Tag: Minnesota

Dec 1, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) avoids a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas (31) in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Vikings trade with 49ers for RB Jordan Mason

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Minnesota Vikings acquired running back Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night for a 2026 sixth-round selection and a pick swap in next month’s draft, according to multiple reports.

The 49ers will get the Vikings’ pick at No. 160, and Minnesota will drop back to No. 187.

Mason, 25, was a restricted free agent who goes to Minnesota after agreeing to a new contract for two years, $7 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $12 million, according to the reports.

The Vikings are bolstering depth at running back after bringing back starter Aaron Jones, 30, on a two-year, $20 million extension reportedly agreed to last week.

An undrafted free agent in 2022, Mason played three seasons for the 49ers. He started for the first time last season in six games of the 12 that he played before going on injured reserve (high ankle sprain) in early December and missing the final five games. He rushed 153 times for 789 yards (both team highs) and three touchdowns and also caught 11 passes for 91 yards.

He got off to a fast start as a replacement for star Christian McCaffrey (Achilles injury), rushing for 100 or more yards in three of his first four games.

Mason has 236 career carries for 1,253 yards and seven TDs, and 14 catches for 122 yards.

McCaffrey returns to the top of the depth chart for the 49ers, ahead of Isaac Guerendo, who also is coming off an injury, and Patrick Taylor Jr.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Vikings S Theo Jackson agrees to two-year contract extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Vikings safety Theo Jackson agreed to a contract extension on Thursday.

The team confirmed the signing and multiple media outlets reported the value of the two-year deal is $12.615 million through 2027.

The first two years are fully guaranteed a social media post by Equity Sports Agency. The Vikings did not disclose terms but noted Jackson, who is primarily a special teams player, was due to become an exclusive rights free agent with the new league year starting on March 12.

Jackson, 26, played in all 17 regular-season games last season as well as the Vikings’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a NFC wild-card playoff game.

He totaled 17 tackles in the regular season with one interception and three passes defensed. He played 78 defensive snaps and 340 on special teams.

Jackson’s career totals are 47 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed in 43 games.

The Tennessee Titans selected Jackson in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. The Vikings signed him from the Titans’ practice squad in October 2022.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reacts against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half in an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Vikings secure head coach Kevin O’Connell with multiyear extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has agreed to a multiyear contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. O’Connell, 39, was set to enter the final year of his original contract with the Vikings, who hired him before the 2022 season.

“Kevin is exactly who we believed him to be when we named him as our head coach — an innovative play-caller, an excellent communicator and a strong leader who motivates and connects with his players,” Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf said in a statement. “He has helped establish a culture that positions us for sustained success, and he will continue to set the standard we need as we pursue a championship for Vikings fans.”

Minnesota also is negotiating a contract extension with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, according to multiple reports.

O’Connell is 34-17 overall, including 14-3 this season when Minnesota earned the second-most wins in franchise history. The Vikings fell short of the conference’s No. 1 seed and the NFC North title, with the Detroit Lions earning both. Minnesota lost to the Los Angeles Rams 27-9 in the NFC wild-card round.

He said it is “an absolute honor” to continue to coach the Vikings.

“Holding this prestigious position is something I never take for granted, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Wilf family for their unwavering belief in what we are building together,” said O’Connell, who also thanked his wife and children, coaches, players and support staff.

“I can’t wait to get back to work with all of them as we continue to build upon the high standard we’ve set and the positive environment we’ve created,” he added. “To Vikings fans, you are the best in the NFL. There is no greater joy than leading our team in front of you each Sunday and experiencing the home-field advantage you create. I’m thrilled for the years ahead.”

His first year as head coach, the Vikings went 13-4, followed by 7-10 in 2023 and 14-3 this season. Minnesota was bounced in the first round of the NFC playoffs in 2022 and this season.

O’Connell is the only coach in Vikings history with multiple 13-win seasons. He is the fastest in franchise history to 30 career wins, reaching the mark in 46 games.

He was offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams (2020-21) before coming to Minnesota. He also served as OC in Washington in 2019 after two seasons as quarterbacks coach. O’Connell broke in with the Cleveland Browns as QBs coach in 2015 and was an offensive assistant with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.

