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This Matters To Somebody

@tm2s.bsky.social

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Four Minnesotans exploring the world through the sports you didn’t know you’d love LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/tm2s iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-matters-to-somebody/id1831854739 RSS Feed: https://anchor.fm/s/1036c317c/podcast/rss

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This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 22d

We need a pin explaining what we're about. So, hi!

We're four friends who met through U of Minnesota sports fandom.

Turns out we also have a shared interest in sports outside of the Big 4 (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), especially sports not common in the US. We think they're great and want to share them.

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This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 2h

bsky.app/profile/rugb...

Rugby News + @rugbynewsplus.bsky.social · 8h

Australia's NRL threatens bans for R360 defectors (✍️@RTErugby) #NRL #RugbyLeague #Australia

Australia's NRL threatens bans for R360 defectors

Australia's National Rugby League acted decisively in response to the threat to their playing talent presented by the rebel franchise league R360 on Wednesday by promising 10-year bans to any potential defectors.

www.rte.ie

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 2h

There’s a rogue rugby “super-league” that’s been mooted called R360. Usual stuff…greed, Dubai, you know.

Many of the largest international unions have been quick to issue bands and now the league codes are joining in too.

Rugby News + @rugbynewsplus.bsky.social · 7h

Ten-year ban for Australian rugby league players joining 'counterfeit' R360 (✍️@rugby_ie) #RugbyLeague #AustralianRugby #RugbyNews

Ten-year ban for Australian rugby league players joining 'counterfeit' R360

Unions of eight of the sport’s major countries said earlier this month that anyone who defects would be ineligible for national team selection.

www.the42.ie

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 10h

Gotta catch up on the #KBO Playoffs!

#5 NC Dinos had a quick Wildcard exit.

#4 Samsung Lions have gone on to upset #3 SSG Landers in the Semi-Playoff 3-1 and now meet #2 Hanwha Eagles in the Playoff.

Game 1 first pitch 4:30 AM Central, available in SOOP

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 8d

It was a tough year for the #MNTwins but there's another Twins franchise that's enjoying a great season!

The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) playoffs started yesterday. The #LGTwins finished the regular season in 1st Place and have a direct bye to the Korean Series!

An LG Twins player salutes their coach while running the bases. Jerseys are black with white pinstripe pants. Front of jersey logos are in red, back of jersey logos are in white.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 10h

A good message from the Australian Football League Women’s captains.

The AFLW season is ongoing and games are easy to find on Fox Sports Two here in the US!

AFL Fans Association @aflfans.bsky.social · 11h

As AFLW Pride Round continues to bring the football community together in Round 10, all 18 AFLW captains have voiced the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone at the footy.

Full Media Release in photos.

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This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 14h

2014 would be the year that birthed the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy. That's been covered elsewhere, and better, by others so we won't belabor it. But it was 2013 that ended a lopsided era and set up a true rivalry to form.

Tomorrow, we'll cover a Nebraska win. Not from the streak. Another one.

Peter Mortell with the Chair on the field at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln in 2014

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

#Nebraska would recover to finish, you guessed it, 9-4. Minnesota would be their only away loss of the season as they picked up home losses to Iowa and Michigan State but capped the season with a Gator Bowl win vs. #23 Georgia.

Ameer Abdullah dives over the pile during the Gator Bowl vs. Georgia

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

#Minnesota would win their next 9 and become ranked before losing to Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Syracuse to end the season 8-5. The end didn't sting much; they had ended a curse and improved 4 straight seasons.

Syracuse's game-winning touchdown in the Texas Bowl. Syracuse 21, Minnesota 17

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

Whatever they became in later days, Jerry Kill, Tracy Claeys, and Phillip Nelson were heroes for #Minnesota fans on that day. In a bad situation they had pulled out a win that not only ended a very dark period in #Gopher football history, but also assured them a bowl game.

#1: Gophers Defeat Nebraska, Fans Storm Field (Top Ten Plays of 2013)

YouTube video by Minnesota Gophers

www.youtube.com

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

For the first time since 1960, #Minnesota had beaten #Nebraska, ending a 16 game losing streak that featured the worst defeat in #Gopher history, 5 shutouts, and 12 double-digit losses.

The crowd rushed the field, and Jerry Kill looked on from the assistants' box.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

Taking possession with 4:25, #Minnesota had a series of short run punctuated by a 20 yard pass to Maxx Williams. Against a roaring crowd, Phillip Nelson capped the victory with a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 0:48 left on the clock, 34-24 #Gophers.

Martinez was intercepted to close the game.

Taylor Martinez had a rough day. 16/30, 139 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception

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This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

Buoyed by the punt and #Nebraska being backed up against their own end zone, the #Gopher defense stood tall. On 3 plays the #Huskers were held to -2 yards and had to punt from their own endzone. Sam Foltz punted 27 yards, giving the #Gophers the shortest field of the game on the Nebraska 34.

Sam Foltz punting in a similar situation at Michigan Stadium

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

After a touchback, #Minnesota drove to the #Nebraska 43 but an incomption to TE Maxx Williams forced a punt. #Gopher punter Peter Mortell kicked a beauty and Jordan Westerkamp fair-caught the ball at the #Husker 9.

