Gopher Football 2008 Table of Contents
Minnesota Football Contents Quick Facts THIS IS GOPHER NATION Kickoff Return Records 156 UNIVERSITY INFORMATION Head Coach Tim Brewster 2 Punting Records 157 Location: Minneapolis, Minn. TCF Bank Stadium 6 Scoring Records 158 Gopher Game Day 10 Longest Plays 160 Enrollment: 50,402 State of Minnesota Football 12 Miscellaneous Records 160 Founded: 1851 Spread Coast Offense 14 Team Records 161 Colors: Maroon & Gold Attack & Swarm Defense 16 Attendance Records 163 Conference: Big Ten Player Development 18 Statistical Trends 164 Mascot: Goldy Gopher Stadium History 165 Why Train With Coach Hill? 20 University President: Robert H. Bruininks Golden Gophers In The NFL 22 All-Time Opponent Game-by-Game Records 166 Director of Athletics: Joel Maturi Minnesota Football Facilities 24 All-Time Opponents 166 Athletic Training 28 Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Richard Weinberg HISTORY Equipment 29 FOOTBALL STAFF Minnesota Football Tradition 30 1934/1935 National Champions 171 Minnesota’s All-Americans 32 1936/1940 National Champions 172 Head Coach: Tim Brewster (Illinois, 1983) Academics 34 1941/1960 National Champions 173 Career Record: 1-11 (0-8 Big Ten) The Little Brown Jug 174 Life Skills 36 Coaching Staff: National Exposure 38 Floyd of Rosedale 174 Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator: Mike Dunbar Big Ten Bowl Games 40 Paul Bunyan’s Axe 175 The University of Minnesota 42 Governor’s Victory Bell 175 Defensive Coordinator: Ted Roof University Campus 44 Retired Numbers 176 Linebackers/Special Teams: John Butler The Twin Cities 46 All-Time Letterwinners 176 Defensive Line/Associate Head Coach: Tim Cross Twin Cities Entertainment 48 All-Time Captains 181 Running Backs/Assistant Recruiting Coordinator: Thomas Hammock Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics 50 Professional Football Hall of Fame 181 Defensive Backs: Ronnie Lee Athletics Facilities 52 College Football Hall of Fame 182 Wide Receivers: George McDonald All-Americans 183 2008 TEAM INFORMATION All-Big Ten Selections 184 Offensive Line: Phil Meyer 2008 Roster 54 Team Awards 185 Tight Ends: Derek Lewis Roster Breakdown 56 Academic Awards 186 Head Strength and Conditioning : Mark Hill 2008 Opponents 58 Trophy Award Winners 186 Assistant Strength and Conditioning: Will Peoples Travel Information 59 NFL Draft History 187 Recruiting Coordinator: Dan Berezowitz Future Schedules 59 All-Time NFL Roster By Team 188 Director of Football Operations: Dan O’Brien All-Time NFL Roster By Player 190 Player Profiles 60 Football Office Phone: (612) 624-6004 Bowl Game Summaries 192 GOLDEN GOPHER STAFF Bowl Game Records 194 Football Office Email: [email protected] All-Time Coaching Records 195 Head Coach Tim Brewster 106 TEAM INFORMATION Asst. Head Coach/Offensive Coord. Mike Dunbar 108 All-Time Scores 197 Primary Offense/Defense: Spread / 4-3 Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof 109 MEDIA/ADMINISTRATION Linebackers/Special Teams Coach John Butler 110 Stadium: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (64,172) Assoc. Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach Tim Cross 111 University President Robert H. Bruininks 205 Surface: Field Turf Running Backs Coach Thomas Hammock 112 Athletics Director Joel Maturi 206 Defensive Backs Coach Ronnie Lee 113 Athletics Administration 206 Lettermen Returning/Lost: 36/21 Tight Ends Coach Derek Lewis 114 Twin Cities Media Outlets 207 Offense: 17/8 • Defense: 19/11 • Special Teams: 2/2 Wide Receivers Coach George McDonald 115 Golden Gopher Radio Network 207 Offensive Line Coach Phil Meyer 116 Athletics Communications 208 Starters Returning/Lost: 16/10 Strength & Conditioning Coach Mark Hill 117 Media Information 208 Offense: 7/4 • Defense: 7/5 • Special Teams: 2/1 Asst. Strength & Conditioning Coach Will Peoples 118 TICKET INFORMATION First Year of Competition: 1882 • National Titles : 6 Director of Football Operations Dan O’Brien 119 All-Time Record: 627-450-44 • All-Time Big Ten Record: 316-341-28 Recruiting Coordinator Dan Berezowitz 120 Please call 1-800-U-GOPHER or 612-624-8080 or visit GO - Support Staff 121 PHERSPORTS .com The 2008 Minnesota Football Yearbook is published by University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Communications. Additional copies may be purchased for 2007 SEASON REVIEW GOPHERS ON THE WEB $20 (shipping & handling included) by sending a check made payable to the Uni - 2007 Season Results 126 Gophersports.com is the official source for all up-to-the- versity of Minnesota and mailing to: 2007 Minnesota Statistical Review 127 minute news and information on Golden Gopher Football University of Minnesota Athletic Communications 2007 Game Summaries 132 and all other athletic teams. Live statistics, audio and video 244 Bierman Field Athletic Building • 516 15th Ave. SE RECORDS clips, press releases, Head Coach Tim Brewster’s weekly Minneapolis, Minn. 55455 press conferences and all other University of Minnesota For more information, please contact the athletic communications office at: Rushing Records 138 Football information can be found on the home of Golden Phone: (612) 625-4090 Fax: (612) 625-0359 Passing Records 142 Gopher Athletics. Email: [email protected] Receiving Records 146 GOPHERSPORTS.com Total Offense Records 150 GOLDEN GOPHER ATHLETICS MISSION STATEMENT All-Purpose Records 151 To serve as a window to the University, in an environment of integrity and equity, that enables Defensive Records 152 student-athletes to achieve excellence in their academic and athletic pursuits. Interception Records 154 The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access Punt Return Records 155 to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status or sexual orientation.
