Minnesota Golden Gophers football under Bernie Bierman

Bernie Bierman was the head football coach at the University of Minnesota for 16 seasons, from 1932 through 1941 and then again from 1945 to 1950.[1] The team had a 93-35-6 overall record.[1] In the Big Ten, the Golden Gophers had a 57-28-6 record and won six conference championships.[2] The team won national titles in 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940 and 1941.[3] Twenty-one players were awarded All-American status.[4] Thirty-six players were named All-Big Ten first team.[5]

Contents

1932

1932 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference Big Ten Conference
1932 record 5-3 (2-3 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1931 1933 »
1932 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#1 Michigan § 6 – 0 – 0     8 – 0 – 0
#4 Purdue § 5 – 0 – 1     7 – 0 – 1
#11 Wisconsin 4 – 1 – 1     6 – 1 – 1
#6 Ohio State 2 – 1 – 2     4 – 1 – 3
Northwestern 2 – 3 – 1     3 – 4 – 1
Minnesota 2 – 3 – 0     5 – 3 – 0
Illinois 2 – 4 – 0     5 – 4 – 0
Indiana 1 – 4 – 1     3 – 4 – 1
Chicago 1 – 4 – 0     3 – 4 – 1
Iowa 0 – 5 – 0     1 – 7 – 0
§ – Conference co-champions
Rankings from Dickinson System

The 1932 season was the Golden Gophers' first under head coach Bernie Bierman.[6] The Golden Gophers won five games and lost three.[6] Total attendance for the season was 113,956, which averaged to 43,557.[7] The season high for attendance was against Northwestern.[7]

Tackle Marshall Wells was named All-Big Ten first team.[5] Fullback John Baumgartner was named Academic All-Big Ten.[8]

Center Roy Oen was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
10/01/1932 South Dakota State* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 12-0   20,000
10/08/1932 Purdue Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 0-7   20,000
10/15/1932 Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 7-6   18,000
10/22/1932 at Iowa Iowa Stadium • Iowa City, IA W 21-6   12,000
10/29/1932 Northwestern Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 7-0   35,000
11/05/1932 Ole Miss* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 26-0   12,000
11/12/1932 at Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI L 13-20   31,000
11/19/1932 Michigan Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 0-3   24,766
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.


1933

1933 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Big Ten co-champions
Conference Big Ten Conference
1933 record 4-0-4 (2-0-4 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1932 1934 »
1933 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#1 Michigan § 5 – 0 – 1     7 – 0 – 1
#5 Ohio State 4 – 1 – 0     7 – 1 – 0
#10 Purdue 3 – 1 – 1     6 – 1 – 1
#3 Minnesota § 2 – 0 – 4     4 – 0 – 4
Illinois 3 – 2 – 0     5 – 3 – 0
Iowa 3 – 2 – 0     5 – 3 – 0
Northwestern 1 – 4 – 1     1 – 5 – 2
Chicago 0 – 3 – 2     3 – 3 – 2
Indiana 0 – 3 – 2     1 – 5 – 2
Wisconsin 0 – 5 – 1     2 – 5 – 1
§ – Conference co-champions
Rankings from Dickinson System

The 1933 season was the Golden Gophers' second under head coach Bernie Bierman.[6] The Golden Gophers won four games and tied four.[6] Total attendance for the season was 164,301, which averaged to 27,384.[7] The season high for attendance was against Iowa.[7]

End Frank Larson was named an All-American by United Press International (UPI), Collier's Weekly/Grantland Rice and Look Magazine. Halfback Pug Lund was named an All-American by the Associated Press, UPI and Liberty Magazine.[4]

Frank Larson and Pug Lund were named All-Big Ten.[5]

Pug Lund was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
09/30/1933 South Dakota State* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 19-6   25,000
10/07/1933 Indiana Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN T 6-6   20,000
10/14/1933 Purdue Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN T 7-7   26,497
10/21/1933 Pittsburgh* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 7-3   26,000
10/28/1933 Iowa Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 19-7   45,000
11/04/1933 at Northwestern Dyche Stadium • Evanston, IL T 0-0   35,000
11/18/1933 at Michigan Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI T 0-0   52,137
11/25/1933 Wisconsin Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 6-3   25,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.