–Field Level Media

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer (16) throws a pass during the second quarter of their game at Camp Randall Stadium Friday, November 29, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. Minnesota beat Wisconsin 24-7.

Bowl-streaking Minnesota meets Virginia Tech in Charlotte

Posted on | by Field Level Media

History suggests that Minnesota takes bowl games more seriously than many other teams.

The Golden Gophers will put that theory to the test when they kick off against Virginia Tech on Friday night in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.

Minnesota (7-5) closed the regular season with five wins in seven games, including a 24-7 victory over Wisconsin in the regular-season finale.

Virginia Tech (6-6) lost three of its last four games but secured a bowl invitation with a 37-17 win against Virginia in the finale.

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck knows he likely will deal with a short-handed roster because of injuries and opt-outs, but he is eager to maintain his program’s success in the postseason. The Golden Gophers have won seven consecutive bowl games dating to the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl, which marks the longest winning streak in the nation, not including title games.

Fleck said his players are looking forward to competing on the national stage.

“One, it’s a celebration of 2024, so you’re preparing for an elite opponent from the ACC in Virginia Tech,” he said. “Two, you want to continue to get other guys better, so it’s an extension of spring ball — it’s pre-spring ball.

“You want to be able to bring the floor of your program up, and you want to see who’s really going to help you next year.”

Virginia Tech also hopes to finish this season on a winning note and head into the 2025 campaign with momentum.

Hokies coach Brent Pry did not specify which players would opt out for the game, but he acknowledged that some younger and less experienced players could get an opportunity to play.

“It is challenging,” Pry said. “We’re going to be young in some places. We’re going to be inexperienced. But to me, these bowl practices have been awesome for these guys. I’m excited about the opportunity for a bunch of them. I also think that they are getting better practice-by-practice.

“There are young guys stepping up, making plays, executing better. So I’m excited about that part. Minnesota’s a really good team. They’re veterans, they’ve got good size, they’ve got good experience. So it’s going to be a challenge for us. But I like the way we’re approaching it right now.”

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer has committed to play in the bowl game. He threw for 2,617 yards and 17 touchdowns against five interceptions during the regular season.

Darius Taylor led the way in rushing with 873 yards and nine touchdowns.

Quarterback Kyron Drones paced Virginia Tech with 1,562 passing yards for 10 TDs, with six interceptions. He battled injuries that included a knee strain, a stress fracture and turf toe, Pry said.

Bhayshul Tuten topped the Hokies on the ground with 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Bad Axe: Wisconsin wary of rival Minnesota with bowl bid in peril

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Wisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score.

“Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it’s all about,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. “And you wouldn’t want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play.”

Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS.

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks.

“I’m not downplaying it, I’m not saying it’s not important, I’m not saying it’s another thing that’s on our plate,” Fickell said Monday. “But when it gets down to this last week, it’s about one thing, it’s about the rivalry. It’s about preparing to play in the most important game of the year.”

The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country.

Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns.

One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska.

Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks.

Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games.

Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment – and frustration – with the Badgers after the Nebraska game.

“Losing happens, it’s part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out … that’s the issue,” Watt wrote on X. “We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity.”

Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

No. 4 Penn State averts upset bid, edges Minnesota

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nicholas Singleton rushed for a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter and No. 4 Penn State converted a fake punt late in the fourth, helping it secure a 26-25 victory over Minnesota on Saturday in Big Ten play at Minneapolis.

Penn State’s Drew Allar completed 21 of 28 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown.

Omari Evans reeled in a 45-yard scoring strike and Tyler Warren had eight catches for 102 yards for the Nittany Lions (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten), who overcame two blocked kicks to record their third win in a row.

With Penn State nursing a 26-25 lead and in punt formation, upback Luke Reynolds took the snap and rushed 32 yards on a fourth-and-1 play with 3:38 remaining in the fourth quarter. Allar rushed for 2 yards to convert one fourth-down play and completed an 11-yard pass to Warren on another to seal the win.

Minnesota’s Max Brosmer completed 15 of 23 passes for 175 yards and a one touchdown. He also was intercepted once.

