Minnesota Golden Gophers football

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For current information on this topic, see 2009 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team.
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
First season 1882
Athletic director Joel Maturi
Head coach Tim Brewster
2nd year, 8–14
Home stadium TCF Bank Stadium
Stadium capacity 50,300
Stadium surface Artificial Turf
Location Minneapolis, MN
Conference Big Ten
All-time record 635–454–44
Postseason bowl record 5–8–0
Claimed national titles 6[1]
Conference titles 18
Heisman winners 1
All-Americans 28
Colors Maroon and Gold            
Fight song Minnesota Rouser
Mascot Goldy Gopher
Marching band Minnesota Marching Band
Rivals Iowa Hawkeyes
Wisconsin Badgers
Michigan Wolverines
Penn State Nittany Lions
Website gophersports.com

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early history

The Minnesota Golden Gophers college football team played its first game on September 29, 1882, a 4–0 victory over Hamline University. Eight years later in 1890, the Gophers played host to Wisconsin in a 63–0 victory. With the exception of 1906, the Gophers and Badgers have played each other every year since then. The 117 games played against each other is the most played rivalry in Division I-A college football.

[edit] Glory years

The Gophers enjoyed quite a bit of success in the early 20th century, posting winning records from 1900 - 1919. In 1932, Bernie Bierman became the Gopher head coach and led the Gophers to their first dynasty. From 1934 - 1936 the Gophers went on a run of winning three straight National Championships, the last Division I team to accomplish this feat. During the run, Minnesota went unbeaten in 28 straight games, 21 of which were consecutive victories. These are both school records. The Gophers then went on to win two more national championships in 1940 and 1941. Those two seasons comprised most of an 18 game winning streak that stretched from 1939 to 1942.

Amir Pinnix celebrates a touchdown with D.J. Burris on September 1, 2007.

After some mediocre seasons throughout the remainder of the 1940s and 1950's, the Gophers rose back to prominence in 1960 with their sixth national championship (because polling ended after the regular season, the Gophers were crowned AP and UPI national champions despite losing the Rose Bowl to Washington). That national championship followed a 1-8 record in 1958 and 2-7 record in 1959. Minnesota played in bowl games the two following years as well, in 1961 and 1962. The Gophers earned their first berth in the Rose Bowl by winning the 1960 Big Ten title. The following year, Minnesota returned to Pasadena despite a second-place finish in the conference. The Ohio State Buckeyes, the Big Ten champions in 1961, declined an invitation to the Rose Bowl because of tension between academics and athletics at the school. Minnesota beat UCLA 21-3 to claim its first and only Rose Bowl victory. This game also marked the Gophers last appearance in a New Year's Day bowl game. Minnesota's last Big Ten title was in 1967, tying the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers atop the standings.

[edit] Recent history

After their 8–2 record in 1967, the Gophers would not win 8 games in a season again until they went 8–4 in 1999. [2] Their 10–3 record in 2003 gave the Gophers their first 10 win season since 1905.

The 2006 team had the dubious distinction of blowing a 38–7 third-quarter lead in the Insight Bowl against Texas Tech, losing 44-41 in overtime. The collapse, which was the biggest in the history of Division I-A postseason football, directly led to the firing of head coach Glen Mason. On January 17, 2007, Tim Brewster was officially announced as the next head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers.[3]

In 1981, the Gophers played their last game in Memorial Stadium and played their home games in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome until 2008. The Gophers will move back to campus in 2009 when their new home, TCF Bank Stadium, opens.

The 91st battle for the Little Brown Jug between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Michigan Wolverines in the Metrodome.

