Early history of Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Encyclopedia
The University of Minnesota's
college football
program has a long history including national championships, conference titles, and many legendary All-American and Hall of Fame players and coaches. However, its beginnings were humble. Students began gathering to play the game recreationally and its popularity grew.
Once the sport had taken off, it was only a matter of time before a team was formed to play against other schools. Early teams were very loosely organized, not requiring all of the players to be students and not having designated coaches. The players on the team started to recruit faculty members who had played football at schools in the East to help organize the team. Some years, they played without a coach. Other years, they played with multiple coaches. In total, from 1882 through 1899, the team played 16 seasons of football and had 15 different coaches. As the years went by, the leadership structure started to become more formal. In 1900, the hiring of Dr. Henry L. Williams
, the school’s first full-time salaried coach, signaled the end of the early, chaotic days.
did not have a coach.
football season was played without a head coach. The first known mention of football at the University of Minnesota was on October 30, 1878 in the Ariel, the student newspaper at the time. It said that "Football has been the all-absorbing amusement for the past few weeks". However, in those days, the only games played were against other Minnesota students.
Minnesota's first intercollegiate game which has its results recorded took place at the Minnesota State Fair
grounds on September 29, 1882. It was scheduled to be a three team track meet with the University of Minnesota, and competing. The team from Carleton College was unable to attend, so the other two teams went on with the meet without them. Following the meet, the athletes from Hamline wanted to go home, but were talked into playing a game of football first. A.J. Baldwin, the team captain, was the first Minnesota player to score in an intercollegiate game, leading his team to a 4-0 victory.
According to the Ariel, "It is only fair to say that the Hamlines did not have their full strength and the University won by two goals in fifty-five minutes. This ended the day and the crowd dispersed well satisfied with the beginning which had been made in intercollegiate sports." The teams had a rematch a couple of weeks later which was won by Hamline.
head coach for the University of Minnesota
in 1883, leading the team to a 1-2 record in his only season at the helm. He came to the University to teach philosophy
and since he had played football with distinction at Princeton University
, he was recruited to coach the football team. He was described as "having a twinkling eye, a moustache, winged collars and the bearing of a scholar so that even on the field of play he looked as though he were en route to the court of St. James."
football season was the first and only season under head coach Thomas Peebles. Upon arrival in Northfield, Minnesota
for the first game of the year, there was a dispute between the arriving players from Minnesota
and the team representing . Carleton insisted that a member of the faculty be allowed to play, and they also insisted on playing rugby style football
. Coach Peebles preferred the soccer style of play, but agreed to the conditions as long as he could act as the referee. Carleton won the game 4-2.
Team of 1883: J.W. Adams (captain), Don Davidson, Mitchell, Blanding, Niles, Winchell, Graham, McNair, Bassett, Smith, Hammond, Crafts."
head coach for the University of Minnesota
from 1886 through 1888, leading the team to a 3-3 record in three seasons. He came from Yale
to teach physics
and became known as the "father of Minnesota football". Unlike Coach Peebles, he preferred the rugby style of football. They each put together competing teams, but practical considerations helped to decide the future of football at Minnesota - Alfred F. Pillsbury arrived on campus and he owned a brand-new rugby ball, which was rare in those days. From that point on, football at Minnesota was played in the rugby style.
Following his time as coach, Jones continued his involvement in athletics. He helped secure land and funding for Northrop Field
, the program's first true home field. He also signed Dr. Henry L. Williams
to be the new coach in 1900.
football season was the first season under head coach Frederick S. Jones. After not fielding a team in 1884 and 1885, the 1886 season saw the debut of Alf Pillsbury, a crucial figure in the early days of Minnesota football. Due to a lack of rules regarding eligibility in college football, he played on the team for eight years and was captain for two of them. On the way to the game in Faribault, the team designed its first set of signals. It didn't seem to help much in the game itself, which they lost 9-5. The rematch with Shattuck back in Minneapolis marked the first time that admission was charged at a Minnesota game.
Team of 1886: Rushers, William Wagner (center), Alf F. Pillsbury, F.W. Nickerson, Christopher Graham, J. Paul Goode, Birney E. Trask, Charles H. Alden; Quarterback, Howard T. Abbott (captain); Halfbacks, John F. Hayden, Herschel J. Mayall and E.R. Allen; Back, Frank D. Jones; Substitutes, Henry Cotton and A.D. Meeds; Coach, Frederick S. Jones.
football season was the second season under head coach Frederick S. Jones. For this season, the Ariel recorded that "The alumni have had their turn and the Minneapolis high school had been met and conquered" but a hoped for game against Michigan couldn't be arranged and no other recorded games were played this season.
On one occasion, while getting the team ready to play, Alf Pillsbury noticed that the team was short a man, so he recruited a student from the group of Minneapolis Central students who were on hand. His name was William Walter 'Pudge' Heffelfinger
and after playing for Minnesota for a year, he went on to Yale and became one of the biggest names in the early days of football.
