Recent content from Chip Scoggins
Scoggins: With stars playing unselfishly, Vikings' defense is suffocating opponents
Their defense is cohesive, stingy, physically intimidating and a bunch of other superlatives that point directly to cumulative talent.
Scoggins: McCrary put Gophers offense on his back as passing game struggled
If anything, the Gophers won their first Big Ten game Saturday in spite of their quarterback and some head-scratching play calls. They can thank third-string running back Kobe McCrary for saving their bacon.
Scoggins: Get better or get left behind in Western Conference
The Wolves could become the most improved team in the NBA this season, but they'll face a steep climb because of the quality of other teams in the conference.
Scoggins: Packers lost their 'heartbeat' when Rodgers went out
A season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers would be seismic under any circumstance, but unlike the Vikings, the Packers can't rely on their defense to bail them out.
Scoggins: Turning to Croft at QB the right call for Gophers
The Gophers remain winless in the Big Ten, and P.J. Fleck's first season is in danger of circling the drain if his team doesn't fix myriad problems. At least they have clarity at their quarterback.
Scoggins: Bradford had no business being on field against Bears
Sam Bradford's body language reeked of a guy who was miserable and waiting for someone to force him out of action.
Scoggins: Chicago captivated by Trubisky's 'MNF' debut vs. Vikings
The Vikings' wild-goose chase for quarterback stability has nothing on the Bears' painful history at that position.
Scoggins: Plenty of blame as Gophers try and pick up the pieces
The Gophers on Saturday blew a winnable road game in the Big Ten for myriad reasons.
Scoggins: Red Wings' new arena sparkles; Wild not so much
The Wild did some things well but also had enough mistakes and sloppy play to allow the Red Wings to celebrate their grand opening with a joyous result.
Scoggins: Injuries unavoidable but Vikings absorb another gut punch
The news on Dalvin Cook's left knee isn't promising, just the latest devastating injury for a Vikings franchise that has endured more than their fair share.
Scoggins: Unlike Maryland, Gophers unable to overcome adversity
Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck was correct when he said his team got what it deserved: A loss against Maryland and its third-string quarterback.
Scoggins: New Twins regime's patience pays off, now and in future
Wholesale change might have produced desirable results, but this season has reinforced that patience also can be rewarded with unexpected success.
Scoggins: Moore steps up in crunch time, but Sparks' Gray has answer
The difference in Chelsea Gray being the hero instead of Maya Moore came down to the final seconds of a thrilling Game 1.
Scoggins: United shows it can compete for eyeballs in crowded sports market
On the field, United has yo-yoed between encouraging and poor performances. The biggest victory in Season 1 has occurred in the stands.
Scoggins: Dozier's dependability in lineup can't be taken for granted
Brian Dozier's combination of power and slick defense made him an All-Star second baseman, but his durability should not go overlooked in dissecting his importance to the Twins' success.
Scoggins: Gophers offensive blueprint hasn't changed, yet
Gophers offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca kept an unbalanced game plan with an emphasis on the run game. The question now becomes, can they continue to follow this template against Big Ten competition?
Scoggins: Peterson gets chilly reception from Vikings fans, defense
Adrian Peterson rushed for 18 harmless yards on six carries. Asked afterward to evaluate his performance, Peterson's measured words spoke volumes.
Scoggins: How young is too young in college recruiting?
The Lucius brothers are well-known in Minnesota youth hockey circles as prodigies. They're 13 and 14 (and have verbally committed to the Gophers).
Scoggins: Oklahoma trip knitted Zimmer's relationship with Bradford
In the midst of dealing with his eye problems this spring, Mike Zimmer made a road trip to Oklahoma to visit his quarterback.
Scoggins: Vikings' Spielman is feeling pressure in critical season
Recent roster moves show that the Vikings general manager is feeling real pressure to deliver a winner this season and can't afford to sit patiently and hope that things improve.
Scoggins: There's still a quarterback issue for U after the opener
Constant shuffling could disrupt rhythm and flow, but neither Conor Rhoda nor Demry Croft seems ready to stake claim to the job yet.
Scoggins: Fixing the quarterback issue? Give ball to Smith and Brooks
The Gophers have questions at quarterback, but the tag-team duo of tailbacks Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith combined for 1,808 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, marks they should exceed this season.
The best of college football: 17 thoughts on '17 from Chip Scoggins
Big money, long games and which conference is the best are part of the list.
Heisman Trophy hype: Five guys not named Lamar Jackson who could win it
Returning Heisman winners face incredible pressure to duplicate — or play even better — in their follow-up act.
College Football Playoff picks: Washington, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State. And the winner is ...
Chip Scoggins already knows how the national championship hunt ends.
ACC is the best conference in college football — just ask them
Hoops heaven conference now has some of the best football teams and players.