1934

1934 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
National Champions
Big Ten Champions
Conference Big Ten Conference
1934 record 8-0 (5-0 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1933 1935 »
1934 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#1 Minnesota † 5 – 0 – 0     8 – 0 – 0
#8 Ohio State 5 – 1 – 0     7 – 1 – 0
#4 Illinois 4 – 1 – 0     7 – 1 – 0
Purdue 3 – 1 – 0     5 – 3 – 0
Wisconsin 2 – 3 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Northwestern 2 – 3 – 0     3 – 5 – 0
Chicago 2 – 4 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Indiana 1 – 3 – 1     3 – 3 – 2
Iowa 1 – 3 – 1     2 – 5 – 1
Michigan 0 – 6 – 0     1 – 7 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from Dickinson System

The 1934 season was the Golden Gophers' third under head coach Bernie Bierman.[6] The Golden Gophers won eight games and lost none.[6] Total attendance for the season was 192,922, which averaged to 38,584.[7] The season high for attendance was against rival Michigan.[7] The team was named national champions, the first national championship for the University.[10]

End Frank Larson was named an All-American by the Associated Press (AP), Collier's Weekly/Grantland Rice and Look Magazine.[4] Halfback Pug Lund was named an All-American by the AP, Collier’s Weekly/Grantland Rice, Liberty, Walter Camp Football Foundation and Look Magazine.[4] Guard Bill Bevan was named an All-American by Collier’s Weekly/Grantland Rice, Liberty and Look Magazine.[4] End Bob Tenner was named an All-American by the United Press International.[4] Tackle Phil Bengston, Bevan, Larson, Lund, Tenner, and tackle Ed Widseth were named All-Big Ten.[5] Lund received Chicago Tribune Silver Football, awarded to the most valuable player of the Big Ten.[5]

Pug Lund was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
09/29/1934 North Dakota State* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 56-12   25,000
10/06/1934 Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 20-0   35,000
10/20/1934 at Pittsburgh* Pitt Stadium • Pittsburgh, PA W 13-7   65,000
10/27/1934 at Iowa Iowa Stadium • Iowa City, IA W 48-12   53,000
11/03/1934 Michigan Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 34-0   59,362
11/10/1934 Indiana Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 30-0   28,100
11/17/1934 Chicago Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 35-7   46,000
11/24/1934 at Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI W 34-0   38,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.


1935

1935 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
National Champions
Co-Big Ten Champions
Conference Big Ten Conference
1935 record 8-0 (5-0 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1934 1936 »
1935 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#1 Minnesota § 5 – 0 – 0     8 – 0 – 0
#5 Ohio State § 5 – 0 – 0     7 – 1 – 0
Purdue 3 – 3 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Indiana 2 – 2 – 1     4 – 3 – 1
#16 Northwestern 2 – 3 – 1     4 – 3 – 1
#18 Iowa 1 – 2 – 2     4 – 2 – 2
Chicago 2 – 3 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Michigan 2 – 3 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Illinois 1 – 4 – 0     3 – 5 – 0
Wisconsin 1 – 4 – 0     1 – 7 – 0
§ – Conference co-champions
Rankings from UP Sports Writers

The 1935 season was the Golden Gophers' fourth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won eight games and lost none.[11] Total attendance for the season was 217,785, which averaged to 43,557.[7] The season high for attendance was against Northwestern.[7] The team was named national champions, the second consecutive national championship for the University.[10]

Guard Bud Wilkinson was named All-American by Grantland Rice and the Associated Press (AP).[4] Tackle Ed Widseth was named an All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, United Press International (UPI), Liberty, Hearst and New York World Telegram.[4] Tackle Dick Smith was named an All-American by the AP, UPI, New York World Telegram and Look Magazine.[4] Halfback Sheldon Beise was named an All-American by the American Sports Service and New York Daily Mirror.[4]

Beise, quarterback Babe LeVoir, Smith, Widseth and Wilkinson were named All-Big Ten.[5]

Quarterback Babe LeVoir was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
09/28/1935 North Dakota State* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 26-6   35,000
10/12/1935 at Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE W 12-7   37,000
10/19/1935 Tulane* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 20-0   38,000
10/26/1935 Northwestern Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 21-13   52,000
11/02/1935 Purdue Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 29-7   49,400
11/09/1935 at Iowa Iowa Stadium • Iowa City, IA W 13-6   52,000
11/16/1935 at Michigan Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI W 40-0   35,000
11/23/1935 Wisconsin Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 33-7   45,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.