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“This class is phenomenal. Minnesota has to be one of the biggest stories nationally. I believe Tim is one of the Top 10 recruiters I’ve ever seen, and he’s showing why in the class. Recruiting is all about perception, and no - TSecionmd-Year HeBad Coraceh wster body does it better than Tim. I’ve been covering recruiting for over 30 years and this is by far the best class Minnesota has ever signed and may be the best ever in school history. Vince Young Tim has shown that you can recruit nationally by signing Alge Crumpler players from 16 different states.” Tom Lemming CSTV National Recruiting Advisor
Chris Simms Recruiting ... Recruiting ... Recruiting • In his first season, signed the 14th- best recruiting class in the nation. About Brewster’s First Recruiting Class Class is rated as the best in school “Minnesota has proven with their 2008 class that their recruiting net is capable of reaching far and wide in areas they have not been to before with great suc - history. cess. This class is fast, athletic and could be one that Gophers fans look back • Proven college recruiter at North on and say this class is what helped us get over the hump. They have upgraded Carolina and Texas under head at significant positions of need at QB, offensive skill and defensive front seven players.” coach Mack Brown. Tom Luginbill • Inked the likes of future NFL stars ESPN Scouts Inc. Experience Vince Young, Alge Crumpler, Chris National Recruiting Director/College Football Analyst • 22-year coaching veteran "Tim worked with us for 13 years and is not only one of the best football • Served under coaching legends Mack Brown, Marty Schottenheimer and coaches I've ever coached with, but he's also a great friend. He's a high- Simms, Cedric Griffin and Bo “Even better news is the way Minnesota is recruiting. Brewster gives recruiting Mike Shanahan energy guy who has gained experience and been a part of winning pro - Scaife. the highest priority each and every day of the year. He and his staff work as hard grams at every level. He's had success as a high school head coach, as an as anyone, combing the country for future Gophers. To be successful, you need • Well-rounded coach with 15 years of collegiate coaching experience at assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator at two major college foot - Cedric Griffin to recruit well consistently over time and that’s exactly what he has in mind.” Minnesota, Texas, North Carolina and Purdue and seven years of NFL coach - ball programs and coached with two of the best NFL coaches ever in Mike Jamie Newberg ing with the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers Shanahan and Marty Schottenheimer.” National Recruiting Analyst – Mack Brown, Texas Head Coach Scout.com • Coached in 10 bowl games and played in two at Illinois • Position coach for NFL All-Pro Antonio Gates “He can do it all. From a football aspect, he’ll X and O with anybody, but “There’s no question that Minnesota’s class goes down as the biggest surprise what sets him apart is that he has a personality, he has a vision and he’s a in the nation for me. We knew he could recruit when he was at Texas and other guy who gets the most out of people. He’s smart on how he delegates and places, but the job that he did this season with the results on the field is amaz - Mike Shanahan , a former Go - he gets the big picture. He’s been around a lot of programs that have won, ing. He’s surrounded himself with great assistant coaches that work just as hard phers’ assistant coach (1979) re - and I think Minnesota will see in time not only will he recruit, he’ll do a as he does, and the end result is a class chock-full of impact guys that should turned to the U of M last year to visit great job with the Xs and Os as well.” Bo Scaife help them out right away.” his former Broncos assistant, Tim – Mike Shanahan, Denver Broncos Head Coach Jeremy Crabtree Brewster . National Recruiting Analyst “I think he’s a terrific football coach. Interestingly enough, I wasn’t exactly Rivals.com sure that pro football was where he would have a chance to grow and ad - Recruiting vance, but clearly he did, and he is one of the finest coaches I’ve ever been around. He’s a great teacher. He’s a very demanding individual, who gets Philosophy About Brewster’s Recruiting Ability the best out of his players. Tim also has extensive experience in the ad - I want kids to know that I care about "Coach Brewster is extremely intense and passionate about the game and he has ministrative aspects of coaching on the collegiate level.” them as people. If kids genuinely been around some great football minds in his career. I have no doubt this will – Marty Schottenheimer, NFL coaching great “ serve him well and he will be a great head coach. As a recruiter, he is extremely believe you care about them as peo - easy to talk to and he is a true friend. He seemed like just one of the guys." ple, then they’re going to give you – Chris Simms, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers In his first season at Minnesota, their heart and soul on Saturday af - Brewster helped Dom Barber Antonio Gates become one of the nation’s best ternoon. I go to great lengths of get - “I’m really impressed by Coach Brewster and the staff that he has put together. safeties and an NFL Draft pick. ting to know our football players, He has some very good recruiters. I think that it’s a sign that Minnesota has en - and getting to know them on a level tered its hey day as far as recruiting the next few years.” – Tom Lemming, National Recruiting Advisor, CSTV where there is no intimidation factor. I don’t deal with intimidation or fear. “Tim will go after the best recruits nationally. He became one of the best re - I don’t think that stuff works. I want cruiters in the country at Texas. I would be surprised if Minnesota’s recruiting to create an environment that is class next season isn’t in the top five in the Big Ten.” conducive to winning. – Tom Lemming, National Recruiting Advisor, CSTV “From a recruiting standpoint, it’s a very exciting time for Minnesota. He’s going “Tim is one of the main reasons I developed and improved as a player. ” to bring a very different energy and vibe.” He saw my potential before anyone else did and he believed in me. I – Jeremy Crabtree, National Recruiting Analyst, Rivals.com have dealt with guys who weren’t honest with me, and when I was look - ing for a genuine guy, Tim didn't promise me this or that. He was real - “Recruiters were always around but Brewster separated himself from the rest by istic with me. As a coach, he taught that success comes down to the wanting to know everything about you. He talked to my teammates, all of my details of the game and that’s what separates people." coaches, people in the hallway, everybody. He went the extra mile.” – Antonio Gates, All-Pro TE, San Diego Chargers – Cedric Griffin, CB, Minnesota Vikings
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In The Community “The connection between our football program and the community is vital. When we say the community, it isn’t just the local community, we include the rest of the areas in the state in that comment. It goes back to the message of togetherness
Tim Brewster with Gopher legends Judge Dickson (left) and Bobby Bell. Brewster has we’ve tried to put out there in the community. Together, the state of Minnesota – engaged Gopher alumni and brought them back to campus to speak to the current team. not just the University of Minnesota, but the state of Minnesota – can accomplish anything by doing it together. We want everyone in the state of Minnesota to feel ownership in our program, so every Saturday morning in the fall, they start to get Make History Again the butterflies in their stomachs, right along with us.” – Tim Brewster • Has reconnected with the rich tradition and history of Gopher Football, pledging to return Minnesota to its rightful place among the nation’s elite programs. • Has linked the Gopher legends of the past and recent stars to the players that will carry the torch in the future. • Invited former stars like Tony Dungy, Bobby Bell, Carl Eller, Laurence Maroney, Marion Barber III and Judge Golden Gopher head coach Tim Brewster is known as an Dickson back to campus to inspire the current outstanding recruiter. Prior to his first season at Min - nesota, he instituted a program that helped him recruit in Gophers while recognizing their past accomplishments. a little bit different way. Minnesota’s illustrious running back alumni Darrell Thompson, Marion Barber III, Laurence Maroney and Thomas Tapeh. Brewster initiated the first Gopher Nation Women’s “I heard him at his first press conference and he Football Clinic. The event drew more than 500 women, had such a high level of passion for football, and I including some who were new to the game and some am also very passionate about football, so I loved it. When he talked about how much he loved foot - who simply wanted to learn more about a sport and a ball I knew that he was going to be my kind of guy team they love. Nonetheless, many new Gopher fans were found during the clinic. and then he started to reach out to former Gophers The women were treated to hors d’oeuvres and then hit the field for personal instruction from like myself and (Marion) Barber III, (Laurence) Gopher players and coaches at a number of different stations. The clinic participants were also Maroney, (Thomas) Tapeh, David Williams and treated to a performance of the Rouser by the players and they got some insight as to what it took Bobby Bell. It started making sense to me that this to run the Gopher program on a daily basis. The Gopher Nation Women’s Football Clinic has be - is someone that I can really get behind and sup - come an annual event and is expected to continue growing. port.” – Darrell Thompson, Gopher great (1986-89) and NFL first round draft pick Gopher Nation Women’s Clinic “I had the good fortune to be here the day of Coach Brewster with Super Bowl winning coach and Gopher alum Brewster’s press conference. From that very first Tony Dungy day I was excited because I knew then that all the right ideas were there. The only thing that is needed now is the execution of those ideas. As former play - ers, we just appreciate that our contributions are recognized and that we get the opportunity to help in it. To be able to go out and talk to the guys and tell them we went through the same thing – it makes it a little easier for them to do the hard work. To see young people grow is just exciting. It’s won - derful. I am so thankful of Coach Brewster for em - bracing us and making us feel a part of his and this University’s program.” – Judge Dickson, Gopher great (1959-61)
NFL great Bobby Bell speaks to the Gophers after a 2007 practice. Brewster with legendary Gopher head coach Murray Warmath
[ 4 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 5 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 GOPHERS WILL BE BRAND NEW ™ With the scheduled opening of the new Gopher Foot - TMinCnesotFa’s NeBw Homae Opnens kIn FallS2009 tadium ball stadium on campus in 2009, Minnesota will be - come the first Big Ten program in nearly 50 years to have a brand new on-campus stadium. While many of them have undergone significant renovations, Min - nesota will be the only Big Ten institution with a com - pletely new facility.
