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2017 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

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2017 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record5–7 (2–7 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorKirk Ciarrocca (1st season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorRobb Smith (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumTCF Bank Stadium
Seasons
← 2016
2018 →
2017 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 5 Ohio State xy$   8 1     12 2  
No. 15 Michigan State   7 2     10 3  
No. 8 Penn State   7 2     11 2  
Michigan   5 4     8 5  
Rutgers   3 6     4 8  
Indiana   2 7     5 7  
Maryland   2 7     4 8  
West Division
No. 7 Wisconsin xy   9 0     13 1  
No. 17 Northwestern   7 2     10 3  
Iowa   4 5     8 5  
Purdue   4 5     7 6  
Nebraska   3 6     4 8  
Minnesota   2 7     5 7  
Illinois   0 9     2 10  
Championship: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 21
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2017 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Gophers were led by first-year head coach P. J. Fleck and played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Minnesota competed as a member of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 5–7, 2–7 in Big Ten play to finish in sixth place in the West Division.

Recruiting

Position key

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Recruits

The Gophers signed a total of 26 recruits.

College recruiting information (2017)
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Blaise Andries
OT
Marshall, Minnesota Marshall HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 280 lb (130 kg) Apr 9, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Eric Abojei
OT
Minneapolis, Minnesota Robbinsdale Cooper HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Apr 17, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Grant Ryerse
K
Woodbury, Minnesota East Ridge HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Jun 8, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Dominik London
RB
Woodbury, Minnesota East Ridge HS 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 196 lb (89 kg) Jun 15, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Nathan Bursch
TE
Woodbury, Minnesota Woodbury HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Jun 20, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:2/5 stars
Neil McLaurin
QB
Laurel, Mississippi West Jones HS/Southwest Mississippi Community College 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Dec 11, 2016 
Star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Tanner Morgan
QB
Union, Kentucky Ryle HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 203 lb (92 kg) Jan 6, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Esezi Otomewo
DE
Indianapolis, Indiana Ben Davis HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jan 6, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:2/5 stars
Trenton Guthrie
LB
Pinckney, Michigan Northville HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 204 lb (93 kg) Jan 6, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
John Schmitz
OG
Flossmoor, Illinois Homewood-Flossmoor HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 285 lb (129 kg) Jan 6, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Noah Hickcox
DE
Rockford, Illinois Boylan Catholic HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 279 lb (127 kg) Jan 6, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:2/5 stars
Chris Autman-Bell
WR
Kankakee, Illinois Bishop McNamara HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 178 lb (81 kg) Jan 6, 2017 
Star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPNN/A
Mohamed Ibrahim
RB
Olney, Maryland Good Counsel HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 178 lb (81 kg) Jan 8, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kyle Sassack
OT
Pontiac, Michigan Notre Dame Prep 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Jan 8, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:2/5 stars
Nate Ulmor
TE
Allendale, Michigan Allendale HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Jan 8, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jacob Paulson
TE
Louisville, Kentucky Christian Academy of Louisville 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Jan 11, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Demetrius Douglas
CB
Portland, Oregon Jesuit HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 173 lb (78 kg) Jan 14, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Harrison Van Dyke
WR
Stilwell, Kansas Blue Valley HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jan 15, 2017 
Star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPNN/A
Reyondous Estes
QB
East Saint Louis, Illinois East St. Louis HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 164 lb (74 kg) Jan 18, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kendarian Handy-Holly
S
Jackson, Alabama Jackson HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 192 lb (87 kg) Jan 21, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Adam Beck
CB
Richmond, Texas George Ranch HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jan 22, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Austin Schirck
DT
Carroll, Iowa Carroll HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Jan 29, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A
Justus Harris
CB
Roswell, Georgia Roswell HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Jan 29, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPNN/A
Royal Silver
DT
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Iowa Western Community College 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 290 lb (130 kg) Jan 29, 2017 
Star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPNN/A
Malcolm Robinson
DT
Massillon, Ohio Massillon Washington HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 280 lb (130 kg) Jan 30, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Boye Mafe
DE
Minnetonka, Minnesota Hopkins HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Feb 1, 2017 
Star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPNN/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Minnesota Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  • "2017 Minnesota Football Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.

