The Gophers will be looking for a new running backs coach, with Jayden Everett leaving the U for the same job at Wisconsin, sources told the Pioneer Press on Thursday.

Everett spent one season at the U, replacing Nic McKissic-Luke who spent two years at Minnesota before going to the New York Jets last offseason.

Last fall, Everett coached a position group led by junior Darius Taylor, but it was a group that lost its No. 2 rusher, redshirt freshman Fame Ijeboi, to the transfer portal in early December.

Minnesota currently has two assistant coach openings at special teams coordinator and outside linebackers/nickelbacks. The former OLB/nickels coach, Kevin Kane, left to become Purdue’s defensive coordinator last month.

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As much as the Vikings have consistently preached the importance of team success over individual stats, the most important order of business right now could be finding a way to get star receiver Justin Jefferson over 1,000 yards.

There isn’t much for the Vikings to play for when they host the Green Bay Packers. They can’t make the playoffs no matter what happens on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. They will be playing for pride more than anything else.

That’s why the Vikings could do everything in their power to help their best player continue his historic streak.

Since the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, Jefferson has taken the league by storm, never failing to eclipse 1,000 yards at any point in his career. He once did it in 10 games after missing a large chunk of time with a hamstring strain.

That was the only other time Jefferson even flirted with missing the mark until this season. His lack of production has left him needing 53 yards to reach the milestone when the Vikings play the Packers.

What’s going through his head heading into the finale?

“To let it all out,” Jefferson said. “To give it my all.”

The fact that Jefferson isn’t a lock to eclipse 1,000 yards speaks to how much of a roller coaster it’s been with young quarterback J.J. McCarthy at the helm. To this point, Jefferson is only averaging 48.4 yards per game with McCarthy as the starter. The downturn has been staggering when considering how dominant he has been for most of his career.

Not that Jefferson has ever been willing to throw McCarthy under the bus. He’s stood up for his signal caller at every turn this season. He did so again on Thursday afternoon at TCO Performance Center when asked if he wants McCarthy to be the starter next season.

“I would love for him to be the quarterback,” Jefferson said. “I would love to have him, and love to work with him and show everybody that he is that No. 1 guy.”

The continued support of McCarthy doesn’t take away from Jefferson starting to feel the pressure of still not having won a playoff game with the Vikings. He knows it’s something he has to accomplisher sooner rather than later.

“I hate cutting on that TV in late January and February and seeing other teams playing,” Jeffersons said. “That’s something we’ve got to change.”

There’s nothing that Jefferson can do about it this season. Not when the Vikings were officially eliminated from playoff contention a couple of weeks ago. He won’t have a chance to change the narrative until next season.

That’s why him continuing his historic yards streak could take precedence over everything else when the Vikings play the Packers. He’s been a good soldier throughout a disappointing campaign and, perhaps, deserves to be rewarded in some way, shape, or form.

“The last opportunity to get 1,000 yards,” Jefferson said with a knowing smile. “It’s about going out there and having that kid mindset and having fun.”

If he does that, the rest should take care of itself.

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Two women in separate vehicles died in a two-vehicle crash in Pierce County on Tuesday.

The Pierce County sheriff’s office was called to the crash on U.S. 63 near 770th Street in the town of Trenton at about 4 p.m. Tuesday. They found the driver of a 2013 Kia Optima and the driver of a 2012 Chevy Equinox had crashed while traveling in opposite directions on the highway.

The sheriff’s office said the Kia was being driven southbound by Jena Klos, 43, of Ellsworth, Wis. She was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul where she was later pronounced dead. The driver of the Chevy, Rodney Buck, 77, of Amery, Wis., was also transported to the hospital. His injuries were not released by authorities on Friday.

A passenger in his vehicle, Betty Buck, 77, of Amery, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The details of the crash are under investigation.

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A woman walking on a park trail near Crystal Lake West Thursday morning was grabbed from behind by a man who put his hand over her mouth and said that he had a weapon, Burnsville police said.

The woman was able to fight the man and run away. She ran home and called 911 at about 8:15 a.m.

Police are investigating the incident and ask residents in the area to review home surveillance footage for anything that might help the investigation.

Police and park patrols have been increased in the nearby parks and neighborhoods as a precaution, police said.

Burnsville police officered the following tips in their press release about the assault, asking people to remain aware of their surroundings and report anything suspicious.

• Trust your instincts and move to a well-lit or populated area if something feels off.
• Consider walking with a friend when possible.
• Keep your phone accessible while avoiding distractions.
• Call 911 for urgent situations or non-emergency dispatch for lesser concerns.

Anyone that has information about this assault, including possible video footage from home surveillance footage, is asked to call or email Detective Natalie Sandifer at 952-641-1153 or natalie.sandifer@burnsvillemn.gov.

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