TCF Bank Stadium will also be the first Division I sta - dium built from scratch since Stanford opened a new stadium in 2006 and Pittsburgh and Connecticut added new off-campus stadiums in 2001. Only two on-campus stadiums will have been built by a BCS The University of Minnesota is bringing Gopher Football back to campus. The new TCF Bank Stadium Conference school since West Virginia and Syracuse will be an important, symbolic center of campus life. It will be a place for students to gather with fam - constructed new fields in 1980. Louisville built Papa ily, faculty, alumni, and friends for all-University events, enhancing the campus life experience in a way John’s Stadium on-campus in 1998 while it was a member of the non-BCS Conference USA. that cannot be replicated. The University of Minnesota is a valuable asset to the state, and a new cam - pus stadium will bring pride to our citizens for generations to come. In May 2006, the Minnesota legislature made the U of M’s stadium a reality, approving a new $288.5 BIG TEN STADIUMS Yr. Built Stadium School million Gopher Football stadium. The stadium will be a 50,000-seat, open-air facility offering architec - 2009 TCF Bank Minnesota ture and style similar to what is already seen on campus. The University began construction on the fa - 1960 Beaver Penn State cility during the summer of 2007. 1960 Memorial Indiana 1929 Kinnick Iowa TCF BANK STADIUM BY THE NUMBERS The announcement of TCF Bank’s $35 million commitment to this stadium energized the campaign 1927 Michigan Michigan by giving it a sense of reality and urgency. The Gophers have played football in Minnesota for 120 years 1926 Ryan Northwestern 1924 Ross-Ade Purdue 50,000 Seats in the new TCF Bank Stadium expandable to 80,000 and will continue to play here for 120 more. TCF Bank Stadium will be the new home for Gopher Foot - 1923 Memorial Illinois ball, a place for the campus community and Minnesotans to celebrate together. 1923 Spartan Michigan State Suites 1922 Ohio Ohio State 37 1917 Camp Randall Wisconsin
Loge Boxes 50 NEWEST DIVISION I-A STADIUMS Yr. Built Stadium School 1,500 Club Seats (1,250 outdoor and 250 indoor) 2009 TCF Bank Minnesota 2006 Stanford Stanford • University of Minnesota Team Store Main Concourse view 2003 Rentschler Connecticut MORE 2003 Lincoln Financial Temple • 20,000 square foot large indoor club lounge for game day and non-game day use 2001 Heinz Pittsburgh 2000 Ford Southern Methodist • Visiting team and auxiliary locker rooms for recreational sports and tournament use 1998 Raymond James South Florida • 20,000 square foot marching band facility 1998 Papa John’s Louisville 1995 FIU* Florida International • The stadium will be an outdoor, collegiate-style stadium offering architecture and 1991 Edwards Marshall style similar to what is already seen on campus. 1980 Carrier Dome Syracuse 1980 Bulldog Fresno State • Expansive exterior hospitality plaza 1978 Aggie Memorial New Mexico State 1978 Malone UL Monroe *stadium built before FIU added Division I football Loge Level Premium Seating NEWEST BCS CONFERENCE ON-CAMPUS STADIUMS Yr. Built Stadium School 2009 TCF Bank Minnesota 2006 Stanford Stanford 1998 Papa John’s* Louisville 1980 Mountaineer West Virginia 1980 Carrier Dome Syracuse 1975 Jack Trice Iowa State 1972 Martin Washington State 1968 Groves Wake Forest 1968 Snyder Family Kansas State 1967 Autzen Oregon The 20,000-square foot DQ Club Room Private Suites 1966 Carter-Finley North Carolina State 1965 Lane Virginia Tech *stadium built while a member of Conference USA
Indoor Club Level
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™ TMinCnesotFa’s NeBw Homae Opnens kIn FallS2009 tadium
Plush Locker Room
VAIDlElO DTIShPLAeY Bells And Whistles • The second-largest video display in college sports . The main high definition video display, measuring approximately 48 feet high by 108 feet wide, will boast Dak - tronics HD-16 technology and will be the first of its kind in a Big Ten Conference football venue.
LOCKER ROOM • State-of-the-art 60 x 25-yard locker room, shaped like a football • 120 custom-built lockers • Home team suite also includes: training room Gopher Lockerroom therapy room exam room showers equipment room Construction photos of TCF Bank Stadium in June 2008. coaches facilities media room
RECRUITING ROOM • private recruiting room that can accommodate 150 • 10 flat panel televisions in the locker room and recruiting room
An Environmental & Energy Leader • Project Administrators are seeking LEED certification for TCF Bank Sta - dium making it the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified collegiate football stadium in America. • Examples of sustainability credits include an innovative storm water management system, contaminated soil remediation and use of recycled and local materials. • LEED Certification is achieved by accumulating “credits” for various en - vironmentally responsible and sustainable efforts in design and con - struction. The site plan for TCF Bank Stadium. The facility is being constructed across the street from Williams and Mariucci Arenas.
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Another reason to get excited about outdoor football at TCF Bank Stadium in 2009 is the tremendous fall weather in Minneapolis. Over the last six years, the average gameday temperature for Minnesota home GMarchaing mBand. TeailgatiDng. Spairit ySquads. Student Section. Traditions. Rivalries. games has been a comfortable 64.3 degrees. 70 o 67 o 66 o 63 o 60 o 60 o
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Gopher Victory Walk Pageantry... Rivalries...
ASaturtdamy afteronoonsBigpTenhfooetballrgaemes in the heart of the city...one of the best marching bands in the country...scream - ing fans...cheerleaders and dance teams...intense football ac - tion. With one of the nation’s top recruiting classes ready to take the field and the opening of the new TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Gopher Foot - ball is sure provide plenty of excitement. The Golden Gophers are playing their final season in the Metrodome in 2008. During the Gophers’ 27-year run in the Dome, more than seven million football fans have flooded into the Metrodome to witness Golden Gopher football excitement. In recent years, Golden Gopher football at the Metrodome has become even more exciting. A multi-million dollar plaza was constructed outside the Dome, complete with food and beverages, picnic tables and a stage for entertainment. Pre- game concerts, interactive games, appearances by the Uni - versity of Minnesota Marching Band and other entertaining events attract crowds larger than ever. In addition, tailgating festivities take place in adjacent parking lots, just another part that helps define the atmosphere that surrounds big-time col - lege football. One of the long-time staples of Minnesota foot - ball is the Golden Gopher Marching Band that boasts a tradition of 116 years. Under the leadership of professor Jerry Luckhardt, the 300-member band electrifies the crowd with pre-game, halftime and post-game entertainment. The game day excitement surrounding Gopher Football will only increase in coming years with the construction of a new on-campus facility, TCF Bank Stadium, that will open for the 2009 season.
