I was reading on Gopher Football Tickets .com that Gopher tight end Matt Spaeth was selected in the NFL draft by the Pittsburg Steelers - Way to go Matt! I knew he was a definite possibility; after all, he was named the 2006 Bronko Nagurksi Award winner as the Gophers’ Most Valuable Player! He was also selected as one of the honorees for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award and in 2006 Matt Spaeth was second on the team in receptions and receiving yards, catching 47 passes for 564 yards with four touchdowns.
I saw Matt on a local news station interview and he just seems so mellow and down to earth. He kept saying how playing football on Friday nights in Minnesota as a high school player you dream of playing at the University and then at the University you dream of playing in the NFL and how cool it is to see your dreams come to life. He said in an interview after he was selected, “I am so excited to be part of a great football tradition like the Pittsburgh Steelers,” said Spaeth. “I don’t think it has completely hit me yet, but I am looking forward to contributing to their new regime and helping the Steelers to future success.” I will definitely follow Matt Spaeth. Gopher Girl liked the Steelers before anyway and now I just have another reason to cheer them on. Congrats Matt!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Gopher Football
I was reading over on GopherFootballTickets.com that Gopher Football Coach Tim Brewster was recently highlighted in The Sporting News Magazine. The magazine covers all sports and I think it’s awesome that they took the time out to notice the once forgettable University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Football team. Brewster gave the magazine some solid quotes that are typical Brewster style. Tom Dienhart got Brewster to go on record stating, "We will win the Big Ten…I want my team and the fans to be dreamers so we can do big things in the great state of Minnesota." Let’s do it Brewster, Let’s win the Big Ten! Gopher Girl just hopes Brewsters promises aren’t empty and that he really does lead the University to the title it so rightly deserves! Go Gophers!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Gopher Football Spring Game Success
Behind their new head football coach, Tim Brewster, the Minnesota Golden Gopher football team entered the field at the Metrodome in Minneapolis last Saturday to show a crowd of 15,000 fans where a new coaching staff and hard work at spring practice has gotten them so far.
The Gophers had a total of 5 touchdowns and averaged a 5.4 yard gain on every carry, giving the Minnesota offense a total of 391 yards for the day. Quarterbacks Tony Mortensen and Adam Weber completed 17 of 28 passes for a total of 178 combined yards. The Gopher defense, however, wouldn’t go down without a fight. Early in the second quarter Lee Campbell blocked Blake Haudan’s punt, which was quickly recovered by Haudan for no gain. The Gopher defense ended the game with sophomore T.J. Wentzel intercepting senior quarterback Mike Frankberg’s pass and returning it ten yards.
“It was outstanding.” Minnesota head football coach Tim Brewster said, “We had a celebration today in the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Golden Gophers shared our football team with the state of Minnesota and it was awesome.”
As for what is next? “The next step for these guys is to get in the weight room, get bigger, stronger, faster and nastier,” said Brewster who is excited to get out and recruit, “We are going to get all over the state of Minnesota. We are going to get into every high school in the state.”
The Golden Gophers will kick off the regular football season in September when they host Bowling Green at the Metrodome – I can’t wait!
The Gophers had a total of 5 touchdowns and averaged a 5.4 yard gain on every carry, giving the Minnesota offense a total of 391 yards for the day. Quarterbacks Tony Mortensen and Adam Weber completed 17 of 28 passes for a total of 178 combined yards. The Gopher defense, however, wouldn’t go down without a fight. Early in the second quarter Lee Campbell blocked Blake Haudan’s punt, which was quickly recovered by Haudan for no gain. The Gopher defense ended the game with sophomore T.J. Wentzel intercepting senior quarterback Mike Frankberg’s pass and returning it ten yards.
“It was outstanding.” Minnesota head football coach Tim Brewster said, “We had a celebration today in the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Golden Gophers shared our football team with the state of Minnesota and it was awesome.”
As for what is next? “The next step for these guys is to get in the weight room, get bigger, stronger, faster and nastier,” said Brewster who is excited to get out and recruit, “We are going to get all over the state of Minnesota. We are going to get into every high school in the state.”
The Golden Gophers will kick off the regular football season in September when they host Bowling Green at the Metrodome – I can’t wait!
