Staff
Sam Ekstrom
Sam Ekstrom is an executive producer and host at Locked On Sports Minnesota. He's previously covered the Vikings for 105 The Ticket, Zone Coverage, Purple Insider, and the Associated Press. He grew up in Vermillion, S.D. rooting for the USD Coyotes (not SDSU) and graduated from Dordt (not "dork") University in Sioux Center, Iowa.
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Amir Coffey’s Career Game Carries McBrayer, Gophers to First Big Ten Win
By Sam Ekstrom - Dec 6, 2018
Wearing street clothes, Amir Coffey fiddled with a can of Sprite, struggling to open the soft drink with a bag of ice wrapped to his right hand. […]
Vikings
First Down Could Be a Spot For Vikings to Adjust Playcalling
By Sam Ekstrom - Dec 5, 2018
There is an ongoing debate right now about what constitutes balance in the Minnesota Vikings offense. As the offense has stuttered in a handful of big games, […]
Gophers Senior Dupree McBrayer Loses Mother to Cancer
By Sam Ekstrom - Dec 4, 2018
Minnesota Golden Gophers senior Dupree McBrayer announced Monday on Instagram that his mother, Tayra McFarlane, had passed away. He added an additional message on Twitter Tuesday saying […]
Vikings
FOOTBALL MACHINE POSTGAME: Sam Ekstrom on the Latest Vikings Loss
By Sam Ekstrom - Dec 3, 2018
Minnesota Vikings beat writer Sam Ekstrom reacts from Boston to the Vikings’ 24-10 loss at New England. He discusses the big picture of the season, the offensive […]
Vikings
Frustration Evident for Vikings Receivers Amidst Offensive Struggles
By Sam Ekstrom - Dec 2, 2018
Stefon Diggs sat by himself in the hallway outside the Minnesota Vikings locker room following the team’s 24-10 loss to escape the postgame hubbub, not eager to […]
Vikings
Banged-Up Secondary Exploited on Decisive Patriots Drives
By Sam Ekstrom - Dec 2, 2018
The Minnesota Vikings had held Tom Brady and the New England Patriots to just three points in two-and-a-half quarters since their opening drive touchdown, so Brady did […]
Vikings
LOCKER ROOM VIDEO: Vikings Frustrated After Loss in New England
By Sam Ekstrom - Dec 2, 2018
Hear from a somber Minnesota Vikings locker room after their 24-10 defeat at Gillette Stadium in New England. MIKE ZIMMER KIRK COUSINS ADAM THIELEN XAVIER RHODES Xavier […]
Vikings
RAPID REACTION: Vikings Bend Late in 24-10 Loss to Patriots
By Sam Ekstrom - Dec 2, 2018
The Minnesota Vikings comeback from a 10-0 deficit felt triumphant. Then the New England Patriots answered. Quickly and convincingly. Tom Brady led a swift touchdown drive at […]
Gophers Win at U.S. Bank Stadium to Cap Eventful November
By Sam Ekstrom - Dec 1, 2018
Richard Pitino coached a basketball game inside a football stadium, spoke to reporters at midnight and then departed to watch some film and construct a gameplan before […]
Vikings
Don’t Forget About Gronk: Vikings Still Need to Account for the Veteran Tight End
By Sam Ekstrom - Nov 30, 2018
For nearly a decade, Rob Gronkowski has been an unreckonable force. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight end has rolled off four 1,000-yard seasons, four First-Team All-Pro selections and […]
Vikings
Do the Vikings Play Better as Underdogs?
By Sam Ekstrom - Nov 30, 2018
The Minnesota Vikings head into Gillette Stadium Sunday to face the New England Patriots as betting-line underdogs for the fifth time this season. And that’s exactly how […]
VIDEO: Gophers Prepare to Play at US Bank Stadium
By Sam Ekstrom - Nov 29, 2018
Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Richard Pitino and senior Jordan Murphy discuss what it will be like to face Oklahoma State at U.S. Bank Stadium Friday night. […]