2014 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

Last updated

2014 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Minnesota Golden Gophers logo.svg
Citrus Bowl, L 17–33 vs. Missouri
Conference Big Ten Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record8–5 (5–3 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover (4th season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys (4th season)
Captain Mitch Leidner, Cedric Thompson
Home stadium TCF Bank Stadium
Seasons
  2013
2015  
2014 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 1 Ohio State x$#^  8 0   14 1  
No. T–5 Michigan State  7 1   11 2  
Maryland  4 4   7 6  
Rutgers  3 5   8 5  
Michigan  3 5   5 7  
Penn State  2 6   7 6  
Indiana  1 7   4 8  
West Division
No. 13 Wisconsin x  7 1   11 3  
Minnesota  5 3   8 5  
Nebraska  5 3   9 4  
Iowa  4 4   7 6  
Illinois  3 5   6 7  
Northwestern  3 5   5 7  
Purdue  1 7   3 9  
Championship: Ohio State 59, Wisconsin 0
  • # College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2014 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach Jerry Kill and played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium. They were a member of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 8–5, 5–3 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the Citrus Bowl where they lost to Missouri. It was their first New Year's Day bowl game appearance in 53 years, their previous was the 1962 Rose Bowl.

Contents

Preseason

Heading into their fourth off-season, Jerry Kill's coaching staff at Minnesota suffered their first departure as linebackers and assistant head coach Bill Miller accepted the linebackers coach position at Florida State. [1] After a brief coaching search, the Gophers named Mike Sherels the new linebackers coach. Sherels had an extensive history with the University of Minnesota, playing middle linebacker for the team from 2003-2007 and then serving as a special assistant and then defensive graduate assistant under Jerry Kill from 2011-2013. [2]

The Gophers also saw quarterback Philip Nelson leave the team, announcing his transfer to Rutgers University shortly after the conclusion of the 2013 season. [3] During the off season, Nelson was charged with first-degree assault after allegedly kicking Isaac Kolstad in the head during a late-night scuffle in downtown Mankato, Minnesota. These charges led to Nelson's dismissal from the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football program on May 14, 2014. [4]

College recruiting information
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeight40Commit date
Melvin Holland
WR
Ashburn, VA Briar Woods HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)195 lb (88 kg)4.5Jan 27, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout: 3 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A    ESPN: 3 stars.svg
Jeff Jones [5]
RB
Minneapolis, MN Washburn HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)190 lb (86 kg)4.7Feb 2, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A   ESPN grade: 80
Connor Mayes [5]
OL
Van Alstyne, TX Van Alstyne HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)335 lb (152 kg)5.4Jun 17, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout: 4 stars.svg     Rivals: 3 stars.svg     247Sports: N/A    ESPN: 3 stars.svg
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:

    Personnel

    2014 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster
    PlayersCoaches
    Offense
    Pos.#NameClass
    WR 1K. J. MayeJr
    QB 2Dimonic Roden-McKinzyFr
    TE 3Jerry GibsonFr
    WR 4Donovahn JonesSo
    QB 5 Chris Streveler Redshirt.svg  Fr
    QB 7 Mitch Leidner Redshirt.svg  So
    WR 9Eric Carter Redshirt.svg  Fr
    WR 12Will RegerFr
    WR 13Desmond GantFr
    WR 14 Isaac Fruechte Redshirt.svg  Sr
    WR 14Connor Cosgrove Redshirt.svg  Sr
    QB 15Conor Rhoda Redshirt.svg  Fr
    RB 16Jeff JonesFr
    WR 17Logan Hutton Redshirt.svg  Sr
    QB 18Jacques PerraFr
    WR 19Michael Conway Redshirt.svg  Fr
    RB 20Donnell Kirkwood Redshirt.svg  Sr
    WR 21Melvin Holland, Jr.Fr
    WR 22Jeff Borchardt Redshirt.svg  Fr
    WR 23E. J. Sardinha Redshirt.svg  So
    RB 24Rodney SmithFr
    WR 25Devin Wright Redshirt.svg  Sr
    WR 26Brian Smith Redshirt.svg  Fr
    RB 27 David Cobb Sr
    WR 29Louis Tuszynski Redshirt.svg  So
    RB 31Cole Banham Redshirt.svg  Sr
    RB 32Berkey Edwards Redshirt.svg  Fr
    FB 34Jephete Matilus Redshirt.svg  Jr
    RB 35Rodrick Williams, Jr.Jr
    FB 41Miles ThomasJr
    FB 43Tyler Hartmann Redshirt.svg  So
    RB 37Josh ParksFr
    TE 39Nate Wozniak Redshirt.svg  Fr
    RB 44Jacob Krisch Redshirt.svg  Jr
    TE 47Alex Bisch Redshirt.svg  Sr
    TE 48Matt OldenkampFr
    TE 49Noah Scarver Redshirt.svg  Fr
    OL 52Zac Epping Redshirt.svg  Sr
    OL 53Luke RasmussenFr
    OL 55Connor MayesFr
    OL 58Tommy OlsonSr
    OL 60Matt Leidner Redshirt.svg  Fr
    OL 62Jared WeylerFr
    OL 63Jon Christenson Redshirt.svg  Jr
    OL 65Josh Champion Redshirt.svg  Jr
    OL 66Luke McAvoy Redshirt.svg  Jr
    OL 67Brian Bobek Redshirt.svg  Jr
    OL 68Isaac Hayes Redshirt.svg  So
    OL 70Chad Fahning Redshirt.svg  Fr
    OL 71Kyle McAvoy Redshirt.svg  Jr
    OL 73Joe Bjorklund Redshirt.svg  Jr
    OL 74Marek Lenkiewicz Redshirt.svg  Sr
    OL 75Ernie Heifort Redshirt.svg  Jr
    OL 76Alex Mayes Redshirt.svg  Fr
    OL 77Foster Bush Redshirt.svg  Jr
    OL 78Ben Lauer Redshirt.svg  So
    OL 79Jonah Pirsig Redshirt.svg  So
    WR 80Aaron Marmer Redshirt.svg  Jr
    TE 81Duke Anyanwu Redshirt.svg  So
    TE 81Nick Hart Redshirt.svg  Fr
    WR 82 Drew Wolitarsky So
    TE 83Drew GoodgerSr
    WR 84Isaiah GentryFr
    TE 85Lincoln PlsekJr
    TE 86Brandon LingenFr
    TE 88 Maxx Williams Redshirt.svg  So
    WR 89Connor KrizancicFr
    Defense
    Pos.#NameClass
    LB 1De'Niro Laster Redshirt.svg  Fr
    DB 2Cedric ThompsonSr
    DB 3Derrick WellsSr
    LB 5Damien WilsonSr
    DB 6Grayson LevineSr
    DL 9Alex KeithJr
    DB 11Antonio JohnsonJr
    DB 15Marcus JonesSr
    DB 16Steven Montgomery Redshirt.svg  Jr
    LB 18 Peter Westerhaus Redshirt.svg  Jr
    LB 19Cedric Dicke Redshirt.svg  So
    DT 19Gary MooreFr
    DB 22Craig JamesFr
    LB 26De'Vondre Campbell Redshirt.svg  Jr
    DB 28 Jalen Myrick So
    DB 29 Briean Boddy-Calhoun Redshirt.svg  Jr
    LB 30Chris Wipson Redshirt.svg  Fr
    DB 31Eric MurrayJr
    DB 32John McKelvey Redshirt.svg  So
    DB 36Cavonte Johnson Redshirt.svg  So
    DB 40Alexander Starks Redshirt.svg  Fr
    LB 42Dominic Schultz Redshirt.svg  Jr
    DB 45Adekunle Ayinde Redshirt.svg  Fr
    DL 46Cameron Botticelli Redshirt.svg  Sr
    DB 48Davis AlexanderFr
    LB 50Jack Lynn Redshirt.svg  So
    DL 52Yoshoub Timms Redshirt.svg  So
    DL 55Theiren Cockran Redshirt.svg  Jr
    LB 56Nick Rallis Redshirt.svg  So
    LB 57Everett WilliamsFr
    LB 59Ray Dixon Redshirt.svg  Fr
    DL 69Justin CarrJr
    DL 87Gaelin ElmoreFr
    DL 90Demaris Peppers Redshirt.svg  Fr
    DE 91Julien KafoFr
    DL 92Robert Nondo-Lay Redshirt.svg  Jr
    DL 93Ben Perry Redshirt.svg  Sr
    DL 94Harold Legania Redshirt.svg  Sr
    DL 95Hendrick EkpeSo
    DT 96Steven RichardsonFr
    DL 97Scott EkpeJr
    DL 98Michael AmaefulaSr
    DE 99Andrew StelterFr
    Special teams
    Pos.#NameClass
    K/P 18Ryan Santoso Redshirt.svg  Fr
    LS 25Payton JordahlFr
    K 33Andrew Harte Redshirt.svg  Fr
    P 34Logan McElfreshFr
    P 37Peter Mortell Redshirt.svg  Jr
    K 38Emmit CarpenterFr
    LS 40Jared Hartmann Redshirt.svg  Jr
    P 41Christian EldredSr
    K 42Justin Juenemann Redshirt.svg  Fr
    LS 49Dave Ramlet Redshirt.svg  Sr
    Head coach
    Coordinators/assistant coaches
    • Tracy Claeys (associate head coach)
    • Matt Limegrover (assistant head coach / offensive line)
    • Brian Anderson (running backs)
    • Jeff Phelps (defensive line)
    • Pat Poore (wide receivers)
    • Rob Reeves (H-Backs / tight ends)
    • Jay Sawvel (defensive backs / special teams)
    • Mike Sherels (linebackers)
    • Jim Zebrowski (Quarterbacks / passing game coordinator)
    • Ryan Maiuri (graduate assistant)

