Recent content from Chip Scoggins
These five painful decisions by Mike Zimmer led to one brutal loss
Football Across Minnesota: How did the Vikings lose to the winless Lions? Let's count the ways. But while the Vikings were faceplanting on the road, an important game was being played in their home.
Scoggins: St. Thomas men's hoops look the part in move to D-I
After jumping from Division III, the Tommies are holding their own against nonconference Division I teams with a tougher schedule ahead in the Summit League.
Scoggins: Fleck (and I) have seen enough. U's offense must change.
Mike Sanford Jr. had to go. And as P.J. Fleck now shops for a new offensive coordinator, he also needs to reexamine his own philosophy. Tanner Morgan deserves that.
'They can't stop it': How old-school run games led to 3 state titles
Football Across Minnesota: Lakeville South, Hutchinson and Dassel-Cokato ran, ran and ran some more on their way to state titles. And get ready, Gophers fans, for roster comings and goings.
Scoggins: Title shot gone, Fleck still had Gophers ready to beat Badgers
Emotionally, mentally, physically, Minnesota was ready to retake the Axe. The Gophers took the fight to their biggest rivals in a performance that put their best version on display.
Scoggins: Morgan tries to cap difficult senior season with second swing of the Axe
Tanner Morgan helped the Gophers defeat Wisconsin as a freshman but has shouldered the disappointment of losing back-to-back games to the Badgers.
How 'Why did they call that play?!' became Minnesota's most common question
Football Across Minnesota: Play-calling has been the dominant topic for Gophers and Vikings fans this fall. Plus: Mankato West's undefeated, unbelievable season; St. John's preps for a playoff rivalry; and a St. Thomas senior who listened to his parents.
Scoggins: Gophers take advantage of the gift of playing lowly Hoosiers
The offense reasserted itself in the wake of back-to-back losses that cost the team control of its own destiny to win the Big Ten West.
Scoggins: How the mysterious transfer portal worked 'perfectly' for U linebacker Gibbens
What does it feel like to enter your name into the NCAA transfer portal? How does it work? Chip Scoggins spoke with standout linebacker Jack Gibbens about his experience.
Scoggins: Secret? No, it's common sense. Throw Jefferson the dang ball
Mike Zimmer and Klint Kubiak sounded like it was a big deal to acknowledge the need to get Justin Jefferson more involved in the offense, an admission that caused armchair coordinators to mutter, "Well, duh."
Next chapter: A longtime college coach retires to chase new dreams
Football Across Minnesota: Tom Sawyer arrived at Winona State as a linebacker in the late 1970s and became a fixture as the school's football coach and good guy around town. There's no doubt he'll keep that second role.
Scoggins: Gophers burned by Fleck's approach, Morgan's misfires
By settling for field goals and declining to take risks Saturday in Iowa City, Minnesota once again watched the Hawkeyes parade Floyd of Rosedale.
Scoggins: Verdict on Gophers season again comes down to beating Iowa, Wisconsin
P.J. Fleck is 0-4 against Iowa and 1-3 against Wisconsin, but the Big Ten West has never been more winnable for the Gophers than it is right now.
Scoggins: Cook case reeks of media manipulation and rush to judgement
We don't know what happened in the 2020 domestic violence incident. We do know that Tuesday night showed clearly the power and pitfalls of social media.
Back to school: Two ex-Vikings try entry-level coaching as career move
Football Across Minnesota: Michael Floyd and Mike Harris want to know: Is coaching my next big thing? They're getting an education in entry-level jobs at two St. Paul colleges.
Bethel quarterback helps others 60 hours a week — and also leads an elite team
Football Across Minnesota: Jaran Roste is one of the MIAC's top QBs. But what really sets him apart is the time he spends with a Bethel University program mentoring students with learning disabilities.
Scoggins: Offense reverts to old, bad habits during inexcusable defeat
The Vikings embarrassed themselves in a prime-time undoing Sunday night that cranks the heat up on Zimmer's job status by a considerable degree.