1936

1936 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
National Champions
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
AP #1
1936 record 7-1 (4-1 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1935 1937 »
1936 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#7 Northwestern † 6 – 0 – 0     7 – 1 – 0
#1 Minnesota 4 – 1 – 0     7 – 1 – 0
Ohio State 4 – 1 – 0     5 – 3 – 0
Indiana 3 – 1 – 1     5 – 2 – 1
Purdue 3 – 1 – 1     5 – 2 – 1
Illinois 2 – 2 – 1     4 – 3 – 1
Chicago 1 – 4 – 0     2 – 5 – 1
Iowa 0 – 4 – 1     3 – 4 – 1
Wisconsin 0 – 4 – 0     2 – 6 – 0
Michigan 0 – 5 – 0     1 – 7 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1936 season was the Golden Gophers' fifth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won seven games and lost one.[11] Total attendance for the season was 247,653, which averaged to 49,531.[7] The season high for attendance was against Iowa.[7] The team was named national champions, the third consecutive national championship for the University.[10]

Tackle Ed Widseth was named an All-American by Collier's/Grantland Rice, Associated Press, INS, NEA, New York Sun, Look Magazine, New York Morning Telegram, Hearst, United Press International and Paramount News.[4] Widseth and halfback Andy Uram were named All-Big Ten first team.[5]

Widseth was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Attendance
09/26/1936 at Washington* Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA W 14-7   40,000
10/10/1936 Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 7-0   53,000
10/17/1936 Michigan Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 26-0   48,000
10/24/1936 Purdue #1 Memorial Stadium • MInneapolis, MN W 33-0   47,780
10/31/1936 at #3 Northwestern #1 Dyche Stadium • Evanston, IL L 0-6   48,347
11/07/1936 Iowa #2 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 52-0   63,200
11/14/1936 Texas* #2 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 47-19   47,000
11/21/1936 at Wisconsin #2 Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI W 24-0   33,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll.


1937

1937 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Big Ten Champions
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
AP #5
1937 record 6-2 (5-0 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1936 1938 »
1937 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#5 Minnesota † 5 – 0 – 0     6 – 2 – 0
#13 Ohio State 5 – 1 – 0     6 – 2 – 0
Indiana 3 – 2 – 0     5 – 3 – 0
Michigan 3 – 3 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Northwestern 3 – 3 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Purdue 2 – 2 – 1     4 – 3 – 1
Wisconsin 2 – 2 – 1     4 – 3 – 1
Illinois 2 – 3 – 0     3 – 3 – 2
Chicago 0 – 4 – 0     1 – 6 – 0
Iowa 0 – 5 – 0     1 – 7 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1937 season was the Golden Gophers' sixth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won six games and lost two.[11] Total attendance for the season was 254,188, which averaged to 50,838.[7] The season high for attendance was against Notre Dame.[7]

End Ray King was named an All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Look Magazine.[4] Fullback Andy Uram was named an All-American by the Associated Press.[4] King, halfback Rudy Gmitro, tackle Lou Midler and guard Frank Twedell were named All-Big Ten first team.[5]

Rudy Gmitro was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
09/25/1937 North Dakota State* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 69-7   47,492
10/02/1937 at Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE L 9-14   37,000
10/09/1937 Indiana Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 6-0   35,000
10/16/1937 Michigan Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 39-6   53,266
10/30/1937 Notre Dame* #4 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 6-7   63,237
11/06/1937 at Iowa #14 Iowa Stadium • Iowa City, IA W 35-10   40,000
11/13/1937 Northwestern #10 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 7-0   63,000
11/20/1937 Wisconsin #7 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 13-6   46,000
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll.