Team of 1887: Rushers, Paul Goode (center), Fred M. Mann, John H. Corliss, Birney Trask, William H. Hoyt, Henry S. Morris, Edmund P. Allen; Quarterback, Alf Pillsbury (center); Halfbacks, John F. Hayden, William D. Willard; Back, Alonzo D. Meeds; Substitutes, W. Dann, Walter Heffelfinger.
football season was the third and final season under head coach Frederick S. Jones. Following the 14-0 Minnesota win over Shattuck, the Ariel reported that "The game was followed by a bus-ride about the city, and the University and Shattuck yells combined to make the day hideous till supper time."
Team of 1888: Rush Line, S.S. Start, J. Paul Goode, M.E. Trench, William H. Hoyt, M. H. Gerry, William C. Leary, Birney E. Trask (captain); Quarterback, Alf F. Pillsbury; Halfbacks, John F. Hayden, George K. Belden; Fullback, Grant B. Rossman.
head coaches for the University of Minnesota
for the 1889 season, leading the team to a 3-1 record. After Fred Jones stopped actively coaching, the team used game coaches for one season instead of finding a replacement for him. The McCords, like Coach Peebles, had played football at Princeton
.
football season was the first and only season to feature game coaches. Once again, an attempt was made to schedule a game with the University of Michigan
, but "Michigan wanted Minnesota to pay all of the expenses of the trip, which would amount to two hundred dollars. The Minnesota management was not able to see its way clear to guarantee this and so the game was given up."
1889 finally saw the formation of a football association. Before 1889, there wasn't any kind of official connection between the football team and the student body, which sometimes resulted in player shortages and required recruitment from other schools in order to have enough men to play in the games.
Team of 1889: Quarterback, Alf F. Pillsbury (captain); Halfbacks, George K. Belden, John F. Hayden; Fullback, Grant Rossman; Rush Line, Birney E. Trask (l.e.), A.J. Harris (l.t.), R.B. Brower (l.g.), E.H. Day (r.e.), J.E. Madigan (r.t.), George C. Sikes (r.g.), H.R. Robinson (center); Substitutes, M.B. Davidson, Charles E. Guthrie and W.M. Thompson.
head coach for the University of Minnesota
for the 1890 season, leading the team to a 5-1-1 record. He started holding signal drills before each game and established a training table. This is considered to be the start of "scientific football" at Minnesota
. He also acted as the team's trainer.
football season was the first and only season under head coach Tom Eck and featured the historic first meeting between Minnesota and Wisconsin
, the most-played rivalry at the top level of NCAA college football. The two teams have played each other every year since then except for 1906. That game was canceled by President Theodore Roosevelt
who had decided to "cool off heated college football rivalries because of injuries and deaths on the field." The game was a decisive 63-0 Minnesota win.
The week before that game, Minnesota took on Grinnell
in Minneapolis, the first out-of-state opponent in Minnesota football history. The game was a hard fought 18-13 Minnesota victory.
The Ariel declared this team to be the "champions of the northwest".
Team of 1890: Horace R. Robinson (captain), William C. Leary, George K. Belden, J.A. Harris, S.S. Start, Grant B. Rossman, Eugene L. Patterson, William C. Muir, George C. Sikes, Alf F. Pillsbury, Harry E. White, Charles E. Guthrie, James E. Madigan, David R. Burbank, Everhard P. Harding; Trainer Tom Eck.
was a college football
head coach for the University of Minnesota
for the 1891 season, leading the team to a 3-1-1 record. He was from Minneapolis, MN and was therefore Minnesota's
first native-born coach. He served as a member of the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment
during the American Civil War
. He was also a champion sprinter and an athletic trainer.
football season was the first and only season under head coach Edward "Dad" Moulton
and it saw Minnesota's first out-of-state trip with a pair of games in Iowa. The first of these games was against Grinnell
and ended up in a 12-12 tie. The second game was Minnesota's first meeting with long-time rival Iowa
and resulted in an easy 42-4 Minnesota victory.
Team of 1891 Center, James Madigan; Tackles, George Sikes, R.C. Dewey; Guards, Charles G. Flanagan, Everhard P. Harding; Ends, L.C. Edson, E.C. Bisbee, David R. Burbank; Halfbacks, Eugene L. Patterson, William C. Leary (captain); Quarterback, Alfred F. Pillsbury; Fullback, Charles S. Hale; Substitutes, George Hawley, Russell H. Folwell, John C. Ohnstad, Grant B. Rossman, A.T. Larson, A.J. Harris, R.L. Cramb; Coach/Trainer Edward "Dad" Moulton.
team played for one season without a coach.
football season was played without a head coach. This year, an organization was formed called the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest
by representatives of Minnesota
, Michigan
, Wisconsin
and Northwestern
. Minnesota went undefeated this season, including wins over all three other members of the league, so they won the first league championship.
The game against Michigan was Minnesota's first game in the historic rivalry that would spawn the most famous of all rivalry trophies, the Little Brown Jug
. The game against Northwestern was also the first meeting with that school.