    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
    • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

    Schedule

    DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
    August 286:00 pmNo. 16 (FCS) Eastern Illinois * BTN W 42–2044,344
    September 62:30 pm Middle Tennessee *
    • TCF Bank Stadium
    • Minneapolis, MN
    BTNW 35–2447,223
    September 133:00 pmat TCU * FS1 L 7–3043,958
    September 203:00 pm San Jose State *
    • TCF Bank Stadium
    • Minneapolis, MN
    BTNW 24–747,739
    September 272:30 pmat Michigan ABC, ESPN2 W 30–14102,926
    October 1111:00 am Northwestern
    • TCF Bank Stadium
    • Minneapolis, MN
    BTNW 24–1749,051
    October 1811:00 am Purdue Dagger-14-plain.png
    • TCF Bank Stadium
    • Minneapolis, MN
    BTNW 39–3851,241
    October 2511:00 amat Illinois ESPNU L 24–2844,437
    November 811:00 am Iowa
    • TCF Bank Stadium
    • Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)
    ESPN2 W 51–1449,680
    November 1511:00 amNo. 8 Ohio State No. 25
    • TCF Bank Stadium
    • Minneapolis, MN
    ABCL 24–3145,778
    November 2211:00 amat No. 23 Nebraska No. 25 ESPN W 28–2491,186
    November 292:30 pmat No. 14 Wisconsin No. 18BTNL 24–3480,341
    January 112:00 pmvs. No. 16 Missouri *No. 25ABCL 17–3348,624

    Game summaries

    Eastern Illinois

    1234Total
    E. Illinois0002020
    Minnesota7772142
    • Date: August 28
    • Location: TCF Bank Stadium
    • Game start: 7:00
    • TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Eric Collins, Glen Mason, Jamie Hersch

    Middle Tennessee

    1234Total
    Mid Tennessee0017724
    Minnesota7217035
    • Date: September 6
    • Location: TCF Bank Stadium
    • Game start: 3:30
    • TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Anthony LaPanta, Glen Mason, Jamie Hersch

    TCU

    1234Total
    Minnesota00077
    TCU10146030
    • Date: September 13
    • Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium
    • Game start: 4:00
    • TV announcers (FS1): Tim Brando, Brady Quinn

