1979 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1979 Minnesota Golden Gophers football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 4–6–1 3–5–1 Joe Salem 1st Mike Shanahan 1st Mark Carlson Alan Blanshan Glenn Bourquin Mark Carlson Memorial Stadium The 1979 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 1979 Big Ten Conference football season. In their first year under head coach Joe Salem, the Golden Gophers compiled a 4–6–1 record and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 271 to 264.1979 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 1, 2017 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1979-schedule.html Quarterback Mark Carlson received the team's Most Valuable Player award. Free safety Keith Edwards was awarded the Defensive MVP Award. Split End Elmer Bailey was named All-Big Ten first team. Defensive lineman Alan Blanshan and offensive lineman Bill Humphries were named Academic All-Big Ten. Keiser Jeff 2007 Media Guide 179–182 2007 http://www.gophersports.com//pdf6/80499.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 March 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes Total attendance for the season was 241,942, which averaged to 40,323. The season high for attendance was against Purdue. Keiser Jeff 2007 Media Guide 160 2007 http://www.gophersports.com//pdf3/80498.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 August 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes Schedule 1979 AP September 8 w y Ohio Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 24–10 33,435 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-gophers-rally-to-beat-testy/157924586/ Minneapolis Tribune Gophers rally to beat testy Ohio 24–10 September 9, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 15 l Ohio State 15 Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 17–21 43,515 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-buck-passer-schl/157929217/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Buck-passer Schlichter spoils Gopher ambush September 16, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 22 l y y USC 1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA 14–48 61,966 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-usc-rambles-past-min/157817709/ The Courier-Journal USC rambles past Minnesota September 23, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 29 w Northwestern Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 38–8 33,998 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-barber-carlson-spark/157926375/ The Post-Crescent Barber, Carlson spark Minnesota past NU September 30, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 6 w Purdue 12 Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 31–14 47,281 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-minnesota-shocks-12th/157929329/ Detroit Free Press Minnesota shocks 12th-ranked Purdue, 31–14 October 7, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 13 l y Michigan 11 Little Brown Jug Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 21–31 104,677 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-big-plays-delight-crow/157929395/ The Flint Journal Big plays delight crowd, help Michigan October 14, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 20 w y Iowa rivalry Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 24–7 60,050 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-gophers-pass-iowa-te/157929469/ Journal and Courier Gophers pass Iowa test October 21, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 27 t y Illinois Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 17–17 46,449 https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times-illini-fight-gophers-to/157927552/ Quad-City Times Illini fight Gophers to tie October 28, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 3 l y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN 24–42 35,591 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-hoosiers-feast-on-gophers-4/157929543/ Minneapolis Tribune Hoosiers feast on Gophers 42–24 November 4, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 10 l y Michigan State Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI 17–31 75,433 https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-spartans-forsake-p/157929023/ Battle Creek Enquirer & News Spartans forsake passing game, run past Gophers November 11, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 17 l Wisconsin rivalry Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN 37–42 37,827 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-winona-daily-news-badgers-outgun-gop/157928528/ The Winona Daily News Badgers outgun Gophers November 18, 1979 October 27, 2024 Newspapers.com1979 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 27, 2024 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1979-schedule.html Roster 1979 Minnesota Golden Gophers y 86 Sr Jeff Anhorn WR 20 Sr Elmer Bailey WR y 41 Jr Marion Barber Jr. RB y 12 Sr Mark Carlson Mark Carlson (quarterback) QB y 67 Sr Tom Fitzpatrick G 52 Sr Darell Schwen G 15 Sr Terry Simmons WR 31 Fr Bob Stroup FB 27 Fr Virgil Thomas WR 48 Sr Jeff Thompson FB 75 Fr Terry Thomton OT 53 Sr Steve Tobin Steve Tobin (American football) C y 7 Sr Mark Tonn QB 70 Sr Steve Cunningham DE 98 Fr Anthony Davis DE 25 Fr Howard Davis CB 91 Fr Jeff Denney DT 89 So Jim Fahnhorst LB y 56 Sr Jack Johnson LB 94 Fr Kevin Kellen DT 92 Sr John Kuduk DT 35 Fr Mark Laliberte LB 59 Sr Don Meyer LB 96 Jr Jeff Schuh DE y https://web.archive.org/web/20170326151901/http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/m-footbl-mtt-79-80.html *Joe Salem Tim Burke (assistant) Mike Shanahan (offensive coordinator) Team players in the NFL Player Position Round Pick NFL club Elmer Bailey Wide receiver 4 100 Miami Dolphins Greg Murtha Tackle 6 161 Philadelphia Eagles References Minnesota Category:Minnesota Golden Gophers football seasons Minnesota Golden Gophers football