Monday, April 9, 2007
Gophers Football Players Released
University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Football Players were under a bit of a cloud on Friday night. The Gopher players should have been flying high with a big Gopher Nation scrimmage coming up on Saturday, but the team was feeling down after 3 of their own were accused of sexual misconduct.
Alex Daniels, 20, Keith Massey, 20, and E.J. Jones, 19, were arrested Friday after University police said an 18-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted at the University Village apartment complex where two of the players live. The University Police received the complaint Friday morning and began “an aggressive investigation.” Head Football Coach Tim Brewster was informed late Friday afternoon and immediately suspended the three players until the investigation is complete.
The players were held over the weekend at the Hennepin County jail. Authorities had until noon today to either charge the players, seek an extension to hold them without charges or release them. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced today that the three University of Minnesota football players are being released as authorities continue to investigate the matter.
Freeman said his office had "insufficient evidence" to charge the players. "We have concluded that additional investigation is necessary to determine whether charges should be sought," Freeman said. There has been no talk as to if or when the three will be reinstated with the Gopher Football squad.
Gopher Girl hopes this issue will be taken care of quickly and fairly. If the men assaulted the girl, I hope their punishment is swift and harsh, but if they didn’t, I hope Tim Brewster and Gopher fans are reasonable and supportive. Gopher Girl just has to worry about the timing of the charges. If the assault happened last week, then why did the victim wait until the day before the big game to come forward? Gopher Girl also hopes the events surrounding these three players will send a strong message to the other Gopher Athletes to watch who you hang out with and what you do – don’t mess around. Come on Gopher players, it’s time to walk the line!!!!!
Alex Daniels, 20, Keith Massey, 20, and E.J. Jones, 19, were arrested Friday after University police said an 18-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted at the University Village apartment complex where two of the players live. The University Police received the complaint Friday morning and began “an aggressive investigation.” Head Football Coach Tim Brewster was informed late Friday afternoon and immediately suspended the three players until the investigation is complete.
The players were held over the weekend at the Hennepin County jail. Authorities had until noon today to either charge the players, seek an extension to hold them without charges or release them. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced today that the three University of Minnesota football players are being released as authorities continue to investigate the matter.
Freeman said his office had "insufficient evidence" to charge the players. "We have concluded that additional investigation is necessary to determine whether charges should be sought," Freeman said. There has been no talk as to if or when the three will be reinstated with the Gopher Football squad.
Gopher Girl hopes this issue will be taken care of quickly and fairly. If the men assaulted the girl, I hope their punishment is swift and harsh, but if they didn’t, I hope Tim Brewster and Gopher fans are reasonable and supportive. Gopher Girl just has to worry about the timing of the charges. If the assault happened last week, then why did the victim wait until the day before the big game to come forward? Gopher Girl also hopes the events surrounding these three players will send a strong message to the other Gopher Athletes to watch who you hang out with and what you do – don’t mess around. Come on Gopher players, it’s time to walk the line!!!!!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Gopher Football Spring Game
I was reading on GopherFootballTickets.com that the Gophers are having their big Spring Fling Gopher Football Game this Saturday, April 7th. The game will be broadcast live on FSN North, but Coach Brewster and the University football players are hoping for a good show of fan support at the Metrodome. Gopher Gal agrees, we need to show support for our University of Minnesota Football team. So bundle up the family in maroon and gold and head out to the dome this Saturday. Listen to the college rouser, win some prizes, eat a hot dog or two and cheer on your Minnesota football team. Let’s go Gophers! Let’s go! I look forward to spelling M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A a few times this Saturday!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Gopher Hockey Season Over
As a dedicated Minnesota Gopher Hockey fan, I have been licking my wounds the last few days. The second-ranked University of Minnesota men's hockey team saw its season come to an end last weekend as sixth-ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux edged the Gophers 3-2 in an overtime blitz in the 2007 NCAA West Regional Championship Game at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Minnesota tied the game at 2-2 with seven minutes to go in the third period to push the game to overtime where Chris Porter scored on a wraparound to give the Fighting Sioux a berth in the 2007 NCAA Frozen Four.