Scoggins: Birthday milestone — 50! — is good time for reflection and AARP wish list
When you wake up and realize you've spent half your life covering sports in Minnesota.
Scoggins: Time for the Vikings' investments in defense to pay off
A dose of impending reality greeted the Vikings upon returning to work this week: Dak Prescott. Lamar Jackson. Justin Herbert. Aaron Rodgers.
Three surgeries and stroke can't stop 25-year-old Mankato linebacker
Football Across Minnesota: Eli Thomas couldn't walk away from football. Not until he gave himself one last chance to put on pads and return to the field, even if the whole idea sounded ludicrous.
Scoggins: Gophers' O-line and D-line both overpower Terrapins
When a team dominates in the trenches, it usually wins. A simple formula P.J. Fleck's team followed.
Scoggins: For Gophers, Big Ten West is suddenly up for grabs
Iowa's loss last week to Purdue opened a lane for the Gophers and others in a race that has just begun.
Scoggins: The 'Ant Show' was electric in Wolves season-opening victory
Anthony Edwards put on a show in the opener. His 21 first-half points turned the arena into a house party, not a normal vibe for Target Center. Edwards forces you to pay attention.
A week behind the scenes with the state's best prep football team
Football Across Minnesota: Chip Scoggins was granted access to Minnesota's No. 1 high school football team during a week where adversity found them.
Scoggins: Vikings claim weirdest win in confounding season
The Vikings put up 571 yards and 34 points against a Carolina team that could do nothing offensively for most of the game and still needed overtime.
Scoggins: Hope for Zimmer, Kubiak to bring creativity and guts to Carolina
Mike Zimmer and Klint Kubiak should have thrown the game plan from last week into a bonfire. The Vikings need to rely more on their two excellent wideouts and $33 million quarterback.
Scoggins: 50 years later, 'totally ridiculous' goal rekindles memories
A bizarre and comical penalty shot gave North Stars defenseman and future pub owner Tom Reid, who rarely scored, a moment of glory against Montreal's Hall of Fame goalie Ken Dryden.
After 11 jobs in 10 states, Macalester's Ware set to 'make this thing go'
Football Across Minnesota: A Black coach is trying to put down roots, finally, in St. Paul. A quarterback's seven-season roller-coaster ride ended too soon. Vikings play-call frustration, wishing Trey Potts well, what to watch this weekend and more.
Scoggins: Wild, Wolves intrigue so strong it's crashing football's party
This could be a really fun winter in Minnesota if the current optimism about the Wild and Wolves turns into real results.
Exclusive access inside the film room with a Minnesota football power
Football Across Minnesota: At Minnesota State, every detail matters. By the time players see the film Sunday evening, head coach Todd Hoffner has watched it three times. Plus, a White Bear Lake player brings back the dropkick.
Scoggins: Gophers defense excelled at the bottom line — giving up only 13 points
Purdue on Saturday ran 86 plays against the Gophers, but Minnesota came up with the critical stops in a much-needed Big Ten win.
Scoggins: Gophers' reluctance to embrace passing game remains baffling
Once a prolific college passer, Tanner Morgan has been reduced to a hand-off specialist. The Bowling Green debacle last week was jarring.
Scoggins: Ring of Honor choice Williams led with All-Pro actions
Here are a few things you might not have known about Kevin Williams, one of the best defensive linemen in Vikings history, including that he threw up during every game.
On path to Hall of Fame, Larry Fitzgerald takes back his Sundays
Football Across Minnesota: One of the best ever from Minnesota is done playing — for now. Off the field, he's busier than ever. Also, Perham High hits a spectacular 'Money' shot to beat a rival and a Rose Bowl promise 63 years and counting.
Scoggins: Confident, Cousins shows some swag — even throwing a shoe
The Vikings quarterback pushed all the right buttons against Seattle and continued to leave the impression that something new is clicking this season.
Scoggins: Gophers' loss to Bowling Green inexcusable embarrassment
P.J. Fleck wonders why a large metropolis looks down at his program with such negativity and skepticism. Saturday's game was Exhibit A.
