2020 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

Last updated

2020 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Minnesota Golden Gophers logo.svg
Conference Big Ten Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record3–4 (3–4 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinator Matt Simon (1st season)
Offensive scheme Spread option
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium TCF Bank Stadium
Uniform
Golden gophers football unif.png
Seasons
  2019
2021  
2020 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 2 Ohio State xy$^  5 0   7 1  
No. 12 Indiana  6 1   6 2  
Penn State  4 5   4 5  
Maryland  2 3   2 3  
Rutgers  3 6   3 6  
Michigan  2 4   2 4  
Michigan State  2 5   2 5  
West Division
No. 10 Northwestern xy 6 1   7 2  
No. 16 Iowa  6 2   6 2  
Wisconsin  3 3   4 3  
Minnesota  3 4   3 4  
Nebraska  3 5   3 5  
Purdue  2 4   2 4  
Illinois  2 6   2 6  
Championship: Ohio State 22, Northwestern 10
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
  • Note: Due to COVID-19, the Big Ten suspended the season on August 11, but later decided to begin play on October 24. In addition to the title game that was played on December 19, the conference seeded all remaining teams for "championship week" games. [1]
Rankings from AP Poll.

The 2020 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Gophers played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and competed in the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They were led by fourth-year head coach P. J. Fleck.

Contents

On August 11, 2020, the Big Ten Conference canceled all fall sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [2] However, on September 16, the Big Ten reinstated the season, announcing an eight-game season beginning on October 24. [3]

Big Ten preseason poll

The Big Ten preseason media prediction poll was released on July 31, 2020. The Golden Gophers were predicted to finish second in the Big Ten West. [4]

West
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1Wisconsin221 (19)
2Minnesota209.5 (14)
3Iowa157
4Nebraska117
5Purdue105
6Northwestern87.5 (1)
7Illinois55

Schedule

Minnesota had games scheduled against Florida Atlantic, Tennessee Tech, and BYU, but canceled these games on July 9 due to the Big Ten Conference's decision to play a conference-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [5]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
October 246:30 p.m. No. 18 Michigan No. 21 ABC L 24–49589
October 306:30 p.m.at Maryland ESPN L 44–45 OT0
November 72:30 p.m.at Illinois BTN W 41–14863
November 136:00 p.m. Iowa
FS1 L 7–35771
November 206:30 p.m. Purdue
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
BTNW 34–31593
November 27at Wisconsin No Contest [6]
December 511:00 a.m. Northwestern
  • TCF Bank Stadium
  • Minneapolis, MN
BTN/FS1No Contest
December 1211:00 a.m.at Nebraska FS1W 24–170
December 193:00 p.m.at Wisconsin BTNL 17–20 OT1

Source: [7]

    Rankings

    Ranking movements
    Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
    — = Not ranked RV = Received votes
    Week
    PollPre1234567891011121314Final
    AP 1919*RV252421RV
    Coaches 1818*22RVRV2521RV
    CFP Not releasedNot released

    Game summaries

    No. 18 Michigan

    No. 18 Michigan Wolverines at No. 21 Minnesota Golden Gophers – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    No. 18 Wolverines21147749
    No. 21 Golden Gophers1077024

    at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Game information
    First quarter
    • MINN – Ko Kieft 14-yard pass from Tanner Morgan (Brock Walker kick), 12:44. Golden Gophers 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 17 yards, 0:42.
    • MICH – Zach Charbonnet 70-yard run (Jake Moody kick), 12:33. Tied 7–7. Drive: 1 play, 70 yards, 0:11.
    • MICH – Donovan Jeter 15-yard fumble return (Jake Moody kick), 7:08. Wolverines 14–7.
    • MINN – Brock Walker 29-yard field goal, 0:37. Wolverines 14–10. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 6:29.
    • MICH – Ben Mason 8-yard pass from Joe Milton (Jake Moody kick), 0:15. Wolverines 21–10. Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:24.

    Second quarter

    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 16-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 9:38. Wolverines 21–17. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:37.
    • MICH – Hassan Haskins 4-yard run (Jake Moody kick), 4:48. Wolverines 28–17. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 4:50.
    • MICH – Hassan Haskins 4-yard run (Jake Moody kick), 1:00. Wolverines 35–17. Drive: 4 plays, 29 yards, 2:13.