Team of 1892 Center, James E. Madigan; Right guard, Everhard P. Harding; Left guard, Augustus T. Larson; Right tackle, George C. Sikes; Left tackle, Constant Larson; Right End, Edgar C. Bisbee; Left end, William F. Dalrymple; Quarterback, Alfred F. Pillsbury; Right halfback, William C. Leary (captain); Left halfback, Eugene L. Patterson; Fullback, Russell H. Folwell; Substitutes, David R. Burbank, Harry E. White, Fred W. Foote, John E. LeCrone, William C. Muir.
head coach for the University of Minnesota
for the 1893 season, leading the team to a 6-0 overall record including 3-0 in Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest
league play. He had been an All-American
Tackle at Yale
and was known for working the players extremely hard, to the point that "they considered the actual games to be breathers compared to the scrimmages."
football season was the first and only season under head coach Wallie Winter and it featured the second season of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest
. Minnesota plowed undefeated through its schedule to set up an end-of-season matchup with Wisconsin
for the league title. The game was a rout and the teams agreed to stop the game early after Minnesota took a 40-0 lead. Due to financial difficulties, the league disbanded after the 1893 season.
Team of 1893: Center, James E. Madigan (captain); Right guard, Everhart P. Harding; Left guard, Augustus T. Larson; Left tackle, Constant Larson; Right tackle, William C. Muir; Right end, Edgar C. Bisbee; Left end, William F. Dalrymple; Quarterback, Charles H. Van Campen; Right half, Walter N. Southworth; Left half, George K. Belden; Fullback, Henry C. Cutler; Substitutes, Charles Adams, Ralph K. Keene, George A. Finlayson, Mason W. Spicer, W. Oakley Stout, Willis J. Walker, J. LeMoyne Danner Jr.; Coach "Wallie" Winter.
head coach for the University of Minnesota
for the 1894 season, leading the team to a 3-1 record. He was yet another Yale
man to coach at Minnesota
. The program was suffering financially, so Cochrane delivered lectures titled "Football as Played in the East" at locations around the nation to help raise money.
football season was the first and only season under head coach Tom Cochrane Jr. and it featured Minnesota's first trip to Madison, WI, a game which they were heavily favored to win. However, Wisconsin
won a hard fought game by a score of 6-0. It also featured Minnesota's first game against Purdue
, resulting in a decisive 24-0 victory.
Team of 1894: Center, A.E. Finlayson; Right guard, Everhart P. Harding (captain); Left guard, Augustus T. Larson; Right tackle, Willis J. Walker; Left tackle, John S. Dalrymple; Left End, John M. Harrison; Right end, William F. Dalrymple; Quarterback, Charles H. Van Campen; Right half, Walter N. Southworth; Left half, Charles E. Adams; Fullback, Henry C. Cutler; Substitutes, Edward W. Matthews, William H. Condit, Thomas M. Kehoe, Charles E. Slusser, Joel G. Winkjer, George T. Pettibone; Coach Thomas Cochrane Jr.
head coach for the University of Minnesota
for the 1895 season, leading the team to a 7-3 record. He returned to Minnesota
to coach after his successful playing career at Yale
.
football season was the first and only season under head coach Walter 'Pudge' Heffelfinger
.
On January 11, 1895, the Presidents of several schools met in a preliminary meeting and formed a group which would become the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives
, known today as the Big Ten Conference
.
As a result of this emerging conference, this season would be Minnesota's last season as an Independent. Minnesota won its first ever match with Chicago
with a last minute touchdown to win a very close, physical game by a score of 10-6. Financially, the team rebounded from some lean years. They "secured a large subscription from the business men of the city, the attendance at all of the games was good, and at the close of the season there was a large surplus in the treasury."
Team of 1895: Left end, John M. Harrison; Left tackle, John S. Dalrymple; Left guard, Augustus T. Larson (captain); Center, James C. Fulton; Right guard, George A.E. Finlayson; Right tackle, Willis J. Walker, Right end, Thomas M. Kehoe; Quarterback, Charles E. Adams; Left half, George T. Pettibone; Right half, Henry C. Loomis; Fullback, H.A. Parkyn; Substitutes, Clinton L. Walker, Martin Teigen, Ivan A. Parry, Stanley H. Bissell, John B. Loomis, H.B. Gilbert; Trainer, Edward "Dad" Moulton; Coach Walt Heffelfinger.
head coach for the University of Minnesota
for the 1896 and 1897 seasons, leading the team to a 12-6 overall record including 1-5 in Big Ten
conference play. Jerrems was born in Sydney, Australia and grew up in Chicago, IL before he went off to Yale
to play halfback and fullback. He was the only Minnesota
coach in the 1890s to coach for more than one season. He had a good overall record but only won one of the six Big Ten games he coached in.
football season was the first season under head coach Alexander Jerrems and was the first season of competition in the Big Ten
, or Western Conference as it was commonly referred to at the time. Minnesota won its first ever conference game over Purdue
but lost its other two matches to Michigan and Wisconsin.
Team of 1896: Left end, John M. Harrison (captain); Left tackle, Ivan A. Perry; Left guard, George A.E. Finlayson; Right end, Henry A. Scandrett; Right tackle, A.M. Smith; Right guard, Everhard P. Harding; Center, James C. Fulton; Quarterbacks, George E. Cole, Richard E. Woodworth; Right half, S.W. Bagley; Left half, Martin Teigen, Elbridge L. Heath; Fullback, Harry C. Loomis; Substitutes, Clinton L. Walker, John Taresh, Carl S. Jorgens, Lloyd Sperry, Claude Nicoulin, L. Eugene Parker, Conrad H. Christopherson; Trainer, Edward "Dad" Moulton; Coach Alexander Jerrems.
football season was the second and final season under head coach Alexander Jerrems. The season started out well, but the team lost its last four games including all three of its conference games. The Ariel reported that there was a general opinion that the team's difficulties were the result of poor management. Coach Jerrems was not asked to return and changes were made to the rules governing athletics at the University - managers would no longer be chosen by the students.
