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Randy Johnson

College football reporter | Gophers football and hockey
Phone: 612-673-7664

Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Minnesota Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.


Johnson also spent 17 years as sports copy editor/layout editor at the Minnesota Star Tribune after five years in a similar role with the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He also was assistant sports editor and Penn State football beat writer for the Centre Daily Times in State College, Pa., for five years.
Recent content from Randy Johnson
Rookie defenseman Zeev Buium played in the first four games of the Wild's playoff series against the Golden Knights — the first four games of his pr

Buium's whirlwind season hasn't concluded despite Wild's ouster from playoffs

The 19-year-old defenseman will play for the United States in the world championship in Sweden.
Wild center Marco Rossi celebrates after scoring during the first period of Game 3 of the playoff series against Vegas at Xcel Energy Center.

Wild's Rossi admittedly uncertain over future after up-and-down season

Marco Rossi had a career-high 60 points but ended the season centering the fourth line and is a restricted free agent this summer.
Gophers fans played to the camera during a 2024 win over Maryland at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Gophers land commitment from sought-after high school linebacker

Hudson Dunn of Peoria, Ariz., has scholarship offers from several Big Ten schools, including Michigan, Oregon and Penn State.
Brayden McNabb of Vegas reacts to a high stick from Marco Rossi of the Wild early in Thursday's game at Xcel Energy Center. Rossi got a double-minor a

Wild overtime: Key takeaways as Vegas ends Wild's season

Jack Eichel's goal ended up giving the Golden Knights a lead they would never give up.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck leads his team onto the field for the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Jan. 3 in Charlotte, N.C.

Gophers football team lands commitment from a Pennsylvania running back

Ezekiel Bates was recruited by Boston College, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest before committing to the Gophers.
Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (14), center Brett Howden (21) and goaltender Adin Hill (33) defend the net against Wild center Joel Eriksson

Vegas' big-timers show up, and the Golden Knights win Game 5

The Wild will have their season on the line Thursday at Xcel Energy Center as they trail the series 3-2.
The Gophers sprinted onto the field at Huntington Bank Stadium for a 2024 game.

Gophers add Purdue offensive lineman Jaden Ball through transfer portal

The 6-5, 300-pounder also had offers from Ohio State and Syracuse.
Brett Howden (21) of the Vegas Golden Knights gets his stick under the arm of Ryan Hartman (38) of the Wild on Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.

Wild overtime: Takeaways after Vegas rallies and ties playoff series with OT victory

Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy broke up his top line and the moves paid off when Ivan Barbashev scored the game-winner.
Boston College quarterback Emmett Morehead is headed to the Gophers via the transfer portal.

Gophers add former Boston College quarterback in the transfer portal

Emmett Morehead was a part-time starter at BC in 2022 before spending the 2024 season with Old Dominion sidelined by a knee injury.
Vegas' Zach Whitecloud and the Wild's Marco Rossi are separated during a first-period disagreement Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center.

Wild overtime: Takeaways from the Game 3 victory over Vegas

The members of the Golden Knights' top line, Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev, have been held in check during the series.
Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck is adding pieces to the roster.

Gophers add not one, but two punters from transfer portal

Australian Tom Weston played at Division II Ouachita Baptist, while Brody Richter was UCLA's starter last year.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck leads his team onto the field at Huntington Bank Stadium before a 2024 game.

Gophers add running back Johann Cardenas, a transfer from Vanderbilt

The Houston native had a highly productive high school career.
Marcus Foligno of the Wild puts a big hit on Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud during Tuesday's playoff game in Las Vegas.

Key takeaways from Wild's 5-2 victory over Vegas

The little things were important as the Wild evened the series at one.
The Gophers take the field before a 2024 game at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Gophers football team adds defensive tackle Mo Omonode, a transfer from Purdue

The 6-foot, 286-pounder played three seasons for the Boilermakers and has one year of eligibility remaining.
Gophers football fans performed for the cameras during a 2024 game.

Gophers redshirt freshman running back enters transfer portal

Jaydon Wright, a three-star 2024 recruit, battled injuries during his time in Minnesota.
Vegas' Pavel Dorofeyev (16) celebrates with Shea Theodore and Tomas Hertl (48) after Dorofeyev's goal during the second period in Game 1 Sunday.

