FOX Sports North Midweek Stock Report for Nov. 11
Every Wednesday, FOX Sports North takes a look at which athletes' stock is trending up and whose is trending down.
In other words, who is making a meteoric rise -- like Andrew Wiggins on an alley oop -- and who is plummeting.
With that in mind, let's "take stock" of the current sports scene in Minnesota, shall we?
Karl-Anthony Towns, Wolves C
The top NBA Draft pick from last summer is off to a sterling start to his pro career. Towns produced three double-doubles in his first five games, something no other teenager had ever accomplished. The 7-foot tall 19-year-old also became just the third player in the last 30 seasons with 75 points, 40 rebounds and 15 blocks in their first five games (the others: Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson). Towns is currently averaging 16.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per outing.
St. Thomas football
The Tommies took no prisoners last Saturday, hammering Carlton by a truly jaw-dropping score: 80-3. Fourth-ranked St. Thomas improved to 9-0 as its offense rolled up 628 total yards. The Tommies outscored Carlton 36-0 in the second period alone. Junior Jordan Roberts led a balanced St. Thomas offense, as he rushed for 104 yards and four touchdowns.
Linval Joseph, Vikings DT
Joseph had a game to remember in the Vikings' 21-18 overtime triumph over the Rams last Sunday. The 27-year-old interior defensive lineman tied for the team lead with 10 total tackles (seven solos) and added three tackles for loss and half a sack. The 6-4, 329-pounder had six tackles before halftime. St. Louis signal-caller Nick Foles has probably had night terrors all week as a result.
Mike Wallace, Vikings WR
Wallace produced just one reception, for four yards, on six targets last Sunday against St. Louis, continuing a stunning trend of disappointing outputs. Over the last two games, the 29-year-old, prized offseason acquisition has seen 10 total targets but has just one reception to show for it. Wallace has had five games this season in which he's had three catches or less. He's also on pace for just 584 receiving yards in 2015. Perhaps he just needs to build a rapport with Teddy Bridgewater?
The Gophers' ground game
Minnesota largely acquitted itself well at Ohio State last Saturday night, in a closer-than-expected 28-14 loss. The Gophers appeared to leave their running game back in Minnesota, though. The Maroon and Gold registered just 33 total rushing yards on the night, on 26 carries (1.3 yards per attempt). Shannon Brooks led the way with just 27 yards on 11 attempts.
Audie Cole, Vikings LB
Cole lands on this list through no real fault of his own. The 26-year-old Vikings linebacker fractured his right ankle Sunday against St. Louis, bringing a swift end to his 2015 campaign. Starting in place of injured middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (ribs), Cole injured his ankle in the fourth quarter against the Rams, while trying to corral Rams phenom Todd Gurley. Cole, a North Carolina State product, has just 51 total tackles in his four NFL seasons.
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