Team of 1897 Left end, John M. Harrison (captain); Left tackle, George A.E. Finlayson; Left guard, A.M. Smith, Center, J.C. Winkjer; Right guard, A.K. Ingalls; Right tackle, Claude Nicoulin; Right end, C.R. Shipley; Quarterback, George E. Cole; Left half, G.W. Evans; Right half, S.W. Bagley; Fullback, Harry C. Loomis; Trainer, Edward "Dad" Moulton; Coach, Alexander Jerrems.
head coach for the University of Minnesota
for the 1898 season, leading the team to a 4-5 overall record including 1-2 in Big Ten
conference play. He was an All-American
fullback and kicker at the University of Pennsylvania
making him the first Minnesota
coach in several years to not come from Yale
. Minds stayed for only one season.
football season was the first and only season under head coach Jack Minds and it saw more losses than wins in a season with much adversity including bad weather and a mid-season injury to the team's captain. Minnesota ended up in 5th place in a seven team conference.
Minnesota's first ever game against Illinois
took place on Thanksgiving Day. A big storm had come through the previous day, but John Pillsbury (the student manager) put together a crew and worked overnight using horse-drawn plows to clear the field. The game itself was delayed several times when the ball was lost in snow drifts on the side of the field and the temperature fell to about 10 below zero when the game was called at noon. Illinois won the game 11-10.
Team of 1898: Left end, Scandrett (captain); Left tackle, Otte; Left guard, Parry; Center, Page; Right guard, Aune; Right tackle, Nicoulin; Right end, von Schlegell; Quarterback, Kienholtz; Left halfback, Bernhagen; Right halfback, Cameron; Fullback, Shepley; Trainer, John Wirtensohn; Coach, Jack Minds.
head coaches for the University of Minnesota
for the 1899 season, together leading the team to a 6-3-2 overall record including 0-3 in Big Ten
conference play. They coached the team as a part of a new alumni coaching program. Although most around the program considered the experiment a success, the program was discontinued with the hiring of the University's first full-time salaried coach, Dr. Henry L. Williams
.
football season was the first and only season under head coaches William C. Leary and John Harrison and was another season with a good overall record but a poor conference record. This season's 0-3 record left Minnesota in a last place tie with Illinois.
Northrop Field
was first used as the home field of the University of Minnesota this year with most of the credit for securing it going to former coach Professor Fred Jones and Governor John S. Pillsbury
.
Team of 1899: Left end, Dobie; Left tackle, Otte, Gray; Left guard, Aune; Center, Page; Right guard, Tifft, Flynn; Right tackle, Hoyt, Mueller; Right end, Scandrett (captain), Fosseen; Quarterback, Cole, Rogers; Left half, Evans, Bernhagen; Right half, Kienholtz, Freeman; Fullback, Glover.
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
program has a long history including national championships, conference titles, and many legendary All-American and Hall of Fame players and coaches. However, its beginnings were humble. Students began gathering to play the game recreationally and its popularity grew.
Once the sport had taken off, it was only a matter of time before a team was formed to play against other schools. Early teams were very loosely organized, not requiring all of the players to be students and not having designated coaches. The players on the team started to recruit faculty members who had played football at schools in the East to help organize the team. Some years, they played without a coach. Other years, they played with multiple coaches. In total, from 1882 through 1899, the team played 16 seasons of football and had 15 different coaches. As the years went by, the leadership structure started to become more formal. In 1900, the hiring of Dr. Henry L. Williams
Henry L. Williams
Dr. Henry Lane Williams was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Military Academy in 1891 and the University of Minnesota from 1900 to 1921, compiling a career college football record of 141–34–12...
, the school’s first full-time salaried coach, signaled the end of the early, chaotic days.
No coach
The first football team fielded by the University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
did not have a coach.
1882 season
The inaugural 1882 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was played without a head coach. The first known mention of football at the University of Minnesota was on October 30, 1878 in the Ariel, the student newspaper at the time. It said that "Football has been the all-absorbing amusement for the past few weeks". However, in those days, the only games played were against other Minnesota students.
Minnesota's first intercollegiate game which has its results recorded took place at the Minnesota State Fair
Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is the state fair of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Its slogan is "The Great Minnesota Get-Together." It is the 2nd largest fair in the United States, and the largest state fair in the United States in terms of average daily attendance, though the State Fair of Texas runs...
grounds on September 29, 1882. It was scheduled to be a three team track meet with the University of Minnesota, and competing. The team from Carleton College was unable to attend, so the other two teams went on with the meet without them. Following the meet, the athletes from Hamline wanted to go home, but were talked into playing a game of football first. A.J. Baldwin, the team captain, was the first Minnesota player to score in an intercollegiate game, leading his team to a 4-0 victory.