Takeaways from the Wild's loss to the Golden Knights in Game 1 of their NHL playoff series

Vegas' power play loomed as a concern pregame, and that was validated. Also notable: faceoff numbers, Zeev Buium's debut and the physical play.
Iowa cornerback John Nestor (7) celebrates with teammate Luke Elkin (39) after recovering a fumble against Nebraska last November.

U football lands defensive back Nestor, a transfer from Iowa

Nestor, who has two years of eligibility remaining, played as a reserve cornerback for the Hawkeyes the past two years.
Keegan Kolesar (55) of the Golden Knights and Marcus Foligno of the Wild dust up during a December game Xcel Energy Center.

Minnesota Wild-Vegas Golden Knights matchup chart

A look at the two teams as the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs begin this weekend.
Zach Pyron (9) makes throws during practice with the Gophers on March 25 at the Athletes Village.

Gophers quarterback Pyron, a transfer from Georgia Tech, is re-entering the portal

Zach Pyron was receiving third-team reps at quarterback during spring practice with the Gophers.
Minnesota Gophers players wait with head coach P.J. Fleck to run out of the tunnel before their game against the Purdue Boilermakers Saturday, Oct. 1,

Gophers receive commitment from Florida high school wide receiver

Hayden Moore had offers from 14 FBS programs, including Boston College, Iowa and Vanderbilt.
Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck leads his team onto the field at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Gophers land Utah high school receiver and Wayzata defensive lineman

Wayzata's Eli Diane is the first commitment for the Class of 2027, and wideout Kai Meza is the seventh for the Class of 2026.
Michigan State's Isaac Howard had 26 goals and 26 assists this season and was named Big Ten Player of the Year.

Michigan State's Isaac Howard wins Hobey Baker Award

The Gophers' Sam Rinzel and Jimmy Snuggerud were named West All-Americans.
Gophers offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr., left, instructs quarterback Drake Lindsey during Tuesday's spring practice session at the team's indo

Gophers QB Lindsey making strides in spring practice as team looks to replace Brosmer

Redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey "is playing at a really high level," Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said.
“He’s too good of a football player not to be on the field, somehow, some way, throughout the entire game, not just on one side," Gophers coach P.

U looks to factor star safety Perich in to offensive plan

Gophers coach P.J. Fleck ready to see big offensive moments from Koi Perich.
Gophers coach Bob Motzko landed a transfer goalie from Michigan State, Luca Di Pasquo, on Friday.

Gophers men's hockey team lands goalie via transfer from Michigan State

Luca Di Pasquo went 7-0-0 for Michigan State this season and also has a history of success outside college.
Gophers coach Bob Motzko added a transfer Wednesday in Tanner Ludtke, who is leaving Nebraska Omaha.

Gophers men's hockey team lands transfer from Nebraska Omaha

Tanner Ludtke, from Lakeville South High School, led Omaha in scoring in 2023-24 but was hampered by injury this winter.
Ryan Chesley (71) takes a shot against Wisconsin on Jan. 31 at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

Chesley becomes sixth Gophers hockey player to turn pro since season ended

Gophers defenseman Ryan Chesley has signed with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), a Washington Capitals affiliate.
Minnesota defenseman Sam Rinzel (2)  and center Oliver Moore (11) celebrate a goal by Rinzel against Michigan on Dec. 7, at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

NHL bound: Rinzel, Moore and Wood leave Gophers for NHL deals

Sam Rinzel, Oliver Moore and Matthew Wood join Jimmy Snuggerud as Gophers who have turned pro since Thursday.
Massachusetts forward Cole O'Hara, right, trips over Gophers goalie Liam Souliere as he takes a shot on goal in the first period during the first roun

Analysis: Frustration is a familiar feeling after Gophers' latest NCAA tournament exit

Gophers men's hockey coach said, "These guys deserved better," after Thursday's loss to UMass in the NCAA regional semifinals.
Gophers forward Jimmy Snuggerud is giving up his final year of collegiate eligibility to join the St. Louis Blues.

Snuggerud leaves Gophers to sign with NHL's Blues

A day after a sudden end to his junior season, the high-scoring forward signed an entry-level contract.
The Gophers' Leo Gruba and UMass' Ryan Lautenbach clash at the boards during Thursday's game.

Gophers blow lead, lose to UMass in NCAA men's hockey regional on controversial OT goal

Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said tripping should have been called on the play that led to the winning score.
Minnesota State Mankato's Brian Carrabes (28) chases the puck during Thursday's NCAA regional game against Western Michigan.