    San Jose State

    1234Total
    San Jose St70007
    Minnesota1070724
    • Date: September 20
    • Location: TCF Bank Stadium
    • Game start: 4:00
    • TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Anthony LaPanta, Chuck Long, Jamie Hersch

    Michigan

    1234Total
    Minnesota01017330
    Michigan070714
    • Date: September 27
    • Location: Michigan Stadium
    • Game start: 3:00
    • Elapsed time: 3:15
    • Game attendance: 102,926
    • Game weather: Sunny; about 75 °F (24 °C); wind 15–20 mph (24–32 km/h) NE
    • Referee: J. McGinn
    • TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Jeannine Edwards

    Northwestern

    1234Total
    Northwestern0100717
    Minnesota7701024
    • Date: October 11
    • Location: TCF Bank Stadium
    • Game start: 12:00
    • TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Kevin Kugler, Glen Mason, Lisa Byington

    Purdue

    1234Total
    Purdue14177038
    Minnesota14616339
    • Date: October 18
    • Location: TCF Bank Stadium
    • Game start: 12:00
    • TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Eric Collins, Chuck Long, Rebecca Haarlow

    Illinois

    1234Total
    Minnesota0321024
    Illinois1407728
    • Date: October 25
    • Location: Memorial Stadium
    • Game start: 12:00
    • TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick, Anthony Becht

    Iowa

    1234Total
    Iowa700714
    Minnesota7287951
    • Date: November 8
    • Location: TCF Bank Stadium
    • Game start: 12:00
    • Elapsed time: 3:19
    • Game attendance: 49,680
    • Game weather: Overcast; 38 °F (3 °C); wind 12 mph (19 km/h) NNE
    • Referee: Shawn Smith
    • TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins, Joey Galloway, Paul Carcaterra

    [7]

    Ohio State

    1234Total
    Ohio St1437731
    Minnesota01401024
    • Date: November 15
    • Location: TCF Bank Stadium
    • Game start: 12:00
    • TV announcers (ABC): Dave Pasch, Brian Griese, Tom Luginbill

    Nebraska

    1234Total
    Minnesota7014728
    Nebraska7143024
    • Date: November 22
    • Location: Memorial Stadium
    • Game start: 12:00
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Brian Griese, Tom Luginbill

    Wisconsin

    1234Total
    Minnesota1430724
    Wisconsin31071434
    • Date: November 29
    • Location: Camp Randall Stadium
    • Game start: 3:30
    • TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Kevin Kugler, Glen Mason, Lisa Byington

    Citrus Bowl

    1234Total
    Missouri01091433
    Minnesota7010017
    • Date: January 1
    • Location: Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium
    • Game start: 1:00
    • TV announcers (ABC/ESPN Radio): Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Jeannine Edwards/Dave Lamont, Tom Ramsey, Kayce Smith

    Rankings

    Ranking movements
    Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
    — = Not ranked RV = Received votes
    Week
    PollPre123456789101112131415Final
    AP RVRVRVRVRV22RVRVRV
    Coaches RVRVRVRVRVRV24RVRVRVRV2225RVRV
    CFP Not released25251825Not released

    Players Drafted into the NFL

    RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL Club
    255 Maxx Williams TE Baltimore Ravens
    4127 Damien Wilson LB Dallas Cowboys
    5138 David Cobb RB Tennessee Titans
    5150 Cedric Thompson S Miami Dolphins

    References

    1. "FSU Hires Bill Miller to FB Staff". 247Sports . February 24, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
    2. Mason, Tyler (March 7, 2014). "Mike Sherels Named Gophers New Linebackers coach". Fox Sports North . Retrieved July 29, 2014.
    3. Fornelli, Tom (January 29, 2014). "Minnesota QB Philip Nelson Transferring to Rutgers". CBS Sports . Retrieved July 29, 2014.
    4. "Rutgers dismisses Philip Nelson". ESPN . May 14, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
    5. 1 2 "GopherHole.com - Unofficial Home of Minnesota Gopher Sports". GopherHole.com.
    6. 2014 Minnesota vs. Michigan - Final Stats. Retrieved 2015-Aug-29.
    7. 2014 Minnesota vs. Iowa - Final Stats. Retrieved 2015-Aug-29.