Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 9-1-23.
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Happy September - there are hockey games for the next 10 months.
Gopher FB Rallies Late to Shock Nebraska
A stunning final 2:32 lifted the Gophers to a 13-10 win over Nebraska in the season opener at TCF Bank Stadium last night. Dragan Kesich booted a 47-yard field goal as the Gophers scored 10 points in the final two minutes to hand the Cornhuskers a dramatic defeat.
It looked like the Gophers were toast, with a fourth-and-10 inside the Nebraska 20. Athan Kaliakmanis hit Daniel Jackson for one of the most acrobatic touchdowns you’ll ever see with 2:32 left.
As good as that catch is, you have to see it from the end zone angle.
When it appeared Nebraska was headed for a potential game-winning field goal, Tyler Nubin’s second interception of the game gave the Gophers the ball back at midfield.
The Gophers moved the ball quickly, but had to overcome a false start that included a 10-second runoff, leading to Kasich’s game-winner from the left hash.
Kaliakmanis showed signs of brilliance - his 44 passes were a month’s worth of throws for most Gopher teams of the P.J. Fleck era. He also showed signs of his youth, including a bad interception late in the third quarter with his team down four and deep in Nebraska territory. And if the Gophers’ running game this season is anything like it was last night, Kaliakmanis doesn’t stand much of a chance. He was further hampered by a half dozen drops by his receivers.
And while the defense was good for most of the night, it allowed a botched trick play touchdown, and once Nebraska got ahead, they could run the ball to their heart’s delight. The Cornhuskers ran over the Gophers for 166 yards.
It’s clear the Gophers will miss Mo Ibrahim, but everyone knew that. Sean Tyler led the Gophers with 10 carries and 31 yards, and despite being ahead for more than two quarters, Minnesota had to pass the ball more than it wanted. The Gophers ran two of every three plays last year. They passed nearly twice as many times as they ran the ball last night.
New first down rules hit college football this season. The clock no longer stops after a first down. The first quarter took less than 30 minutes. It’s clear the rules will shorten games, and also comebacks.
The Gophers host Eastern Michigan on Sept. 9.
Tens of Millions Cure Hockenson’s Ailments
I have no doubt some of T.J. Hockenson’s pre-season maladies were legit. But it sure seemed like he was waiting for a new contract before getting serious about putting his ear infection, et. all, behind him.
The Vikings have reportedly signed Hockenson to the most bountiful contract in the history of tight ends. He’ll make between $66 and $68.5 million the next four years, with $42.5 million guaranteed.
I’m not thrilled about how this played out, but I have also not been thrilled with tight end play of this team in the last five years, save for Hockenson last year.
Nine days till the season opener against Tampa Bay.
Guardians Take Two-of-Three from Twins, Plus Three from Waiver Wire
The Guardians took two-of-three from the Twins this week to stay alive in the Central, then took three players potentially from Minnesota to maybe stand more than a fighting chance.
Cleveland claimed three players on waivers from Anaheim - at least two and maybe three of which the Twins tried to claim (but they have a better record, so no dice), including former White Sock Lucas Giolito, and a pair of quality relievers.
Minnesota still holds a five-game lead, but that’s tenuous at best with three more games coming up soon, all at Cleveland. The Twins are in Texas for three this weekend; the Guardians host Tampa.
Loons Finally Win at Home
Emanuel Reynoso was questionable to play, but scored twice in the Loons’ 3-0 win over last-place Colorado at Allianz Field on Wednesday.
The Loons are a very…average…9-8-8 but that’s good for seventh right now in the West. They’re actually tied with San Jose, and the two teams meet Saturday in Northern California. Number 8 and 9 meet in a one-game playoff. Seven and up get an entire series. Nine games left for the Loons.
Lynx Host Dream with Playoffs Looming
Four games left for the Lynx, who hosts Atlanta tonight. The teams have identical 17-19 records, with Atlanta holding the sixth spot and Minnesota the seventh. That means they’re both just two games from missing the playoffs. Chicago’s the only one with a chance to catch either one. You want to stay out of seventh and eighth in order to avoid Vegas and New York in round one.
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