Scoggins: The hardest working man in Gophers football? Not P.J. Fleck
Flag-waving, air horn-blowing Kyle Gergely is P.J. Fleck's running shadow during Gophers football practices. He's lost about 20 pounds since practices began.
Scoggins: These aren't your father's football practices — and that's good
Times have changed out there on the high school, college and pro practice fields, where days are shorter and hitting less frequent, to the benefit of healthier, smarter players.
Scoggins: Gophers' QB platoon plan looks like a bad sign
P.J. Fleck insists the Gophers having two starting quarterbacks is "not a controversy." It's not ideal, either.
Scoggins: Don't blink, or the Twins' situation will change again
Based on their words and actions, Twins bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine can't decide whether to buy, sell or put both options on a dart board and fire away.
Gophers athletes make significant strides in academics
A recommitment to academics is playing big dividends in the U athletic department, particularly football.
Scoggins: Vikings now paying for that elite defense
The bill has come due for Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman in constructing a top-five defense mostly with homegrown, ascending talent.
Scoggins: Birdies, fun were aplenty Saturday at 3MChampionship
Virtually no wind combined with soft greens from Thursday's rain rendered the TPC Twin Cities defenseless against the best senior golfers.
Scoggins: Big Ten forecast calls for three powerful teams, chance for others
Fall camps open this week, and the Big Ten has three teams — Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin — that look capable of crashing the College Football Playoff.
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Scoggins: Fleck says Gophers fans will see change, but when?
The question is not whether P.J. Fleck can coach. The real question is whether Fleck can succeed at Minnesota. That we won't know for some time.
Fleck puts Minnesota on Michigan-like level at Big Ten media days
Jim Harbaugh who? Hurricane Fleck took a back seat to no one in Chicago. "He's very good for the Big Ten," Sports Illustrated's Bruce Feldman said.
Ohio State's 'awful' final game of 2016 football season still stings
The lone shutout in Urban Meyer's Hall of Fame career came in his most recent game, a 31-0 trouncing by Clemson in the College Football Playoffs semifinals last season.
Scoggins: Should Twins buy or sell? Wins are driving the answer
After years of dreadful baseball, the Twins have played themselves into playoff contention, flaws and all. Selling while in contention would send a horrible message.
Fired U wrestling coach Robinson: 'Nobody was interested in facts'
A year removed from coaching at the University of Minnesota has not diminished J Robinson's frustration and disappointment over the way his 30-year Hall of Fame career as the school's wrestling coach ended.
17-year-old scores victory for Muslims by boxing in her hijab
After absorbing hits for making her hijab non-negotiable, Amaiya Zafar pushes ahead with her boxing career.
From Rochester with flair: Skateboard star Majerus goes from the mall to world stage
Sometimes when he's at the mall, Alec Majerus will stop and stare at a staircase. He will look at the angles, study the handrail, his mind racing with ideas for tricks, which is how skateboarders are judged in competition.
Scoggins: Target Field fences too distant? Not anymore
The Twins' home field suddenly has become a launching pad. Target Field had produced 127 home runs this season, a rate of 3.02 per game, third-highest in Major League Baseball.
Aiming for the flower pots: Home runs at Target Field
The Twins and their opponents are on pace to hit a record number of home runs at Target Field this season.
Scoggins: Deals put Wolves closer to Thibodeau's older, tougher vision
The Wolves boss put his cards on the table the past week, reshaping the roster in his vision and thus accelerating the organization's timeline for building a winner.
Scoggins: Ex-Hopkins star in NFL hosts camp with focus on leadership
Marcus Williams envisioned something more useful than a few hours on the field and a picture with a pro football player. Here's how his idea came to life at a Minneapolis park.
Butler's journey: Small-town Texas to NBA All-Star
The three-time All-Star is widely regarded as a top-15 player who excels as a two-way talent and is entering the prime of his career at age 27.
Scoggins: Adding Butler? Keeping Wiggins? This deal is a steal
The Wolves were big winners Thursday night, and acquiring Jimmy Butler now raises the ante for Tom Thibodeau in Year 2.
Scoggins: Twins' Gimenez takes 'much-traveled' status in stride
He's been good enough to play for five organizations but expendable enough as a backup catcher to never feel completely settled.
Scoggins: Tennessee is hockey-mad for Predators (did I just say that?)
As a kid raised in Tennessee, we observed two seasons: college football season and spring practice. Now Nashville is on fire with hockey mania.
Scoggins: For Fleck, technology is key to connecting with recruits
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck treats recruiting like a favorite toy. He never ignores it, constantly searching for new ways to connect. This aggressive focus gives Fleck fuel to compete against programs of more prestige.
Scoggins: Spurning fresh arms leads to bullpen fiasco by Twins
The Twins bullpen's stat line Monday looked like something out of youth in-house baseball: 14 runs, 13 hits, two home runs, three walks, a hit batter and a partridge in a pear tree.