Minnesota finished its season as the 2006-07 WCHA Regular Season and Playoff Champions and recorded the most wins in a season since the 2001-02 national champion squad went 32-8-4. The game marked the final contest for Minnesota's two seniors - defenseman Mike Vannelli and goaltender Kellen Briggs – both players will be deeply missed next year.
The Fighting Sioux have definitely been worthy opponents this year after they swept the Gophers at home a few weeks back, but the Gophs responded with a victory over them in the WCHA playoffs and I was expecting a hard fought game in the regionals for sure. I have to admit I was shocked the Gophers ended the season outside of the Frozen Four, but I wish the University of North Dakota much luck this weekend in St Louis – if it can’t be the Gophers, then let it be the Sioux!
Minnesota finished its season as the 2006-07 WCHA Regular Season and Playoff Champions and recorded the most wins in a season since the 2001-02 national champion squad went 32-8-4. The game marked the final contest for Minnesota's two seniors - defenseman Mike Vannelli and goaltender Kellen Briggs – both players will be deeply missed next year.
The Fighting Sioux have definitely been worthy opponents this year after they swept the Gophers at home a few weeks back, but the Gophs responded with a victory over them in the WCHA playoffs and I was expecting a hard fought game in the regionals for sure. I have to admit I was shocked the Gophers ended the season outside of the Frozen Four, but I wish the University of North Dakota much luck this weekend in St Louis – if it can’t be the Gophers, then let it be the Sioux!
Friday, March 23, 2007
Gophers Basketball Team has a New Head Coach
The Minnesota Golden Gophers Mens Basketball team has a new head coach, Tubby Smith. Tubby has an impressive winning record as a head basketball coach and I am excited to see what he can bring to the Gophers. Tubby comes to Minnesota from the University of Kentucky Wildcats where he has won an NCAA championship. Unlike some of our past coaches, Tubby know what it feels like to win and it feels good. I am certain that Tubby will not come into a losing situation and I am looking forward to his fast results on the court at Williams Arena. Gopher Basketball Tickets just became a hot Minnesota commodity.
Monday, March 19, 2007
GAME WINNING GOAL ROCKS
Gopher Hockey fans everywhere can't stop talking about Blake Wheeler's game winning goal Saturday night vs. University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. It was definitely one of the best goals of the season. In fact, it's extremely rare that college hockey is featured on ESPN's Sportcenter, but Blake Wheeler's overtime goal against North Dakota did just that. Wheeler's diving game winner was featured as one of the top 10 plays on Saturday. The goal was reminiscent of Neal Broten's game-winning goal in the 1979 NCAA Championship, which ironically, also came against UND.
Let’s go Gophers!!!
Up next: NCAA Regionals! The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team was named a Number 1 seed (6th consecutive year) for the 2007 NCAA Tournament and will head to the West Regional at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Golden Gophers (30-9-3) will face Number 4 seed Air Force (19-15-5) in the first round of the national tournament on Saturday, March 24 at 2:30 p.m. The Gophers have never face the Air Force team before so it should be an interesting match-up.
Let’s go Gophers!!!
Up next: NCAA Regionals! The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team was named a Number 1 seed (6th consecutive year) for the 2007 NCAA Tournament and will head to the West Regional at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Golden Gophers (30-9-3) will face Number 4 seed Air Force (19-15-5) in the first round of the national tournament on Saturday, March 24 at 2:30 p.m. The Gophers have never face the Air Force team before so it should be an interesting match-up.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Gopher Hockey advances to WCHA Final Five
The Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey team opened the postseason with a 6-2 win over the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on Friday, March 9th. The maroon and gold never trailed during the Friday night game, taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission and a 4-2 lead into the second. The Gophers padded its lead in the third period with two more goals to cruise to the 6-2 victory.
The Gophers looked like they were on top of the world Friday, but it came crashing down when Alaska Anchorage shocked Minnesota 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night to force a decisive game three. It was the first ever WCHA Playoff first-round loss for the University of Minnesota men's hockey team at Mariucci Arena. Leading 1-0 in the third period, the Golden Gophers allowed the Seawolves to tie the game at 16:25, setting the stage for Luke Beaverson's game-winning goal at 5:45 of the extra session. Minnesota out-shot UAA 22-14 through two periods, but Alaska Anchorage turned the tables in the last two stanzas, owning a 14-4 advantage on the shot board in the third period and overtime. It was pathetic! The puck was in the Gophers end the entire third period and overtime. Even the start of the game looked sloppy with both teams spending a lot of time in the penalty box. It was a disturbing loss.