Marcus Major rushed for a 20-yard score and tight end Jameson Geers reeled in a touchdown pass for the Golden Gophers (6-5, 4-4), who dropped two in a row following a four-game winning streak.

Minnesota followed up Derik LeCaptain’s blocked punt by converting on the next play, with Brosmer capping a flea flicker by connecting with Geers on a 21-yard touchdown pass. The trick play staked the Golden Gophers to a 17-10 lead with 1:03 remaining in the second quarter.

Penn State answered on the ensuing drive as Allar rushed up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown. The Nittany Lions were denied on their bid to tie the game, as Jack Henderson blocked the extra-point attempt and Ethan Robinson scooped up the ball and raced down the field for the conversion to extend Minnesota’s advantage to 19-16.

Dragan Kesich drilled a 42-yard field goal to increase the Golden Gophers’ lead early in the third quarter before Singleton raced 12 yards for a score to give Penn State a 23-22 advantage.

Kesich answered Ryan Barker’s second field goal with his second of the day.

–Field Level Media

Purdue Boilermakers defensive end Will Heldt (15) tackles Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.

No. 4 Penn State focused on Minnesota, not CFP

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 4 Penn State will look to improve its case for making the College Football Playoff when it visits Minnesota in a Big Ten encounter in Minneapolis on Saturday.

A competitive schedule might be preparing the Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) for the playoffs, but coach James Franklin remains focused solely on the Golden Gophers this week.

“As you know, I don’t love to talk about a whole lot more than Minnesota and the team that we’re playing this week,” Franklin said. “I’m totally focused, and I want our team to be totally focused on Minnesota.

“If I start talking about things other than Minnesota, then so do our coaches and so do the players, and we lose focus, and then we come out and don’t play well.”

Fair enough, but let’s look at where Penn State has been of late. The Nittany Lions answered a 20-13 setback to Ohio State on Nov. 2 with convincing victories over Washington and Purdue.

Drew Allar threw three touchdowns and tight end Tyler Warren had both a receiving and rushing score in Penn State’s 49-10 romp over the Boilermakers last Saturday.

Warren reeled in eight catches for 127 yards and rushed three times for 63 yards. His fourth career 100-yard receiving game tied Ted Kwalick (1966-68) for the school record among tight ends.

“Tyler Warren had a pretty high draft grade last year, came back, and I think it’s been a win-win,” Franklin said of Warren, who was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.

“I think he’s going to be the first tight end drafted, is having a great year, is having a ton of fun with his teammates, and that’s what you want, right? You want it to be a great situation for everybody.”

Minnesota (6-4, 4-3) saw its four-game winning streak come to a halt with a 26-19 setback to Rutgers on Nov. 9. Former Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis threw three touchdowns against his former team to lead the Scarlet Knights.

Luckily for Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck, the team had two weeks to rebound from that setback.

“Two bye weeks is really beneficial for a football team, mentally, physically and emotionally, for their health,” Fleck said. “Seasons are getting longer. I think our guys did a really good job of that. Not only that. We had to get better at the things we needed to get better at. Some self-scout. But it gave us a lot more time to work on Penn State as well and get a jump-start on that.

“I thought we had a really productive week of not only working on Penn State, working ahead, working on ourselves.”

Darius Taylor rushed for a touchdown in his fourth straight game but was held to just 28 yards on the ground.

Max Brosmer is completing 67.1 percent of his passes for 2,251 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) throws the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Minnesota prepares for familiar QB in clash with Rutgers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Minnesota is spending this week preparing defensive game plans for a familiar quarterback, although coach P.J. Fleck is downplaying the reunion.

Seeking their fifth straight win, the Golden Gophers will face former Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis on Saturday afternoon when they head to Piscataway, N.J., for a Big Ten encounter with the Scarlet Knights.

The Golden Gophers (6-3, 4-2) are attempting to surpass their win total from last season, when they finished with their first losing record in a full season since 2017. Minnesota ended 6-7 last season with Kaliakmanis, who threw for 1,838 yards and 14 touchdowns in 12 games.

“You look at both sides of the ball, there’s a lot of people who have a lot of connections, and that can’t be the focus,” Fleck said Monday. “And that’s not going to be the focus. The focus is on going to get this football team better. They’re going to work on being better.”

