Recent content from Randy Johnson
Gophers football transfer portal impact, Part I: offense
The Gophers loaded up on wide receivers, running backs and offensive linemen, trying to fill key holes.
Louisiana high school running back with 123 touchdowns to his name commits to Gophers
Xavier Ford rushed for 3,467 yards in 2024 and for 8,591 in his prep career.
Gophers score five times in first period, wipe out Irish in Big Ten men's hockey
Minnesota outshot Notre Dame 24-5 in the opening period, when Jimmy Snuggerud tallied twice.
Behind the numbers: Gophers men's hockey team struggling to kill penalties
"It's got to be better," coach Bob Motzko says of a unit that is ranked 60th among 64 NCAA Division I teams.
Arizona State, Augustana emerge on the national college hockey landscape
The Sun Devils (NCHC) and Vikings (CCHA) aren't just in new conferences, they are threatening to win.
Defensive coordinator leaving Gophers for Miami (Fla.)
Corey Hetherman, who received a contract extension after the season, will take the same post with the Hurricanes.
Gophers land Oklahoma State linebacker Roberson via transfer portal
Jeff Roberson's transfer gives the Gophers another veteran option to help replace leading tackler Cody Lindenberg.
Gophers get Ziemer, Moore back for tough series at Ohio State
The Gophers men's hockey team has seven consecutive Big Ten series coming, with gold medalists Brodie Ziemer and Oliver Moore back from the world juniors.
Two from Gophers defense, Bryson and Owusu, enter the transfer portal
Coleman Bryson, a safety, was MVP of the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl for Minnesota, while defensive back Martin Owusu played in one game over two years.
Analysis: Gophers get plenty of help from youngsters in bowl game, setting up for future
With seven starters unavailable against Virginia Tech, the Gophers got good looks at some capable fill-ins.
Bring on the bath: Gophers cap season with 24-10 victory over Virginia Tech in Duke's Mayo Bowl
The Gophers scored three touchdowns in the second quarter, with Darius Taylor catching one TD pass and throwing one as well in their eighth consecutive bowl victory.
Gophers' Quinn Carroll plenty familiar with Virginia Tech, his final college opponent
His brother Collin Carroll played for the Hokies, and Quinn had the program as one of his final college choices.
Gophers enter Duke's Mayo Bowl, dreaming of much bigger things
The first 12-team College Football Playoff has the Gophers believing they can make it there, too.
Can Gophers stretch their bowl win streak to eight, or will Hokies pull the upset?
The Gophers will have key players missing Friday, but not near as many as the Hokies in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
Brosmer can cement his Gophers legacy in bowl game vs. Virginia Tech
The Gophers football program has greatly benefitted from 12 months with QB Max Brosmer. Now comes his finale.
Five things to know about Virginia Tech entering the Duke's Mayo Bowl
Minnesota's bowl opponent has a rich tradition and loyal fans from the Frank Beamer era. But Beamer has been tough to replace.
Why did the Gophers' bowl game become famous for dunking coaches in mayo?
The Duke's Mayo Bowl, looking to build its brand, has submerged the past three winning coaches in mayonnaise.
Gophers redshirt freshman receiver McWilliams enters transfer portal
T.J. McWilliams will have three years of eligibility remaining after leaving the Gophers via the transfer portal.
What happened to Virginia Tech's roster entering Duke's Mayo Bowl clash with Gophers?
Minnesota will face a Virginia Tech team that has lost 21 players to the transfer portal and five more to the NFL draft.
Transfer running back backs away from Gophers, picks Western Michigan
Former Michigan player Cole Cabana had said he would play for Minnesota, but he could start with the Broncos.
Gophers gear up for Duke's Mayo Bowl, aiming for a strong end to 2024 and a jump start for 2025
Virginia Tech of the ACC awaits, but coach P.J. Fleck also is taking time to identify players for next season. "Pre-spring ball," he called it.
Gophers land commitment from Nebraska transfer receiver Coleman
Malachi Coleman is the third transfer receiver to commit to the Gophers this month.
Gophers land transfer commitment from former UCLA receiver Loya
Logan Loya, who was a four-star recruit out of high school in California, is the second wide receiver to commit to the Gophers since the transfer portal opened.
Gophers land pair of offensive linemen via portal
Kahlee Tafai, a 6-5, 338-pounder who started four games for Washington this season, and 6-6, 310-pounder Dylan Ray formerly of Kentucky join a team rebuilding their offensive line.
Gophers linebacker Lindenberg declares for NFL draft
Cody Lindenberg, who has one year of college eligibility remaining, is leaving the Gophers after a standout junior season.
Gophers patch one offensive line hole with Central Florida transfer
The Gophers were down to one returning offensive line starter for next season but added Mid-American Conference veteran Marcellus Marshall.