1938

1938 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Big Ten Champions
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
AP #10
1938 record 6-2 (4-1 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1937 1939 »
1938 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#10 Minnesota † 4 – 1 – 0     6 – 2 – 0
#16 Michigan 3 – 1 – 1     6 – 1 – 1
Purdue 3 – 1 – 1     5 – 1 – 2
#17 Northwestern 2 – 1 – 2     4 – 2 – 2
Wisconsin 3 – 2 – 0     5 – 3 – 0
Ohio State 3 – 2 – 1     4 – 3 – 1
Illinois 2 – 3 – 0     3 – 5 – 0
Iowa 1 – 3 – 1     1 – 6 – 1
Indiana 1 – 4 – 0     1 – 6 – 1
Chicago 0 – 4 – 0     1 – 6 – 1
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1938 season was the Golden Gophers' seventh under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won six games and lost two.[11] Total attendance for the season was 237,000, which averaged to 47,400.[7] The season high for attendance was against Michigan.[7]

Guard Francis Twedell was named an All-American by the Associated Press and United Press International.[4] Twedell and quarterback Wilbur Moore were named All-Big Ten first team.[5]

Fullback Larry Buhker was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
09/24/1938 Washington* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 15-0   50,000
10/01/1938 Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 16-7   46,000
10/08/1938 Purdue Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 7-0   52,000
10/15/1938 Michigan Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 7-6   54,212
10/29/1938 at Northwestern #2 Dyche Stadium • Evanston, IL L 3-6   48,000
11/05/1938 Iowa #12 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 28-0   42,000
11/12/1938 at #2 Notre Dame* #12 Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN L 0-19   55,245
11/19/1938 at #12 Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI W 21-0   38,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll.


1939

1939 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference Big Ten Conference
1939 record 3-4-1 (2-3-1 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1938 1940 »
1939 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#15 Ohio State † 5 – 1 – 0     6 – 2 – 0
#9 Iowa 4 – 1 – 1     6 – 1 – 1
#20 Michigan 3 – 2 – 0     6 – 2 – 0
Purdue 2 – 1 – 2     3 – 3 – 2
Northwestern 3 – 2 – 1     3 – 4 – 1
Illinois 3 – 3 – 0     3 – 4 – 1
Minnesota 2 – 3 – 1     3 – 4 – 1
Indiana 2 – 3 – 0     2 – 4 – 2
Wisconsin 0 – 5 – 1     1 – 6 – 1
Chicago 0 – 3 – 0     2 – 6 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1939 season was the Golden Gophers' eighth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won three games, lost four and tied one.[11] Total attendance for the season was 229,954, which averaged to 45,991.[7] The season high for attendance was against Northwestern.[7]

Tackle Win Pederson was named All-Big Ten first team.[5]

Halfback Harold Van Every was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Attendance
09/30/1939 Arizona* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 62-0   42,875
10/07/1939 at Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE L 0-6   33,000
10/14/1939 Purdue Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN T 13-13   35,000
10/21/1939 #10 Ohio State Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 23-20   55,000
11/04/1939 Northwestern Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 7-14   53,200
11/11/1939 at #10 Michigan Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI W 20-7   66,572
11/18/1939 at Iowa #20 Iowa Stadium • Iowa City, IA L 13-9   60,100
11/25/1939 Wisconsin Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 23-6   40,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll.


1940

1940 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Big Ten Champions
National Champions
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
AP #1
1940 record 8-0 (6-0 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1939 1941 »
1940 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#1 Minnesota † 6 – 0 – 0     8 – 0 – 0
#3 Michigan 3 – 1 – 0     7 – 1 – 0
#8 Northwestern 4 – 2 – 0     6 – 2 – 0
Ohio State 3 – 3 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Wisconsin 3 – 3 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Iowa 2 – 3 – 0     4 – 4 – 0
Indiana 2 – 3 – 0     3 – 5 – 0
Purdue 1 – 4 – 0     2 – 6 – 0
Illinois 0 – 5 – 0     1 – 7 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1940 season was the Golden Gophers' ninth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won eight games and lost none.[11] Total attendance for the season was 234,990, which averaged to 46,998.[7] The season high for attendance was against Michigan.[7] The team finished first in the Associated Press poll, giving the Gophers their fourth national title.[11][12]

Tackle Urban Odson was named an All-American by Liberty.[4] Halfback George Franck was named an All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press, United Press International, Look Magazine and Collier's.[4] Franck and Odson were named All-Big Ten first team.[5] Franck placed third in voting for the Heisman Trophy.[8]

Bob Paffrath, QB was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Attendance
09/28/1940 Washington* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 19-14   46,000
10/05/1940 Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 13-7   41,000
10/19/1940 at #15 Ohio State #7 Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH W 13-7   63,199
10/26/1940 Iowa #6 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 34-6   62,992
11/02/1940 at Northwestern #4 Dyche Stadium • Evanston, IL W 13-12   48,000
11/09/1940 #3 Michigan #2 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 7-6   60,481
11/16/1940 Purdue #1 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 33-6   30,140
11/23/1940 at Wisconsin #1 Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI W 22-13   40,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll.