On Sunday, the Gophers used a gritty defensive effort to upend Alaska Anchorage 3-1 and claim the best-of-three WCHA Playoff series 2-1 at Mariucci Arena. The Golden Gophers trailed 1-0 after the first period, but rallied with three unanswered goals in the second and third periods. With the win, the Golden Gophers head to the 2007 WCHA Final Five as the tournament's top seed. Minnesota will take on the winner of Thursday's play-in game between Wisconsin and Michigan Tech on Friday, March 16 at 7:07 p.m., at the Xcel Energy Center. There are still Gopher Hockey tickets available so don’t miss this hot, hot playoff series at the “X.”
The Gophers looked like they were on top of the world Friday, but it came crashing down when Alaska Anchorage shocked Minnesota 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night to force a decisive game three. It was the first ever WCHA Playoff first-round loss for the University of Minnesota men's hockey team at Mariucci Arena. Leading 1-0 in the third period, the Golden Gophers allowed the Seawolves to tie the game at 16:25, setting the stage for Luke Beaverson's game-winning goal at 5:45 of the extra session. Minnesota out-shot UAA 22-14 through two periods, but Alaska Anchorage turned the tables in the last two stanzas, owning a 14-4 advantage on the shot board in the third period and overtime. It was pathetic! The puck was in the Gophers end the entire third period and overtime. Even the start of the game looked sloppy with both teams spending a lot of time in the penalty box. It was a disturbing loss.
On Sunday, the Gophers used a gritty defensive effort to upend Alaska Anchorage 3-1 and claim the best-of-three WCHA Playoff series 2-1 at Mariucci Arena. The Golden Gophers trailed 1-0 after the first period, but rallied with three unanswered goals in the second and third periods. With the win, the Golden Gophers head to the 2007 WCHA Final Five as the tournament's top seed. Minnesota will take on the winner of Thursday's play-in game between Wisconsin and Michigan Tech on Friday, March 16 at 7:07 p.m., at the Xcel Energy Center. There are still Gopher Hockey tickets available so don’t miss this hot, hot playoff series at the “X.”
Monday, March 5, 2007
Gophers hockey looked lazy
The University of Minnesota men's hockey team wrapped up the regular season Saturday night with a lackluster effort, to say the least, losing 5-4 to Michigan Tech in front of 9,998 fans at Mariucci Arena. The 2006-07 WCHA Champions were not playing like champions and Coach Lucia demanded that the Gophers wake-up early for a Sunday morning practice (because that is what champions do.) I commend Lucia for trying to rope the boys in, come on Gophers don’t get lazy on us!
After a stellar game Friday night to win the coveted MacNaughton Cup, Saturday night’s period one and two looked pathetic. The goal tending was lethargic especially when Gopher goaltender Jeff Frazee surrendered four goals on 15 shots. I expect more out of Frazee, he needs to get his head in the game!
The Gophers head into the round one WCHA playoffs at Mariucci Arena as the No. 1 seed. The Gophers play 10th-seeded Alaska Anchorage in game one on Friday March 9th, game two Saturday March 10th and, if needed, game three on Sunday March 11th. Now, Gopher Gal loves her Gophers, but I hate that the games coincide with the Minnesota State High School hockey games and the Xcel Energy Center. It’s almost hockey overload for me!
After a stellar game Friday night to win the coveted MacNaughton Cup, Saturday night’s period one and two looked pathetic. The goal tending was lethargic especially when Gopher goaltender Jeff Frazee surrendered four goals on 15 shots. I expect more out of Frazee, he needs to get his head in the game!
The Gophers head into the round one WCHA playoffs at Mariucci Arena as the No. 1 seed. The Gophers play 10th-seeded Alaska Anchorage in game one on Friday March 9th, game two Saturday March 10th and, if needed, game three on Sunday March 11th. Now, Gopher Gal loves her Gophers, but I hate that the games coincide with the Minnesota State High School hockey games and the Xcel Energy Center. It’s almost hockey overload for me!
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