According to the Ariel, "It is only fair to say that the Hamlines did not have their full strength and the University won by two goals in fifty-five minutes. This ended the day and the crowd dispersed well satisfied with the beginning which had been made in intercollegiate sports." The teams had a rematch a couple of weeks later which was won by Hamline.
Thomas Peebles
Thomas Peebles was the first college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
in 1883, leading the team to a 1-2 record in his only season at the helm. He came to the University to teach philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and since he had played football with distinction at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, he was recruited to coach the football team. He was described as "having a twinkling eye, a moustache, winged collars and the bearing of a scholar so that even on the field of play he looked as though he were en route to the court of St. James."
1883 season
The 1883 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first and only season under head coach Thomas Peebles. Upon arrival in Northfield, Minnesota
Northfield, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,147 people, 4,909 households, and 3,210 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,452.2 people per square mile . There were 5,119 housing units at an average density of 732.1 per square mile...
for the first game of the year, there was a dispute between the arriving players from Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
and the team representing . Carleton insisted that a member of the faculty be allowed to play, and they also insisted on playing rugby style football
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
. Coach Peebles preferred the soccer style of play, but agreed to the conditions as long as he could act as the referee. Carleton won the game 4-2.
Team of 1883: J.W. Adams (captain), Don Davidson, Mitchell, Blanding, Niles, Winchell, Graham, McNair, Bassett, Smith, Hammond, Crafts."
Frederick S. Jones
Dean Frederick S. Jones was a college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
from 1886 through 1888, leading the team to a 3-3 record in three seasons. He came from Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
to teach physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
and became known as the "father of Minnesota football". Unlike Coach Peebles, he preferred the rugby style of football. They each put together competing teams, but practical considerations helped to decide the future of football at Minnesota - Alfred F. Pillsbury arrived on campus and he owned a brand-new rugby ball, which was rare in those days. From that point on, football at Minnesota was played in the rugby style.
Following his time as coach, Jones continued his involvement in athletics. He helped secure land and funding for Northrop Field
Northrop Field
Northrop Field was the on-campus stadium of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team from 1899 to 1923. The original field had seating of around 3,000 and was named for University President Cyrus Northrop. After the 1902 season, the playing field was moved and new seating was added that allowed...
, the program's first true home field. He also signed Dr. Henry L. Williams
Henry L. Williams
Dr. Henry Lane Williams was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Military Academy in 1891 and the University of Minnesota from 1900 to 1921, compiling a career college football record of 141–34–12...
to be the new coach in 1900.
1886 season
The 1886 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first season under head coach Frederick S. Jones. After not fielding a team in 1884 and 1885, the 1886 season saw the debut of Alf Pillsbury, a crucial figure in the early days of Minnesota football. Due to a lack of rules regarding eligibility in college football, he played on the team for eight years and was captain for two of them. On the way to the game in Faribault, the team designed its first set of signals. It didn't seem to help much in the game itself, which they lost 9-5. The rematch with Shattuck back in Minneapolis marked the first time that admission was charged at a Minnesota game.
Team of 1886: Rushers, William Wagner (center), Alf F. Pillsbury, F.W. Nickerson, Christopher Graham, J. Paul Goode, Birney E. Trask, Charles H. Alden; Quarterback, Howard T. Abbott (captain); Halfbacks, John F. Hayden, Herschel J. Mayall and E.R. Allen; Back, Frank D. Jones; Substitutes, Henry Cotton and A.D. Meeds; Coach, Frederick S. Jones.
1887 season
The 1887 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the second season under head coach Frederick S. Jones. For this season, the Ariel recorded that "The alumni have had their turn and the Minneapolis high school had been met and conquered" but a hoped for game against Michigan couldn't be arranged and no other recorded games were played this season.
On one occasion, while getting the team ready to play, Alf Pillsbury noticed that the team was short a man, so he recruited a student from the group of Minneapolis Central students who were on hand. His name was William Walter 'Pudge' Heffelfinger
William Heffelfinger
-External links:...
and after playing for Minnesota for a year, he went on to Yale and became one of the biggest names in the early days of football.
Team of 1887: Rushers, Paul Goode (center), Fred M. Mann, John H. Corliss, Birney Trask, William H. Hoyt, Henry S. Morris, Edmund P. Allen; Quarterback, Alf Pillsbury (center); Halfbacks, John F. Hayden, William D. Willard; Back, Alonzo D. Meeds; Substitutes, W. Dann, Walter Heffelfinger.
1888 season
The 1888 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the third and final season under head coach Frederick S. Jones. Following the 14-0 Minnesota win over Shattuck, the Ariel reported that "The game was followed by a bus-ride about the city, and the University and Shattuck yells combined to make the day hideous till supper time."
Team of 1888: Rush Line, S.S. Start, J. Paul Goode, M.E. Trench, William H. Hoyt, M. H. Gerry, William C. Leary, Birney E. Trask (captain); Quarterback, Alf F. Pillsbury; Halfbacks, John F. Hayden, George K. Belden; Fullback, Grant B. Rossman.
Al McCord, D.W. McCord, Frank Heffelfinger and Billy Morse
Al McCord, D.W. McCord, Frank Heffelfinger and Billy Morse were college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coaches for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for the 1889 season, leading the team to a 3-1 record. After Fred Jones stopped actively coaching, the team used game coaches for one season instead of finding a replacement for him. The McCords, like Coach Peebles, had played football at Princeton
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
.
