2019 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Big Ten West Division co-champion
Outback Bowl champion
Outback Bowl, W 31–24 vs. Auburn
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionWest Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 10
APNo. 10
Record11–2 (7–2 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorKirk Ciarrocca (3rd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorJoe Rossi (2nd season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumTCF Bank Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2018
2020 →
2019 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 3 Ohio State xy$^   9 – 0     13 – 1  
No. 9 Penn State   7 – 2     11 – 2  
No. 18 Michigan   6 – 3     9 – 4  
Indiana   5 – 4     8 – 5  
Michigan State   4 – 5     7 – 6  
Maryland   1 – 8     3 – 9  
Rutgers   0 – 9     2 – 10  
West Division
No. 11 Wisconsin xy   7 – 2     10 – 4  
No. 10 Minnesota x   7 – 2     11 – 2  
No. 15 Iowa   6 – 3     10 – 3  
Illinois   4 – 5     6 – 7  
Purdue   3 – 6     4 – 8  
Nebraska   3 – 6     5 – 7  
Northwestern   1 – 8     3 – 9  
Championship: Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 21
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2019 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Gophers played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and competed in the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by third-year head coach P. J. Fleck.

Minnesota was projected to finish in sixth place in the Big Ten West Division by the preseason media poll.[1] Instead, Minnesota had its most successful season in over 50 years. The Gophers won their first nine games of the year, punctuated with a home win over then-No. 4 Penn State, and rose to eighth in the College Football Playoff rankings. They suffered their first loss of the year the next week on the road against Iowa. In the final game of the regular season, in a game that decided the West Division, Minnesota lost to rival Wisconsin, 38–17. The team was invited to the Outback Bowl to play then-No. 12 Auburn, where Minnesota won by a score of 31–24. Minnesota ended the season with a record of 11–2, their 11 wins being the school's most since 1904. They were ranked 10th in the final AP Poll of the season, their first ranked finish since 2003, and highest finish since 1962.[2]

The Gophers' offense was led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Tanner Morgan, who had 3,253 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, and was named second-team All-Big Ten. Wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson both finished with more than 1,200 yards and were both named first-team all-conference. Running back Rodney Smith finished in third in the conference with 1,163 yards. The defense was led by first-team all-conference safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who led the team in tackles and had seven interceptions on the year. Head coach P. J. Fleck was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year by the other coaches.

Preseason

Preseason Big Ten poll

Although the Big Ten Conference has not held an official preseason poll since 2010, Cleveland.com has polled sports journalists representing all member schools as a de facto preseason media poll since 2011. For the 2019 poll, Minnesota was projected to finish in sixth in the West Division.[1]

Media poll (West Division)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Nebraska 198 (14)
2 Iowa 194.5 (14)
3 Wisconsin 172.5 (4)
4 Northwestern 142.5 (1)
5 Purdue 110.5
6 Minnesota 100 (1)
7 Illinois 34

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 298:00 p.m.No. 3 (FCS) South Dakota State*
FS1W 28–2149,112
September 79:30 p.m.at Fresno State*
CBSSNW 38–35 2OT34,790
September 142:30 p.m.Georgia Southern*
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
BTNW 35–3241,021
September 282:30 p.m.at Purdue
ESPN2W 38–3150,629
October 52:30 p.m.Illinoisdagger
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
BTNW 40–1739,341
October 126:30 p.m.Nebraska
FS1W 34–743,502
October 192:30 p.m.at RutgersNo. 20
BTNW 42–726,429
October 262:30 p.m.MarylandNo. 17
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
ESPNW 52–1044,715
November 911:00 a.m.No. 4 Penn StateNo. 17
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN (Governor's Victory Bell)
ABCW 31–2651,883
November 163:00 p.m.at No. 20 IowaNo. 8
FOXL 19–2367,518
November 2311:00 a.m.at NorthwesternNo. 10
ABCW 38–2230,246
November 302:30 p.m.No. 12 WisconsinNo. 8
ABCL 17–3853,756
January 1, 202012:00 p.m.vs. No. 12 Auburn*No. 18
ESPNW 31–2445,652

Source:[3]

Rankings

Further information: 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
APRVRVRVRVRVRVRV201713137119151610
CoachesRVRVRVRVRVRV25201613137119151610
CFPNot released1781081818Not released

Game summaries

South Dakota State

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 3 (FCS) Jackrabbits 0 7 14 0 21
Golden Gophers 0 13 7 8 28

See also: 2019 South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team

Down 1, the Gophers won the game with a short TD run by Mohamed Ibrahim and a two point conversion late in the 4th Quarter to win 28–21.[4]

