Morning Wrap: Rick Pitino and Louisville Wins Battle of the Pitino's

((ht: espn.com))

It's not very often you see father coaching against son. Sure, it's happened, just not frequently.

Friday night, college basketball fans were treated to that rare event.

Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals squared off with Richard Pitino and his squad from Minnesota at a U.S Air Force base inAguadilla, Puerto Rico. And suffice to say...a Pitino won.

It was the more experienced Rick and slightly more talented Louisville who walked away from the gym with the victory, 81-68.

Montrezl Harrell dropped 30 points, Terry Rozier had 18 to lead the Cardinals. And by the way, this wasn't the first time the Pitino's squared off. Rick now holds a 2-0 lead in the coaching series against his son.

Highlights from ESPN.com:

Uh--Minnesota Wants You To "Do The Gopher" With Iggy Azalea and Caddyshack Gopher

Um...yeah, we are a bit sleep deprived these days, so when we saw this video, we thought we were either hallucinating or left a broadcast of Caddyshack on TV.

But alas, our mind was not playing tricks on us.

Check out this odd video produced by the Minnesota Golden Gophers athletic department.

It's essentially a short music video called "Do the Gopher". And the video not only appears to feature the Caddyshack gopher, it also features pop music star Iggy Azalea, who we assume is from the Gopher state and apparently was at the teams homecoming game on Saturday.

((Note--The Gophers have had a good football season thus far, they are one of the few 6-1 teams in the Little 10 (um..Big 10)))

Anyway, behold the video in all it's majesty...and no, we don't know how we confused the music with Kenny Loggins singing "I'm alright".

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Groin 'Em

((HT: RedditCFB's Vine/The Big Lead))

Kamu Grugier-Hill, a linebacker for Eastern Illinois, was ejected from his team’s season-opening 42-20 loss to Minnesota...

Here's how...


While, initially, escaping any kind of trouble the cameras caught him in that replay above and the refs tossed him.

Nice work, cup checker...

Rutgers QB Arrested In Minnesota Assault, Victim Has Brain Damage (TUESDAY UPDATE: Rutgers Dismisses Nelson)

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

Former Minnesota-Mankato LB Isaac Kolstad is "fighting for his life" after a weekend assault that led to the arrest of former Minnesota-now-Rutgers QB Phillip Nelson.

Kolstad was on a sidewalk in the town of Mankato when someone punched him, he hit the ground, and then he was kicked in the head by a second person. Nelson was identified by three people who witnessed the assault as one of the two who were involved and police are looking for a second person who they feel was involved in the crime as well.

Kolstad's father says his son has permanent brain damage. Kolstad has already had one surgery and will likely have more this week. Police are asking for third-degree assault charges.

Here's the latest from the Kolstad vigil Sunday night
KMSP-TV

Kolstad's father has posted an update on Kolstad's CaringBridge website:

"Isaac suffered a severe head injury early this morning. He is currently in Critical condition and fighting for his life. He is young and strong, but the battle he has in front of him is enormous. He had one surgery today to put a pressure gauge in his skull. He may need additional surgeries in the coming days. We do know that his brain did sustain permanent damage. We do not yet know to what extent and won't for many days. He is very sick. Please pray for Isaac and all of those involved."

The family also issued a statement on Sunday.

We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support we have received during this difficult time. Isaac is a very strong and determined young man, who is dearly loved by his family and friends. We would respectfully ask for your continued prayers.

We would also ask members of the news media and others to respect our request and need for privacy at this time. We have requested that no further information (beyond his medical condition) be released. Thank you for your understanding and continued thoughts and prayers for Isaac, his wife and children, and all others who are involved in this situation. - The Family of Isaac Kolstad

Here's the live report from the spot of the fight from our friends at KSTP-TV


1545 UPDATE: Nelson will be charged with 1 count of first-degree assault and 1 count of third-degree assault later today. Police looking for 2nd suspect.

TUESDAY UPDATE: Rutgers has dismissed Nelson as a result of the incident...

"The Rutgers football family's thoughts and prayers are with Isaac Kolstad and his family," Head Football coach Kyle Flood said in a statement.

Dan Duggan over at NJ.com has the details of the incident- from Mankato police reports:

Kolstad punched Nelson in the back, causing him to fall to the ground, according to a criminal complaint.

Kolstad began to move away and an unknown assailant, described as a white male in his early 20s wearing a red t-shirt and jeans, ran after him. The unknown male delivered a punch to Kolstad's head/face. Kolstad immediately went limp and collapsed to the pavement.

Nelson then pushed past others and delivered a kick to the head of a defenseless Kolstad, according to the complaint.

Frozen Four Buzzer Beater: Minnesota Scores With Less A Second

((HT: ESPN/NCAA))

Union gets their first-ever finals appearance in the Frozen Four after a surprising win over Boston College in one semi-final.

The other went to the bitter end and it looked like their match with North Dakota was heading to overtime.

But, then this happened...

Justin Holl scored a short-handed goal with 0.6 seconds left to give Minnesota a 2-1 win. All three goals in the match were scored with less than ten minutes left in regulation. The Golden Gophers advance to their 11th championship game and first in 11 years- the time it won the last of its five titles.

Here's the buzzer beater

The 'Cuse Conquers Texas Bowl Defeating Minnesota 21-17

The Orange may have beaten the Gophers in the Texas Bowl but head coach Scott Shafer would have like to not have to stress over the outcome the entire game.

"I just couldn’t be happier with the results today, would have been nice if we could have just knocked them out and won by 17 or something, but that’s kind of not our way this year."  Shafer said.

