Joe Nelson

Joined: Nov 15, 2023

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

Dec 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Cade Tyson (10) drives to the basket against the Campbell Fighting Camels during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

Minnesota's shocking win over No. 22 Indiana on Wednesday night was one for the ages. How did they do it?

Nov 18, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Isaac Asuma (1) controls the ball as Chicago State Cougars guard Marcus Tankersley (4) defends during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

There are 143 teams ahead of Minnesota in the initial NET rankings released by the NCAA on Monday, including crosstown neighbor St. Thomas.

Cathedral Catholic High School quarterback Brady Palmer.

Gophers Football

Brady Palmer, a quarterback from San Diego, Cali., committed to the Gophers on Saturday night.

Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Gophers Football

One year ago, Max Brosmer was leading the Gophers to an upset win over No. 11 USC and nearly leading Minnesota over then-No. 4-ranked Penn State. Now he's preparing for what could be his first NFL start when the Vikings visit the Seahawks on Sunday.

Gophers Football

The college football merry-go-round has hit the Golden Gophers with running back recruit Jett Walker flipping his commitment to Texas over the weekend.

Nov 18, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Cade Tyson (10) works around Chicago State Cougars guard Marcus Tankersley (4) during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Gophers Basketball

"In the long run, hopefully these things will help us being in close games," Medved said on B1G Today. "You gotta go through a lot of those ups and downs with your team to try to figure it out."

Alexandria Senior High defender Kerrick Gaines (8) wraps up West Monroe’s Trez Davis (4) in a district game held Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 at Butch Stoker Memorial Stadium in Alexandria. Simon Kartez (1) comes in to assist. ASH won 45-35 and is 6-0 on the season.

Gophers Football

The Gopher are trying to flip a four-star wide receiver recruit who is verbally committed to Tulane.

Kansas takes on Minnesota at Allen Fieldhouse on Nov. 19, 2025.

Gophers Basketball

Minnesota women's basketball suffered its first loss of the season Wednesday night, falling 63-57 at Allen Fieldhouse to the Kansas Jayhawks.

Moorhead Spuds wide receiver David Mack with Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline.

Gophers Football

It's unclear how much interest the Buckeyes have in Mack, as it doesn't appear that he's been offered a scholarship by Ohio State. However, the Gophers were the first FBS team to extend an offer to the junior wide receiver.

Oct 17, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor (1) runs for a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Gophers Football

Oregon is a 25-point favorite against Minnesota Friday night, but the Gophers might have a slightly better shot at shocking the world if star running back Darius Taylor is able to play.

Nov 1, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck looks on during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Gophers Football

P.J. Fleck's name doesn't appear to be at the top of the list, but it does appear to be a list of candidates Arkansas is reviewing amid its search for a new football coach.

Cedric Tomes with Gophers head coach Niko Medved.

Gophers Basketball

It's the official start of the period for high school athletes to formally commit to their college with signed scholarship agreements, and two Gophers commits in the men's basketball team's 2026 recruiting class put pen to paper on Wednesday.

Joe Nelson

Joined: Nov 15, 2023

Cade Tyson scores 24 as Gophers crush Campbell for 7th win

Minnesota advances to Sweet 16 in NCAA volleyball tournament

Gophers stay hot at Ohio State as mega-gauntlet looms after holiday break

Former 4-star quarterback is leaving the Gophers in the transfer portal

Gophers Basketball

Can the severely shorthanded and undersized Gophers pull another upset?

Gophers Basketball

Gophers' ugly start reflected in initial NET rankings

Gophers Football

QB with offers from Ohio State and other top programs commits to Gophers

Gophers Football

Max Brosmer may be on the verge of making Gophers history with the Vikings

Gophers Football

Weeks after flipping to Minnesota, running back recruit flips again to Texas

Gophers Basketball

Gophers trying to 'figure it out' — and they don't have time to waste

Gophers Football

Gophers pushing to flip four-star wide receiver from Louisiana

Gophers Basketball

Gophers fall to Kansas on the road in battle of undefeateds

Ohio State sniffing around top-ranked Minnesota wide receiver recruit

Darius Taylor's Instagram post fuels speculation about his playing status

Insider links P.J. Fleck and 6 others to Arkansas coaching job

Two in-state Gophers recruits officially sign scholarship offers