Schedule

The Gophers' 2017 schedule consisted of 7 home games and 5 away games. Minnesota hosted two of its non-conference games; against Buffalo from the MAC and against Middle Tennessee from Conference USA; the Gophers played on the road against Oregon State from the Pac-12.

The Gophers played nine conference games; they hosted Maryland, Michigan State, Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. They traveled to Purdue, Iowa, and Michigan, and Northwestern.

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 316:00 p.m.Buffalo*BTNW 17–743,224
September 99:00 p.m.at Oregon State*FS1W 48–1435,206
September 162:30 p.m.Middle Tennessee*
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
BTNW 34–343,727
September 3011:00 a.m.Maryland
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
FS1L 24–3143,511
October 72:30 p.m.at PurdueESPN2L 17–3142,085
October 147:00 p.m.No. 21 Michigan State
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
BTNL 27–3047,541
October 212:30 p.m.Illinoisdagger
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
BTNW 24–1745,243
October 285:30 p.m.at IowaFS1L 10–1766,292
November 46:30 p.m.at MichiganFOXL 10–33111,090
November 1111:00 a.m.Nebraska
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)
FS1W 54–2139,933
November 1811:00 a.m.at NorthwesternBTNL 0–3930,014
November 252:30 p.m.No. 5 Wisconsin
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)
ABCL 0–3147,327
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[1]

Game summaries

Buffalo

1 2 3 4 Total
Bulls 7 0 0 0 7
Golden Gophers 14 0 0 3 17

At Oregon State

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Gophers 10 10 14 14 48
Beavers 0 14 0 0 14

Middle Tennessee

1 2 3 4 Total
Blue Raiders 0 3 0 0 3
Golden Gophers 3 17 7 7 34

Maryland

1 2 3 4 Total
Terrapins 7 10 0 14 31
Golden Gophers 0 10 7 7 24

At Purdue

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Gophers 7 7 0 3 17
Boilermakers 6 0 7 18 31

Michigan State

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 21 Spartans 10 7 6 7 30
Golden Gophers 6 0 0 21 27

Illinois

1 2 3 4 Total
Fighting Illini 7 0 0 10 17
Golden Gophers 7 0 3 14 24

At Iowa

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Gophers 0 0 0 10 10
Hawkeyes 7 0 7 3 17

At Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Gophers 7 0 0 3 10
Wolverines 13 7 13 0 33

