Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 11.3.25
Imagine having skin in the game in Game 6 or Game 7 of that World Series.
The Loons are at Seeattle tonight at 9:45 p.m. in Game 2. Minnesota has won each of its three first-round games over the last two seasons in penalties. Should the Sounders win, they’d force a Game 3 in Saint Paul on Saturday.
Niko Medved era officially opens tonight at The Barn when the Gophers men’s hoops team hosts Gardner-Webb. The Runnin’ Bulldogs were in my DII conference back in the day. The women begin the season hosting UND on Tuesday.
Vikings Shock Lions in McCarthy’s Return
J.J. McCarthy returned after missing more than a month due to injury and looked more seasoned than a QB playing this third career NFL game. McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for a big one too, leading Minnesota to a 27-24 upset at Detroit. The 4-4 Vikings host Baltimore on Sunday. The NFC North is the lone division without a team below the .500 mark.
Everyone had their doubts how htis would go after watching a 15-year veteran struggle behind an ailing offensive line. McCarthy was just fine, although it helped the Vikings established the running game (142 yards). Oft-injured Aaron Jones had a shoulder injury that could sideline him yet again. McCarthy’s two biggest plays were a nine-yard TD run late in the third to put his team up 27-17, and a key third down pass to Jalen Nailor to seal the game.
The Vikings sacked Jared Goff five times, and without a blocked field goal by Levi Drake Rodriguez, the game goes to overtime. Myles Price had a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown overturned by penalty.
Minnesota had lost its last five games at Ford Field and now trail the Lions by just a game. They’re 1.5 games back of Green Bay.
Wild Finally Win
The Wild got a much needed win, 5-2 over Vancouver on Saturday, snapping a five-game losing streak and winning for the first time on a six-game homestand that wraps up Tuesday against Nashville. It was Minnesota’s most complete game of the young season.
Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and two assists for the WIld, which got 26 saves from Filip Gustavsson.
Wolves Win for First Time Without ANT
Julius Randle continues to carry the majority of the workload without Anthony Edwards, but he had plenty of help in Saturday’s 122-105 win at Charlotte. Randle scored 20 points to lead six Wovles in double figures as the team won for the first time without their injured star. Minnesota is 3-3 on the season heading into tonight’s game at New Jersey on Peacock (don’t shoot the messenger).
Minnesota shot 54 percent from the field and terrorized every Hornet not named Miles Bridges.
Gopher Football Survives Michigan State
I saw the Gophers up 10-0 on BTN and thought they were en route to an easy win over Michigan State. Imagine my surprise on a busy Saturay when I switched over to see Michigan State up a touchdown with Minnesota scoring a tying touchdown as time was getting ready to expire.
The Gophers survived the Spartans 23-20 heading into their second bye week. They’re 6-0 at home, with only lowly Wisconsin left at Huntington Bank Stadium this season.
QB Drake Lindsey, who ran in the TD in the waning seconds to force overtime, also scored the winner in the extra session. Lindsey threw for 197 yards, too.
The Gophers won despite being outdistanced by more than 150 yards.
GWH Ends Wisconsin’s Perfect Season
Wisconsin’s women’s hockey team had allowed just six goals in its first 10 games. The Gophers lit them up in a 5-1 win on Friday in Madison, as the Badgers lost their first game of the season. No. 1 Wisconsin did get revenge on Saturday in a 7-2 win.
The Gophers just wrapped up a murderous stretch where they faced 10 straight ranked opponents (they went 8-2-0), including six straight against No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4. They sit third in the WCHA and get a well deserved bye this week.
On the men’s side, the Gophers were swept in Madison in what’s quickly becoming a forgettable season. Minnesota will for sure finally drop out of the top 20 this week. Notre Dame comes to Mariucci this weekend.
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