Tag Archives: football

US Bank Stadium

Minnesota State High School All Star Game

US Bank Stadium exterior

During my visit to Minnesota, I attended the State’s High School All Star Football game at the new US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

US Bank Stadium interior

My cousin’s daughter was cheering for one of the squads, which allowed us all a wonderful reason to check out the new stadium. I attended many games at Met Stadium and the Metrodome in my youth, but this was my first time at US Bank. The place is huge, absolutely huge. The Metrodome could easily fit inside of US Bank.

First impression: A well designed football stadium, with a truly unique (for now) roof. The clear roof panels make you feel as if you are sitting outside, and I love the large, clear doors at the end of the building. Even though it was a nice day, the large doors were not open. What a great place to watch the Vikings beat Green Bay.

ASG half time

North played South in the game. I was with a group of North supporters, and we were sitting in the middle of a group of Elk River fans. Elk River won the state title this year. As it turns out, historic ties won out, and I cheered for the South team.
North scored first on a 7 yard touchdown pass from QB Jaran Roste of Alexandria to WR Michael Wandmaker of Andover.
The defensive game continued until the fourth quarter when South finally struck back. RB Christopher Bain of Grand Meadow scored on a 1 yard run, and OL Eric Wilson of Benilde-St. Margaret’s, lined up as fullback and converted the two-point attempt.
South would go on to win 15-7.


It’s Axe Week

axe-paul-bunyan


It’s Pig Weekend in Minneapolis

Floyd of Rosedale

Minnesota host Iowa for Floyd of Rosedale


It’s game day

Chuck Foreman runs against the Packers

Minnesota v Green Bay – Episode 112


Nice win for the Bison!

NDSU defeats Iowa

The NDSU Bison defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 23-21 today in Iowa City. What a great game. Iowa was ranked #15. The win maintains the Bisons’ streak of victories over FBS teams. Since 2010, NDSU has beaten Iowa State, Kansas State, Colorado State, Minnesota and now Iowa. The Bison have won five consecutive FCS National Championships.


The Bank

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Outside TCF Bank Stadium
Walking up to TCF Bank Stadium

My Dad had season tickets to the Minnesota Vikings for years, starting in 1969 at the old Met Stadium in Bloomington. It had been years since I was at a Vikings game, and it was December 20, 1981 when I was last at an outdoor home game.

Four of us ventured out to TCF Bank Stadium, temporary home of the Vikings, for the last regular season home game Sunday night. Potentially, the last home game to be held outside for the foreseeable future.

Warm-ups at The Bank
Warm-ups at The Bank

I really enjoyed being at a Vikings game without a teflon roof over my head, in spite of it being 14 degrees at kickoff. Being on the campus of the University of Minnesota lent a more collegiate atmosphere to the event, and the Vikes made the most of it. The defense led the slaughter, as the Vikings beat the New York Giants 49-17, and it wasn’t that close.

Harrison Smith pick six vs NYG
Photo credit: : Adam Bettcher/Getty Images North America

Minnesota safety Harrison Smith had his 12th interception of his career and his forth pick six in the win. How is this guy not in the Pro Bowl?

Skol

 


“I see you 37”

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Congrats to Golden Gopher punter Peter Mortell, the self-proclaimed and ESPN backed, “Holder of The Year“.

Great job Pete.  Good luck in the draft; rumor has it Tennessee is looking to make a holder their #1 pick.


“Mutual of Orono Wild Kingdom”

Here is a 1998 promo from the University of Minnesota to add a little “wildlife” to the game between Minnesota and Michigan. My favorite part, is the little “squeak”, by the Wolverine.

Good luck to the Gophs and to recently promoted Coach Claeys.


A tough day for Minnesota football

<> at Michigan Stadium on October 1, 2011 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

<> at Michigan Stadium on October 1, 2011 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In what was no doubt the most raw, and the most difficult sports related press conference I have ever watched, Jerry Kill resigned as the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gopher football program. Coach Kill has battled epilepsy since 2005, and it was hoped that the seizures were under control, but they have returned this year. Following his doctor’s advice, Kill has retired from coaching, effective immediately.

“I don’t want to be a liability,” Kill said Wednesday. “I don’t want somebody to have to worry about if I’m going to drop on the field. I don’t want to coach from the press box. I want to coach the way I coached my whole life. I don’t have any more energy. None. I’ve left it all here in the great state of Minnesota. And I have no regrets.”

Kill has been a football coach for 32 years, with the last five at the University of Minnesota. When he arrived at Minnesota, Kill found a program mired in years of mediocrity, with the program’s best years decades in the past. In his short time at Minnesota, Kill returned the football program back to relevance, earning the B1G Coach of the Year Award in 2014.

Coach Kill will be deeply missed at the University, but I have no doubt he will be successful at whatever venture he turns to next.

Best of luck to you Coach.


Maroosh

A Flashback Friday Edition:

John Mariucci

With the college football season underway, and the hockey season a month off, here’s a photo of John Mariucci. Mariucci was an All-American and AAU National Champion on the ice in 1940, and he was also a National Champion on the gridiron in the same year for the Golden Gophers.

“Every day you’re playing worse than the day before, and today you’re playing like tomorrow.”
— John Mariuuci
from his coaching days…

Photo courtesy of Golden Gopher Football