At Fresno State

1 2 3 4OT2OT Total
Golden Gophers 7 7 0 1473 38
Bulldogs 0 10 11 770 35

See also: 2019 Fresno State Bulldogs football team

Georgia Southern

1 2 3 4 Total
Eagles 10 10 0 12 32
Golden Gophers 14 7 0 14 35

See also: 2019 Georgia Southern Eagles football team

At Purdue

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Gophers 14 14 10 0 38
Boilermakers 3 7 7 14 31

See also: 2019 Purdue Boilermakers football team

Illinois

1 2 3 4 Total
Fighting Illini 7 3 7 0 17
Golden Gophers 3 13 14 10 40

See also: 2019 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total
Cornhuskers 0 0 0 7 7
Golden Gophers 7 7 20 0 34

See also: 2019 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

At Rutgers

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 20 Golden Gophers 7 7 7 21 42
Scarlet Knights 0 0 0 7 7

See also: 2019 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team

Maryland

1 2 3 4 Total
Terrapins 0 3 0 7 10
No. 17 Golden Gophers 14 14 10 14 52

See also: 2019 Maryland Terrapins football team

Penn State

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 4 Nittany Lions 10 3 6 7 26
No. 17 Golden Gophers 14 10 0 7 31

See also: 2019 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

At Iowa

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 8 Golden Gophers 0 6 7 6 19
No. 20 Hawkeyes 13 7 0 3 23

See also: 2019 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

At Northwestern

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 10 Golden Gophers 14 7 7 10 38
Wildcats 0 9 7 6 22

See also: 2019 Northwestern Wildcats football team

Wisconsin

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 12 Badgers 0 10 14 14 38
No. 8 Golden Gophers 7 0 3 7 17

See also: 2019 Wisconsin Badgers football team

Vs. Auburn (Outback Bowl)

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 18 Golden Gophers 10 14 0 7 31
No. 12 Tigers 10 7 7 0 24

See also: 2019 Auburn Tigers football team and 2020 Outback Bowl

Despite losing an opportunity to go to the BIG 10 Championship and a shot at the Rose Bowl, the Gophers would earn a spot in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day against the Auburn Tigers, the first ever meeting between the two teams. The game would be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. Auburn had impressive victories in their season, beating the Pac-12 champion Oregon Ducks in Texas to open the season and more recently knocking off the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl. The game was a back and forth affair with both teams trading field goals then touchdowns to make it 10–10 after the 1st Quarter. The lone Gopher 1st quarter touchdown came from Mohamed Ibrahim on a 16 yard TD run. About midway through the second, Seth Green found offensive lineman Bryce Witham in the end zone to give the Gophers a 17–10 lead, their first lead of the game. After Bo Nix connected with Sal Cannella for a 37 yard score, the Gophers would end the half with a drive that ultimately ended with an impressive Tyler Johnson touchdown reception to give them a 24–17 lead. Auburn would score the only points of the 3rd Quarter as Jordan Whitlow ran a touchdown in from three yards out. Finally, Tyler Johnson finished his final collegiate game with a 73 yard touchdown catch and run in the 4th Quarter to give Minnesota the lead. It would be the deciding score as the Gophers stopped the Tigers on their final drive to win the Outback Bowl 31–24.

