THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS TO HOLD KICKER TRYOUTS

The Minnesota Vikings are holding tryouts on Tuesday November 8, 2016 for a kicker. Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh has struggled the first eight games of the year.

Through the first eight games of the year Walsh is 12 of 16 on field-goal attempts and 13 of 16 on extra point attempts.

After the bye week in week 6 the Vikings have lost 3 straight games.

As of November 7, 2016, the Vikings are 5-3. They started out the year 5-0.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GETS TWO PLAYERS TO COMMIT

The University of Minnesota have gotten verbal comments from two players. Four-star point guard Isaiah Washington and three-star shooting guard Jamir Harris are expected to sign letters of intent to play for the Gophers next season.

Washington is a 6-foot point guard. He is a senior at Bronx’s St. Raymond’s High School.

Harris is a 6’2 guard. He attends The Patrick School (NJ).

The early men’s basketball signing dates are for the early period are November 9, 2016 November 16, 2016.

The regular men’s basketball signing dates are, April 12, 2017 through May 17, 2017 for Division 1.

The regular men’s basketball signing dates for Division 2 are April 12, 2017 through August 1, 2017.

TO TWEET OR NOT TO TWEET

The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team has been told to stay off Twitter throughout the 2016-2017 season. University of Minnesota men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino has shut down his Twitter account. 

Twitter is the popular social media network that users can post what is going on in their lives. 

Pitino said that Twitter can be a distraction and that is why he is banning the use of Twitter throughout the season. 

In past seasons players, could use the social media network. Players will still be able to use Facebook and Instagram as well as other social media outlets. 

There also have been issues of players posting inappropriate things on Twitter.

SMB TOOK ON MATHOMEDI IN THE SECTION 4 CLASS 5A SECTION FINAL GAME

On November 4, SMB went up against Mahtomedi in the Section 4 Class 5A Section Final Game. 

SMB kicked off to start the game. Mahtomedi started on their own their 35-yard line. Mahtomedi quarterback Anthony Praml could get his offensive players involved in the offense. Mahtomedi fumbled the ball and SMB came up with it. 

SMB got the ball on their own 6-yard line. SMB quarterback Jalen Suggs could get his offensive players involved in the offense. 

Mahtomedi got a safety with 8:30 left in the first quarter. 

Mahtomedi got the ball back on the 40-yard yard line Mahtomedi came up with a 19-yard touchdown reception by Andy Voyen. The extra point attempt was good. 

With 6:02 left in the first quarter the score was Mahtomedi 9, SMB 0.

SMB got the ball on their own 20-yard line. SMB couldn’t move the ball and they punted the ball on 4th-and-8. 

Mahtomedi got the ball into the hands of Jalen Frey. Voyen came up with a 10-yard touchdown reception. The extra point attempt was good. 

With 2:25 left in the first quarter the score was Mahtomedi 16, SMB 0.

SMB was picked off and Mahtomedi recovered the ball. Jalen Frye came up with a 19-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

With 6 seconds left in the first quarter the score was Mahtomedi 23, SMB 0.

As the second quarter got underway SMB continued to move the ball down the field. SMB continued to look to push the ball down the field. Suggs could get away from the defenders. SMB looked to get into the end zone. 

Mahtomedi called a timeout with 8:41 left in the second quarter, the score was Mahtomedi 23, SMB 0.

SMB looked to get the ball in the air as they looked to get all the receivers involved in the offense. SMB went for it on 4th-and-long but turned it over on downs.

Mahtomedi got the ball on their own 33-yard line. Mahtomedi’s Voyen came up with a huge first down reception. That put the ball on the 16-yard line. Frye came up with a 16-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

With 6:59 left in the second quarter the score was Mahtomedi 30, SMB 0.

SMB got the ball back on their own 20-yard line. SMB looked to get the ball into the hands of Siegel Howard. SMB had a difficult time moving the ball down the field. Mahtomedi’s Spencer Scott came up with an interception. He brought the ball down to the SMB’s 23-yard line. Frye came up with a 23-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was not good. 

With 3:59 left in the second quarter the score was Mahtomedi 36, SMB 0.

SMB got the ball on their own 31-yard line. SMB was intercepted again by Evan Reyes picked off the ball on the Mahtomedi 18-yard line. 

Mahtomedi got the ball into the hands of Frey again. Brandon Anderson came up with a Mahtomedi first down. Voen came up with a huge catch that put the ball on the 4-yard line. T.J. Tumbleson came up with a 4-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt good. 