Scoggins: Vikings coverage problems getting worse not better despite overhaul
Opposing quarterbacks are completing nearly 80% of their passes after two games, and the road doesn't get any easier.
Scoggins: Gophers tight end Kieft takes delight in being a 'mauler'
Ko Kieft, in his sixth season with the Gophers, has caught a grand total of six passes in his career. But the team's coaches say he averages one knockdown block every six plays.
Scoggins: How much more franchise dysfunction can Towns take?
Like everyone else, star center Karl-Anthony Towns was confused by a firing Wednesday that is certainly more about behind the scenes than basketball.
Incredible Minnesota football streaks: losing, winning, saving lives
Football Across Minnesota: Resilience comes in many forms as losing and winning streaks come to an end in high school football. Another remarkable streak this fall: lives being saved on the sidelines.
Scoggins: Minnesotans take lead in era of profiting college athletes
Suni Lee, Paige Bueckers, Gable Steveson: They were not long ago rising-star teenage athletes in Minnesota, and now they're cashing in — legally.
Devastating injury in northern Minnesota puts football angst in perspective
Andy Thomsen had one final play in a preseason scrimmage last month, and was tackled in what his coach thought was a routine play. His story is the subject of Chip Scoggins' Football Across Minnesota column, a weekly tour of the sport that brings out many emotions in its debut.
Scoggins: Gophers' one-dimensional offense not a sustainable formula
The Gophers did not complete a pass in the second half — a blueprint that won't work once the Big Ten schedule resumes.
Scoggins: Where should Gophers' offensive recalibration start? Trust Morgan
Mohamed Ibrahim's injury is devastating, but instead of handing off to his backups more often the Gophers should lean on their experienced quarterback.
Scoggins: A brutal preseason, but it's too early for gloom and doom
There was so much we didn't see during the brutal preseason that it's too early to draw too many conclusions. So much is still unknown.
Scoggins: Gophers show spark but can't match Ohio State's engine
Speed, talent and explosiveness all separated the two teams in the season opener. It was the difference between a race car and a bulldozer.
Scoggins: OMG (Old Men Gophers) must use experience, win Big Ten West
Yes, playing Ohio State in the opener is a big game. But let's focus on the big picture: P.J. Fleck's football program has a unique opportunity to take the next step.
Scoggins: Clumsy college 'alliance' mostly about money while chaos lurks in background
Commissioner Kevin Warren guided the Big Ten toward a cooperative agreement with the Pac-12 and ACC. But let's not pretend college football's power struggle is over.
Scoggins: I favored the four-team college football playoff. Here's why I was wrong
A 12-team field would feature the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large teams. Let's see how that would have looked last season.
Scoggins: Any Gophers success this season begins with big boys up front
Every team tries hard to establish an identity, and there is no mystery in what the 2021 Gophers football team wants to be known for.
Gophers offensive line at a glance
The Gophers offensive line has six players who have made regular starts, a group that has an average size of 6-foot-5 and 336 pounds.
Scoggins: Three Minnesota football giants happily take to sidelines again
Dwight Lundeen of Becker, Mike Grant of Eden Prairie and Merrill Pavlovich of Delano have combined for more than 1,000 coaching victories, and all three still love their job.
Why does gambling play such a big role in Minnesota youth sports?
Do you play pull-tabs at your favorite bar? There's a decent chance that game is being operated by a community sports entity. Here's the bond between lawful gambling and youth sports.
Scoggins: Mond's rocky debut with Vikings is part of the roller-coaster ride
Rookie quarterback Kellen Mond, who missed 10 days of practice time because of COVID, should not be judged on his ragged first preseason game against the Broncos.
Scoggins: After Denver loss, we still have same old offensive line questions
Those who anticipated the two rookie linemen starting in the season opener were probably being naïve, even if the duo has a low bar to clear to be seen as upgrades.
Scoggins: Curb your anxiety. Expect Kaprizov and the Wild to reach a deal
The situation is complicated, for sure, but the threat that Kirill Kaprizov will return to Russia to play hockey feels more like a bluff than a realistic option.