Roster

2019 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
RB 1 Rodney Smith  Sr
QB 2 Tanner Morgan  So
RB 3 Cam Wiley Fr
RB 4 Shannon Brooks  Sr
QB 5 Zack Annexstad So
WR 6 Tyler Johnson Sr
WR 7 Chris Autman-Bell  So
WR 11 Jornell Brooks  Fr
WR 12 Erik Gibson  Fr
WR 13 Rashod Bateman So
QB 14 Cole Kramer Fr
QB 15 Jacob Clark Fr
QB 16 Jon Santaga  So
WR 17 Seth Green  Jr
WR 18 Clay Geary  Jr
QB 19 Samuel Pickerign  So
WR 20 Larry Wright Fr
RB 21 Bryce Williams So
WR 22 Mike Brown-Stephens Fr
RB 23 Treyson Potts Fr
RB 24 Mohamed Ibrahim  So
RB 25 Preston Jelen  Fr
WR 26 True Thompson  Jr
WR 27 Jimmy Buck Fr
RB 28 Jason Williamson Injured Fr
TE 42 Ko Kieft  Jr
OL 50 J. J. Guedet Fr
OL 51 Curtis Dunlap Jr.  Fr
OL 56 Kody Smith Fr
OL 60 John Michael Schmitz  So
OL 63 Austin Beier  Fr
OL 64 Conner Olson  Jr
OL 65 Axel Ruschmeyer  So
OL 66 Nathan Boe  Fr
OL 67 Nate Umlor  So
OL 70 Sam Schlueter  Jr
OL 71 Ben Davis  Jr
OL 74 Kyle Sassack  So
OL 75 Tyler Cooper Fr
OL 77 Blaise Andries  So
OL 78 Daniel Faalele So
OL 79 Jason Dickson  Jr
TE 80 Jake Paulson  So
WR 81 Brock Annexstad Injured  So
WR 82 Demetrius Douglas  So
WR 83 Harry Van Dyne  So
WR 84 Peter Udoibok Fr
TE 85 Bryce Witham  Jr
TE 86 Clayton Witherspoon  So
TE 87 Nick Kallerup Fr
TE 88 Brevyn Spann-Ford  Fr
WR 89 Nnamdi Adim-Madumere Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 1 Calvin Swenson  Jr
DB 2 Phillip Howard  Jr
DL 3 M. J. Anderson Fr
DB 4 Terell Smith So
LB 5 Trenton Guthrie  So
DB 6 Chris Williamson  Sr
DB 7 Solomon Brown Fr
LB 8 Thomas Rush So
DL 9 Esezi Otomewo  So
DB 11 Antoine Winfield Jr.  So
DL 12 Tai'yon Devers Sr
LB 13 James Gordon IV Fr
LB 14 Braelen Oliver  Fr
DB 15 C. J. Smith  Fr
DB 16 Coney Durr  Jr
DL 18 Micah Dew-Treadway  Sr
DL 19 Keonte Schad Jr
LB 20 Donald Willis Fr
LB 21 Kamal Martin Sr
DB 22 Benny Sapp III So
DB 23 Jordan Howden So
DB 25 Benjamin St-Juste  Sr
DB 26 Justus Harris Jr
DB 27 Tyler Nubin Fr
DB 28 Matt Guggemos Fr
LB 29 Josh Aune  Fr
DB 30 Caden Fey Fr
DB 31 Kiondre Thomas  Jr
DL 33 D'Vion Harris Fr
DL 34 Boye Mafe  So
LB 35 Danny Anderson  So
DB 36 Bishop McDonald  Jr
DB 40 Alex Strazzanti  So
LB 41 Thomas Barber Sr
DB 42 Austin Winfield Fr
LB 43 Bailey Schoenfelder  Jr
DL 44 Rashad Cheney Jr. Fr
LB 45 Carter Coughlin Sr
DL 46 Winston DeLattiboudere  Sr
DL 48 Ben McNaboe Fr
DL 52 Jamaal Teague So
LB 55 Mariano Sori-Marin So
LB 56 Ty Barron  Fr
LB 57 Jack Kern Fr
DL 59 Derik LeCaptain  Fr
DL 75 Malcolm Robinson  So
DL 90 Sam Renner  Sr
DL 91 Noah Hickcox  So
DL 92 Mayan Ahanotu  Fr
DL 93 Connor Novak-Goar  Jr
DL 94 Abi N-Okonji  Fr
DL 96 Logan Richter Fr
DL 97 Micah Roane  Fr
DL 99 DeAngelo Carter Fr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
H 14 Casey O'Brien  So
K, P 33 Grant Ryerse  So
K 34 Brock Walker  Fr
LS 37 Brady Weeks Fr
K 38 Michael Lantz Fr
LS 39 Michael Vojvodich  Fr
P 46 Alex Melvin  Sr
P 47 Jacob Herbers  Sr
K 48 Anders Gelecinskyj  So
K 97 Michael Tarbutt  Sr
P 98 Tom Foley Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Kirk Ciarrocca (offensive coordinator / quarterbacks)
  • Joe Rossi (defensive coordinator / linebackers)
  • Rob Wenger (special teams coordinator / outside linebackers)
  • Kenni Burns (assistant head coach / running backs)
  • Rod Chance (cornerbacks)
  • Brian Callahan (run game coordinators / offensive line)
  • Joe Harasymiak (defensive backs / safeties)
  • Jim Panagos (defensive line)
  • Clay Patterson (tight ends)
  • Matt Simon (passing game coordinator / wide receivers)
  • Gerrit Chernoff (General Manager)
  • Dan Nichol (head strength & conditioning)
  • Norries Wilson (director of player development)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: April 18, 2019

Players drafted into the NFL

See also: 2020 NFL Draft
Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
2 45 Antoine Winfield Jr. S Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5 161 Tyler Johnson WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5 175 Kamal Martin ILB Green Bay Packers
7 218 Carter Coughlin OLB New York Giants
7 247 Chris Williamson CB New York Giants

References

  1. ^ a b Lesmerises, Doug (July 18, 2019). "Michigan named Big Ten football favorite in cleveland.com 2019 preseason poll". Cleveland.com.
  2. ^ "Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Record By Year". sports-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "2019 Football Schedule". University of Minnesota Athletics.
  4. ^ "Football History vs South Dakota State University". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
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