The 1988 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 1988 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third year under head coach John Gutekunst, the Golden Gophers compiled a 2–7–2 record and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 246 to 195.[1] The tie against Illinois was the last tie for the Golden Gophers and under current NCAA rules, it will be the last in Golden Gophers history.
Punter Brent Herbel was named All-Big Ten second team.[2] Punter Brent Herbel and offensive lineman Brent Liimatta were named Academic All-Big Ten.[3]
Wide receiver Chris Gaiters was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Award and the Bruce Smith Award. Gaiters was selected as a 3rd team All-American.[4] Strong safety Joel Brown was awarded the Carl Eller Award.[4] Brent Herbel was awarded the Bobby Bell Award.[4] Defensive tackle Ross Ukkelberg was awarded the Butch Nash Award.[4] Center Pat Hart was awarded the Paul Giel Award.[4]
Total attendance for the season was 312,596, which averaged out to 44,657 per game.[5] The season high for attendance was against rival Iowa.[5]
Schedule
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
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September 10 | 7:00 pm | Washington State* | | | L 9–41 | 40,071 | [6] |
September 17 | 7:00 pm | Miami (OH)* | - Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
- Minneapolis, MN
| | W 35–3 | 39,343 | [7] |
September 24 | 7:00 pm | Northern Illinois* | - Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
- Minneapolis, MN
| | W 31–20 | 40,007 | [8] |
October 1 | 1:30 pm | at Purdue | | | L 10–14 | 61,805 | [9] |
October 8 | 7:00 pm | Northwestern | - Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
- Minneapolis, MN
| Raycom | T 28–28 | 44,566 | [10] |
October 15 | 1:00 pm | at No. 18 Indiana | | | L 13–33 | 51,154 | [11] |
October 22 | 7:00 pm | Ohio State | - Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
- Minneapolis, MN
| Raycom | L 6–13 | 44,221 | [12] |
October 29 | 7:00 pm | Illinois | - Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
- Minneapolis, MN
| | T 27–27 | 40,554 | [13] |
November 5 | 2:30 pm | at No. 14 Michigan | | ABC | L 7–22 | 102,171 | [14] |
November 12 | 1:05 pm | at Wisconsin | | | L 7–14 | 40,467 | [15] |
November 19 | 7:00 pm | Iowa | - Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
- Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)
| Raycom | L 22–31 | 63,894 | [16] |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Central time
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Personnel
1988 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster
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Players
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Coaches
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Offense
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Defense
Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
DT
|
51
|
Bob Coughlin
|
So
|
DL
|
99
|
Kraig Hackbarth
|
Fr
|
DB
|
26
|
Sean Lumpkin
|
Fr
|
FS
|
25
|
Matt Sheldon
|
Fr
|
LB
|
94
|
Mac Stephens
|
Jr
|
FS
|
18
|
Paul Strong
|
Sr
|
LB
|
66
|
Bryan Suess
|
Jr
|
DT
|
79
|
Mike Sunvold
|
So
|
LB
|
96
|
Kevin Sutton
|
Fr
|
DT
|
77
|
Trint Trip
|
Sr
|
DT
|
90
|
Ross Ukkelberg
|
Sr
|
|
Special teams
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
Roster
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References
- ^ "1988 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ^ Keiser, Jeff (2007). "2007 Media Guide" (PDF). p. 180.
- ^ Keiser, Jeff (2007). "2007 Media Guide" (PDF). p. 182.
- ^ a b c d e Keiser, Jeff (2007). "2007 Media Guide" (PDF). p. 181.
- ^ a b Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide (PDF), p. 160
- ^ "Huskies, Cougs take two from Big Ten". The News Tribune. September 11, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gophers get first win, 35–3". St. Cloud Times. September 18, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gophers rally for 31–20 win". St. Cloud Times. September 25, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Boilers surprise Gophers in opener". The Republic. October 2, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gophers, Wildcats play to tie". The La Crosse Tribune. October 9, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hoosiers' Thompson runs past Gophers". The Kokomo Tribune. October 16, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "OSU defense 'crashes' Gophers' comeback bid". The Newark Advocate. October 23, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Late FG lets Illini tie Gophers". The Rock Island Argus. October 30, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wolverines give Gophers the boot". The Duluth News Tribune. November 6, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Badgers end losing streak". Sunday News. November 13, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gophers finish winless in Big Ten". Star Tribune. November 20, 1988. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
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