1985 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

1985 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Independence Bowl champion
Independence Bowl, W 20–13 vs. Clemson
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record7–5 (4–4 Big Ten)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorJohn Gutekunst (2nd season)
Captains
Home stadiumHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
1985 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 10 Iowa $ 7 – 1 – 0 10 – 2 – 0
No. 2 Michigan 6 – 1 – 1 10 – 1 – 1
Illinois 5 – 2 – 1 6 – 5 – 1
No. 14 Ohio State 5 – 3 – 0 9 – 3 – 0
Michigan State 5 – 3 – 0 7 – 5 – 0
4 – 4 – 0 7 – 5 – 0
Purdue 3 – 5 – 0 5 – 6 – 0
Wisconsin 2 – 6 – 0 5 – 6 – 0
Indiana 1 – 7 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Northwestern 1 – 7 – 0 3 – 8 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1985 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 1985 Big Ten Conference football season. In their second and final year under head coach Lou Holtz, the Golden Gophers compiled a 7–5 record and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 293 to 240.[1]

When former Minnesota head coach Lou Holtz left the Golden Gophers to coach at the University of Notre Dame, assistant John Gutekunst was tapped to coach the Golden Gophers in the Independence Bowl.[2] Attendance was 42,845.[3]

Quarterback Rickey Foggie was named offensive player of the game, while linebacker Bruce Holmes was named defensive player of the game.[3] Center Ray Hitchcock, linebacker Peter Najarian, offensive guard Jon Lilleberg and strong safety Larry Joyner were named All-Big Ten second team. Running back David Puk was named Academic All-American second team. Puk and linebacker Peter Najarian were named Academic All-Big Ten.[4]

Quarterback Rickey Foggie was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Award given to the team's most valuable player.[5] Ray Hitchcock was awarded the Bruce Smith Award (offensive player). Peter Najarian was awarded the Carl Eller Award (defensive player). Kicker Chip Lohmiller was awarded the Bobby Bell Award (special teams player). Flanker Andy Hare was awarded the Butch Nash Award (academic). David Puk was awarded the Paul Giel Award (unselfishness and most concern about the University).[4]

The total attendance was 426,918, which averaged out to 60,985 per game. The season high for attendance was against rival Wisconsin.[6]

Schedule

DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 14Wichita State*
W 28–1456,094[7]
September 21Montana*
  • Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
  • Minneapolis, MN
W 62–1755,700[8]
September 28No. 2 Oklahoma*
  • Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
  • Minneapolis, MN
TBS[9]L 7–1362,446[10]
October 5Purdue
  • Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
  • Minneapolis, MN
TBSW 45–1559,503[11]
October 12at Northwestern
W 21–1024,512[12]
October 19at Indiana
W 22–728,331–38,826 (paid)[13][14]
October 26No. 9 Ohio StateNo. 20
  • Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
  • Minneapolis, MN
L 19–2364,455[15]
November 2at Michigan State
L 26–3163,758[16]
November 9Wisconsin
  • Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
  • Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)
W 27–1864,571[17]
November 16No. 8 Michigan
TBSL 7–4864,129[18]
November 23at No. 3 Iowa
L 9–3166,020[19]
December 21vs. Clemson*
W 20–1342,800[20]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Game summaries

Wichita State

Montana

Oklahoma

#2 Oklahoma Sooners at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Oklahoma 3 7 0313
Minnesota 0 0 077

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 28, 1985
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
Game information
  • OU – Lashar 21-yard field goal
  • OU – E. Johnson 1-yard run (Lashar kick)
  • OU – Lashar 21-yard field goal
  • MINN – Starks 12-yard pass from Foggie (Lohmiller kick)
External videos
Television broadcast
Game highlights

Purdue

At Northwestern

At Indiana

Ohio State

#9 Ohio State Buckeyes (5–1) at #20 Minnesota Golden Gophers (5–1)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Ohio St 0 10 01323
Minnesota 3 9 7019

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

  • Date: October 26, 1985
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
  • Game attendance: 64,455
  • Referee: Jim Kemmerling
  • Box Score
Game information

At Michigan State

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Badgers at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Wisconsin 3 9 0618
Minnesota 7 10 01027

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 9, 1985
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
  • Game attendance: 64,571
  • [21]
Game information