Scoggins: Bridgewater video is subtle message of optimism
The Vikings wouldn't have released that Teddy Bridgewater video if they didn't feel reasonably optimistic about his progress.
Scoggins: Equipment man 'Matty' ensured Gophers stayed stocked with laughs, essentials
As Gophers equipment manager for nearly five decades, Dick Mattson became a beloved character who provided colleagues a vault of tales, some too colorful for print.
Minnesota is turning into a youth basketball hotbed
An explosion of year-round basketball for all ages has made Minnesota a prime source of top talent
Jim Petersen: From St. Louis Park to NBA, back when MSHSL banned summer AAU ball
That scenario wouldn't happen today, of course, because premier players attend national showcases all summer. Athletic secrets don't exist in the internet age.
One-on-one time often part of training for young basketball players
More kids, even before high school, are seeking private instruction from former college and professional basketball players to improve their skills.
Scoggins: Gophers' chance on Allister as young softball coach pays off
Jessica Allister proved that sometimes the fifth choice is the right choice, as evident by the transformation of Gophers softball under her leadership.
Scoggins: NCAA looks at Gophers' 54-3 softball record and just shrugs
How did a committee of softball experts look at the Gophers' historic season and decide they don't deserve to host a regional as a top 16 seed? Did they forget a secret handshake or something?
Scoggins: Gophers AD Coyle earns high marks in first year full of turmoil
Mark Coyle's first year in charge of Gophers athletics witnessed a staggering amount of crisis management, important decisions and change.
Scoggins: Former Gophers football star Barber getting degree at age 57
Marion Barber Jr. promised his mother as a teenager that he would graduate from the University of Minnesota. On Thursday, he will receive his diploma at age 57.
Scoggins: Sherels, Thielen offer Vikings tryout players some hope
Marcus Sherels and Adam Thielen began their NFL careers with no guarantees and no money. So they're telling new undrafted free agents there's a chance.
Scoggins: Gophers working on winning back trust from fans
Athletic director Mark Coyle has launched a series of initiatives designed to give Gophers fans more voice and better benefits. "It's not our fans' fault that they're not coming to games," he said.
'A lot of pacing.' Myrick's NFL draft wait lasted a little too long
Gophers cornerback Jalen Myrick is grateful for the chance after being drafted in the seventh round by Jacksonville but felt he would be earlier pick.
Scoggins: Top offensive draft picks should help Zimmer's defense
The Vikings were the worst rushing team in the NFL last season, and by fixing that with running back Dalvin Cook and lineman Pat Elflein the defense shouldn't be as taxed this season.
Scoggins: Lynx's competitive fire hasn't mellowed with age
The Lynx don't understand the concept of mediocrity. Not this core group, winners of three WNBA championships and five trips to the Finals in six seasons.
Scoggins: Molitor endures a difficult day at the office
Twins manager Paul Molitor made three intriguing moves before getting ejected from Thursday's game. Two worked out, one didn't.
Scoggins: Wild's cold scoring raises issues beyond the playoffs
This isn't a new problem, of course. It becomes a discussion topic every postseason. Hand-wringing over a lack of snipers and finishers and high-end scorers has become a default setting.
Scoggins: Coach Boudreau's got nothing on Chef Boudreau
Chip Scoggins writes: 'The idea was to determine which feat was more impressive: Bruce Boudreau's impact on the Wild or Chef Crystal Boudreau's ability to prevent me from burning down the kitchen at her workplace."
Scoggins: For starters, Santana's competence a good place to start
Starter Ervin Santana on Monday allowed only two hits to become the first Twins pitcher to win on Opening Day since Livan Hernandez in 2008.
Scoggins: Women leading NBA teams is next logical step
A female NBA coach is no longer alien talk. The only crazy idea would be for NBA teams to ignore qualified candidates just because of their chromosome structure.
Scoggins: 20 more years will not erase the stain that Clem Haskins oversaw
The coach who bears ultimate responsibility for one of the most painful episodes in Gophers athletic history sounded tone-deaf in practically begging for red-carpet treatment.
Scoggins: Big brother's shadow keeps shrinking for Tre Jones
Tre Jones continues to blaze his own path — a similar path of excellence — and managed to one-up his brother, Timberwolves guard Tyus Jones.
Scoggins: Promising season has turned into panic time for Wild
The Wild finally has settled into its comfort zone. Forget all that prosperity nonsense. Welcome back to Desperation Town.
Scoggins: Committee got Gophers, Middle Tennessee seeds backward
Middle Tennessee, the 12 seed Thursday, looked like a veteran team on both ends of the floor. The fifth-seed Gophers looked like a young team that has zero depth and was hanging by a thread.
Scoggins: Roadmap to victory? Gophers must get locked in
To avoid a one-and-done exit, the Gophers must follow a script that guided their historic turnaround. Here's a look at the blueprint.
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