Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 9.22.25
Gophers are back this Saturday when they host Rutgers and former Gophers QB Athan Kaliakmanis
Vikings Pound Bengals as Isaiah Rodgers Makes NFL History
It should have been no surprise that soon after Jim Marshall’s granddaughter blew the Gjallarhorn at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings unleashed the Purple People Eaters.
Isaiah Rodgers became the first player in NFL history to return an interception for a touchdown, return a fumble for a touchdown, and force two fumbles, as the Vikings punished Cincinnati 48-10 yesterday. Rodgers, only a part-time player last year in Philadelphia after missing most of 2023 due to a gambling violation, created three of the Bengals’ five turnovers. Rodgers’ TD daily double and two forced fumbles happened before halftime. The Vikings earned their biggest win in point differential since 1998.
It also doesn’t hurt when your quarterback doesn’t turn the ball over. Although in fairness to J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz had the benefit of having Christian Darrisaw back on the offensive line. But Wentz was a master in quick throws over the middle, a staple of the Kevin O’Connell offense especially with the likes of Justin Jefferson (and next week, Jordan Addison) in the fold.
Wentz threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns before giving way to former Gopher Max Brosmer in the rout. Jordan Mason, getting the majority of the workload with Aaron Jones out until at least after the bye week, was spectacular, going for 116 yards on 16 carries.
Two members of the Vikings defense came back as well to make an impact. Harrison Smith deflected the pass that wound up immediately in Rodgers’ hands en route to Rodgers’ 87-yard interception return. Andrew Van Ginkel had two sacks. Bengals QB Jake Browning, starting in place of the injured Joe Burrow, didn’t have a chance.
The Vikings now become the first team in league history to play two straight games in Europe, starting this Sunday against Pittsburgh and Aaron Rodgers in Dublin. It’s an 8:30 a.m. central start time.
It’ll be interesting with Addison returning, what the Vikings do with Adam Thielen. He took a paycut to come home, but has just two catches and six targets in three games.
Williams Key for Lynx in Game 1 Win
Give credit where credit is due. You know I’m not the biggest Courtney Williams fan, but the Lynx guard had a historic performance in an 82-69 win over Phoenix in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Tuesday at Target Center.
Williams has 23 points - six in a 12-0 Lynx run in the fourth quarter - eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals. She’s just the fifth player in WNBA playoff history to have 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals in a single game.
None of that could have happened if Minnesota’s defense didn’t clamp down. In the first half, the Mercury scored 42 of their 45 points in the paint. Phoenix had just 12 points in the paint in the second half.
Kayla McBride added 21 points including four 3-pointers, and Napheesa Collier added 18 pioints and nine rebounds on the day she was jobbed out of the WNBA MVP award.
Loons Listless against Chicago as Supporter Shield Hopes Slip Away
That last second loss in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Austin last Wednesday - a game which doesn’t count in MLS play - will have long-reaching impacts for the Loons, maybe even beyond this season.
With just 72 hours to respond, Minnesota was blanked 3-0 in a game that mattered the world, against Chicago at Allianz Field on Saturday. With FC San Diego losing earlier in the day, a Loons win would have had them tied for first in the West with two games to play, with a chance of first overall.
Instead, the Loons fell to third in the West, as Vancouver jumped ahead of them.
Minnesota visits Colorado this Saturday - the first of three final regular season games remaining. The Rapids are squarely in the pressure cooker at the bottom of the Western Conference playoff standings.
Midfielder Nico Romero will miss the Colorado game after a late and unnecessary yellow card against Chicago. Kelvin Yeboah remains out. The Loons didn’t start two other key players, including Robin Lod, due to them playing all 120 minutes in the U.S. Open Cup loss.
There has to be a better way.
Twins Blanked Twice by Cleveland
The Twins salvaged their final home game of the season, beating Cleveland 6-2 after two straight shutouts to the Guardians to begin the weekend series. Adding insult to injury, Pablo Lopez got hurt diving for a ball on Friday. Give him credit for caring enough to do that at this point.
Twins at Rangers tomorrow to kick off the final week of the season.
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