[ 10 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 11 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 2008 GOPHER MINNESOTANS Name Pos. Hometown High School METRO Kyle Moore WR St. Paul Cretin-Derham Hall John Nance QB St. Paul Cretin-Derham Hall SRecrutitaing TtheeGopheor Natfion Minnesota Kim Royston DB Minneapolis Cretin-Derham Hall Shady Salamon RB South St. Paul Cretin-Derham Hall Nedward Tavale OG St. Paul Henry Sibley WEST SUBURBS Ryan Grant LB Eden Prairie Eden Prairie Curtis James OL Edina Edina Darrell Thompson Scott Jilek FS Eden Prairie Eden Prairie Rochester, Minn. • former NFL running back Ryan Orton OL Eden Prairie Eden Prairie Mike Rallis LB Edina Edina All-time leading rusher in U of M history Tony Strouth DT Edina Edina “The decision to stay at home, attend Minnesota and play football for the Golden Gophers pro - Nathan Triplett LB Maple Plain Delano vided me with a number of opportunities, both academically and athletically. It’s a great envi - Ryan Wynn OL Plymouth Maple Grove ronment and I truly enjoyed my college experience. After graduation, the Twin Cities area is a wonderful place to live with lots of job opportunities. That’s why so many former Golden Gophers SOUTH SUBURBS decide to make this their home when their college football days are over.” Andy Brinkhaus OL Bloomington Jefferson Trey Davis OL Farmington Farmington Jason Meinke OL Apple Valley Eastview Barrett Moen OL Bloomington Jefferson Ryan Ruckdashel OL Apple Valley Eastview Andre Taté LB Mendota Heights Henry Sibley NORTH SUBURBS Matt Carufel OL Forest Lake Cretin-Derham Hall Eric Ellestad K Brooklyn Park Armstrong Tyler Johnson RB Fridley Concordia Academy “My stated goal when I took this job was that we were going to Sam Maresh LB Champlin Champlin Park recruit the state of Minnesota extremely hard. We are very pas - WHAT SEPARATES THE ‘U’ Joel Monroe K Brooklyn Park Cooper Steve Moore LB Coon Rapids Blaine Willie VanDeSteeg sionate with what we are doing to reach out to the players in this Damola Ogundipe RB New Brighton Irondale Silver Lake, Minn. • Captain • Defensive End state and wanting them to come play for us at the University of Adam Weber QB Shoreview Mounds View One of the finest and most comprehensive public universities in the “The University of Minnesota has a great football tradition and being a Minnesota kid, I wanted Minnesota and be Golden Gophers. ” EAST SUBURBS to help keep it moving in the right direction. There have been a lot of great players who have world. More than 160 bachelor’s degrees, 150 master’s degrees and Collin McGarry TE Stillwater Stillwater come through these halls. It was important for me to be part of that tradition and to play for my “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that 100 doctoral degrees are offered. Jay Thomas RB Oakdale Tartan home state. It means even more to me now that we are embracing our former players because I Nick Weber OL Hastings Hastings will be part of that history some day. I can already say that I made the right decision to play here the top players in this state come to the University of Minnesota. College athletics at the highest level in the nation’s most visible and and have been part of great experiences that I will never forget. I hope that young kids look at the CENTRAL guys from Minnesota who came here to play and want to do the same.” We want to identify these players earlier, get on them and stay on powerful conference, the Big Ten. them from the beginning. We’re going to make sure that every Eric Decker WR Cold Spring Rocori Jon Hoese S Glencoe Glencoe-Silver Lake guy in this state who wants to play here and who we feel can help A major metropolitan area in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Tony Mortensen QB Hutchinson Hutchinson us win a Big Ten Championship and take the Gopher Nation to Paul with a population of over 2.5 million. The Cities are home to 20 Matt Stommes OL Richmond Eden Valley-Watkins Pasadena, they’re going to come here and play for us. ” Fortune 500 companies including Target, Best Buy, 3M and General Willie VanDeSteeg DE Silver Lake Glencoe-Silver Lake Mills. SOUTH “My basic philosophy is this: we want to recruit the state of Min - Anthony Jacobs DE Northfield Northfield Endless entertainment options ranging from professional sports, the - Ben Kuznia WR Olivia BOLD nesota, first and foremost. We would like the bulk of our players Marcus Sherels WR Rochester John Marshall ater and music, shopping and dining. to come from the state of Minnesota. Then we would like to go Patrick Sveum LB Rochester Century out and supplement those players with players from across the Jeff Tow-Arnett OG Redwood Falls Redwood Falls One of the finest spots in the nation for outdoors enthusiasts. With four Nathan Tow-Arnett DB Redwood Falls Redwood Falls country. ” vibrant seasons, the Twin Cities has it all, ranging from skiing to fishing Nick Tow-Arnett TE Redwood Falls Redwood Falls Adam Weber and water sports on Minnesota’s over 15,000 lakes. The Twin Cities Shoreview, Minn. • Captain • Quarterback “I think what we have done is create tremendous excitement “For Minnesota guys like me or Eric Decker, the coolest thing about being a captain and being a also owns an expansive chain of paved trails that connect the entire about the ‘U’ here in the state of Minnesota. I think everyone is Matt Spaeth part of the team, especially this year, is having a chance to help lead this team to a Big Ten Cham - metropolitan area. St. Michael, Minn. pionship. Every fan I talk to is so excited about our team and can’t wait for the Minnesota pro - holding on and catching the excitement. I think they know that it’s gram to get back to that point. Being a Minnesota fan all my life, having the opportunity to play a dawn of a new day here. We’re going to work really hard and Tight End • Pittsburgh Steelers on this team is an awesome experience.” have a lot of fun and I think that these kids are understanding 2006 All-American that’s the way it’s going to be here at the 'U'. We’ve met a tremen - Mackey Award Winner "The best part about playing for Min - dous amount of high school coaches in this state and they are nesota was my family. I come from a very excited about how we work and in building a strong rela - big family and being able to have them tionship with us. I think the state of Minnesota is very excited come to our games and see me play about the direction in which we are going. We’ve got this thing was really special. It was nice to be able to see them following our games started and the exciting thing here is that we’re just scratching the and to be able to share my collegiate surface. Each and every day I’m here, I’m more excited about experience with them." being the head coach at the ‘U’ because it’s such a tremendous Thomas Tapeh sell and I don’t think it’s hard at all. ” St. Paul, Minn. • Fullback • Minnesota Vikings “I chose to stay close to home where my family is and because everything I need is here. I have gained a great amount of knowledge athletically that I never knew, and there still is more to learn. The University of Minnesota has broadened my horizons. Courses offer things I never knew I was interested in before. The academics were great and I had a fun time learning.”
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SInnovpativerAend Eaxcitidng OffeCnsiveoSchaeme st Offense
Phil Meyer, Offensive Line • 30-year coaching veteran • Spent seven years as head coach at Wisconsin-Oshkosh • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota - Northern; Wisconsin; Tampa, Fla.; Iowa; The Spread Coast Offense is a combination of the traditional National Offensive Linemen George McDonald, Wide Receivers “Spread” and the “West Coast” offense. It is a system that uses • Eight-year coaching veteran • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota - South Central; personnel and multiple formations to beat the defense. South Florida; National Wide Receivers
Keys To Minnesota’s Spread Coast Offense • Formations are critical to keeping the defense off balance. • Built in answers so the offense can adjust to the defense’s looks. • Force the defense to play a certain scheme and then attack the weakness. • Relies on the quarterback to make decisions at the line of scrimmage.
Thomas Hammock, Running Backs & Assistant Recruiting Coordinator • Five-year coaching veteran • Coached in three bowl games • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota - Southeast; Illinois; Indiana; St. Louis; National Running Backs
About Coach Dunbar “Coach Dunbar is regarded as one of the best offensive coordinators in the coun - try. It’s an honor to be coached by him. He’s one of the smartest football people Derek Lewis, Tight Ends I’ve ever been around. I’ve learned so much from him already. His offense is • Three-year coaching veteran going to put up numbers and W’s and that’s what it all comes down to. But he’s • Coached in two bowl games also a great person and he really wants the best for every one of his players.” • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota - West Central; – sophomore captain and quarterback Adam Weber Texas - Houston; Louisiana; National Tight “Mike has done a great job for a long time and has continued that here at Min - Ends nesota. He did a great job at Northwestern and California with dynamic offenses, spread offenses. We got off to a strong start in our first year and the Gopher of - Mike Dunbar, Offensive Coordinator fense is only going to continue to improve with Coach Dunbar at the controls. • 28-year college coaching veteran We’re going to continue to do a lot of great things on offense.” • Directed three of the nation’s top and highest scoring offenses at California (2006), Northwestern (2002-05) – head coach Tim Brewster and Toledo (1992-96) • Directed quarterback Adam Weber to five school single-season records in first year leading Gopher offense. • Coached in four bowl games • 10 years of head coaching experience • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota - West Minneapolis; Washington; Arizona; National Quarterbacks
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ANewtDetfenasivecCookrdinat&or Ted RSoof Bwrings aNewrExm citing Philosophy
Tim Cross, Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Line • 12-year coaching veteran • Coached in four bowl games The Minnesota Defense will use a disciplined approach to • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota - Western; Texas - Dallas/Ft. Worth; Maryland; National Defensive Linemen attack and swarm to the ball. In our system, discipline is defined by doing exactly what you’re supposed to do, ex - actly when you’re supposed to do it.