1941

1941 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
National Champions
Big Ten Champions
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
AP #1
1941 record 8-0 (5-0 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1940 1942 »
1941 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#1 Minnesota † 5 – 0 – 0     8 – 0 – 0
#5 Michigan 3 – 1 – 1     6 – 1 – 1
#13 Ohio State 3 – 1 – 1     6 – 1 – 1
#11 Northwestern 4 – 2 – 0     5 – 3 – 0
Wisconsin 3 – 3 – 0     3 – 5 – 0
Iowa 2 – 4 – 0     3 – 5 – 0
Purdue 1 – 3 – 0     2 – 5 – 1
Indiana 1 – 3 – 0     2 – 6 – 0
Illinois 0 – 5 – 0     2 – 6 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1941 season was the Golden Gophers' tenth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won eight games and lost none.[11] Total attendance for the season was 239,227, which averaged to 47,845.[7] The season high for attendance was against Northwestern.[7]

The team finished first in the Associated Press poll, giving the Gophers their second consecutive and fifth national title.

Halfback Bruce Smith was named an All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, INS, Time-Life, United Press International (UPI), Associated Press (AP) and Look Magazine.[4] Tackle Dick Wildung was named an All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, INS, Time Life, AP and UPI.[4] Wildung, Smith, Halfback Bill Daley, End Bob Fitch and Guard Len Levy were named All-Big Ten.[5] Bruce Smith was awarded the Heisman Trophy, the only Golden Gopher to win the award.[8]

Back Bob Sweiger was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Attendance
09/27/1941 at Washington* Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA W 14-6   43,000
10/11/1941 Illinois #1 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 34-6   50,345
10/18/1941 Pittsburgh* #1 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 39-0   35,000
10/25/1941 at Michigan #1 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI W 7-0   84,658
11/01/1941 Northwestern #1 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 8-7   64,464
11/08/1941 Nebraska* #2 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 9-0   42,893
11/15/1941 at Iowa #1 Iowa Stadium • Iowa City, IA W 34-13   43,200
11/22/1941 Wisconsin #1 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 41-6   52,984
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll.


1945

1945 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference Big Ten Conference
1945 record 4-5 (1-5 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1944 1946 »
1945 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#4 Indiana † 5 – 0 – 1     9 – 0 – 1
#6 Michigan 5 – 1 – 0     7 – 3 – 0
#12 Ohio State 5 – 2 – 0     7 – 2 – 0
Northwestern 3 – 3 – 1     4 – 4 – 1
Purdue 3 – 3 – 0     7 – 3 – 0
Wisconsin 2 – 3 – 1     3 – 4 – 2
Illinois 1 – 4 – 1     2 – 6 – 1
Minnesota 1 – 5 – 0     4 – 5 – 0
Iowa 1 – 5 – 0     2 – 7 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1945 season was the Golden Gophers' eleventh under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won four games and lost five.[11] Total attendance for the season was 246,931, which averaged to 41,155.[7] The season high for attendance was against Ohio State.[7]

Tackle Bob Fitch was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Attendance
09/22/1945 Missouri* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 34-0   34,246
10/06/1945 at Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE W 61-7   25,000
10/13/1945 Fort Warren* #5 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 14-0   32,465
10/20/1945 Northwestern #5 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 30-7   55,940
10/27/1945 #12 Ohio State #5 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 7-20   56,000
11/03/1945 at #10 Michigan #16 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI L 0-26   84,472
11/10/1945 Indiana #20 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 0-49   41,400
11/17/1945 at Iowa Iowa Stadium • Iowa City, IA L 19-20   13,880
11/24/1945 Wisconsin Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 12-26   34,800
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.