Minnesota State Mankato falls to Western Michigan in OT, exits NCAA men's hockey tournament

A goal by Grant Slukynsky 7:14 into the second overtime period moved top-seeded Western Michigan into the regional final.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck is working on his 2026 recruiting class.

Gophers land top-ranked football recruit in Wisconsin's 2026 class

Offensive tackle Gavin Meier of Janesville Parker High School pledged to Minnesota and coach P.J. Fleck.
Gophers captain Jimmy Snuggerud, flanked by his grandfather, Jim Westby, left, and his father, Dave Snuggerud. All three generations have been Gophers

For love of the U: Snuggerud's Gophers hockey connection goes three generations deep

Gophers captain Jimmy Snuggerud's father, Dave, and grandfather Jim Westby were stars at Minnesota and played for Team USA, too.
Western Michigan's Alex Bump is a Minnesotan playing in an NCAA regional full of Minnesota ties. Bump, from Prior Lake, and his teammates will take on

Minnesota State Mankato, 'sneaky good' to say the least, is back in the NCAA men's hockey tournament

The Mavericks, in coach Luke Strand's second season, lean on goaltender Alex Tracy, statistically atop the nation.
The Gophers are set to face UMass while MSU Mankato will take on top-seeded Western Michigan, all on Thursday in the NCAA Fargo Regional.

Everything to know about the NCAA Fargo regional

The Gophers are set to face UMass while MSU Mankato will take on top-seeded Western Michigan, beginning Thursday.
Gophers goalie Liam Souliere transferred to Minnesota from Penn State, where he had NCAA tournament experience.

Motzko announces Liam Souliere will start in goal for Gophers vs. UMass

Liam Souliere has NCAA tournament experience and will get the nod over sophomore Nathan Airey.
Gophers forward Jimmy Clark (23) tries a wraparound shot against Notre Dame goalie Owen Say the last time Minnesota played, on March 9.

Gophers' NCAA tourney opener vs. UMass comes after a concerning 18-day layoff

Gophers men's hockey coach Bob Motzko had his team play an exhibition game in Rochester to stay sharp for this Thursday's regional semifinal.
Gophers forward Jimmy Clark shoots in the second period against Notre Dame on March 9. The Gophers lost that Big Ten first-round playoff series and ha

Gophers men's hockey will open NCAA tournament against UMass in Fargo

The Gophers, who last played on March 9, will be playing Thursday in a regional in North Dakota for the second time in three seasons.
Gophers coach Bob Motzko and players watch as the NCAA tournament ends in 2024. Sunday the Gophers will learn the details about the 2025 tournament.

Signs point to Gophers landing in Fargo for NCAA men's hockey tournament

College Hockey Insider: Minnesota appears in line to be a No. 2 regional seed when the field is revealed Sunday.
Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson, right, reacts after defeating the Gophers' Gable Steveson for the NCAA heavyweight championship Saturday.

Chance to win third NCAA title slips away from Gophers' Steveson

Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State defeated the Minnesota heavyweight 5-4 and ended the storybook return by the Olympic champion.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck leads his team onto the field at Huntington Bank Stadium during a 2024 game.

Gophers receive commitment from Arizona prep wide receiver

Rico Blassingame, a 6-3, 180-pounder, has 15 offers from Power Four schools.
Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (3) "is coming into his own," running back Darius Taylor said.

Gophers churning out NFL prospects, but they have to replace them now, too

The Gophers opened spring practice Thursday with big holes to fill, coming of last season's 8-5 finish.
Gophers redshirt freshman Max McEnelly (right) is seeded No. 3 at 184 pounds for the NCAA championships.

NCAA wrestling championships preview and broadcast info for the meet in Philadelphia

The No. 5 Gophers have heavyweight Gable Steveson seeded first and redshirt freshman Max McEnelly seeded third at 184 pounds.
Beginning next season, the NCHC will play its tournament on campus sites, as the Big Ten and CCHA do.

For one college hockey conference, after years of March memories, it's 'Last Call in St. Paul'

College Hockey Insider: The NCHC Frozen Faceoff comes to Xcel Energy Center this weekend before the conference tournament moves to campus sites.
Apple Valley native Gable Steveson will compete for his third national title for the Gophers at the NCAA wrestling championships, Thursday-Saturday in

If Steveson wins another title, is he the best NCAA heavyweight of all-time?

Gable Steveson returned to the Gophers this season, determined to win a third national championship and solidify his place in NCAA history.
Minnesota State Mankato forward Adam Eisele skates in a game in January 2024.