[edit] Championships

[edit] National Championships

Year Coach Selector Record Bowl
1934 Bernie Bierman Billingsley, Boand, Dickinson, Football Research, Helms, Litkenhous, National Championship Foundation 8-0
1935 Bernie Bierman Billingsley, Boand, Football Research, Helms, Litkenhous, National Championship Foundation, Poling 8-0
1936 Bernie Bierman AP, Billingsley, Dickinson, Dunkel, Helms, Litkenhous, National Championship Foundation, Poling 7-1
1940 Bernie Bierman AP, Berryman, Billingsley, Boand, DeVold, Dickinson, Football Research, Houlgate, Litkenhous, National Championship Foundation 8-0
1941 Bernie Bierman AP, Billingsley, Boand, DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research, Helms, Litkenhous, National Championship Foundation, Poling 8-0
1960 Murray Warmath AP, FB News, NFF, UPI 8-2 Lost Rose
National championships claimed 6

[4][5]

Note: The NCAA itself does not award a championship for Division I-A football. A number of different organizations and publications designate a national champion.

[edit] Big Ten Conference Championships

Year Coach Overall
Record
Conference
Record
1900 Henry L. Williams 10-0-2 3-0-1
1903 Henry L. Williams 14-0-1 3-0-1
1904 Henry L. Williams 13-0 3-0
1906 Henry L. Williams 4-1 2-0
1909 Henry L. Williams 6-1 3-0
1910 Henry L. Williams 6-1 2-0
1911 Henry L. Williams 6-0-1 3-0-1
1915 Henry L. Williams 6-0-1 3-0-1
1927 Dr. Clarence Spears 6-0-2 3-0-1
1933 Bernie Bierman 4-0-4 2-0-4
1934 Bernie Bierman 8-0 5-0
1935 Bernie Bierman 8-0 5-0
1937 Bernie Bierman 6-2 5-0
1938 Bernie Bierman 6-2 4-1
1940 Bernie Bierman 8-0 6-0
1941 Bernie Bierman 8-0 5-0
1960 Murray Warmath 8-2 6-1
1967 Murray Warmath 8-2 6-1
Conference Titles 18

Note: bold years indicate outright conference titles

[edit] Stadiums

Gopher football inside the dome

[edit] All-Time Records

[edit] All-Time Coaching Records

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1882 No coach 1 1-1-0 .500
1883 Thomas Peebles 1 1-2-0 .333
1884-85 No games played 2 0-0-0 .000
1886-88 Frederick S. Jones 3 3-3-0 .500
1889 D. W. McCord, Al McCord, F. Heffelfinger, B. Morse 1 3-1-0 .750
1890 Tom Eck 1 5-1-1 .833
1891 Ed "Dad" Moulton 1 3-1-1 .750
1892 No coach 1 5-0-0 1.000
1893 "Wallie" Winter 1 6-0-0 1.000
1894 Tom Cochrane Jr. 1 3-1-0 .750
1895 Walt "Pudge" Heffelfinger 1 7-3-0 .700
1896-97 Alexander Jerrems 2 12-6-0 .667
1898 Jack Minds 1 4-5-0 .444
1899 John Harrison, Bill Leary 1 6-3-2 .682
1900-21 Henry L. Williams 22 136-33-11 .786
1922-24 William H. Spaulding 3 11-7-4 .611
1925-29 Clarence Spears 5 28-9-3 .757
1930-31 Herbert "Fritz" Crisler 2 10-7-1 .558
1932–41, 45-50 Bernie Bierman 16 93-35-6 .727
1942-44 George Hauser 3 15-11-1 .577
1951-53 Wes Fesler 3 10-13-4 .435
1954-71 Murray Warmath 18 87-78-7 .526
1972-78 Cal Stoll 7 39-39-0 .500
1979–83 Joe Salem 5 19-35-1 .352
1984-85 Lou Holtz 2 10-12-0 .455
1986-91 John Gutekunst 6 29-36-2 .441
1992-96 Jim Wacker 5 16-39-0 .291
1997–2006 Glen Mason 10 64-57-0 .535
2007-08 Tim Brewster 2 8-16 .333
Totals 30 coaches 124 seasons 634–454–44 .580