Minnesota has three one-score wins sandwiched around a 48-23 rout of Maryland. The Golden Gophers kept their winning streak alive by earning a 25-17 victory at then-No. 24 Illinois last week by rallying in the final 5:14 on a 1-yard TD to Jameson Geers from Max Brosmer and Dragan Kesich’s fourth field goal, from 46 yards.

Brosmer has thrown seven of his 13 TD passes during the winning streak while completing 89 of 126 passes for 895 yards.

Kaliakmanis and the Scarlet Knights (4-4, 1-4) hope to end a four-game losing streak that has seen the team get outscored 133-66 since it beat Washington on Sept. 27.

During the skid, Kaliakmanis has been intercepted four times and sacked 10 times, including five times in a 42-20 loss at USC on Oct. 25, when he completed 27 of his career-high 47 attempts for 313 yards.

Kaliakmanis played for Minnesota in 2022 and 2023, throwing for 2,784 yards in 23 games.

“I had a great time there,” he said. “Respect to the coaches there. I’m just focused on where I’m at now, making friends here. I’m super grateful for the opportunity I had there, but I’m super grateful for the opportunity I have here.”

–Field Level Media

Illinois coach Bret Bielema has words with an official during the first half at Autzen Stadium.

No. 24 Illinois’ Bret Bielema out to remain perfect vs. Minnesota

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Illinois coach Bret Bielema will strive to maintain his stranglehold over Minnesota when the No. 24 Fighting Illini host the Golden Gophers on Saturday in Champaign, Ill.

Bielema is 10-0 in his coaching career against Minnesota, including a 3-0 mark since he took over at Illinois in December 2020. He went 7-0 against Minnesota as Wisconsin’s coach, while he never faced the Golden Gophers during his coaching stint at Arkansas.

“I have a lot of respect for Coach Bielema and what he does,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said. “He always has a hard, smash-mouth, tough football team no matter where he’s been — Wisconsin, Arkansas, Illinois. It’s his DNA.”

Illinois (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) is looking to bounce back from a lopsided loss at No. 1 Oregon a week ago. The Fighting Illini fell behind 35-3 by halftime and lost 38-9.

Now, Illinois returns to its home field, where it is 5-0 this season.

“We’re a program that’s on the rise,” Bielema said. “It’s a program that’s building, and we’re going to get better at every opportunity. … I promise you that we’ll get better this week.”

Bielema challenged the Fighting Illini’s fans to make it tough on Minnesota.

“I hope you’ll be there and be loud,” he said. “You’ve got an 11 a.m. (local time) kickoff. You’ve got to get that first beverage, whether it’s a coffee, a mimosa, a bloody, a Red Bull — whatever you got going, man — just get up and get it going and get here and get seated by about 10:30 and get ready to be a part of a really good Big Ten football environment.”

Minnesota (5-3, 3-2) would love to spoil the mood among the Illini faithful. The Golden Gophers are going for their fourth straight win after knocking off then-No. 11 Southern California, UCLA and Maryland over the past three contests.

One more win would make Minnesota bowl-eligible.

Fleck wanted no part of that hypothetical as he prepared for Illinois.

“We’ve got to play our best football against a ranked opponent on the road,” he said. “We’ve got to D.I.B. — do it better.”

Quarterback Max Brosmer leads Minnesota with 1,776 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. His top target in the passing game is Daniel Jackson, who has 51 catches for 568 yards and three touchdowns.

Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor also will look to build upon his impressive season. He has 513 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in seven games.

Illinois’ offense is led by quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has passed for 1,667 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. Top wideout Pat Bryant has 34 catches for 510 yards and seven touchdowns, but his status is uncertain this week because of a concussion. Bielema said Monday that Bryant is expected to clear concussion protocol and play Saturday.

With running back Kaden Feagin out for the rest of the season with a hip injury, the next top rushers are Aidan Laughery (268 rushing yards) and Josh McCray (258 rushing yards, three TDs).

Minnesota leads the all-time series 40-33-3, although Illinois has won the past three.

–Field Level Media