Keys To Minnesota’s Defense • Play with discipline and effort • Attack the ball • Attack anything between you and the ball • Swarm to the ball to limit yards after contact • Create takeaways for our offense John Butler, Linebackers & Special Teams • 13-year coaching veteran • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota - Minneapolis metro; Pennsylvania; Ohio; Ronnie Lee, Defensive Backs New Jersey; National Linebackers; • 18-year coaching veteran National Specialists • Recruiting Areas: Minnesota - Southeast; Michigan; West Coast; National Defensive Backs • Coached in 11 bowl games
Ted Roof, Defensive Coordinator • 21-year veteran of collegiate coaching • Coached in six bowl games • More than a decade of experience at head coach/coordinator level • Coached numerous players who went on to NFL careers • Recruiting areas: Minnesota – St. Paul; Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina; All National Defensive Players
About Coach Roof “The biggest things I like about Coach Roof, as a player, that he makes things fun and competi - tive. His philosophy is to really swarm to the ball and stop the run. Coach Roof brings a lot of enthusiasm for the game. He also brings a lot of intelligence and knowledge about football to the table.” – senior linebacker Deon Hightower Will Peoples, Asst. Strength & Conditioning Coach “We have a profile of what we are looking for in our staff. First and foremost is a great person. • Three-year coaching veteran Number two is a great teacher and coach. Number three is a great recruiter. Ted Roof has Mark Hill, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach proven to be outstanding in all three areas. To have a man with his experience as a defensive • Eight-year coaching veteran coordinator and head coach in the ACC is a tremendous addition for our staff and our defense.” – head coach Tim Brewster • Coached 13 All-Americans and 29 draft picks
[ 16 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 17 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008
PGophlears Mayximeize SrtrenDgth, Sepeedvaned Agillioty pment
Relentless Pursuit
Minnesota Player Development Program The University of Minnesota football program NUTRITION is designed to maximize our players strength, We are able to closely monitor the nutritional speed and football agility. values of all the team meals, and ensure that our players are getting the necessary nutrients Our training regimen divided into three sea - in order to optimize the ability to train and com - sons: pete! Our goal is to ensure that our athletes our
pre-season able to stay healthy and decrease the potential
in-season for injuries.
off-season If an athlete is committed to eating right, train - We take the necessary steps to ensure each as - ing hard, and resting (sleeping) for the pur - pect of training receives it’s proper attention. poses of essential recovery, then there is no While strength training is essential to compete reason that he won’t be able to maintain the at a high level, we also like to emphasize speed highest level of physical conditioning possible. development in order to ensure that we are able to compete with any team in the country.
[ 18 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 19 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Why Train With Coach Hill? About Mark Hill “Coach Hill definitely got me ready for my senior year. I was in the best physical shape and condition that I’ve ever been in before my senior season. It is also great to come back and work out with him, when I’m back from Houston. Coach Hill and his staff really know what they’re doing and they do a great job.” – Dominique Barber , S, Houston Texans 2007 NFL Draft pick
“Coach Hill is a big reason why I was able to come so far from my freshman year to my senior year. His direct work with me helped to get my strength levels to where they needed to be, and to develop a work ethic that I still “Hard work beats talent every time have today.” – Mark Clayton , WR, Baltimore Ravens when talent doesn’t work hard.” former Oklahoma star “Gopher strength and conditioning has taken a change in preparation. I’ve participated in several workouts and the enthusiasm is at a completely different level. Guys work at a rapid, but efficient pace. Coach Hill is enthusiastic; he jumps in and out of the work - outs himself. What I see is the guys are having fun. By having fun, they are working hard and from working hard anyone can see the results of Hill training.” – Thomas Tapeh , FB, Minnesota Vikings former University of Minnesota star running back
“If it weren’t for Coach Hill, I would not be the player that I am today. He exemplifies the words ‘inten - sity’ and ‘passion.’ He is one of the best in the business.” – Tommie Harris , NFL Pro Bowl DT, Chicago Bears, former Oklahoma star and Lombardi Award Winner
[ 20 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 21 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008
GA PipoelinepTo hThe NeFL r Pros
Laurence Maroney was drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He helped the Patriots record the first undefeated NFL regular season since 1972 and advanced to the Super Bowl.
NFL BY THE NUMBERS Marion Barber III was selected to the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl after racking up 10 touchdowns and nearly 1,000 rushing yards. He signed a seven-year, $45 million contract with a Tony Dungy Gophers have been selected in the NFL Draft since its $12 million signing bonus in May, 2008 with the Cowboys. 251 inception in 1936. Minnesota has had a player selected in 67 of the 72 NFL Drafts. Tyrone Carter Anthony Montgomery Mike Lehan Gophers have been selected in the first round of the NFL 18 Darrell Reid Draft.
Gophers have won a combined 20 Super Bowl rings. Mark Setterstrom Thomas Tapeh Most recently, 1976 U of M grad Tony Dungy coached 20 the Indianapolis Colts to the 2007 Super Bowl title. His team included two former Gophers, Darrell Reid and Ben Utecht.
Gophers have been drafted since 2000 including Dom
Ben Hamilton Barber who was chosen by the Houston Texans in the 18 sixth round of the 2008 Draft. Gophers Currently Matt Spaeth Bobby Bell
INAnME The NFL POS TEAM EXP Greg White NFL Greats Six Gophers are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of DOMINIQUE BARBER S Houston Texans R MARION BARBER III RB Dallas Cowboys 4 Fame including: Bronko Nagurski (1963), Leo Nomellini TYRONE CARTER FS Pittsburgh Steelers 9 (1969), Bobby Bell (1983), Bud Grant (1994), Carl Eller GREG ESLINGER C Houston Texans 3 (2004) and Charlie Sanders (2007). BEN HAMILTON OG Denver Broncos 8 MICHAEL LEHAN CB Miami Dolphins 6 RHYS LLOYD K Carolina Panthers 2 LAURENCE MARONEY RB New England Patriots 3 ANTHONY MONTGOMERY DT Washington Redskins 3 LOGAN PAYNE WR Seattle Seahawks 2 DARRELL REID DT Indianapolis Colts 4 GARY RUSSELL RB Pittsburgh Steelers 2 Carl Eller MARK SETTERSTROM OG St. Louis Rams 3 MATT SPAETH TE Pittsburgh Steelers 2 THOMAS TAPEH FB Minnesota Vikings 5 BEN UTECHT TE Cincinnati Bengals 5 JUSTIN VALENTINE RB New York Jets R Ben Utecht ERNIE WHEELWRIGHT WR Baltimore Ravens R GREG WHITE DE Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3 list as of June, 2008 Charlie Sanders became the sixth Gopher in the Pro Football HOF Bronko Nagurski Bud Grant
[ 22 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 23 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008
Elite Facilities Training •FReacenctlyicloimtplyeted $1 million renovated training room • 4,000 Square Feet • Large treatment area with 10 treatment tables • Large water therapy area with hot and cold whirlpools • Physician’s exam room • Ice room with direct access to practice field • Open rehabilitation space for car - diovascular machines, rehab ma - chines and for performing functional exercises
Top-Notch Amenities
12,000-square foot, multi-level weight training facility Indoor and outdoor AstroPlay ® practice field facilities State-of-the-art athletic training facility complete with treatment rooms, whirlpools, steam room and rehabilitation equipment McNamara Academic Center with two computer labs and 10 tutor rooms and classrooms Spacious locker room and team meeting rooms for each position Two player lounges with large screen televisions, pool table and plenty Minnesota will end its 27-year run in the H.H.H. Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis this season. The Gophers’ of furniture brad new state-of-the-art on-campus TCF Bank Stadium will open in the Fall of 2009. Extensive Hall of Fame depicting the tradition and history of Golden Gopher Football
[ 24 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 25 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Facilities
[ 26 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 27 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008
AGophterhs Recleeive Ntatiiocn’s TopTTrarinaing Ainnd Treiantmengt Program Equipment Gophers Fully Equipped By Nike
New Uniforms In 2008 Minnesota’s uniforms have been com - pletely redesigned by NIKE and will “Ed Lochrie is an outstanding ath - feature two jersey colors – maroon and letic trainer and his staff does a won - white – that can be paired with three derful job. His communication skills different pant combinations – gold, with our student-athletes are impec - maroon and white. cable. He does a great job with the daily rehab of injuries. He and our The revolutionary new uniform con - strength and conditioning coach, cept, made exclusively for the Golden Mark Hill, really work hand-in-hand, Gophers by NIKE, will incorporate both so that we have a very complete new and classic looks, resulting in a conditioning program. Ed just does a faster looking, more modern design. great job in his area, along with his assistants. They are vital to our pro - gram and they are tireless. The amount of time they commit to our program and our student-athletes is tremendous.” — Head Coach Tim Brewster
[ 28 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 29 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008
TNartioanal Cdhamipitonishoips |n Big Ten Titles | Bowl Games | All-Americans
Tony Dungy 1960 National Champions 1934 National Champions 1903 Big Ten Champions
Minnesota has established itself as a regular on the postseason bowl scene. The Gophers have earned a bowl berth in seven of the last nine years including a string of three straight victories from 2002-04. Overall, Minnesota has made 12 bowl appearances.