[edit] Bowl Games

Year and Bowl Winning team Losing team
1961 Rose Bowl Washington 17 Minnesota 7
1962 Rose Bowl Minnesota 21 UCLA 3
1977 Hall of Fame Classic Maryland 17 Minnesota 7
1985 Independence Bowl Minnesota 20 Clemson 13
1986 Liberty Bowl Tennessee 21 Minnesota 14
1999 Sun Bowl Oregon 24 Minnesota 20
2000 MicronPC.com Bowl North Carolina State 38 Minnesota 30
2002 Music City Bowl Minnesota 29 Arkansas 14
2003 Sun Bowl Minnesota 31 Oregon 30
2004 Music City Bowl Minnesota 20 Alabama 16
2005 Music City Bowl Virginia 34 Minnesota 31
2006 Insight Bowl Texas Tech 44 Minnesota 41 (OT)
2008 Insight Bowl Kansas 42 Minnesota 21
12 Bowl Games 5 Wins 8 Losses

[6]

Note: From 1918-1945, the Big Ten did not allow its teams to participate in bowls. From 1946-1974, only the conference champion was allowed to attend a bowl.

[edit] Trophy Games

[edit] Individual Award Winners

[edit] National

[edit] Players

Bruce Smith - 1941
Tom Brown - 1960
Bobby Bell - 1962
Greg Eslinger - 2005
Tyrone Carter - 1999
Greg Eslinger - 2005
Matt Spaeth - 2006

[edit] Coaches

Bernie Bierman - 1958
Murray Warmath - 1960
Murray Warmath - 1960

[edit] Big Ten Conference

[edit] Players

Biggie Munn - 1931
Pug Lund - 1934
Paul Giel - 1952, 1953
Tom Brown - 1960
Sandy Stephens - 1961
Greg Eslinger - 2005
Karon Riley - 2000
Darrell Thompson - 1986
Laurence Maroney - 2003

[edit] Coach

Glen Mason - 1999

[edit] College Football Hall of Famers

Inductee Position(s) Class Year(s)
Bert Baston End 1954 1914-1916
Bobby Bell Tackle 1991 1960-1962
Bernie Bierman Head Coach 1955 1932-1941
1945-1950
Tom Brown Guard 2003 1958-1960
Fritz Crisler Head Coach 1954 1930-1931
Carl Eller Tackle 2006 1959-1962
George Franck Halfback 2002 1938-1940
Paul Giel Halfback 1975 1951-1953
Herb Joesting Fullback 1958 1925-1927
Pug Lund Halfback 1958 1932-1934
Bobby Marshall End 1971 1904-1906
John McGovern Quarterback 1966 1908-1910
Bronko Nagurski Tackle
Fullback
1951 1927-1929
Leo Nomellini Tackle
Guard
1977 1946-1949
Eddie Rogers End 1968 1900-1903
Bruce Smith Halfback 1972 1939-1941
Clayton Tonnemaker Center 1980 1946-1949
Ed Widseth Tackle 1954 1934-1936
Dick Wildung Tackle 1957 1940-1942
Henry L. Williams Head Coach 1951 1900-1921

[7][8]

[edit] Pro Football Hall of Famers

Inductee Position(s) Class Team(s), Years
Bobby Bell Defensive End
Linebacker
1983 Kansas City Chiefs, 1963-1974
Carl Eller Defensive End 2004 Minnesota Vikings, 1964-1978
Seattle Seahawks, 1979
Bud Grant Head Coach 1994 Minnesota Vikings, 1967-1983, 1985
Bronko Nagurski Fullback 1963 Chicago Bears 1930-1937, 1943
Leo Nomellini Defensive Tackle 1969 San Francisco 49ers 1950-1963
Charlie Sanders Tight End 2007 Detroit Lions 1968-1977

[9]