    Third quarter

    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 5-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 9:36. Wolverines 35–24. Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 5:24.
    • MICH – Joe Milton 2-yard run (Jake Moody kick), 5:20. Wolverines 42–24. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:16.

    Fourth quarter

    • MICH – Chris Evans 5-yard run (Jake Moody kick), 13:51. Wolverines 49–24. Drive: 5 plays, 96 yards, 1:58.
    StatisticsMICHMINN
    First downs1821
    Total yards481326
    Rushing yards256129
    Passing yards225197
    Turnovers02
    Time of possession24:1335:47
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    MichiganPassing Joe Milton 15/22, 225 yards, TD
    Rushing Hassan Haskins 6 rushes, 82 yards, 2 TD
    Receiving Ronnie Bell 4 receptions, 74 yards
    MinnesotaPassing Tanner Morgan 18/31, 197 yards, TD, INT
    Rushing Mohamed Ibrahim 26 rushes, 140 yards, 2 TD
    Receiving Rashod Bateman 9 receptions, 101 yards

    At Maryland

    Minnesota Golden Gophers at Maryland Terrapins – Game summary
    Quarter1234OTTotal
    Golden Gophers721100644
    Terrapins210017745

    at Maryland Stadium, College Park, Maryland

    Game information
    First quarter
    • MD – Jake Funk 8-yard pass from Taulia Tagovailoa (Joseph Petrino kick), 10:07. Terrapins 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 4:53.
    • MD – Taulia Tagovailoa 39-yard run (Joseph Petrino kick), 6:48. Terrapins 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:19.
    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 1-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 2:42. Terrapins 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 81 yards, 4:06.
    • MD – Jeshaun Jones 76-yard pass from Taulia Tagovailoa (Joseph Petrino kick), 2:24. Terrapins 21–7. Drive: 1 play, 76 yards, 0:18.

    Second quarter

    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 2-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 12:06. Terrapins 21–14. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:18.
    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 1-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 7:42. Tied 21–21. Drive: 4 plays, 29 yards, 1:54.
    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 1-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 2:46. Golden Gophers 28–21. Drive: 5 plays, 91 yards, 2:22.

    Third quarter

    • MINN – Chris Autumn-Bell 39-yard pass from Tanner Morgan (Brock Walker kick), 11:54. Golden Gophers 35–21. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 3:06.
    • MINN – Brock Walker 25-yard field goal, 2:03. Golden Gophers 38–21. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 7:08.

    Fourth quarter

    • MD – Dontay Demus Jr. 15-yard pass from Taulia Tagovailoa (Joseph Petrino kick), 13:14. Golden Gophers 38–28. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:49.
    • MD – Joseph Petrino 51-yard field goal, 7:06. Golden Gophers 38–31. Drive: 9 plays, 33 yards, 3:51.
    • MD – Jake Funk 19-yard run (Joseph Petrino kick), 3:38. Tied 38–38. Drive: 3 plays, 56 yards, 1:08.

    Overtime

    • MD – Taulia Tagovailoa 2-yard run (Joseph Petrino kick). Terrapins 45–38. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards.
    • MINN – Seth Green 2-yard run (kick failed). Terrapins 45–44. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards.
    StatisticsMINNMD
    First downs2428
    Total yards451675
    Rushing yards262281
    Passing yards189394
    Turnovers02
    Time of possession33:1226:48
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    MinnesotaPassingTanner Morgan10/15, 189 yards, TD
    RushingMohamed Ibrahim41 rushes, 207 yards, 4 TD
    ReceivingChris Autumn-Bell4 receptions, 112 yards, TD
    MarylandPassing Taulia Tagovailoa 26/35, 394 yards, 3 TD, INT
    Rushing Jake Funk 21 rushes, 221 yards, TD
    Receiving Jeshaun Jones 3 receptions, 103 yards, TD

    At Illinois

    Minnesota Golden Gophers at Illinois Fighting Illini – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    Golden Gophers7217641
    Fighting Illini070714

    at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

    Game information
    First quarter
    • MINN – Treyson Potts 9-yard run (Michael Lantz kick), 3:29. Golden Gophers 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 93 yards, 4:24.

    Second quarter

    • MINN – Rashod Bateman 5-yard pass from Tanner Morgan (Michael Lantz kick), 13:23. Golden Gophers 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 1:58.
    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 1-yard run (Michael Lantz kick), 8:09. Golden Gophers 21–0. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 4:08.
    • ILL – Mike Epstein 1-yard run (Caleb Griffin kick), 5:32. Golden Gophers 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 2:37.
    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 2-yard run (Michael Lantz kick), 0:24. Golden Gophers 28–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:08.