TRADITION BY THE NUMBERS Floyd of Rosedale: Minnesota vs. Iowa
HistMoinnesorta Foiotbcall is steeRped in tiradvition oaver itsl12r6-yeiar heistory.s From its National Championships Bowl Games first Big Ten title in 1900, accomplishments such as six national titles, includ - 6 ing five in eight years (1934-41), to recent bowl game trips, the Golden Gopher program has instilled a great sense of pride in its fans, alumni and followers. First Team All-Americans Golden Gopher Football also enjoys some unique traditions, such as com - 70 peting for four rivalry trophies. The Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalry is one of the most prestigious and anticipated series in the history of athletics. It’s the most Big Ten Titles played rivalry in college football history at 117 contests and the annual winner 18 takes home Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Some of Minnesota’s other Big Ten rivalries are Paul Bunyan’s Axe: Minnesota vs. Wisconsin also among the top in college football. Minnesota faces Michigan for the Little Bowl berths including seven in the last nine years Brown Jug, for the 105th time this season. The two foes began playing for the 12 Jug in 1903. Border rivals Minnesota and Iowa have competed annually for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy since 1935, while Penn State and the Golden Gophers College Football Hall of Fame members compete for the Governor’s Victory Bell. Minnesota was Penn State’s inaugural 20 Big Ten game in 1993. 6 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees
National Award winners 7 Governor’s Victory Bell: Minnesota vs. Penn State Little Brown Jug: Minnesota vs. Michigan
Bernie Bierman led Minnesota to five National Championships and seven Big Ten titles
[ 30 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 31 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 National Awards Greg Eslinger MATT SPAETH, TE 2006 Mackey Award The Nation’s Finest Wear The Maroon And Gold All-Americans GREG ESLINGER, C 2005 Outland Trophy 2005 Rimington Trophy
TYRONE CARTER, SS 1999 Jim Thorpe Award
BOBBY BELL 1962 Outland Trophy
TOM BROWN 1960 Outland Trophy
BRUCE SMITH 1941 Heisman Trophy
Tom Brown
Sandy Stephens
70 All-Americans Matt Spaeth
Bronko Nagurski
Bobby Bell
Paul Giel Mark Setterstrom Laurence Maroney Ben Hamilton Lamanzer Williams
Leo Nomellini ALL-AMERICA BY THE NUMBERS Tyrone Carter Carl Eller
Golden Gopher players have been named First Team All-Amer - 70 icans by media services. Golden Gophers have been named First Team All-Americans at 14 least twice. Minnesota has posted seven national award winners includ - ing Matt Spaeth who won the 2006 Mackey Award as the na - 7 tion’s top tight end. Bruce Smith Bronko Nagurski is the only college player to be named a first team consensus All-American at two different positions 1 (1929).
Greg Eslinger
[ 32 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 33 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008
AFullyc-Equaippedd Aceademmic Centiecr At s The Finger Tips Of Gopher Student-Athletes
McNAMARA ACADEMIC CENTER • Recently renovated center features: • State-of-the-art equipment • Two computer labs • 10 tutor rooms and classrooms • Media room • Library and resource room • Administrative suite housing Academic Counseling and Student Services staff
Academic counselor Melvin Hines works with running back Duane Bennett
We have one of the best academic institutions in Amer - “The academic part of college life can be really stressful for The McNamara Academic Center (MAC) is an essential part of ica today and a top research university that is No. 1 in “ a student-athlete. For us to know that we go to the MAC, “ the success of student-athletes here at the U. It is a tremen - a number of different areas. I’m just really amazed at talk to a specialist or a counselor and get solutions to our dous, state-of-the-art facility. Having access to a facility like problems right away is a great resource. When you’re a the academic reputation of this university. When I go the MAC is a huge advantage for a student-athlete at the Uni - into homes and talk to parents about the University of freshman, coming in, you really aren’t sure what the work - load is going to be like. But at the beginning, they help you versity of Minnesota. Minnesota and what it can do for your career when set the pace for how things are going to be in the future, so you’re done, I can do it with a tremendous amount of you build good study habits. I’m a senior now and I’m still ” — Head Coach Tim Brewster pride and conviction because it’s real. finding myself in the MAC a lot.” — Senior offensive lineman Ned Tavale — Head Coach Tim Brewster ” U of M ACADEMIC FACTS • The University of Minnesota is ranked among the top six public research universities in the nation, according to a recent study by the University of Florida. • The University’s Twin Cities campus offers more than 160 majors for un -
dergraduates. Junior offensive lineman Jeff Tow-Arnett (top left) was honored in February 2008 as a Top Five Stu - • University departments, such as geography, psychology, chemical engi - dent-Athlete. He was joined by graduating senior quarterback Mike Frankberg (top right). They each neering, mechanical engineering, management information systems, and owned one of the top five cumulative GPAs among all male student-athletes with at least a junior aca - demic standing at the U of M. economics rank among the top 10 in the nation, according to the Na - tional Research Council. • A record 225 Minnesota student-athletes were named Academic All-Big Ten during the 2007-08 academic year. • Over 330 U of M student-athletes maintained a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or better while 47 held a perfect 4.0 GPA during the 2007- 08 academic year.
Learning specialist Todd Helmer works with quarterback Adam Weber
[ 34 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 35 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Champs/Life Skills Program History In 1991, the NCAA Foundation initiated efforts to LGopihefrseActiveSIn Thke Ciomlmlus nity create a total development program for student- athletes. Through the collaborative efforts of the NCAA Foundation and the Division I-A Athletic Di - rector's Association, the CHAMPS/Life Skills Pro - gram (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success) was created. Today, the NCAA Education Outreach staff oversees the development of the program, offering services, support and programs to participating institutions throughout the year. PEYTON OWENS The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program is supported Director of CHAMPS/Life through the promotional and financial efforts of the Skills NCAA Foundation and the NCAA national office.
University of Minnesota Life Skills Program The Life Skills Program at the University Of Min - nesota includes many programs all designed to help make the student-athlete's experience a posi - tive one. The CHAMPS/Life Skills program is an NCAA sponsored program designed to focus on the ANISSA LIGHTNER total development of the student-athlete. Part of the Assistant Director of CHAMPS/Life Skills mission of the Athletic Department is to encourage student-athletes to achieve excellence in their academic and athletic pursuits. In an effort to assist our student-athletes further, the program is designed to give a comprehensive approach to providing educational experiences and services which focus on the individual. We presently utilize: a freshman ori - entation course, personal development programs, Golden Career Opportuni - ties, various community outreach efforts, and our Student Athlete Advisory We’ve made a tremendous commitment to reach out to Committee (S.A.A.C.) to impact the lives of our young men and women. “ children in the state of Minnesota. We want to grow a Gopher involvement in the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program helps student- athletes enhance the quality of their experience here within the university set - sense of state pride in these young kids. We want them to ting. We are also supplied with instructional materials and supplemental grow up dreaming about becoming Golden Gophers. I resources which support our student-athletes' development within the think it is vital to establish these relationships within the CHAMPS/Life Skills Commitment Statements’ five key areas: academic ex - cellence, athletic excellence, personal development, career development, and state, so these kids think the thing to do is stay home and community service. represent the state of Minnesota some day. — Head Coach Tim Brewster ”
TGheopeopplehofeMirnnsesotIanexteTndhouetstanCdingosumppomrt touthenGoildteyn Gophers. Coach Brewster believes it is important for him and his team to return that support by giving of their time through volunteer and charitable activities. The Gophers are actively involved in the Twin Cities and University commu - nities. Among the many worthwhile activities that Minnesota football players regularly take part in are: Boys and Girls Clubs Kids in the City, the Big Broth - ers and Big Sisters holiday event at the Metrodome, the HopeDay Festival with HopeKids, promoting reading during Breakfast With the Gophers at area elementary schools, working with Special Olympics and visiting chil - dren in the hospital. Many of these activities are sponsored by Minnesota’s CHAMPS/Life Skills program. CHAMPS is a program for student-athletes to develop indi - vidual skills necessary to lead successful lives and become leaders in their communities and in the nation.