[edit] Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Inductee Position(s) Class Team(s), Years
Tom Brown Defensive Lineman 1984 British Columbia Lions, 1961-1967
Bud Grant End
Head Coach
1983 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 1953-1966

[10]

[edit] Current Players

[edit] Current Professional Players

[edit] NFL

Golden Gophers in the NFL
NFL Draft selections
Total selected: 333[11]
First picks in draft: 0
1st Round: 17[11]
NFL achievements
Total Players: 215[12]
Hall of Famers: 6[9]
Player Position(s) Draft Class Team
Marion Barber III Running Back 2005 Dallas Cowboys
Tyrone Carter Safety 2000 Pittsburgh Steelers
Greg Eslinger Center 2006 Houston Texans
Ben Hamilton Offensive Guard 2001 Denver Broncos
Michael Lehan Cornerback 2003 Miami Dolphins
Rhys Lloyd Kicker Undrafted in 2005 Carolina Panthers
Laurence Maroney Running Back 2006 New England Patriots
Anthony Montgomery Defensive Tackle 2006 Washington Redskins
Logan Payne Wide Receiver Undrafted in 2007 Seattle Seahawks
Darrell Reid Defensive Tackle Undrafted in 2005 Indianapolis Colts
Gary Russell Running Back Undrafted in 2007 Pittsburgh Steelers
Mark Setterstrom Offensive Guard 2006 St. Louis Rams
Matt Spaeth Tight End 2007 Pittsburgh Steelers
Thomas Tapeh Running Back 2004 Minnesota Vikings
Ben Utecht Tight End Undrafted in 2004 Cincinnati Bengals
Stylez White Defensive End 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dominique Barber Safety 2008 Houston Texans
Ernie Wheelwright Wide Receiver Undrafted in 2008 Baltimore Ravens

[13]