Michigan

Michigan at Minnesota
Team 1 234Total
• No. 8 Wolverines 10 21170 48
Golden Gophers 0 007 7
See also: 1985 Michigan Wolverines football team

At Iowa

Minnesota at Iowa
Team 1 234Total
Golden Gophers 3 006 9
• No. 3 Hawkeyes 7 1077 31
Scoring summary
19:48IowaRonnie Harmon 5-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 7-0
11:54MinnChip Lohmiller 35-yard field goalIOWA 7-3
25:15IowaRob Houghtlin 26-yard field goalIOWA 10-3
21:40IowaMike Flagg 4-yard pass from Chuck Long (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 17-3
39:39IowaKevin Harmon 10-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 24-3
414:11IowaRick Bayless 5-yard run (Rob Houghtlin kick)IOWA 31-3
42:01MinnGailord 16-yard pass from Holt (conversion failed)IOWA 31-9
See also: 1985 Iowa Hawkeyes football team and Iowa–Minnesota football rivalry

Independence Bowl (vs Clemson)

Main article: 1985 Independence Bowl
See also: 1985 Clemson Tigers football team

Personnel

1985 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
RB Fudgy Abercrombie
WR Melvin Anderson
RB Valdez Baylor
WR Jason Bruce
RB Gary Couch
QB Rickey Foggie
RB Erik Fors
WR Eugene Gailord
WR Andy Hare
OL Ray Hitchcock
OL Jim Hobbins
RB Courtney Holmes
QB Alan Holt
G Jon Lilleberg (C)
QB Mike Moe
TE Craig Otto
RB Ed Penn
RB David Puk
DL Dan Rechtin
RB Roselle Richardson
RB Bobby Singletary
TE Kevin Starks
RB Terry Stewart
RB Kevin Wilson
OL Troy Wolkow
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB Warren Berry
DL Anthony Burke
DB Patrick Cummings
LB Mark Dusbabek
DB Duane Dutrieulle
DL Gary Hadd
LB Bruce Holmes
S Larry Joyner
DB Matt Martinez
DL Doug Mueller
LB Peter Najarian (C)
DB Donovan Small
DL Steve Thompson
DB David Williams
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P Adam Kelly
K 25 Chip Lohmiller
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured
  • Redshirt

Roster

References

  1. ^ "1985 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  2. ^ Bio: John Gutekunst, 2007, archived from the original on December 21, 2007, retrieved November 19, 2007
  3. ^ a b Year-by-Year Results, 2007, archived from the original on July 20, 2008, retrieved November 25, 2007
  4. ^ a b Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide (PDF), pp. 179–182
  5. ^ "Honors and Awards". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  6. ^ Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide (PDF), p. 160
  7. ^ "Gophers open with 28–14 rouser". Star Tribune. September 15, 1985. Retrieved February 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Gophers run down Grizzlies 62–17, but ..." Star Tribune. September 22, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ 2020 Football Media Guide WEB; https://gophersports.com/documents/2020/10/14/2020_Football_Media_Guide_WEB.pdf
  10. ^ "Sooners escape Gophers, 13–7". Tulsa World. September 29, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Golden Gophers dominate Purdue with top defense". The Republic. October 6, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Gophers spoil NW homecoming 21–10". The Austin Daily Herald. October 13, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Hammel, Bob (October 20, 1985). "Minnesota spoils IU's homecoming". Sunday Herald-Times. Bedford, Indiana. p. B1. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
  14. ^ Hammel, Bob (October 20, 1985). "Gophers spoil IU's homecoming, 22-7 (continued)". Sunday Herald-Times. Bedford, Indiana. p. B7. Retrieved December 28, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
  15. ^ "Backs' injuries make Ohio State's victory a costly one". The Akron Beacon Journal. October 27, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "MSU holds on for victory". The Flint Journal. November 3, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Froggie, Gophers down Badgers". The Oshkosh Northwestern. November 10, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Flawless Wolverines crush Golden Gophers, 48–7". The Muskegon Chronicle. November 17, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Gophers can't spoil Iowa's day". Minneapolis Star & Tribune. November 24, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Gophers drop Clemson for a 10 count". The Shreveport Times. December 22, 1985. Retrieved April 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Gainesville Sun. 1985 Nov 10. Retrieved 2019-Jan-29.
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