Nebraska

1 2 3 4 Total
Cornhuskers 7 7 0 7 21
Golden Gophers 14 16 10 14 54

At Northwestern

1 2 3 4 Total
Golden Gophers 0 0 0 0 0
Wildcats 0 25 7 7 39

Wisconsin

1 2 3 4 Total
No. 5 Badgers 7 10 7 7 31
Golden Gophers 0 0 0 0 0

Roster

2017 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
RB 1 Rodney Smith  Jr
WR 2 Isaiah Gentry-Madaris  Jr
WR 3 Chris Autman-Bell Fr
WR 5 Melvin Holland Jr.  Jr
WR 6 Tyler Johnson So
WR 8 Mark Williams  Fr
WR 9 Eric Carter  Sr
QB 11 Demry Croft  So
WR 12 Hunter Register  So
QB 13 Tanner Morgan Fr
QB 14 Jaran Roste Fr
QB 15 Conor Rhoda  Sr
QB 16 Ray Estes Fr
QB 17 Seth Green  Fr
WR 19 Clay Geary  Fr
QB 19 Samuel Pickerign Fr
RB 22 Kobe McCrary Sr
RB 23 Shannon Brooks Jr
WR 24 Drew Hmielewski  Fr
WR 25 Phillip Howard  Fr
RB 28 Jonathan Femi-Cole  So
RB 30 Mohamed Ibrahim Fr
RB 31 Domink London Fr
RB 32 Zachariah Knox  So
RB 33 Mike Delich Fr
TE 40 Nathan Bursch Fr
TE 42 Ko Kieft  Fr
TE 44 Colton Beebe  So
TE 49 Jake Paulson Fr
OL 53 Vincent Magaña Jr
OL 55 Eric Rousemiller Fr
OL 58 Quinn Oseland  So
OL 60 John Michael Schmitz Fr
OL 61 Bronson Dovich  So
OL 62 Jared Weyler  Jr
OL 64 Conner Olson  Fr
OL 65 Axel Ruschmeyer Fr
OL 70 Sam Schlueter  Fr
OL 71 Ben Davis So
OL 73 Donnell Greene  Jr
OL 74 Nick Connelly  So
OL 75 Noah Kuehn  So
OL 75 Kyle Sassack Fr
OL 76 Vincent Calhoun Sr
OL 77 Blaise Andries Fr
OL 78 Garrison Wright  Sr
TE 80 Nate Wozniak  Sr
WR 81 Brock Annexstad Fr
WR 82 Demetrius Douglas Fr
WR 83 Harry Van Dyne Fr
WR 84 Will Reger  Jr
TE 85 Bryce Witham  So
TE 86 Brandon Lingen Sr
WR 87 Reid Hilbelink Fr
WR 88 Rashad Still Jr
WR 89 Matt Morse  So
TE 89 Nate Umlor Fr
TE 98 Clayton Witherspoon Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 2 Jacob Huff Jr
DL 3 Jerry Gibson  Jr
DB 4 Adekunle Ayinde  Sr
LB 5 Trenton Guthrie Fr
DB 6 Chris Williamson Jr
DB 7 Ken Handy-Holly Fr
DB 8 Duke McGhee  Sr
DB 11 Antoine Winfield Jr. So
LB 12 Cody Poock  Sr
LB 13 Jonathan Celestin Sr
DB 14 Zo Craighton  So
LB 15 Everett Williams  Jr
DB 16 Coney Durr So
DL 19 Gary Moore  Jr
LB 20 Julian Huff Jr
LB 21 Kamal Martin So
DB 22 Dorborwulu Cooper  Jr
DB 23 Adam Beck Fr
DB 26 Justus Harris Fr
DB 27 Calvin Swenson  Fr
DB 29 Jack Leius So
DB 26 Johnny Santaga Fr
DB 31 Kiondre Thomas  Fr
DB 32 Brady Wieland  Fr
DB 34 Antonio Shenault Jr
LB 35 Jaylen Waters  So
LB 36 Blake Cashman Jr
DB 40 Alex Strazzanti Fr
LB 41 Thomas Barber So
LB 43 Bailey Schoenfelder  Fr
LB 44 Tommy Fuller Fr
LB 45 Carter Coughlin So
DL 46 Winston DeLattiboudere  So
DB 50 Danny Anderson Fr
DL 52 Austin Schirck Fr
LB 57 Joe Russell Fr
DL 59 Connor Novak-Goar So
DL 69 Boye Mafe Fr
DL 75 Malcolm Robinson Fr
DL 90 Sam Renner  So
DL 91 Noah Hickcox Fr
DL 92 Tai'yon Devers So
DL 93 Merrick Jackson  Sr
DL 94 Quinn Coughlin Fr
DL 95 Esezi Otomewo Fr
DL 96 Steven Richardson Sr
DL 97 Royal Silver Jr
DL 98 O.J. Smith  Jr
DL 99 Andrew Stelter Sr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P 18 Ryan Santoso  Sr
LS 25 Payton Jordahl  Jr
K, P 33 Grant Ryerse Fr
P 34 Logan McElfresh  Jr
H 36 Casey O'Brien  Fr
K 37 John Mack  Fr
K 38 Emmit Carpenter  Jr
LS 39 Trey Hansen  So
K 42 Justin Juenemann  Sr
P 47 Jacob Herbers  So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Kirk Ciarrocca (Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks)
  • Robb Smith (Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers)
  • Kenni Burns (Running Backs)
  • Brian Callahan (Tight Ends)
  • Maurice Linguist (Defensive Backs)
  • Bryce Paup (Defensive Line)
  • Matt Simon (Wide Receivers)
  • Ed Warinner (Offensive Line / Run Game Coordinator)
  • Rob Wenger (Special Teams Coordinator)
  • Gerrit Chernoff (General Manager)
  • Dan Nichol (Head Strength & Conditioning)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: September 5, 2017

References

  1. ^ "2017 Minnesota Football Schedule". Minnesota Football - Future Schedules. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2017.