With 27.8 left in the second quarter the score was Mahtomedi 43, SMB 0. That was the score at halftime. 

Mahtomedi kicked off to start the third quarter. SMB got the ball on their own 24-yard line. SMB punted the ball on 4th-and-7. 

Mahtomedi took over on their own 47-yard line. Mahtomedi fumbled the ball and SMB got the ball back. 

SMB took over on their own 25-yard line. SMB mixed up the passing and running game early. SMB came up with a touchdown on a 7-yard touchdown run by Siegel Howard. The extra point attempt was good. With 5:47 left in the third quarter the score was Mahtomedi 43, SMB 7. 

Mahtomedi kept on looking to get the ball down the field. On 4th-and-5 they punted the ball. 

SMB’s Johnny Erickson came up with a 71-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

With 3:27 left in the third quarter the score was Mahtomedi 43, SMB 14. 

Mahtomedi got the ball back again and looked to get ball into Frye’s hands. 

After three quarters of play the score was Mahtomedi 43, SMB 14.

Mahtomedi’s Anthony Praml came up with a 2-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good. 

With 11:04 left in the fourth quarter the score was Mahtomedi 50, SMB 14. 

SMB looked to move the ball down the field again as they looked to get into the end zone again. Johnny Erickson came up with a 4-yard touchdown reception by Jalen Suggs. The extra point attempt was not good. 

With 4:28 left in the fourth quarter the score was Mahtomedi 50, SMB 20. 

 Mahtomedi turned the ball over on their own 20-yard line. Erickson came up with a huge reception.

Howard came up with an 8-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good. 

With 3:45 left in the fourth quarter the score was Mahtomedi 50, SMB 27. 

Mahtomedi couldn’t move the ball down the field and they punted on 4th-and-7. 

Mahtomedi came up with the 50-27 victory over SMB. With that win Mahtomedi advances to the Minnesota State High School State Football Tournament.

BEMIDJI STATE WENT UP AGAINST MINNESOTA IN A MEN’S BASKETBALL EXHIBITION GAME

On Nov. 3, Bemidji State and Minnesota squared off in a men’s basketball exhibition game at Williams Arena.

 

Minnesota looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. Minnesota started the game in a zone defense.

 

Bemidji State looked to get the ball into the hands of William Harvey. Harvey could make mid-range jump shots and layups.

 

There were multiple ties and lead changes early. Neither team went on a huge run.

 

There was a media timeout with 15:44 left in the first half. The score was Bemidji State 9, Minnesota 7.

 

Minnesota got the ball into the hands of Reggie Lynch. Lynch could make layups around the low post. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

 

Bemidji State did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense.

 

There was a media timeout with 11:11 left in the first half. The score was Bemidji State 15, Minnesota 11.

 

Minnesota struggled to shoot the ball midway through first half. They kept on shooting the ball however.

 

Bemidji State kept on getting everyone involved in the offense.

 

There was a media timeout with 6:13 left in the first half. The score was Bemidji State 21, Minnesota 20.

 

Bemidji State continued to push the ball down the floor and come up with shots.

 

Minnesota came up with some big shots late in the first half.

 

At halftime, the score was Minnesota 38, Bemidji State 29.

 

As the second half got underway both teams continued to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.

 

There was a media timeout with 15:55 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 44, Bemidji State 38.

 

Minnesota looked to trap the ball and turn Bemidji State over off the traps. Minnesota was also able to make their layups in transition.

 

Minnesota’s Eric Curry came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

 

There was a media timeout with 10:51 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 59, Bemidji State 46.

 

Minnesota was to keep coming up with baskets on the offensive end. On the defensive end, they could slow down the Bemidji State offense.

 

There was a timeout with 7:56 left in the second half. The score was Minnesota 62, Bemidji State 48.

 

Minnesota continued to push the ball down the floor and come up with shots.

 

There was a media timeout with 3:41 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota 73, Bemidji State 57.

 

As the game wound, down both teams continued to go hard after loose balls and rebounds.

 

It was an exhibition game but in the end Minnesota came away with the 83-59 victory over Bemidji State.

 

The leading scorer for Bemidji State was Jai’Vionne Green with 18 points.

 

The leading scorers for Minnesota were Murphy with 22 points, McBrayer with 18 points and Curry with 17 points.