Youth Day Out [ 36 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 37 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Big Ten Network First words ever spoken on the Big Ten Network: “Eleven schools, 252 varsity teams, one great net - work to cover it all. Welcome to the Big Ten Network, your ultimate source for Big Ten sports, featuring the NThe Baig Tetn Iis oNot Jnust AaConlferenEce. Ixt’s pA Culoture.sAnduThe rBige Ten Network Is Where It Lives. games, passion and tradition of the nation’s foremost athletic conference.” – Dave Revsine, August 30, 2007
ABOUT THE BIG TEN NETWORK The Big Ten Network is dedicated to covering the Big Ten Conference and its 11 member institutions. The Big Ten Network provides unprecedented access to an extensive schedule of conference sports events and shows; original programs in academics, the arts and sciences; campus activities; and associated per - sonalities. Sports programming includes live cover - age of more events than ever before, along with news, highlights and analysis, all complemented by hours of university-produced campus programming. The The Big Ten Tonight crew of Rick Pizzo, Mike The Big Ten Network football studio team of Dave Big Ten Network is a joint venture between sub - Hall, Ann Kreiter and Dave Revsine. Revsine, Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith. sidiaries of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Net - works. The Big Ten Network reaches a national audience through distribution arrangements with approximately 240 cable and satellite companies.
QUICK FACTS Agreement: 20-Year joint venture between subsidiaries of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks. Headquarters: Chicago, Ill. Launch date/time: August 30, 2007, 8 PM ET Sports televised: Football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and other NCAA-sponsored sports
LIVE EVENTS In its “freshman season,” the Big Ten Network televised more than 400 live events, plus hundreds of hours of original programming, classic games, coaches’ shows and cam - pus programming. Virtually all of the network’s live event programming is available in high definition.
•GGoophpershare lorcasted iInnthe nTathione’s 14Nth-leargwests media market. BTN FOOTBALL PROGRAMMING • Enjoy one of the country’s strongest media followings, including five local television sta - Big Ten Tonight – Bringing the viewer Big Ten highlights, analysis, features, histor - ical segments, interviews and breaking news, Big Ten Tonight has unprecedented tions and two major daily newspapers. access that sets it apart from all other sports highlight shows. No other show has • 38 of the last 40 Gopher games have been televised, including 33 that have been aired na - a mini-studio at each campus, providing Big Ten Tonight with interviews with tionally on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Big Ten Network or NFL Network coaches and players every evening. With lively segments mixed with features honoring the conference’s illustrious history, Big Ten Tonight delves into Big • Gophers have been televised 117 times in the last 11 years. Ten athletics, making it the only destination for Big Ten fans. • In the last five years, Gophers have made 39 national TV appearances on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and CBS. Friday Night Tailgate – Blending X’s & O’s with a humorous look at what it’s like to be on campus the night before the big game, Friday Night Tailgate caps a • In June of 2006, the Big Ten signed a new 10-year national rights contract with ABC/ESPN. week of in-depth football analysis. FNT provides a sometimes off-beat look at The new agreement, which began during the 2007-08 season, includes up to 41 televised the next day’s games, as well as the excitement and anticipation that surround Big Ten football games – up to 17 on ABC and up to 25 on ESPN or ESPN2. In addition, all game week. FNT features a weekly competition between two Big Ten schools to see which has the better atmosphere and traditions. At the end of the foot - regional afternoon football games aired on ABC will be aired by ESPN/ESPN2 in outer-mar - ball season, FNT crowns the one university with the best campus football ex - kets, making these games nationally available. perience as the winner of the “Tailgate Championship Series.” • The Gophers are part of the Big Ten Network, a landmark national network between Fox Big Ten Football Saturday – As a Big Ten football fan, the entire week re - and the Big Ten devoted to Big Ten athletic and academic programs. In it’s first season, the volves around game day and Big Ten Football Saturday provides wall-to-wall BTN aired 41 football games, 38 in high definition. coverage as Dave Revsine and our analysts discuss the day’s games in this 60- minute show. Big Ten Football Saturday covers every conference game with more highlights and in-depth analysis than any other network.
Big Ten Extra Points – While you were watching your team’s game, you may have missed all the other great action around the Big Ten. Now you can catch up on all of the big plays from Saturday’s Big Ten games. Big Ten Extra Points condenses every football Saturday into a 30-minute showcase with every touch - down, field goal, extra point and safety as well as the big plays that led to getting these points on the board. Tune in each Monday to see all the scoring you missed on Saturday.
Coaches’ Q&A – While you were at work or school on Monday or Tuesday afternoon, your favorite Big Ten team’s head coach held his weekly press conference to review last week’s game and preview this week’s opponent. Coaches’ Q&A takes the best sound bites from these press conferences and boils them down into an insightful 60-minute weekly program. Airing Wednesday nights, Coaches’ Q&A lets the head coaches do the talking.
[ 38 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 39 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Big Ten Bowls
BBig TiengBoastTs Seven nBowl TiBe-Ins owls
CAPITAL ONE BOWL OUTBACK BOWL January 1, 2009 • ABC January 1, 2009 • ESPN Orlando, Fla. • Citrus Bowl (70,000) Tampa, Fla. • Raymond James Stadium (65,657) Big Ten No. 2 vs. SEC No. 2 Big Ten No. 3 vs. SEC No. 3
ROSE BOWL January 1, 2009 • ABC Pasadena, Calif. • Rose Bowl (93,000) BCS (Big Ten) vs. BCS (Pac-10) VALERO ALAMO BOWL CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL December 29, 2008 • ESPN December 27, 2008 • ESPN San Antonio, Texas • Alamodome (65,000) Orlando, Fla. • Citrus Bowl (70,000) Big Ten Football Facts Big Ten No. 4/5 vs. Big 12 No. 4 Big Ten No. 4/5 vs. ACC No. 4 The Big Ten has sent six or more teams to bowl games for nine straight years and 16 times overall. The
BOWLS Big Ten matched a record with eight Bowl berths following the 2007 campaign (2003). In addition, 10 of the Big Ten's 11 programs reached bowl-eligible status for the first time in conference history. Confer - ence programs have now made 67 bowl appearances over the last decade (1998-2007) and 234 ap - pearances all-time.
The Big Ten sent two schools to BCS games for the seventh time in the 10-year history of the system and BCS the fifth time in the last six seasons. Since the inception of the BCS in 1998, the Big Ten has qualified 17 ROSE BOWL PRESENTED BY CITI teams for BCS bowls, more than any other conference. The SEC ranks second with 15 BCS appearances January 1, 2009 (4 p.m.) • ABC followed by the Big 12 (14), Pac-10 (12), ACC (10) and Big East (10). Seven different Big Ten schools Pasadena, Calif. have qualified to play in a BCS game, including both Illinois and Ohio State in 2007. FEDEX ORANGE BOWL For the third straight season and just the fifth time in Big Ten history, the conference surpassed the five January 1, 2009 (7 p.m.) • FOX Miami, Fla. FANS million mark in overall attendance with a total of 5,408,019 fans attending 76 contests this year. The Big Ten's attendance in all games ranks as the second-highest total in conference annals behind only the ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL 2002 campaign. Conference schools averaged 71,158 fans per home contest this season, the second- January 2, 2009 (7 p.m.) • FOX highest average trailing only the 2005 season. The Big Ten also broke the three-million barrier in con - New Orleans, La. ference games only with 3,143,908 fans attending 44 contests on the year, an average of 71,452 patrons per outing -- the second-highest total and average attendance numbers in Big Ten history behind only the TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL INSIGHT BOWL MOTOR CITY BOWL 2005 numbers (3,175,427 total; 72,169 average). January 5, 2009 (7 p.m.) • FOX December 31, 2008 • NFL Network December 26, 2008 • ESPN Glendale, Ariz. Tempe, Ariz. • Sun Devil Stadium (73,471) Detroit, Mich. • Ford Field (80,000) The Big Ten has a record 15 Heisman Trophy winners all-time, including 2006 winner Troy Smith of Ohio Big Ten No. 6 vs. Big 12 No. 6 Big Ten No. 7 vs. MAC AWARDS State. The Big Ten has collected 11 national awards in the last two years (2006-07), more than any con - FEDEX BCS CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ference, including Minnesota’s Matt Spaeth who won the Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. In January 8, 2009 (7 p.m.) • FOX 2007, the Big Ten also boasted the most first or second team All-Americans (18) nationally as selected Miami, Fla. by the AFCA, AP, FWAA, Walter Camp Foundation and Sporting News.