Minnesota Punter Peter Mortell standing with Nebraska punter Sam Foltz. Mortell and Foltz were friends, and Foltz later died tragically in a 2016 car accident along with former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler. Mortell had quite a relationship with Nebraska, also hoisting the $5 Bits of Broken Chair trophy at Lincoln in 2014.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

As the 4th Quarter began, comments of "Same old Gophers" started to be whispered. Minnesota punted, Ameer Abdullah ripped a pair of 22 yard runs, but the #Cornhuskers had to settle for a field goal. 27-23.

Then, a field position battle broke out.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

#Gopher fans might have felt optimism creeping in as the 4th Quarter loomed but they were saved by #Nebraska's 2nd most impressive drive of the day. Capped by a 35 yard Taylor Martinez run, he mixed it up with a pass to Sam Cotton to draw the score to 27-20.

Nebraska tight end Sam Cotton, who gave the Huskers hope and the Gophers stomach aches late in the 3rd Quarter

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

The 3rd Quarter started with more punts. A facemask against #Nebraska gave #Minnesota a short field and Nelson struck fast. 5 plays, 38 yards, #Gophers 24, #Huskers 13.

Martinez struggled with accuracy; two incompletions led to a punt, strong running from David Cobb set up a field goal. 27-13.

David Cobb during one of his several long-runs against Nebraska.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

Of particular note in the 2nd Quarter was Ra'Shede Hageman's efforts against #Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez, returning from a turf-toe injury. Hageman picked up two Facemask penalties but also sacked Martinez twice and chased down Abdullah for a key tackle.

Ra'Shede Hageman chases down Ameer Abdullah during the 2nd Quarter, from the Minnesota Star Tribune

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

On the first play, Ameer Abdullah blasted through the #Gophers D-line for a 24 yard gain but the ball was forced out by Aaron Hill and recovered at the 47. #Minnesota went rush-only to set up a field goal, which was matched by #Nebraska on the next possession at it was 17-14 Gophers at half.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

The 2nd Quarter started with 3 punts and then turned on the #Huskers as the #Gophers showed a completely different side. Phillip Nelson was the new QB and he led an 88-yard touchdown drive on nothing but big plays. Runs of 15 and 20 yards, passes of 20 and 33, and in 2:20 it was 14-10 #Gophers.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

Taking over at their own 25, the #Gophers hit back with a relentless, 13-play, 75-yard drive lasting 6:48. Mitch Leidner threw his only complete pass of the day (7 yards to Engel). Cobb, Kirkwood, Engel, Jones, and Leidner did the work on the ground and the 1st Quarter ended 10-7.

Run-focused QB Mitch Leidner scrambles against Nebraska.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 15h

The game kicked off at 11 AM, and the #Cornhuskers wasted no time, marching 69 nice yards to a touchdown in 2:34.

The #Gophers, running a platoon QB rotation between Mitch Leidner and Phillip Nelson, sent Leidner out first. 3 and out, 4 yards, punt.

#Nebraska marched back for a FG. 10-0.

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This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 16h

So here you have it. A matchup between a talented #Nebraska team with an established, proven coach nonetheless moving towards the hot seat, against a #Minnesota team with a full but less-talented roster drawn low by a (then) beloved coach's illness.

a man with long hair and a beard is standing in front of a window holding a sweater and talking .

ALT: a man with long hair and a beard is standing in front of a window holding a sweater and talking .

media.tenor.com

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 16h

Roster-wise, Nebraska featured more and better recruiting. QB Taylor Martinez, RB Ameer Abdullah, WRs Enunwa, Bell, and Turner. The #Cornhusker defense, on the other hand, had talent but was young. There was much pre-season discussion about the defensive installation by Pelini.

2013 Nebraska Football Depth Chart - Defense

Bo Pelini won’t release a depth chart until the start of the season, and even then they’ll have to force it out of him. That doesn’t stop us from speculation. This is our first attempt at the defensiv...

www.cornnation.com

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 16h

For their part #Nebraska hoped to get in and out of Minneapolis with an uneventful day. They had already had 2 bye weeks and now were facing a 6-game stretch that included Michigan State, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. A win at #Minnesota seemed critical.

Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah (#8) fends off an Illinois tackle in their October 5th win over the Illini, 39-19.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 16h

With Kill away on medical leave, his defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys stepped in as on-field coach. Claeys's record coming in was 1-1, with the loss at Michigan and win vs. Northwestern. It was another reason to fear a loss for #Gopher fans who'd been through a lot since 2006.

Jerry Kill posing with Tracy Claeys in the Bierman football practice facility.

This Matters To Somebody @tm2s.bsky.social · 16h

But for Minnesota, coach Jerry Kill was not on the sideline. Kill had suffered a seizure in October, 2005 while coaching at Southern Illinois; he was later found to have kidney cancer which went into remission. But series of seizures followed, including one October 5th before the Michigan game.

Jerry Kill carted off the field at TCF Bank STadium in 2011 vs. New Mexico State on a hot and steamy day where he collapsed on the field. It was the first of his series of seizures while at Minnesota that eventually caused him to retire*