Minnesota Sports Briefs: Gopher grids get ready for Western Michigan

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MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota will host Western Michigan in NCAA football this weekend.

Golden Gopher head coach Jerry Kill says even though his team is 2-and-0, they still are making too many mistakes and their margin for error is slim. He says the Gophers improved from game one against UNLV to game two against New Hampshire, but he admits they will need to take another step forward this week for the Broncos. Kill says his team understands the situation and is working hard in practice to get better. Saturday's game kicks off at 11 a.m. at TCF Stadium.

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Reports are out with a preliminary number of how much money the U-of-M made off first-time sales of alcohol last Saturday at the Gopher football game. Beer and wine revenue totaled around $111,000, as over 15,000 cups were filled at TCF Stadium. That comes out to an average of about 7-50 per drink. The bar opens again this Saturday as the Gophers host Western Michigan.

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The NFL has awarded the University of Minnesota $100,000 to help study the effects of concussions on athletes. Using a moving MRI, U-of-M researchers plan to study blood vessels in the brain, hoping to improve diagnosis of concussions and determine when its safe to play again. The grant to the U-of-M's School of Kinesiology is one piece of 15 nationwide grants for concussion research.

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The NSIC is out with its football players of the week. Concordia-St. Paul sophomore kicker and punter Tom Obarski of Burnsville is the Special Teams Player of the Week after helping the Golden Bears with two field goals and a 54-yard punt that landed inside of the opposition 20-yard line. Concordia-St. Paul beat Minnesota-Crookston. U-Mary junior quarterback Craig Bagnell of Polson, Montana is the league's Offensive Player of the Week. Wayne State sophomore linebacker Jared Curry of Ponca, Nebraska is the conference's Defensive Player of the Week.

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Minnesota State-Mankato freshman Emily Knapczyk of Plymouth is the NSIC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week. She was the top Maverick performer at the Oz Memorial Meet at the University of Minnesota. MSU-Mankato runner Garrett Eklof of Madison, Wisconsin is the conference's Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week.

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The Minnesota Vikings coaching staff today will begin implementing the gameplan for this Sunday's game at Indianapolis. The players were off yesterday and will practice this afternoon at Winter Park. All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen says the key to playing against a rookie quarterback like the Colts' Andrew Luck is to hit them as much as you can. He says getting a young quarterback out of his rhythm is crucial, and he feels the best way to do that is to have a disruptive pass rush that creates hits on the QB. Sunday's game kicks off at noon.

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It looks like the NFL's replacement officials will be working games through at least October 8th. The NFL has reportedly devised its schedule to include the stand-in refs through Week Five of the regular season. The league and the NFL Referees Association remain at odds over a new labor contract. The NFL locked out its regular refs in June after the previous labor agreement expired.

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Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby looks like he will be back to an elite level if the upcoming season is not delayed due to a lockout. Crosby joined 14 teammates for an informal workout yesterday in suburban Pittsburgh. After the session, Crosby did not report any physical problems and says he has not experienced any other issues during his summer training. The 2007 NHL MVP and 2009 Stanley Cup champion missed the final half of the 2010-11 season and much of 2011-12 with concussion and neck problems. Crosby attended prep school at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault.

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Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer will be in Washington, D.C. today to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. Palmer says he's a bit nervous about the ceremony and humbled to be among the ranks of historic icons. The 83-year-old is being recognized for his distinguished achievements and contributions to society.

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The start of NASCAR's Chase for the Championship gets underway this weekend in Chicago. The 12 qualified drivers will begin a 10-race run towards the title. Denny Hamlin is the top seed while Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski and defending champion Tony Stewart trail by three points. Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer are six points back while Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth are nine behind. Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon are the final four drivers in and sit 12 points back of first.

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