 

After the game Minnesota’s Murphy, and McBrayer talked about the game. Also Minnesota Head Coach Richard Pitino talked about the game. 

 

IRONDALE WENT UP AGAINST ROBBINSDALE COOPER IN A FOOTBALL GAME

On Oct. 29, Irondale and Robbinsdale Cooper squared off in a Section 5 Class 5A football game.

Irondale kicked off to Cooper to start the game. Cooper took over on their own 35-yard line. Cooper kept the ball on the ground on their first drive. Cooper’s Pedro Amoussou-Kpakpa came up with a 52-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was not good.

With 10:08 left in the first quarter the score was Cooper 6, Irondale 0.

Irondale took over on their own 20-yard line. Irondale couldn’t get their offense going on 4th-and-4 they elected to punt the ball.

Cooper’s Phoenix Sproles came up with a huge run that gave Cooper a first down. Cooper’s Clad Adams came up with a 3-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

With 7:48 left in the first quarter the score was Cooper 13, Irondale 0.

Irondale took over on their own 20-yard line. Irondale looked to keep the ball on the ground on their drive. The Cooper defense could slow down the Irondale offense. Irondale was intercepted by Onte Burns but there was a penalty on the play. Irondale was got the ball back.

Irondale turned the ball over on downs.

Cooper’s Adams came up with huge runs that could turn them into first downs. Cooper called a timeout with 14.5 seconds left in the first quarter. Cooper attempted a 12-yard field goal as time ran out. The field goal attempt was not good.

There was a foul on Irondale. That resulted in a first down. Adams came up with a 3-yard touchdown.

The two-point conversion was good. With 11:55 left in the second quarter the score was Cooper 21, Irondale 0.

Irondale took over on their own 24-yard line. Irondale looked to keep the ball on the ground. The Cooper defense stepped up and could slow down the offense.

Coper got the ball back and they could move the ball down the field.

Cooper’s Adams came up with a 3-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

With 5:48 left in the second quarter the score was Cooper 28, Irondale 0.

Irondale looked to get into the end zone. They were not able to move the ball down the field and Cooper took over on downs.

Cooper got the ball into the hands of Adams. Adams continued to find holes in the Irondale defense. The Cooper offense didn’t waste any time getting the ball down the field.

At halftime, the score was Cooper 28, Irondale 0.

Irondale kicked off to start the third quarter. Cooper got the ball on their own 41-yard line. Cooper moved the ball down the field with ease on their first drive. Adams came up with a 2-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

With 10:11 left in the third quarter the score was Cooper 35, Irondale 0.

Irondale took over near midfield. Irondale moved the ball down the field as Parker Freiberg came up with a 5-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was not good.

With 7:11 left in the third quarter the score was Cooper 35, Irondale 6.

Cooper moved the ball down the field after the touchdown. Cooper could get into the red zone. Cooper’s Amoussou-Kpakpa came up with another huge reception that set up a 2-yard touchdown reception by Phoenix Sproles. The extra point attempt was good.

With 4:36 left in the third quarter the score was Cooper 42, Irondale 6.

Irondale got the ball back near midfield. Irondale used both the passing and running attack late in the third quarter. Cooper took over on downs.

After three quarters of play the score was Cooper 42, Irondale 6.

Cooper got the ball on the 32-yard as they looked to get into the end zone again. Cooper punted on fourth down.  

Irondale’s Sean Sutherlin came up with a 24-yard touchdown reception with 10:16 left in the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion was not good.

With 10:04 left in the fourth quarter the score was Cooper 42, Irondale 12.

Cooper looked to keep the ball moving down the field late in the fourth quarter. Cooper’s Terrance Nicholson came up with a huge interception to end the game.

Irondale couldn’t get their offense going throughout the game. Cooper came up with big plays throughout the game.

Cooper came away with the 42-12 victory over Irondale.

MINNESOTA GOPHERS MEN’S BASKETBALL READY FOR THE 2016-2017 SEASON

The Minnesota Gopher Men’s basketball season is underway. The Gophers who were 8-23 and 2-16 in the Big Ten Conference last season are ready to turn the page.

The Gophers have had a productive off season. One of the top recruits out of Minnesota Amir Coffey and Reggie Lynch are focused on this season as well as the rest of the team.

The Gophers open the exhibition portion of the season on Thursday Nov. 3, 2016 against Bemidji State at home.