Syracuse had a 14-3 lead in the third quarter before Minnesota rallied for two touchdowns to take a 17-14 lead.

This Mitch Leidner 55 yard touchdown pass to Drew Wolitarsky in the fourth quarter put Minnesota up 17-14.



The Orange have had to rally late in games to get a win.  Syracuse wouldn't have been deep in the heart of Texas Friday for the Texas Bowl if it wasn't for a last minute win over Boston College in the season finale to earn the sixth win.

Why not follow that script in the Texas Bowl.  

Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt sealed Texas Bowl MVP honors with a 12 yard touchdown run with 1:14 left to win it for the Orange.



Hunt completed 19 out of 29 passes for 188 yards and rushed for 74 yards and tow touchdowns.

"This young man at my left (QB Terrell Hunt) is really representative of what we are as a program, young man from New York (and) stayed in New York to come and play at Syracuse." Shafer saidl  (He) isn’t’ the prettiest guy in the world on the field yet, but he’s getting prettier by the minute."

Hunt may not be super model status yet but Shafer doesn't need beer goggles anymore.

MInnesota Beats Penn St and Destroys Trophy (w/bonus Jerry Kill Dancing)

So, Minnesota Golden Gophers, just a couple of years ago, you were won of college football's worst teams.

You then hired a coach with epileptic seizure issues and lo and behold, he's turned your program around.

That coach, Jerry Kill has struggled with his health to stay on the sidelines with his team. But he was in a booth over the field on Saturday as his Golden Gophers won their 4th straight Big 10 game, beating Penn State 24-10.

The win moved the Gophers to 8-2 on the season and 4-2 in the Big 10. A pretty big bowl game is in site for the team.

But the game was not without adventure. Well, okay, it's more like after the game, when the team went to celebrate with the Governor's Victory Bell Trophy.

That celebration didn't go so well. At least for the now-in-two-pieces trophy.

(Check out this GIF courtesy SBNation)

As for Coach Kill, well, aside from feeling good about how well his team is playing, he appears to be feeling better physically too.

Check out this video of him in the locker room after the game--very little else needs to be said about this dance….

So, Wait... Who's Bowl-Eligible...???

The short answer is Minnesota, Duke, Tulane, and Rice...

And, no, this is not some kind of pre-Halloween joke or something...

The HQ has always enjoyed Coach Cut's work at Duke... he gets it... and, thankfully, the Athletic Department has had the patience they're supposed to with a program that is a square peg-round hole when it comes to the sport and the kids you can bring in to the program on a yearly basis...

Everyone likes to talk about "signature wins" and all that stuff... a supposed win where your program moves forward past a point of success and a glass ceiling- on to bigger things...

If you believe in those things, then the win over Virginia Tech yesterday in Blacksburg may have been it. There were entirely too many interceptions thrown by Logan Thomas. The Hokies defense kept the football Devils in check (and downright ineffective) in the second half, but the visitors held on.
((HT: ACCDN))


In the B1G, Minnesota either showed everyone how they're progressing as a team- putting the concerns around head coach Jerry Kill aside for another few days- or they exposed Nebraska for the charade they are as a ranked team...

Probably, the latter if you as the HQ (and Tommie Frazier- who went on another Twitter "toldyaso" rant after the game)...
Here's the Tracy Claeys special...
((HT: BTN))


Tulane knocked off Tulsa 14-7 in C-USA play to improve to 6-2 and stay undefeated in division play. The Green Wave are now bowl eligible for the first time since 2002...

It led to song...as it should have...
((HT: Stephen Segari))


And Rice is also 6-2 after taking care of UTEP 45-7. Taylor McHargue threw 4 TD passes and the Miners are now 1-6 on their own. But the cool moment was when 4'9" walk-on Jayson Carter got his first in-game reps...
Evidence below...
((HT: Rice SID))

Kill Taking Time Away From Minnesota For Epilepsy Treatments

Jerry Kill is staying off the football field until further notice to focus on his epilepsy treatment- according to Minnesota athletics director Norwood Teague.

Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will continue to serve as acting head coach.

Kill has suffered five game-day seizures in three seasons as head coach for Minnesota- including one that kept him home from coaching the Michigan last weekend.

He could return to the sidelines for the Northwestern game on the 19th.

Here's his statement:

"My wife Rebecca, myself and our two daughters want to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns during the last few weeks. This was a difficult decision to make, but the right decision. Our staff has been together a long time and I have full confidence in Coach Claeys and them during my time away. Every decision that will be made will be in the best interest of the players and the program. I look forward to returning to the Minnesota sideline on a full-time basis soon."

Here's Joe Schad talking about the absence after his last seizure...
((HT: ESPN))

Jerry Kill Taken From Minnesota Game on Stretcher

This is tough to keep reporting, and it keeps happening.

University of Minnesota Head Football Coach Jerry Kill was taken from the TCF Bank Stadium football field Saturday afternoon after suffering what appears to have been an epileptic seizure just before halftime.

The Gophers won Saturday's game 29-12 boosting their record to 3-0 this season, their best start in a long, long time.

Kill has a history of such seizures, in fact this is at least the third that he's had during a game. Most all have put him in the hospital.

No exception today as he was taken via ambulance to an area hospital where he's reported to be in good condition.

It will be interesting to see how Kill continues in his job with this periodic issue. He's reportedly done as many things as he can to improve his health and conditioning. The school's athletic department is happy with Kill's performance as the Gophers have steadily improved under his guidance beginning in 2011.

We're still searching for video of Saturday's incident, but here's some video posted by the school's athletic department on Friday, showing Kill meeting and greeting students as they return to campus.