Minnesota State Mankato clinches spot in NCAA men's hockey tournament because of St. Thomas' ineligibility

The Mavericks and Tommies will meet for the Mason Cup on Friday, but an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament is not on the line.
Gophers forward Aaron Huglen, middle, is helped off the ice by teammates Ryan Chesley (71) and Brody Lamb (17) in Sunday's loss to Notre Dame at 3M Ar

Gophers hockey senior Huglen expected to miss NCAA tournament with leg injury

Aaron Huglen, a center from Roseau, suffered an injury that leaves the Gophers without their third-line center.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck leads the team through a spring practice on April 11, 2023, at Huntington Bank Stadium.

No spring game for Gophers again this year, but fans have two chances to watch spring practice

The Gophers have joined a national trend of football teams moving away from holding a spring game.
Notre Dame's Blake Biondi and the Gophers' Jimmy Snuggerud get tangled up against the boards in Saturday's 4-2 Minnesota victory at 3M Arena at Mariuc

Gophers will try to buck trend of hockey teams ousted early in conference tournaments

College Hockey Insider: Since 2003, only two eventual NCAA champions failed to advance out of the first round of their conference tournaments.
Fighting Irish forward Hunter Strand (10) is congratulated by forward Grant Silianoff (9) on his empty-netter in the third period as Gophers forwards

U men's hockey ousted by Notre Dame, has long wait until NCAAs

The Gophers jeopardized their shot at a No. 1 seed by failing to get out of the first round of the Big Ten tournament against last-place Notre Dame.
Gophers forward Connor Kurth , left, gestures toward teammate Matthew Wood after Wood guided the puck past Fighting Irish goaltender Owen Say (30) and

Gophers top Fighting Irish, push Big Ten men's hockey tournament series to final game

Connor Kurth scored the go-ahead goal and assisted on the winner. They'll settle this Sunday.
The Gophers' Sam Rinzel takes a tumble against Notre Dame during the Big Ten tournament Friday.

Gophers fall to Fighting Irish in opener of Big Ten men's hockey tournament

Minnesota will need to win each of the next two days to reach the semifinals.
Gophers junior Drew Roberts is seeded 10th at 149 pounds for the Big Ten wrestling championships, which run Saturday-Sunday in Evanston, Ill.

Potential Steveson vs. Kerkvliet rematch headlines Big Ten wrestling meet

Gophers heavyweight Gable Steveson could face Penn State star and Minnesota native Greg Kerkvliet for the Big Ten title Sunday.
Gophers forward Matthew Wood, who transferred from UConn, was a 2023 first-round draft pick for the Nashville Predators.

A transfer from UConn, Wood adds more grit to the Gophers men's hockey team

Matthew Wood was a 2023 first-round NHL draft pick for Nashville and has seen his game grow for Minnesota.
St. Thomas has seen improvement each season under coach Rico Blasi.

Not yet eligible for the NCAA tourney, Tommies take aim at a CCHA crown

College Hockey Insider: St. Thomas is 12-3-1 since the start of January under fourth-year coach Rico Blasi.
Gophers forward Mason Nevers, shown in a November game, helped the Gophers take a lead with a goal Saturday against Penn State.

Gophers snag a victory over Nittany Lions and a share of the Big Ten title

Minnesota lost its chance at the outright championship before it began to play Saturday thanks to Michigan State's win.
Jimmy Snuggerud, shown during a January game, scored the tying goal for the Gophers in the third period.

Gophers hit a complication in push for Big Ten men's hockey title: OT loss to Penn State

Minnesota still can win the conference championship Saturday, but it will need help.
Gophers defenseman Cal Thomas, right, offers plenty more than what appears on his stat sheet.

Thomas isn't just a defenseman for the Gophers. Motzko calls him the 'Eraser.'

The Gophers men's hockey team will need tight defense to make an NCAA tournament run. When healthy, Cal Thomas provides.
Western Michigan's Alex Bump has 15 goals and 19 assists this season.

Analysis: What makes Western Michigan so tough as NCAA men's hockey postseason nears?

College Hockey Insider: The Broncos are closing in on their first NCHC regular-season title and could earn a No. 1 regional seed for the 16-team NCAA tournament.
Gophers coach P. J. Fleck added to his coaching staff, including some familiar names.

