1927 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Big Ten co-champion
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record6–0–2 (3–0–1 Big Ten)
Head coach
CaptainHerb Joesting
Home stadiumMemorial Stadium
Seasons
← 1926
1928 →
1927 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 1 Illinois + 5 – 0 – 0 7 – 0 – 1
No. 3 Minnesota + 3 – 0 – 1 6 – 0 – 2
No. 7 Michigan 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 2 – 0
Chicago 3 – 3 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Purdue 2 – 2 – 0 6 – 2 – 0
Northwestern 2 – 3 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Ohio State 2 – 3 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Indiana 1 – 2 – 1 3 – 4 – 1
Iowa 1 – 4 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
Wisconsin 1 – 4 – 0 4 – 4 – 0
  • + – Conference co-champions
Rankings from Dickinson System

The 1927 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 1927 Big Ten Conference football season. In their third year under head coach Clarence Spears, the Golden Gophers compiled a 6–0–2 record and outscored their opponents by a combined score of 209 to 51.[1] The Gophers shared the Big Ten title, the ninth in school history. The team was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the Dickinson System ratings released in December 1927.[2]

Fullback Herb Joesting and guard Harold Hanson were named All-American status by the Associated Press.[3] Joesting, Hanson, quarterback Harold "Shorty" Almquist, tackle Mike Gary and end Ken Haycraft were named All-Big Ten first team.[4]

Total attendance for the season was 166,848, which averaged to 23,126. The season high for attendance was against Wisconsin.[5]

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
October 1North Dakota*
W 57–1022,000[6]
October 8Oklahoma A&M*
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
W 40–035,000
October 15at Indiana
T 14–1421,000
October 22Iowadagger
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)
W 38–052,000
October 29Wisconsin
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)
W 13–756,000
November 5at Notre Dame*
T 7–726,000
November 12Drake*
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
W 27–618,000[7]
November 19at Michigan
W 13–784,243
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming

Game summaries

Michigan

Week 8: Minnesota at Michigan
1 234Total
• Minnesota 0 067 13
Michigan 7 000 7

On November 19, 1927, Minnesota defeated Michigan by a 13-7 score at Michigan Stadium. Bennie Oosterbaan scored Michigan's touchdown in the first quarter on a long forward pass from halfback William Puckelwartz, and Louis Gilbert kicked the point after touchdown. Minnesota came from behind with 13 points in the second half on touchdown runs by Herb Joesting and a touchdown pass from Harold "Shorty" Almquist to Haycraft. Minnesota had 15 first downs in the game while Michigan had only two. Minnesota's victory was its first over Michigan since 1919. The game was also the Michigan's first defeat at Michigan Stadium and the final college football game for Michigan stars Oosterbaan and Gilbert and for Minnesota stars Joesting and Almquist.[8][9] Walter Eckersall served as the game's referee and wrote in the Chicago Tribune: "For hard, aggressive playing combined with splendid sportsmanship it was one of the best struggles I ever officiated in."[9]

References

  1. ^ "1927 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  2. ^ "Illinois Rated As America's Champs: Dr. Dickinson of Illinois Devises Rating System for Grid Teams". The Morning Call. December 4, 1927. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide (PDF), p. 179[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide (PDF), p. 180[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Keiser, Jeff (2007), 2007 Media Guide (PDF), p. 160[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ John F. McGovern (October 2, 1927). "Minnesota Defeats North Dakota, 57 to 10". The Minneapolis Journal. pp. Sports 1, 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ George A. Barton (November 13, 1927). "Minnesota Subdues Drake Bulldogs, 27-6: Visitors Shine in 2nd Half; Ossie Solem´s Men Outplay Second and Third Stringers". The Minneapolis Sunday Tribune. pp. Sports 1, 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Minnesota Victor Over Michigan, 13-7: 86,000 See Gophers Gain Their First Triumph Over Old Rivals Since 1919; Joesting Crushes Foe" (PDF). The New York Times. November 20, 1927.
  9. ^ a b Walter Eckersall (November 20, 1927). "Minnesota Beats Michigan, 13 to 7: Gophers' Drive in Last Half Brings Victory". Chicago Tribune.
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