[ 40 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 41 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 ABOUT THE ‘U’ • Founded in 1851, the University of Minnesota is one of the most comprehensive public universities in the United States and ranks among the most prestigious. It is both the state land-grant university and the state's only major UOne Onf Thie vMoset Cormpsreheintsivye AndoPresftigioMus Univiernsitiens In eThe sUnitoed Stata es research university. • The University's Twin Cities campus consistently ranks among the top six public research universities in the na - tion. • More than 160 bachelor’s degrees, 150 master’s degrees and 100 doctoral degrees are offered. • As one of the largest urban universities in the United States, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities provides many opportunities for students, faculty and staff to par - ticipate in the thriving business, social and artistic com - munities of the metropolitan area. • The University’s mission of teaching, research and service is felt throughout the state, the nation and the world. To Coffman Union Building ensure that this legacy continues, the University has em - barked on an aggressive strategic plan to make this great University even greater.
A world-class university — known globally as a leader in teaching, research and public service, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities consistently ranks among the top six public research universities in the nation. More than 160 bachelor’s degrees, 150 master’s degrees and 100 doctoral degrees make the University one of the most comprehensive institu - tions in the country. Many of the programs are rec - ognized as national and international leaders. Also a thriving center for culture and the arts, The “U” features outstanding galleries, museums, concerts, theater productions and public lectures. Add in the excitement of Big Ten Athletics, and the University of Minnesota has something for everyone. The University community is a broad mix of ethnic backgrounds, interests and cultures. Students come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Many small communities of students, faculty and staff help to create a welcoming feeling on campus. The campus in Minneapolis is located just a few minutes east of downtown. Nestled along the bluffs of the Mississippi River, buildings in Minneapolis range from the ultramodern Weisman Art Museum to the classic and stately Northrop Memorial Audito - rium. A few miles to the east in St. Paul, rolling hills and quiet lawns create a more rural setting. The Min - neapolis and St. Paul parts of the campus are con - nected by a convenient campus shuttle system. The University of Minnesota also provides a life beyond the campus like few other Big Ten universi - ties can. The dynamic communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul offer something for everyone—a na - tionally-recognized arts and theater community, a thriving entertainment industry, a host of Fortune 500 companies, four glorious seasons of outdoor recre - ation, exciting professional sports, shopping and restaurants for every taste, all located close to cam - pus. Founded in 1851, seven years before the terri - tory of Minnesota became a state, the University is the largest in the state and touches the lives of thou - sands of people every day through its teaching, re - search and service.
[ 42 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 43 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Campus
[ 44 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 45 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008
TMinwneapoilins & St.CPaul ities
Twin Cities Facts • The Twin Cities metro area has a population of over 2.5 million and is the nation’s 14th-largest media market • Minneapolis was named the “Most Fun City in America” by Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” • Men’s Fitness ranked Minneapolis as the “Most Athletic City” in 2006. The magazine annually ranks Minneapolis as one of the “Fittest” cities, including a No. 4 ranking in 2007. • The Twin Cities boast all four major sports franchises (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB) • The Twin Cities are home to 130 art galleries and 35 museums • 20 Fortune 500 companies are located in the Twin Cities • Cooking Light named Minneapolis the fourth-best American city that best fit a philosophy to eat smart, be fit, and live well. • A 2004 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater study revealed Minneapolis as the “Most Literate City” in America • Entrepreneur ranked the Twin Cities as the No. 1 large city for entrepreneurs • Population Connection ranked Minneapolis as the fifth-best “kid friendly” large city • Kiplinger’s rated Minneapolis No. 2 on its “50 Smart Places To Live” list • Minnesota has been ranked as the healthiest state by United Health Foundation for three straight years • Men’s Journal rated the Twin Cities as one of the “50 Best Places To Live” in 2006 • Five Minnesota hospitals, led by Mayo Clinic, made U.S. News & World Report's 2005 lists of the nation's top hospitals. Only In The Twin Cities • The largest enclosed mall in the country, the Mall of America • Second-most theater seats per capita behind New York City • More golfers per capita than any city in the country • Over 52 blocks of downtown Minneapolis are connected by skyway
[ 46 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 47 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008
Top Concerts Outdoor Beyoncé, Coldplay, Snoop, Kenny Chesney and Green Day are just a few of the hun - Options dreds of top shows that visited the Twin The Twin Cities offer ESpornts, Mtuseic, Arrtts, aOutdioonrs ment Cities recently. endless outdoor sport - ing activities including fishing, boating, camp - ing, skiing, golfing and biking to name a few. The Cities are covered with trails and thou - sands of lakes set to entertain any outdoor enthusiast.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Marian Gaborik, MInnesota Wild
Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves It’s Been To The Twin Cities • 2006, ’04, ’03, ’02 American League Divisional Series Pro Sports, Concerts, Outdoors • 2008, ’06 NHL Playoffs • Target Center (downtown Minneapolis) and Xcel Energy Center (downtown St. • 2006 U.S. Amateur Golf Championship • 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball First & Second Rounds Paul) both seat over 19,000 spectators and host hundreds of sporting events • 2006 & 2003 NCAA Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional and concerts each year. • 2004 NBA Western Conference Finals • The Twin Cities are home to the Timberwolves (NBA), Vikings (NFL), Twins • 2004 NHL All-Star Game (MLB) and Wild (NHL). Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx • 2004 World Cup of Hockey • The Twin Cities also play host to professional soccer, women’s basketball, • 2003 NHL Western Conference Finals lacrosse and minor league • 2009 and ’02 PGA Championship baseball. • 2008 U.S. Women’s Open • Minnesota has over • 2002 Major League Baseball ALCS • 2001 & 1992 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four 15,000 lakes that boast • 2000 NFL Playoffs some of the country’s finest fishing and boating. • The Twin Cities’ thousands of recreational areas and trails make it one of the top outdoor destinations.
Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins Ryan Ward, Minnesota Swarm
[ 48 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 49 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008 CHAMPIONSHIPS Athletic Excellence 23 National Championships won by Minnesota overall 23 National Championships 8 National Championships won since 2001 Big Ten/WCHA conference regular season or 31 tournament titles won in the last seven years. Big Ten/WCHA conference regular season titles won in the 10 last two years. 164 All-Time Regular Season Big Ten/WCHA Championships ACHIEVEMENTS 40 Student-Athletes earned All-America honors in 2007-08 20 CoSIDA Academic All-District selections in 2007-08 Straight top 30 finishes in the U.S. Sports Academy 12 Director’s Cup measuring overall athletic prowess.
Academic All-Americans over the last five years. Freshman Hassan Mead was a first team All- Junior Gigi Marvin was a 2007-08 All-American and was a 29 American at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track & Patty Kazmaier Award finalist as the nation’s top player. Field Championships and 2007 NCAA Cross Wrestling won the last Minnesota national title, claiming Country Championships. the 2007 NCAA crown for its third title since 2001.
Jayson Ness was the national runner-up at the 2008 NCAA Championships in the 125-pound weight class. In 2007, Minnesota won its third Big Ten men’s golf title since 2002. Minnesota claimed its first Big Ten women’s Cross Country title in 2007.
Emily Fox led Minnesota to the 2008 NCAA Tournament and was a First Team All-Big Ten All-Big Ten baseball performer Matt Nohelty was named a first team Academic pick. All-American in 2008.
Jillian Tyler was the national runner-up in the 100 breaststroke and was a four-time All-American as a freshman. She earned a berth on the 2008 Cana - dian Olympic Team in Beijing as well.
Liz Roehrig was the national runner- up at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the hep - tathlon. She tied the best individual The Gophers won the 2008 Big Ten Women’s Swimming & finish in school history. Diving title for the first time since 2000.
[ 50 ] Minnesota Football 2008 [ 51 ] Minnesota Football 2008 Gopher Football 2008
AMinnteshota Olwens Otneiocf Cosuntry’sFMosat Cocmpleitle iSett iofeAthls etic Facilities
Williams Arena
Ridder Arena Baseline Tennis Center
Bierman Track & Field Stadium Siebert Field
Sports Pavilion
Jane Sage Cowles Stadium
University Aquatic Center
University/Les Bolstad Golf Course
Mariucci Arena
Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium University Fieldhouse U of M Boathouse
[ 52 ] Minnesota Football 2008