Gophers offensive lineman Daniels transfers to Ohio State
Two days after entering the transfer portal, Philip Daniels landed with Ohio State.
Gophers receiver Kristen Hoskins enters transfer portal
Kristen Hoskins played three games over three seasons with the Gophers before entering the portal.
Gophers' Daniels enters transfer portal, leaving just one returning offensive line starter
The Gophers also landed a defensive line transfer in Rushawn Lawrence, and Aireontae Ersery was named third-team AP All-America.
Gophers land running backs, All-MAC receiver via transfer portal
A.J. Turner, leaving Marshall, Cameron Davis, exiting Washington, and Cole Cabana, departing Michigan, bolster Minnesota's backfield. Javon Tracy, from Miami (Ohio), joins the receiver corps.
Gophers go missing in third period, fall hard against Spartans in men's hockey
No. 3 Michigan State scored the final four goals and rallied past top-ranked Minnesota for a 5-3 victory.
Gophers and Spartans play to draw in highest-level men's hockey; Michigan State banks extra shootout point
Minnesota, ranked first in the nation, dealt with injury and absence against No. 3 Michigan State.
Gophers defenseman Rinzel, a first-round NHL pick, emerges as Hobey Baker candidate
The Gophers men's hockey team can trace Sam Rinzel's improvement this past offseason down to the second, and he'll be a focal point in this weekend's series against No. 3 Michigan State.
Gophers add tight end from Purdue via transfer portal; linebacker Baranowski says he's staying
Drew Biber, who made 13 catches for the Boilermakers in 2024, will arrive with one season of eligibility remaining.
Gophers get transfer QB commitment from Georgia Tech's Zach Pyron
The Yellow Jackets backup played in 10 games this season, completing 35 of 63 passes, and rushed for four touchdowns.
Gophers football assistant pay ranks towards bottom of Big Ten
USA Today's annual assistant coach salary report had the Gophers 15th out of 15 Big Ten schools that responded.
Gophers football to play at Wrigley Field vs. Northwestern next November
The Big Ten finalized the league schedule for next season, with some interesting twists for the Gophers.
Gophers to face Virginia Tech in Duke's Mayo Bowl on Jan. 3
Riding a seven-game bowl winning streak, Minnesota will close out the 2024 season when it faces ACC representative Virginia Tech on Jan. 3 in Charlotte, NC.
Charlotte for Bowl Season? Gophers Mayo be headed that way
Nothing is official yet but if things shake out in likely order, the Gophers could be headed to North Carolina for the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Jan. 3
Gophers sweep Michigan with two shutouts, which U hadn't done since 1943
Liam Souliere made 22 saves and Sam Rinzel's first-period power-play goal helped carry the Gophers past the Wolverines.
Gophers defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman signs contract extension
The new deal for the former Rutgers assistant runs through the 2026 season.
Perich, Taylor post they won't leave the Gophers, invite fans to donate to them via app
The two underclassmen are partnering with Roy Inc., a Minneapolis-based company that developed an app for making direct name, image and likeness contributions to athletes.
No. 4 Gophers men's hockey faces No. 6 Michigan, knowing it must score first
The Gophers have been inviting danger, falling behind early, so that will be a point of emphasis during a showdown series against the Wolverines.
Gophers sign the top three in-state recruits, and reel in 18 others that have Fleck raving
On the first day of college football's early signing period, Minnesota signed 21 players, with two who had verbally committed signing elsewhere.
Gophers defensive end Joyner accepts Senior Bowl bid
Jah Joyner's move is an indication that the pass rusher won't return for his final year of eligibility in 2025.
Gophers football recruiting class of 2025: Signed, sealed and delivered
A closer look at the 21 players who signed with the Gophers on Wednesday, the first day of college football's early signing period.
P.J. Fleck and the Gophers signed the state's top three recruits, headlined by Emmanuel Karmo
Gophers have clear plan on signing day, get better in the trenches
Minnesota's top in-state recruit, Karmo, appears ready to sign with Gophers
Emmanuel Karmo heads a 21-player Gophers football recruiting class heading into Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
Gophers expected 2025 football recruiting class
Fleck has a four-star quarterback and the top-ranked player in Minnesota in this class.
Gophers' Ersery named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year
Koi Perich, a true freshman safety for the Gophers, was also a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media.
Gophers defensive linemen McCoy, Schwartz enter transfer portal
Luther McCoy saw limited action for the Gophers this season and took part in the team's Senior Walk before the Nov. 23 game against Penn State.
Big Ten football power rankings: Where did the Gophers finish?
The last week of the regular season brought a shakeup, with Michigan playing spoiler against rival Ohio State, and Iowa taking on Nebraska.