1889 season
The 1889 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first and only season to feature game coaches. Once again, an attempt was made to schedule a game with the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, but "Michigan wanted Minnesota to pay all of the expenses of the trip, which would amount to two hundred dollars. The Minnesota management was not able to see its way clear to guarantee this and so the game was given up."
1889 finally saw the formation of a football association. Before 1889, there wasn't any kind of official connection between the football team and the student body, which sometimes resulted in player shortages and required recruitment from other schools in order to have enough men to play in the games.
Team of 1889: Quarterback, Alf F. Pillsbury (captain); Halfbacks, George K. Belden, John F. Hayden; Fullback, Grant Rossman; Rush Line, Birney E. Trask (l.e.), A.J. Harris (l.t.), R.B. Brower (l.g.), E.H. Day (r.e.), J.E. Madigan (r.t.), George C. Sikes (r.g.), H.R. Robinson (center); Substitutes, M.B. Davidson, Charles E. Guthrie and W.M. Thompson.
Tom Eck
Tom Eck was a college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for the 1890 season, leading the team to a 5-1-1 record. He started holding signal drills before each game and established a training table. This is considered to be the start of "scientific football" at Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
. He also acted as the team's trainer.
1890 season
The 1890 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first and only season under head coach Tom Eck and featured the historic first meeting between Minnesota and Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
, the most-played rivalry at the top level of NCAA college football. The two teams have played each other every year since then except for 1906. That game was canceled by President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
who had decided to "cool off heated college football rivalries because of injuries and deaths on the field." The game was a decisive 63-0 Minnesota win.
The week before that game, Minnesota took on Grinnell
Grinnell College
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa, U.S. known for its strong tradition of social activism. It was founded in 1846, when a group of pioneer New England Congregationalists established the Trustees of Iowa College....
in Minneapolis, the first out-of-state opponent in Minnesota football history. The game was a hard fought 18-13 Minnesota victory.
The Ariel declared this team to be the "champions of the northwest".
Team of 1890: Horace R. Robinson (captain), William C. Leary, George K. Belden, J.A. Harris, S.S. Start, Grant B. Rossman, Eugene L. Patterson, William C. Muir, George C. Sikes, Alf F. Pillsbury, Harry E. White, Charles E. Guthrie, James E. Madigan, David R. Burbank, Everhard P. Harding; Trainer Tom Eck.
Edward Moulton
Edward MoultonEdward Moulton
Edward W. "Dad" Moulton was an American sprinter, athletic trainer, and coach. He was a professional sprinter who won more than 300 races and was regarded as the American sprinting champion from 1872 to 1878. Moulton later worked as a trainer of sprinters, wrestlers, boxers, and bicyclists...
was a college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for the 1891 season, leading the team to a 3-1-1 record. He was from Minneapolis, MN and was therefore Minnesota's
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
first native-born coach. He served as a member of the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment
1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment
The 1st Minnesota Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment was a regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery mustered in at St. Paul, and Rochester, Minnesota, between November 1864 and February 1865...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He was also a champion sprinter and an athletic trainer.
1891 season
The 1891 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first and only season under head coach Edward "Dad" Moulton
Edward Moulton
Edward W. "Dad" Moulton was an American sprinter, athletic trainer, and coach. He was a professional sprinter who won more than 300 races and was regarded as the American sprinting champion from 1872 to 1878. Moulton later worked as a trainer of sprinters, wrestlers, boxers, and bicyclists...
and it saw Minnesota's first out-of-state trip with a pair of games in Iowa. The first of these games was against Grinnell
Grinnell College
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa, U.S. known for its strong tradition of social activism. It was founded in 1846, when a group of pioneer New England Congregationalists established the Trustees of Iowa College....
and ended up in a 12-12 tie. The second game was Minnesota's first meeting with long-time rival Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
and resulted in an easy 42-4 Minnesota victory.
Team of 1891 Center, James Madigan; Tackles, George Sikes, R.C. Dewey; Guards, Charles G. Flanagan, Everhard P. Harding; Ends, L.C. Edson, E.C. Bisbee, David R. Burbank; Halfbacks, Eugene L. Patterson, William C. Leary (captain); Quarterback, Alfred F. Pillsbury; Fullback, Charles S. Hale; Substitutes, George Hawley, Russell H. Folwell, John C. Ohnstad, Grant B. Rossman, A.T. Larson, A.J. Harris, R.L. Cramb; Coach/Trainer Edward "Dad" Moulton.
No coach
After Tom Eck left, the University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
team played for one season without a coach.
1892 season
The 1892 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was played without a head coach. This year, an organization was formed called the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest
Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest
The Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest was a college athletic conference from 1892 to 1893 in the Upper Midwest of the United States. Four universities were members: the University of Michigan, the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University and the University of...
by representatives of Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
, Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
and Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
. Minnesota went undefeated this season, including wins over all three other members of the league, so they won the first league championship.
The game against Michigan was Minnesota's first game in the historic rivalry that would spawn the most famous of all rivalry trophies, the Little Brown Jug
Little Brown Jug (football)
The Little Brown Jug is an earthenware jug that serves as a trophy awarded to the winner of the American college football rivalry game played annually by the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team of the university of Minnesota and the Michigan Wolverines football team of the University of Michigan...