1946

1946 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference Big Ten Conference
1946 record 5-4 (3-4 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1945 1947 »
1946 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#5 Illinois † 6 – 1 – 0     8 – 2 – 0
#6 Michigan 5 – 1 – 1     6 – 2 – 1
#20 Indiana 4 – 2 – 0     6 – 3 – 0
Iowa 3 – 3 – 0     5 – 4 – 0
Minnesota 3 – 4 – 0     5 – 4 – 0
Ohio State 2 – 3 – 1     4 – 3 – 2
Northwestern 2 – 3 – 1     4 – 4 – 1
Wisconsin 2 – 5 – 0     4 – 5 – 0
Purdue 0 – 5 – 1     2 – 6 – 1
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1946 season was the Golden Gophers' twelfth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won five games and lost four.[11] Total attendance for the season was 328,003, which averaged to 54,667.[7] The season high for attendance was against Michigan.[7]

Halfback Billy Bye was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
09/28/1946 Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 33-6   51,096
10/05/1946 Indiana Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 0-21   53,648
10/12/1946 at Northwestern Dyche Stadium • Evanston, IL L 7-14   40,000
10/19/1946 Wyoming* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 46-0   46,087
10/26/1946 at Ohio State Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH L 9-39   76,611
11/02/1946 #13 Michigan Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 0-21   58,476
11/09/1946 Purdue Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 13-7   58,341
11/16/1946 Iowa Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 16-6   59,180
11/23/1946 at Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI W 6-0   45,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.


1947

1947 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference Big Ten Conference
1947 record 6-3 (3-3 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1946 1948 »
1947 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#2 Michigan † 6 – 0 – 0     10 – 0 – 0
Wisconsin 3 – 2 – 1     5 – 3 – 1
Minnesota 3 – 3 – 0     6 – 3 – 0
Illinois 3 – 3 – 0     5 – 3 – 1
Purdue 3 – 3 – 0     5 – 4 – 0
Indiana 2 – 3 – 1     5 – 3 – 1
Iowa 2 – 3 – 1     3 – 5 – 1
Northwestern 2 – 4 – 0     3 – 6 – 0
Ohio State 1 – 4 – 1     2 – 6 – 1
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1947 season was the Golden Gophers' thirteenth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won six games and lost three.[6] Total attendance for the season was 289,612, which averaged to 57,922.[7] The season high for attendance was against Purdue.[7]

Guard Leo Nomellini was named All-Big Ten.[5]

Guard Larry Olsonoski was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Attendance
09/27/1947 Washington* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 7-6   43,377
10/04/1947 at Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE W 28-13   34,000
10/12/1947 Northwestern #17 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 37-21   59,598
10/18/1947 at Illinois #13 Memorial Stadium • Champaign, IL L 13-40   56,048
10/25/1947 at #1 Michigan Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI L 6-13   85,938
11/01/1947 Pittsburgh* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 29-0   55,624
11/08/1947 Purdue Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 26-21   63,659
11/15/1947 at Iowa #20 Iowa Stadium • Iowa City, IA L 7-13   50,000
11/22/1947 Wisconsin Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 21-0   63,862
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.


1948

1948 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
AP #16
1948 record 7-2 (5-2 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1947 1949 »
1948 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#1 Michigan † 6 – 0 – 0     9 – 0 – 0
#7 Northwestern 5 – 1 – 0     8 – 2 – 0
#16 Minnesota 5 – 2 – 0     7 – 2 – 0
Ohio State 3 – 3 – 0     6 – 3 – 0
Iowa 2 – 4 – 0     4 – 5 – 0
Purdue 2 – 4 – 0     3 – 6 – 0
Indiana 2 – 4 – 0     2 – 7 – 0
Illinois 2 – 5 – 0     3 – 6 – 0
Wisconsin 1 – 5 – 0     2 – 7 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1948 season was the Golden Gophers' fourteenth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won seven games and lost two.[11] Total attendance for the season was 308,556, which averaged to 61,711.[7] The season high for attendance was against Purdue.[7]

Guard Leo Nomellini was named All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press (AP), Collier's Weekly/Grantland Rice, The Sporting News, INS, Look Magazine, Football Writers Association of America and the American Football Coaches Association.[4]

Nomellini and end Bud Grant were named All-Big Ten.[5]

Halfback Everette Faunce was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Attendance
09/25/1948 at Washington* Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA W 20-0   40,000
10/02/1948 Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 39-13   57,206
10/09/1948 at Northwestern* #8 Dyche Stadium • Evanston, IL L 16-19   47,000
10/16/1948 Illinois #11 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 6-0   62,066
10/23/1948 Michigan #13 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 14-27   65,130
10/30/1948 Indiana #15 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 30-7   64,926
11/06/1948 Purdue #19 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 34-7   66,953
11/13/1948 at Iowa #14 Iowa Stadium • Iowa City, IA W 28-21   44,000
11/20/1948 at Wisconsin #15 Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI W 16-0   45,000
*Non-conference game. Homecoming.