    Third quarter

    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 1-yard run (Michael Lantz kick), 0:21. Golden Gophers 35–7. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:53.

    Fourth quarter

    • ILL – Josh Imatorbhebhe 52-yard pass from Coran Taylor (Caleb Griffin kick), 11:30. Golden Gophers 35–14. Drive: 3 plays, 79 yards, 0:54.
    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 4-yard run (kick failed), 8:27. Golden Gophers 41–14. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 3:03.
    StatisticsMINNILL
    First downs3014
    Total yards541287
    Rushing yards325181
    Passing yards216106
    Turnovers20
    Time of possession37:3522:25
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    MinnesotaPassingTanner Morgan17/27, 216 yards, TD, INT
    RushingMohamed Ibrahim30 rushes, 224 yards, 4 TD
    ReceivingRashod Bateman10 receptions, 139 yards, TD
    IllinoisPassingCoran Taylor6/17, 106 yards, TD
    RushingMike Epstein11 rushes, 108 yards, TD
    Receiving Josh Imatorbhebhe 2 receptions, 60 yards, TD

    Iowa

    Iowa Hawkeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    Hawkeyes7702135
    Golden Gophers00077

    at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Game information
    First quarter
    • IOWA – Nico Ragaini 1-yard run (Keith Duncan kick), 5:42. Hawkeyes 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 3:04.

    Second quarter

    • IOWA – Tyler Goodson 7-yard run (Keith Duncan kick), 8:31. Hawkeyes 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 5:25.

    Third quarter

    • No scoring plays

    Fourth quarter

    • IOWA – Ihmir Smith-Marsette 8-yard pass from Spencer Petras (kick failed), 13:12. Hawkeyes 20–0. Drive: 5 plays, 79 yards, 2:37.
    • IOWA – Tyler Goodson 1-yard run (Tyler Goodson run), 8:56. Hawkeyes 28–0. Drive: 3 plays, 36 yards, 1:01.
    • IOWA – Mekhi Sargent 14-yard run (Keith Duncan kick), 6:37. Hawkeyes 35–0. Drive: 3 plays, 51 yards, 1:23.
    • MINN – Rashod Bateman 4-yard pass from Tanner Morgan (Michael Lantz kick), 0:14. Hawkeyes 35–7. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 6:23.
    StatisticsIOWAMINN
    First downs2019
    Total yards346312
    Rushing yards235145
    Passing yards111167
    Turnovers12
    Time of possession23:5036:10
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    IowaPassing Spencer Petras 9/18, 111 yards, TD, INT
    Rushing Tyler Goodson 20 rushes, 142 yards, 2 TD
    Receiving Tyrone Tracy Jr. 3 receptions, 36 yards
    MinnesotaPassingTanner Morgan16/33, 167 yards, TD, 2 INT
    RushingMohamed Ibrahim33 rushes, 144 yards
    ReceivingRashod Bateman8 receptions, 111 yards, TD

    Purdue

    Purdue Boilermakers at Minnesota Golden Gophers – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    Boilermakers7314731
    Golden Gophers1477634

    at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    • Date: November 20
    • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
    • Game weather: Sunny, 34 °F (1 °C)
    • Game attendance: 593
    • Referee: Ron Snodgrass
    • TV announcers (BTN): Cory Provus and Glen Mason
    • Box score, Recap
    Game information
    First quarter
    • MINN – Cam Wiley 6-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 10:52. Golden Gophers 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:08.
    • PUR – Rondale Moore 8-yard run (J. D. Dellinger kick), 5:37. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 91 yards, 5:15.
    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 1-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 1:09. Golden Gophers 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 93 yards, 4:28.

    Second quarter

    • PUR – J. D. Dellinger 32-yard field goal, 8:05. Golden Gophers 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:20.
    • MINN – Seth Green 3-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 2:12. Golden Gophers 21–10. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:53.

    Third quarter

    • PUR – David Bell 47-yard pass from Jack Plummer (J. D. Dellinger kick), 12:54. Golden Gophers 21–17. Drive: 5 plays, 84 yards, 2:06.
    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 1-yard run (Brock Walker kick), 8:57. Golden Gophers 28–17. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:57.
    • PUR – David Bell 9-yard pass from Jack Plummer (J. D. Dellinger kick), 4:35. Golden Gophers 28–24. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:22.