. The game against Northwestern was also the first meeting with that school.
Team of 1892 Center, James E. Madigan; Right guard, Everhard P. Harding; Left guard, Augustus T. Larson; Right tackle, George C. Sikes; Left tackle, Constant Larson; Right End, Edgar C. Bisbee; Left end, William F. Dalrymple; Quarterback, Alfred F. Pillsbury; Right halfback, William C. Leary (captain); Left halfback, Eugene L. Patterson; Fullback, Russell H. Folwell; Substitutes, David R. Burbank, Harry E. White, Fred W. Foote, John E. LeCrone, William C. Muir.
Wallie Winter
Wallie Winter was a college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for the 1893 season, leading the team to a 6-0 overall record including 3-0 in Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest
Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest
The Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest was a college athletic conference from 1892 to 1893 in the Upper Midwest of the United States. Four universities were members: the University of Michigan, the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University and the University of...
league play. He had been an All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
Tackle at Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and was known for working the players extremely hard, to the point that "they considered the actual games to be breathers compared to the scrimmages."
1893 season
The 1893 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first and only season under head coach Wallie Winter and it featured the second season of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest
Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest
The Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the Northwest was a college athletic conference from 1892 to 1893 in the Upper Midwest of the United States. Four universities were members: the University of Michigan, the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University and the University of...
. Minnesota plowed undefeated through its schedule to set up an end-of-season matchup with Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
for the league title. The game was a rout and the teams agreed to stop the game early after Minnesota took a 40-0 lead. Due to financial difficulties, the league disbanded after the 1893 season.
Team of 1893: Center, James E. Madigan (captain); Right guard, Everhart P. Harding; Left guard, Augustus T. Larson; Left tackle, Constant Larson; Right tackle, William C. Muir; Right end, Edgar C. Bisbee; Left end, William F. Dalrymple; Quarterback, Charles H. Van Campen; Right half, Walter N. Southworth; Left half, George K. Belden; Fullback, Henry C. Cutler; Substitutes, Charles Adams, Ralph K. Keene, George A. Finlayson, Mason W. Spicer, W. Oakley Stout, Willis J. Walker, J. LeMoyne Danner Jr.; Coach "Wallie" Winter.
Tom Cochrane Jr.
Tom Cochrane Jr. was a college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for the 1894 season, leading the team to a 3-1 record. He was yet another Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
man to coach at Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
. The program was suffering financially, so Cochrane delivered lectures titled "Football as Played in the East" at locations around the nation to help raise money.
1894 season
The 1894 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first and only season under head coach Tom Cochrane Jr. and it featured Minnesota's first trip to Madison, WI, a game which they were heavily favored to win. However, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
won a hard fought game by a score of 6-0. It also featured Minnesota's first game against Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
, resulting in a decisive 24-0 victory.
Team of 1894: Center, A.E. Finlayson; Right guard, Everhart P. Harding (captain); Left guard, Augustus T. Larson; Right tackle, Willis J. Walker; Left tackle, John S. Dalrymple; Left End, John M. Harrison; Right end, William F. Dalrymple; Quarterback, Charles H. Van Campen; Right half, Walter N. Southworth; Left half, Charles E. Adams; Fullback, Henry C. Cutler; Substitutes, Edward W. Matthews, William H. Condit, Thomas M. Kehoe, Charles E. Slusser, Joel G. Winkjer, George T. Pettibone; Coach Thomas Cochrane Jr.
Walter "Pudge" Heffelfinger
Walter "Pudge" Heffelfinger was a college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for the 1895 season, leading the team to a 7-3 record. He returned to Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
to coach after his successful playing career at Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
.
1895 season
The 1895 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first and only season under head coach Walter 'Pudge' Heffelfinger
William Heffelfinger
-External links:...
.
On January 11, 1895, the Presidents of several schools met in a preliminary meeting and formed a group which would become the Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, known today as the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
.
As a result of this emerging conference, this season would be Minnesota's last season as an Independent. Minnesota won its first ever match with Chicago
Chicago Maroons
The Maroons are the intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Chicago. They are named after the color maroon, one of the school's colors. They compete in the NCAA's Division III. They are primarily members of the University Athletic Association and were co-founders of the Big Ten...
with a last minute touchdown to win a very close, physical game by a score of 10-6. Financially, the team rebounded from some lean years. They "secured a large subscription from the business men of the city, the attendance at all of the games was good, and at the close of the season there was a large surplus in the treasury."
Team of 1895: Left end, John M. Harrison; Left tackle, John S. Dalrymple; Left guard, Augustus T. Larson (captain); Center, James C. Fulton; Right guard, George A.E. Finlayson; Right tackle, Willis J. Walker, Right end, Thomas M. Kehoe; Quarterback, Charles E. Adams; Left half, George T. Pettibone; Right half, Henry C. Loomis; Fullback, H.A. Parkyn; Substitutes, Clinton L. Walker, Martin Teigen, Ivan A. Parry, Stanley H. Bissell, John B. Loomis, H.B. Gilbert; Trainer, Edward "Dad" Moulton; Coach Walt Heffelfinger.