1949

1949 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
AP #8
1949 record 7-2 (4-2 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1948 1950 »
1949 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#6 Ohio State § 4 – 1 – 1     7 – 1 – 2
#7 Michigan § 4 – 1 – 1     6 – 2 – 1
#8 Minnesota 4 – 2 – 0     7 – 2 – 0
Wisconsin 3 – 2 – 1     5 – 3 – 1
Illinois 3 – 3 – 1     3 – 4 – 2
Iowa 3 – 3 – 0     4 – 5 – 0
Northwestern 3 – 4 – 0     4 – 5 – 0
Purdue 2 – 4 – 0     4 – 5 – 0
Indiana 0 – 6 – 0     1 – 8 – 0
§ – Conference co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1949 season was the Golden Gophers' fifteenth under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won seven games and lost two.[11] Total attendance for the season was 305,200, which averaged to 61,040.[7] The season high for attendance was against Wisconsin.[7]

Tackle Leo Nomellini was named an All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press (AP), Look Magazine, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Center Clayton Tonnemaker was named an All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation, AP, Collier's/Grantland Rice, Look Magazine, Football Writers Association of America and the AFCA.[4] Nomellini, Tonnemaker and end Bud Grant were named All-Big Ten first team.[5]

Grant was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent# Rank# Site Result Attendance
09/24/1949 Washington* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 48-20   55,256
10/01/1949 at Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, NE W 28-6   34,000
10/08/1949 Northwestern #5 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 21-7   63,063
10/15/1949 at #11 Ohio State #5 Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH W 27-0   82,111
10/22/1949 at #11 Michigan #3 Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI L 7-14   97,239
10/29/1949 Purdue #7 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 7-13   61,154
11/05/1949 Iowa #9 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 24-7   42,515
11/19/1949 Wisconsin #8 Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 14-6   63,139
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll.


1950

1950 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference Big Ten Conference
1950 record 1-7-1 (1-4-1 Big Ten)
Head coach Bernie Bierman
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
« 1949 1951 »
1950 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#9/6 Michigan † 4 – 1 – 1     6 – 3 – 1
#14/10 Ohio State 5 – 2 – 0     6 – 3 – 0
#NR/20 Wisconsin 5 – 2 – 0     6 – 3 – 0
#13/11 Illinois 4 – 2 – 0     7 – 2 – 0
Northwestern 3 – 3 – 0     6 – 3 – 0
Iowa 2 – 4 – 0     3 – 5 – 1
Minnesota 1 – 4 – 1     1 – 7 – 1
Indiana 1 – 4 – 0     3 – 5 – 1
Purdue 1 – 4 – 0     2 – 7 – 0
† – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll / Coaches' Poll

The 1950 season was the Golden Gophers' sixteenth and final under head coach Bernie Bierman.[11] The Golden Gophers won one game, lost seven and tied one.[11] Total attendance for the season was 267,015, which averaged to 53,403.[7] The season high for attendance was against Iowa.[7]

Wayne Robinson was awarded the Team MVP Award.[9]

Schedule

Date Opponent Site Result Attendance
09/30/1950 at Washington* Husky Stadium • Seattle, WA L 13-28   49,500
10/07/1950 Nebraska* Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 26-32   47,710
10/14/1950 at Northwestern Dyche Stadium • Evanston, IL L 6-13   45,000
10/21/1950 #9 Ohio State Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 0-48   53,192
10/28/1950 #14 Michigan Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN T 7-7   59,412
11/04/1950 Iowa Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN L 0-13   60,321
11/11/1950 at Michigan State Spartan Stadium • East Lansing, MI L 0-27   47,461
11/18/1950 Purdue Memorial Stadium • Minneapolis, MN W 27-14   46,389
11/25/1950 at Wisconsin Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, WI L 0-14   45,000
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll.


References

  1. ^ a b Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 195, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  2. ^ Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 197–198, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  3. ^ Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 167–169, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 179, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 180, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 197, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 160, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf3/80498.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  8. ^ a b c Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 182, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 181, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  10. ^ a b c Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 167, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 198, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
  12. ^ Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide, pp. 168, http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 
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