Saturday’s 38-17 loss to the well-executing Wisconsin Badgers put a bit of a damper on the fabulous collegiate football season notched by the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers over the past three months.
The Gophers entered the highly-anticipated game with a 10-1 overall record and were 7-1 in the Big 10. The Badgers were 9-2 and 7-1 and ranked 13th in the latest Associated Press (AP) National Poll and 12th by the College Football Playoff Committee. Bouncing back after its solo loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes (23-19) with a convincing 38-22 win over Northwestern, the Maroon and Gold of Minnesota was ranked ninth by the AP and an impressive eighth by the CFP Committee.
After stopping the Badgers cold on their opening drive, the Gophers struck quickly with a 51-yard touchdown from Tanner Morgan to Rashod Bateman and fans at jam-packed TCF Bank Stadium had visions of a repeat performance like they witnessed three weeks earlier when the U scored early and often in its 31-26 victory over previously undefeated Penn State.
That win over the Nittany Lions certainly lifted the Gophers in the national rankings and caught the attention of many non-believers in Minnesota’s rise from mediocrity to a premier program.
As Saturday’s game progressed in the cold, wind, rain, sleet and snow, Wisconsin continued to execute — including several dazzling reverses — and continued to stretch its lead as the Gophers never scored another touchdown until they trailed by a huge 38-10 margin with just under six minutes remaining. In between those two Minnesota touchdowns, the Badgers scored five touchdowns, kicked five extra points and booted a 26-yard field goal, while all the Gophers mustered was a 38-yard field goal by Michael Lantz midway through the third quarter.
That dominating 38-3 run by the now 10th-ranked (last AP Poll) Badgers gave them the Big 10 West tiebreaker (beating the Gophers head-to-head) and sent them to Indianapolis for this weekend’s (7 p.m. on Saturday, December 7) Conference Championship Game. They get to play the top-ranked and undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0) who rolled rival Michigan 56-27 last Saturday and are favored to win and advance to the Final Four playoffs, while the Badgers — not the Gophers — are likely headed to Pasadena for the New Year’s Day Rose Bowl.
But, I wouldn’t count Wisconsin out. The Badgers were dang good in whipping the now 15th-ranked Gophers and this will be their sixth appearance in the Big 10 title clash, having won twice and lost three times. I will be rooting for Wisconsin!
Coyote boys will be
contenders
Firing in a dozen 3-pointers in a wildly exciting and fast-paced varsity boys basketball game at Wabasso last Friday afternoon (November 29), the Coyotes opened the high school season with a fine performance in their first-ever contest as a paired program, representing Heron Lake-Okabena and Fulda.
Down by 18 points (49-31) late in the first half to the sharp-shooting MACCRAY Wolverines, the Coyotes rallied — starting with three straight 3’s by junior Zach Thier — and continually sliced into the lead in an awesome 45-point second half. The Coyotes finally grabbed a 75-74 edge on a 3-pointer by junior playmaker Eli Fest, but MACCRAY scored the next five points and left the gym with an 81-79 victory. But HLOF displayed lots of depth and plenty of athleticism as they looked like a team to be reckoned with this winter.
With just three seniors on the 15-man varsity roster, the Coyotes could be one of the area’s better teams each of the next two seasons. Those three seniors — Brandon Hinkeldey, Ethan Koep and Tyler Madison — all started Friday and contributed big-time throughout the game. Madison scored 19 points and snagged 13 rebounds, while Hinkeldey rifled numerous terrific passes and finished the day with six assists.
Murray County Central was senior dominated last winter and was one of four top-notch squads in the Red Rock Conference. The Rebels finished 19-7 overall and claimed third place in the 11-team conference with an impressive 13-3 mark.
MCC lost it season-opener to a very good Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s squad last Friday, 71-45. The Rebels will play the Coyotes at Fulda next Tuesday, December 10 in what’s always been a great game between two long-time rivals. Remember when the “Old Goat” was at stake?
The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) website was not functional most of the day on Monday, so my brief preview about the upcoming boys basketball and wrestling seasons will wait until next week.
It will be interesting to see how well Adrian and Ellsworth blend together on the basketball court this winter. Many area coaches are expecting good things from the Dragon boys as both AHS and EHS return quality players from a year ago. The same is true for the girls — and I touched on that fact last week.
The Adrian / Ellsworth boys open at Adrian Saturday afternoon (varsity at 2:30) against Luverne. There will plenty of action in that game, that’s for sure!
Mountain Lake Area overcame an early 14-0 deficit and won the Nine-Man Football State Championship last Saturday morning with a 22-14 victory over Hancock, completing a perfect 14-0 season and improving to 26-1 over the past two years.
The Baltimore Ravens edged the San Francisco 49ers (20-17) in the rain at Baltimore Sunday in what may have been a preview of February’s Super Bowl? If that happens, remember you read about here — in Bleacher Views — two months before the big event.
I am finishing this up by mid-afternoon on Monday — several hours before the Vikings and Seahawks kick things off in Seattle for Monday Night Football. I am predicting a Seattle victory, as I believe that Russell Wilson will outplay Kirk Cousins. I heard that Adam Thielen’s pulled hamstring is still not ready and he will not play. That’s too bad. After such a great season in 2018, Thielen has been hampered by injury this year and has missed many games.
Enjoy December and everything that comes with it. The Gophers will likely play in a big-time bowl game on January 1?