Scoggins: 7 years of college football? Gophers' Dew-Treadway doing it
Gophers nose tackle Micah Dew-Treadway has been there, done that and he's grateful for yet another season after the disappointment of 2020.
Scoggins: With so much at stake, Zimmer has every right to be angry
With his most important player, quarterback Kirk Cousins, in COVID protocol lockdown, Mike Zimmer let his frustrations with unvaccinated players be known Monday.
Scoggins: Twins back to banking on hope. Don't forget why
Receiving two top-level prospects in exchange for pitcher Jose Berrios does not feel like something to be celebrating for this team.
![Minnesota Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) warmed up before Wednesday's game.
] Aaron Lavinsky • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com
The M](https://chorus.stimg.co/22732951/merlin_57394165.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Scoggins: Knowing his purpose, QB Morgan ready to lead Gophers after father's death
Ted Morgan was so proud of his son — and it wasn't just because Tanner Morgan overcame long odds to become a standout Big Ten quarterback.
Scoggins: Wild's big mistake with Parise and Suter? There wasn't one
Wild owner Craig Leipold did what fans should hope pro sports owners do: invest, roll the dice and try to win the big one.
Scoggins: If current Twins management fails, it'll be because of pitching
The Twins have nose-dived from fourth in team ERA last season to 27th so far this season. Their pitching woes and self-inflicted mistakes were highlighted again this week.
Scoggins: Inside the incredible leap happening in St. Thomas sports
Recruiting, coaching staff, facilities, ticketing, sports medicine — you name it, St. Thomas is changing it. The Tommies are officially Division I now.
Scoggins: Stuck. How else to describe these Twins?
A major rebuild would be tough sell to the Twins' fanbase, so keep your expectations at the trade deadline modest.
Scoggins: Score one for the NCAA resisters with Supreme Court's unanimous decision
The U.S. Supreme Court essentially told the NCAA to shove it this past week, too, voting 9-0 against the governing body in an antitrust case that will change the way college sports operate.
Scoggins: Sports as they should be. Full house lights the night at Allianz Field
Take a can of soda, shake it for 15 seconds and then open it. That's how the stadium looked when Minnesota United scored two early goals in Wednesday night's victory.
Scoggins: Minnesotan Aaron Pike is a competitor for all seasons
Summer and winter, the Park Rapids native vies for spots on U.S. Paralympic Teams. His calendar looks like a slacker's worst nightmare.
Scoggins: Zimmer takes stick of dynamite to defense after dreadful 2020
Adding 11 defensive free agents gave coach Mike Zimmer everything he wanted to reconstruct the Vikings defense, including the return of Danielle Hunter.
Scoggins: 'Super exposed.' Garver shares the pain of a catcher's life
Catchers accept a certain degree of occupational hazard. Foul tips are going to sting body parts. Mitch Garver knows both the risks and the rewards.
Scoggins: Yankees' Cole uses his best stuff, sticks it to accuser Donaldson
Gerrit Cole on the mound, Josh Donaldson in the batter's box and a week's worth of headlines about sticky substances and spin rates ended in a mismatch.
Scoggins: Minnesota's 2021 seniors reach finish line in a class all their own
High school seniors in the class of 2021 hold a special place, with a pandemic testing them in ways we can't fully comprehend.
Scoggins: Unending recruiting battles ahead as we enter transfer portal era
Fail to lure top recruits out of high school? Be patient, coach. You might woo them on the second or third time around as the traditional recruiting model has suddenly become obsolete.
Scoggins: Next Wolves owners may seek new arena or move
Will the Wolves new owners really want to spend winters living here and view this opportunity as a chance to establish deeply connected civic roots? That likely hinges on the arena situation.
Scoggins: Big-boy hockey by Wild gives team momentum for Game 7
If you ever want to see what a team that doesn't want its season to end looks like, just watch a replay of the Wild's 3-0 win over the Golden Knights.
Scoggins: If the Twins become sellers, where do they start?
It's hard to know who are the Twins' core players to keep for the future.