Alexander Jerrems
Alexander Jerrems was a college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for the 1896 and 1897 seasons, leading the team to a 12-6 overall record including 1-5 in Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
conference play. Jerrems was born in Sydney, Australia and grew up in Chicago, IL before he went off to Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
to play halfback and fullback. He was the only Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
coach in the 1890s to coach for more than one season. He had a good overall record but only won one of the six Big Ten games he coached in.
1896 season
The 1896 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first season under head coach Alexander Jerrems and was the first season of competition in the Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, or Western Conference as it was commonly referred to at the time. Minnesota won its first ever conference game over Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
but lost its other two matches to Michigan and Wisconsin.
Team of 1896: Left end, John M. Harrison (captain); Left tackle, Ivan A. Perry; Left guard, George A.E. Finlayson; Right end, Henry A. Scandrett; Right tackle, A.M. Smith; Right guard, Everhard P. Harding; Center, James C. Fulton; Quarterbacks, George E. Cole, Richard E. Woodworth; Right half, S.W. Bagley; Left half, Martin Teigen, Elbridge L. Heath; Fullback, Harry C. Loomis; Substitutes, Clinton L. Walker, John Taresh, Carl S. Jorgens, Lloyd Sperry, Claude Nicoulin, L. Eugene Parker, Conrad H. Christopherson; Trainer, Edward "Dad" Moulton; Coach Alexander Jerrems.
1897 season
The 1897 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the second and final season under head coach Alexander Jerrems. The season started out well, but the team lost its last four games including all three of its conference games. The Ariel reported that there was a general opinion that the team's difficulties were the result of poor management. Coach Jerrems was not asked to return and changes were made to the rules governing athletics at the University - managers would no longer be chosen by the students.
Team of 1897 Left end, John M. Harrison (captain); Left tackle, George A.E. Finlayson; Left guard, A.M. Smith, Center, J.C. Winkjer; Right guard, A.K. Ingalls; Right tackle, Claude Nicoulin; Right end, C.R. Shipley; Quarterback, George E. Cole; Left half, G.W. Evans; Right half, S.W. Bagley; Fullback, Harry C. Loomis; Trainer, Edward "Dad" Moulton; Coach, Alexander Jerrems.
Jack Minds
Jack Minds was a college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for the 1898 season, leading the team to a 4-5 overall record including 1-2 in Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
conference play. He was an All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
fullback and kicker at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
making him the first Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
coach in several years to not come from Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. Minds stayed for only one season.
1898 season
The 1898 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first and only season under head coach Jack Minds and it saw more losses than wins in a season with much adversity including bad weather and a mid-season injury to the team's captain. Minnesota ended up in 5th place in a seven team conference.
Minnesota's first ever game against Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
took place on Thanksgiving Day. A big storm had come through the previous day, but John Pillsbury (the student manager) put together a crew and worked overnight using horse-drawn plows to clear the field. The game itself was delayed several times when the ball was lost in snow drifts on the side of the field and the temperature fell to about 10 below zero when the game was called at noon. Illinois won the game 11-10.
Team of 1898: Left end, Scandrett (captain); Left tackle, Otte; Left guard, Parry; Center, Page; Right guard, Aune; Right tackle, Nicoulin; Right end, von Schlegell; Quarterback, Kienholtz; Left halfback, Bernhagen; Right halfback, Cameron; Fullback, Shepley; Trainer, John Wirtensohn; Coach, Jack Minds.
William C. Leary and John Harrison
William C. "Bill" Leary and John Harrison were college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coaches for the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for the 1899 season, together leading the team to a 6-3-2 overall record including 0-3 in Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
conference play. They coached the team as a part of a new alumni coaching program. Although most around the program considered the experiment a success, the program was discontinued with the hiring of the University's first full-time salaried coach, Dr. Henry L. Williams
Henry L. Williams
Dr. Henry Lane Williams was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the United States Military Academy in 1891 and the University of Minnesota from 1900 to 1921, compiling a career college football record of 141–34–12...
.
1899 season
The 1899 MinnesotaMinnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
football season was the first and only season under head coaches William C. Leary and John Harrison and was another season with a good overall record but a poor conference record. This season's 0-3 record left Minnesota in a last place tie with Illinois.
Northrop Field
Northrop Field
Northrop Field was the on-campus stadium of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team from 1899 to 1923. The original field had seating of around 3,000 and was named for University President Cyrus Northrop. After the 1902 season, the playing field was moved and new seating was added that allowed...
was first used as the home field of the University of Minnesota this year with most of the credit for securing it going to former coach Professor Fred Jones and Governor John S. Pillsbury
John S. Pillsbury
John Sargent Pillsbury was an American politician, businessman, and philanthropist. A Republican, he served as the eighth Governor of Minnesota from 1876 to 1882.John S. Pillsbury was born in Sutton, New Hampshire...
.
Team of 1899: Left end, Dobie; Left tackle, Otte, Gray; Left guard, Aune; Center, Page; Right guard, Tifft, Flynn; Right tackle, Hoyt, Mueller; Right end, Scandrett (captain), Fosseen; Quarterback, Cole, Rogers; Left half, Evans, Bernhagen; Right half, Kienholtz, Freeman; Fullback, Glover.