Gophers hire running backs coach, reveal other coaching moves

Jayden Everett, an assistant at Michigan last season, will handle the backfield. Nick Faus, Jordan Hendy, Christian Pawola and C.J. Robbins also were added to the football staff.
The Gophers' Oliver Moore eyes an opportunity Saturday against Ohio State.

Gophers thrash Buckeyes, move into first place in Big Ten men's hockey

Minnesota rose to the top with a sweep of Ohio State and Penn State's sweep of Michigan State.
Gophers forward Brody Lamb skates around the net, setting up his wraparound goal in the third period.

Gophers overcome Buckeyes, stand alone in second place in Big Ten men's hockey

Minnesota, boosted by Brody Lamb's resurgence, moved to just a point behind first-place Michigan State.
Gophers freshman Beckett Hendrickson (14) has been playing primarily on a line with senior Mason Nevers and junior John Mittelstadt.

With a familiar name for Gophers fans, Beckett Hendrickson blossoms as a freshman

Beckett Hendrickson, whose father, Darby, played for the Gophers and Wild, is growing into his role this season.
Gophers star Jimmy Snuggerud celebrates a goal for Team USA during the World Junior tournament on Jan. 4, 2024 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

As 4 Nations tourney flourishes, the Gophers' Motzko, Snuggerud still get chills

College Hockey Insider: Bob Motzko has coached and Jimmy Snuggerud has played for Team USA in intense showdowns vs. bitter rival Canada.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck received his fourth commitment for the 2026 recruiting class when four-star cornerback Justin Hopkins of the Ensworth School

Gophers gain commitment from four-star cornerback Hopkins of Nashville

Ranked No. 22 nationally at his position in the 2026 class, Justin Hopkins picked Minnesota over Georgia Tech, USC and Tennessee.
Minnesota’s Gable Steveson is introduced before Friday night’s dual against Iowa on at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis on Friday.

Gophers heavyweight Steveson makes his final home match his 63rd victory in a row

Sixth-ranked Minnesota lost to third-ranked Iowa, its 11th consecutive loss to the Hawkeyes.
Gophers redshirt freshman Max McEnelly, right, is 17-0 and ranked No. 4 in the country in the highly competitive 184-pound weight class.

McEnelly gives Gophers wrestling a rising star to pair with Steveson

The Gophers enter Friday's showdown with Iowa with Max McEnelly at 17-0 and ranked No. 4 at 184 pounds.
Gophers graduate transfer Liam Souliere ranks ninth nationally in goals-against average (2.02) and 13th in save percentage (.927).

Signs point to senior transfer Souliere taking over full-time in net for Gophers

Men's hockey coach Bob Motzko has used both Liam Souliere and Nathan Airey most weekends but could be ready to pick one goalie for the stretch run.
When Denver went to Grand Forks in November, Denver swept the Fighting Hawks 5-2 and 3-2.

College Hockey Insider: North Dakota-Denver series looms large, especially for the visitors

"We've got to start sweeping" is the Fighting Hawks' mantra, sitting at No. 23 in the PairWise rankings.
Luke Strand, middle, is in his second season as Minnesota State Mankato men's hockey coach.

Analysis: Minnesota State Mankato aiming to return atop CCHA

College Hockey Insider: The Mavericks have a key home series this weekend against surprising Augustana.
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck has seen 13 players enter the transfer portal since the 2024 season started.

Minnesota Gophers offensive lineman Martes Lewis enters the transfer portal

Martes Lewis, an offensive lineman who started three games for the Gophers in the 2024 season, including the Duke's Mayo Bowl win over Virginia Tech, has entered his name into the transfer portal.
Defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere celebrates with Gophers defensive lineman Kyler Baugh after a sack against Eastern Michigan in September.

Gophers defensive line coach is headed to the Arizona Cardinals

The team's sack totals rose under the leadership of Winston DeLattiboudere, who also played for Minnesota.
Minnesota forward Jimmy Snuggerud (81) celebrates with fans after scoring against Wisconsin in the second period Friday at the 3M Arena at Mariucci. S

Gophers roar all the way back, then leave the Badgers behind in men's hockey

Wisconsin took a two-goal lead in the first period, but Minnesota scored the next five goals.
Gophers freshman Beckett Hendrickson (14) has three goals and five assists in 27 games this season.

Gophers men have key improvements to make before they're NCAA tournament ready

The Gophers have been good one night and shaky the next, so they're looking for a complete showing vs. Wisconsin.