mlb.com and the Elias Sports Bureau.

Startling numbers: the Twins’ Miguel Sano played in 20 games this season and hit .083.

Comments Welcome

Vikes Earn an “A” for Persistence Today

Posted on September 25, 2022September 25, 2022 by David Shama

Let’s get right to the grades after the Vikings’ last minute 28-24 win over the Lions today at US Bank Stadium.

The Vikings, now 2-1, trailed 24-14 going into the fourth quarter. In its previous games Minnesota hadn’t produced a touchdown in the second half. But when today’s game was over the Vikings had scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, including a 28-yard strike from quarterback Kirk Cousins to wide receiver K.J. Osborn in the last minute.

Minnesota had never led in the game until the Osborn touchdown with 25 seconds remaining. Give the Vikings an A team grade for persistence.

Lions’ coach Dan Campbell gets an F for late-game strategy. It was his fourth down decision to go for a failed field goal of 54 yards that allowed the Vikings, trailing 24-21, to start their winning TD drive from their own 44-yard line. A Detroit punt sending the Vikings back near their own goal would have been a savvy option and no-brainer for most coaches.

Cousins and his offensive line deserve B- grades. A popular target for not delivering in pressure situations, Cousins threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns today. The Lions were blitz crazy but his offensive line and own awareness helped him avoid interceptions and he was sacked just once.

Kevin O’Connell photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

The offense didn’t have much of a day for explosive plays but got two big ones at the end when Osborn preceded his winning reception with another 28-yarder. Running back Dalvin Cook had his best game of the season with 96 yards on 17 carries before apparently injuring his shoulder. Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell said on the KFAN Radio postgame show he didn’t think the injury was serious.

The Vikings’ defense stopped the now 1-2 Lions in the closing seconds, ending the game with a Josh Metellus interception of a Jared Goff pass. Hard to give that unit better than a below average grade for its work today, though. The Lions consistently opened running holes and Goff’s repetitive completions over the middle were an embarrassment. The Vikings didn’t come up with a single sack and Detroit’s time of possession was 34:04, while Minnesota’s was 25:56.

The last four games in the series between the two NFC North Division rivals have been decided by four points or less. When the Vikings and Lions play again, December 11 in Detroit, the days will be counting down to Christmas. The Vikings better plan on playing better because they can’t expect another “gift” from Campbell.

Worth Noting

It’s believed the University of St. Thomas will soon announce plans to build an on-campus hockey facility after considering other sites in St. Paul. To meet CCHA guidelines the facility will have to seat at least 3,000 fans.

The Gopher football team, dominant in a 34-7 win over Michigan State Saturday, has outscored opponents 183-24 in four games. Minnesota has punted three times all season.

Minnesota is No. 21 in the Associated Press top 25 poll out today. It’s the first time this season the Gophers have been in the AP top 25. Haven’t been ranked by the AP since 2020.

U marketers are promoting the first ever Stripe Out in Huntington Bank Stadium next Saturday for the Purdue game. Fans in various sections are asked to wear maroon or gold clothing.

Former Gophers head coach Jerry Kill earned his first win at New Mexico State last night with a 45-26 home victory over Hawaii.

Often injured Byron Buxton hasn’t played in a Twins game since August 22 and will finish the year appearing in 92 games. That ties the 92 games he played in 2016 for the second highest total of his eight-year career. In 2017 the Twins’ MVP played in 140 games.

The best hope the Twins may have in retaining Carlos Correa for next season is if he and representative Scott Boras decide the less crowded free agent market for shortstops a year from now is their best strategy for a mega contract deal.

Without splashy offseason moves, including possible retention of Correa, the Twins will find it difficult to retain and grow their disappointed fanbase.

It was 10 years ago this fall that St. Paul native Tim Tschida, now 62, retired from umpiring MLB games. The affable Tschida enjoys tending bar at Mancini’s Char House.

Long before home run king Aaron Judge and hockey immortal Wayne Gretzky wore No. 99, Minneapolis Lakers great George Mikan popularized the number. He was voted Mr. Basketball of the first half of the 20th century by Associated Press.

BTW, although way overdue, the Los Angeles Lakers will retire Mikan’s number in a home game October 30 against the Nuggets.

Oddsmakers have the Timberwolves, who have their first training camp practice Tuesday, finishing second in the Northwest Division behind the Nuggets.

Gophers basketball player Parker Fox has a podcast called “Double Down.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X25lkiCNXM

For the first time ever Minneapolis will host Big Ten Basketball Media Days. The event October 11 and 12 at Target Center will include coaches and players from all 28 men’s and women’s basketball programs. Minnesota coaches Ben Johnson and Lindsay Whalen will speak October 12.

Nolan Winter, the Lakeville North basketball recruit who has verbally committed to Wisconsin, will be a nice fit in the Badgers’ offense that features outside shooting by its bigs, but his decision to turn down the Gophers is painful for local fans who over the years have watched a “parade” of Minnesota preps travel to Madison.

Apple Valley’s Tre Jones, a reliable playmaker but able to make just 19.6 percent of his three-point attempts last season, could emerge in training camp as the starting point guard for the NBA Spurs. Jones, 22, is starting his third NBA season.

The USHL Fall Classic in suburban Pittsburgh this weekend is attracting about 300 scouts and college coaches including former Wild GM Chuck Fletcher now in the same role with the Flyers. All 16 USHL teams are playing their first games of the season.

Budding superstar Kirill Kaprizov, who probably would be targeted for military conscription if still in his native Russia, played with teammates and others in the Wild’s inaugural golf tournament last Monday at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo. The course opened in 2018 but is up for sale with a possible purchase price of $8 million, per a September 20 story from Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Bally Sports North will televise three Wild preseason games: October 2 and 6 against the Blackhawks, and October 8 with the Stars.

Oddsmakers have the Wild, who started preseason practices last Thursday, finishing second to the Avalanche in the Central Division.

Some Wild preseason practices at TRIA Rink are open to fans who must pre-register. http://www.wild.com/openpractices

St. Thomas football coach Glenn Caruso speaks to the CORES group November 10 at the Bloomington Event Center. Former North and Henry basketball coach Larry McKenzie will be the January 12 speaker. More information about CORES is available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

Comments Welcome