[edit] AFL

[edit] af2

[edit] CFL

[edit] Season Awards

Bronko Nagurski Bruce Smith Carl Eller Bobby Bell Butch Nash Paul Giel Neil Fredenburg Practice
Squad
Year Team MVP Outstanding
Offense
Outstanding
Defense
Outstanding
Special Teams
Competitive on Classroom/Field Unselfishness Love of
the Game
Offensive Defensive
1930 Clarence Munn
1931 Clarence Munn
1932 Roy Oen
1933 Francis "Pug" Lund
1934 Francis "Pug" Lund
1935 Vernal "Babe" LeVoir
1936 Ed Widseth
1937 Rudy Gmitro
1938 Larry Buhler
1939 Harold Van Every
1940 Bob Paffrath
1941 Bob Sweiger
1942 Dick Wildung
1943 Paul Mitchell
1944 John Lundquist
1945 Bob Fitch
1946 Billy Bye
1947 Larry Olsonoski
1948 Everette Faunce
1949 Bud Grant
1950 Wayne Robinson
1951 Ron Engel
1952 Paul Giel
1953 Paul Giel
1954 Bob McNamara
1955 Don Swanson
1956 Bobby Cox
1957 Dick Larson
1958 Everette Gerths
1959 Tom Moe
1960 Tom Brown
1961 Sandy Stephens
1962 Bobby Bell
1963 Carl Eller
1964 Joe Pung
1965 John Hankinson
1966 Tim Wheeler
1967 Tom Sakal
1968 Wayne King
1969 Ray Parson
1970 Jeff Wright
1971 Tom Chandler
1972 John King
1973 Matt Herkenhoff
Steve Neils
1974 Ollie Bakken
1975 Tony Dungy
1976 Tony Dungy
1977 Steve Midboe
1978 Marion Barber Jr.
1979 Mark Carlson Elmer Bailey Keith Edwards
1980 Marion Barber Jr. Garry White Jeff Schuh
1981 Mike Hohensee Chester Cooper Randy Rasmussen
1982 Mike Horensee Jim Fahnhorst Karl Mecklenburg
1983 Randy Rasmussen Jay Carroll Peter Najarian
1984 Rickey Foggie Mark Vondehaar Peter Najarian Larry Joyner John Kelly Dwayne McMullen
1985 Rickey Foggie Ray Hitchcock Peter Najarian Chip Lohmiller Andy Hare David Puk
1986 Darrell Thompson Darrell Thompson Mark Dusbabek Chip Lohmiller Anthony Burke Norries Wilson
1987 Rickey Foggie Darrell Thompson Jon Leverenz Chip Lohmiller Brian Bonner Dan Rechtin
1988 Chris Gaiters Chris Gaiters Joel Brown Brent Herbel Ross Ukkelberg Pat Hart
1989 Darrell Thompson Darrell Thompson Eddie Miles Brent Berglund Dan Liimatta Jon Melander
1990 Mike Sunvold Marquel Fleetwood Mike Sunvold Kenneth Sebree Frank Jackson Jim King
1991 Sean Lumpkin Patt Evans Sean Lumpkin Ken McClintock Joel Staats Scott Schaffner
1992 Keith Ballard Antonio Carter Dennis Cappella Jon Lewis Russ Heath Ken McClintock
1993 Omar Douglas Omar Douglas Andrew Veit Scott Williams Omar Douglas Antonio Carter
1994 Chris Darkins Chris Darkins Craig Sauer Rishon Early Justin Conzemius Ed Hawthorne
1995 Craig Sauer Cory Sauter Craig Sauer Mike Chalberg Justin Conzemius Chris Darkins
1996 Ryan Thelwell
Gann Brooks
Tutu Atwell Parc Williams Rishon Early Cory Sauter Jerome Davis
1997 Lamanzer Williams Tutu Atwell Lamanzer Williams Tutu Atwell Parc Williams Cory Sauter Michael Mullen Curtese Poole
1998 Tyrone Carter Luke Leverson Tyrone Carter Adam Bailey Parc Williams Troy Duerr Scooter Baugus Karon Riley
1999 Tyrone Carter Thomas Hamner Tyrone Carter Dan Nystrom Ben Mezera Ben Hamilton Sean Hoffman Ben Utecht DaVonta Bell
2000 Ben Hamilton
Ron Johnson
Ron Johnson Karon Riley Preston Gruening Ben Hamilton Justin Hall Sean Hoffman Clarence Woods Darrell Reid
2001 Ron Johnson Ron Johnson
Tellis Redmon
Jack Brewer Marion Barber III Derek Burns Jack Brewer Steve Murray Jerry Macken Charlton Keith
2002 Jermaine Mays Terry Jackson II Eli Ward Jermaine Mays Dan Kwapinski Jeremiah Carter Jeremiah Carter Zack Kartak Eric Clark
Pat McCarthy
Eric Washington
2003 Asad Abdul-Khaliq Asad Abdul-Khaliq Eli Ward Rhys Lloyd Greg Eslinger Joe Quinn Dan Kwapinski Kevin Salmen John Shevlin
2004 Marion Barber III
Laurence Maroney
Marion Barber III Darrell Reid John Shevlin Mark Setterstrom Dominique Sims Jakari Wallace Tommy Jacobs Seth Thompson
2005 Greg Eslinger
Laurence Maroney
Greg Eslinger John Pawielski Jakari Wallace Greg Eslinger Mark Setterstrom Matt Spaeth Joe Swanson Brody Grandas
2006 Matt Spaeth Logan Payne Mike Sherels Tom Hennessey Dominic Jones Dom Barber Mike Sherels Matt Krueger Mike Hart
2007 Dom Barber Eric Decker Dom Barber Justin Kucek John Shevlin
Steve Shidell
Todd Meisel
Tony Brinkhaus
Mike Sherels
Justin Valentine
Kyle Moore Andre Tate’

[edit] Other Famous Coaches and Players

[edit] External links

[edit] References

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