Big Ten champions' bond continues for players 40 years later

By Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune

Last update: September 29, 2007 - 11:36 PM

Tom Sakal takes great pride in being the last person to captain the Gophers football team to a Big Ten championship, back in 1967. But frankly, he said, he's ready to pass that torch.

"For the sake of the program and the university I want someone else to be able to say that," Sakal said. "It's an unbelievable thing to be able to say that you captained a Big Ten championship team."

It's been 40 years and counting for someone other than Sakal to be able to say that. Members of the 1967 team returned for a reunion this weekend and were honored during the Gophers' game against Ohio State on Saturday night at the Metrodome.

The former teammates told stories over dinner Friday night and shared memories of that season, which Sakal, a defensive back, described as "magical." The Gophers finished in a three-way tie with Indiana and Purdue atop the Big Ten, but the Hoosiers earned a Rose Bowl trip by virtue of a tiebreaker.

After finishing with a losing record the previous season, Minnesota finished 8-2 overall in 1967 and 6-1 in the Big Ten under coach Murray Warmath, and players created an emotional bond that teammates say still exists today.

"I just remember how close we all were," tight end Charlie Sanders said. "It truly was like a family. To me, that was an important thing in my life at that time."

Said All-America end Bob Stein: "That team just had so much fun. Winning helps make it more enjoyable, of course."

The teammates spread out across the country to pursue careers after graduation and have watched the program struggle to crack the Big Ten's top tier over the years. The Gophers have finished no higher than third in the conference since sharing the title in 1967.

Members of that team say there are myriad reasons for the Big Ten title drought, but several pointed toward a dip in recruiting. They said they appreciate and support first-year coach Tim Brewster's commitment to recruiting.

"The biggest factor is going after people," Sanders said. "Everybody wants to be wanted. You have to be able to recruit. Like Coach Brewster says, it's not going to feel like a family until the family is involved."

Sakal said Brewster has gone out of his way to include former players in the process. Sakal, who now lives in Florida, said he was pleasantly surprised when Brewster returned his call not long after he was hired.

"I said, 'Coach, this is the first time in 40 years that a coach at Minnesota has called me to talk about recruiting,' " Sakal said. "The best way to recruit is through the people who have worn the uniform. I told Coach Brewster that I'll pick up the phone and make 15 calls right away if you want me to."

New uniforms

Brewster has instituted a number of changes since taking over, and he added another Saturday when the Gophers sported all-gold uniforms.

The Gophers went for the element of surprise, too. They wore maroon jerseys with gold pants during warmups. But they changed jerseys when they went back to the locker room and came out with the all-gold look for the game.

Etc.

• The Gophers played host to 10 high school recruits on official visits this weekend, including two four-star prospects: quarterback MarQueis Gray of Indianapolis Ben Davis High and junior college cornerback Traye Simmons.

• True freshman tailback Duane Bennett started in place of senior Amir Pinnix, who is suffering from turf toe and was benched last week after losing a critical fumble. Bennett rushed for 19 yards on 11 carries in the first half. He also had three catches for 32 yards. Pinnix had two carries for 2 yards in the first half.

Chip Scoggins • ascoggins@startribune.com

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