Analysis: Gophers await their bowl assignment. Yes, Nashville is in the mix. No, Detroit is not.
At least four Big Ten teams are likely to be in the College Football Playoff field. Minnesota's possibilities start with the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte and the Music City Bowl.
High school offensive tackle commits to Gophers football team
A 6-6, 275-pounder, Kaveon Lee is a three-star recruit from Plainfield Central in Illinois who made his official visit last week.
Gophers roll to 24-7 victory at Wisconsin to reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe
Minnesota built a 21-0 lead and held off a brief surge by the Badgers to finish the regular season at 7-5. Wisconsin fell to 5-7, ending its 22-year streak of gaining bowl eligibility.
Gophers lineman switches sides, changes spots and 'we just roll'
An injury stopped Aireontae Ersary, a coach said, "Yo, I need you," and Quinn Carroll, who had started at right guard, suddenly became a left tackle.
Gophers football has taken Brosmer and his parents for a wild ride, with Camp Randall next
Max Brosmer and family have seen the Rose Bowl stadium and Michigan Stadium. They rushed the field after beating USC. And Friday they'll experience the most-played rivalry in college football.
Will the Gophers reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe? Randy Johnson's preview and prediction
Wisconsin is riding a four-game losing streak, but the Badgers are a dangerous team that lost 16-13 to No. 1 Oregon two weeks ago.
Big Ten football picks: Oregon or Washington? Michigan or Ohio State?
Indiana can punch its ticket to the College Football Playoff if it takes care of rival Purdue. And the same goes for Ohio State against Michigan, of course.
Analysis: This time, the Gophers can win the Axe and chop down Wisconsin's bowl hopes
The Badgers just need one more win for a bowl bid, but that's been the case going into their past four games, all losses.
Gophers' Brosmer, Carroll say they'll definitely play in the team's bowl game
Despite the national trend of more players opting out of bowl games, Gophers QB Max Brosmer and offensive lineman Quinn Carroll both intend to finish out in a bowl.
Big Ten power rankings: Has Wisconsin dropped into the bottom third?
The Gophers are still in the 18-team Big Ten's top half — for now, at least — and Nebraska hopes to keep climbing.
Analysis: Gophers indeed had their chance vs. Penn State, but they just couldn't deliver
Though the Gophers checked key boxes in their upset bid, the Nittany Lions countered with a late third-quarter go-ahead touchdown and three fourth-down conversions on their final drive, including a fake punt, to claim the win.
Gophers fall just short of another upset of Penn State
Nittany Lions converted on three fourth downs while protecting one-point lead to keep Gophers from getting ball back.
Gophers football honors 23 players for Senior Day
Seven of the players have eligibility for 2025 should they decide to return to the program.
Gophers vs. No. 4 Penn State stirs vivid memories from Minnesota's 2019 triumph
From the 2019 Gophers roster, 24 players went on to play in the NFL, but first they had a November day for the ages in Minneapolis.
Can Gophers upset No. 4 Penn State?
Gophers' final home game of season comes against Nittany Lions team in contention for College Football Playoff.
Minnesota native Nessler looks forward to calling Gophers vs. Penn State
Brad Nessler last called a Gophers game in 2015. He grew up St. Charles, Minn., and got his broadcasting start in Mankato, so this has been a chance to reacquaint with old friends.
Big Ten football picks: No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Indiana to play one for playoff position
Unless it's a blowout, Cinderella (aka the Hoosiers) stands a chance to make the College Football Playoff field even with a loss.
Talented Gophers tackle Ersery gets classic matchup for home finale
Penn State will counter Aireontae Ersery with Abdul Carter, in what could wind up being a battle of first-round draft picks.
Steveson explains Gophers return, as UFC's Jones sees a future in mixed martial arts
Gophers heavyweight Gable Steveson said Monday that he does indeed have sights on competing for another gold medal at the 2028 Olympics.
Gophers hope second bye week propels them even better than the first one did
The competition will be tougher coming out of this bye week, with No. 4 Penn State coming to town.
Big Ten football power rankings: Where do Gophers sit entering final two weeks?
While Wisconsin was sacking its offensive coordinator, the Gophers used a bye week to get ready for Penn State next Saturday, followed by the battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe.
Randy Johnson's college football bowl projections: SEC, Big Ten rule the roost
In the expanded 12-team playoff field, the SEC and Big Ten figure to have four teams each in the field and will gobble up all but one at-large spot.
Big Ten picks: Is Wisconsin the team that finally hands Oregon a loss?
The No. 1 Ducks will be in Madison, where the Badgers are rested coming off a bye week. Meanwhile, while USC and Nebraska square off at the L.A. Coliseum.