    Fourth quarter

    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 5-yard run (kick failed), 14:15. Golden Gophers 34–24. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:20.
    • PUR – Payne Durham 6-yard pass from Jack Plummer (J. D. Dellinger kick), 8:31. Golden Gophers 34–31. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:44.
    StatisticsPURMINN
    First downs2820
    Total yards492394
    Rushing yards125130
    Passing yards367264
    Turnovers10
    Time of possession29:4230:18
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    PurduePassing Jack Plummer 35/42, 367 yards, 3 TD, INT
    Rushing Zander Horvath 10 rushes, 68 yards
    Receiving Rondale Moore 15 receptions, 116 yards
    MinnesotaPassingTanner Morgan15/22, 264 yards
    RushingMohamed Ibrahim25 rushes, 102 yards, 3 TD
    ReceivingChris Autumn-Bell5 receptions, 129 yards

    At Nebraska

    Minnesota Golden Gophers at Nebraska Cornhuskers – Game summary
    Quarter1234Total
    Golden Gophers1070724
    Cornhuskers0140317

    at Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

    • Date: December 12
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
    • Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 32 °F (0 °C)
    • Game attendance: 0
    • Referee: Jeff Servinski
    • TV announcers (FS1): Eric Collins and Ben Leber
    • Box score, Recap
    Game information
    First quarter
    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 26-yard run (Anders Gelecinskyj kick), 7:26. Golden Gophers 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 2:13.
    • MINN – Anders Gelecinskyj 31-yard field goal, 0:14. Golden Gophers 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 4:37.

    Second quarter

    • NEB – Austin Allen 8-yard pass from Adrian Martinez (Connor Culp kick), 13:12. Golden Gophers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:02.
    • NEB – Adrian Martinez 7-yard run (Connor Culp kick), 2:57. Cornhuskers 14–10. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 5:00.
    • MINN – Brevyn Spann-Ford 4-yard pass from Tanner Morgan (Anders Gelecinskyj kick), 1:23. Golden Gophers 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:34.

    Third quarter

    • No scoring plays

    Fourth quarter

    • MINN – Mohamed Ibrahim 1-yard run (Anders Gelecinskyj kick), 11:26. Golden Gophers 24–14. Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 3:55.
    • NEB – Connor Culp 30-yard field goal, 4:42. Golden Gophers 24–17. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 2:51.
    StatisticsMINNNEB
    First downs1917
    Total yards387308
    Rushing yards206197
    Passing yards181111
    Turnovers02
    Time of possession35:4824:12
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    MinnesotaPassingTanner Morgan17/30, 181 yards, TD
    RushingMohamed Ibrahim20 rushes, 108 yards, 2 TD
    ReceivingChris Autumn-Bell5 receptions, 82 yards
    NebraskaPassing Adrian Martinez 16/27, 111 yards, TD
    RushingAdrian Martinez15 rushes, 96 yards, TD
    Receiving Wan'Dale Robinson 6 receptions, 41 yards

    At Wisconsin

    Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wisconsin Badgers – Game summary
    Quarter1234OTTotal
    Golden Gophers7037017
    Badgers0773320

    at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin

    • Date: December 19
    • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
    • Game weather: Haze, 36 °F (2 °C)
    • Game attendance: 1
    • Referee: J. McGinn
    • TV announcers (BTN): Mark Followill, Matt Millen, and Rick Pizzo
    • Box score, Recap
    Game information
    First quarter
    • MINN – Cam Wiley 16-yard pass from Tanner Morgan (Anders Gelecinskyj kick), 2:04. Golden Gophers 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:32.

    Second quarter

    • WISC – Garrett Groshek 39-yard run (Collin Larsh kick), 14:17. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:47.

    Third quarter

    • MINN – Anders Gelecinskyj 38-yard field goal, 7:07. Golden Gophers 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 2:01.
    • WISC – Jack Dunn 4-yard pass from Chase Wolf (Collin Larsh kick), 2:26. Badgers 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:35.

    Fourth quarter

    • WISC – Collin Larsh 31-yard field goal, 11:30. Badgers 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 4:21.
    • MINN – Mike Brown-Stephens 9-yard pass from Tanner Morgan (Anders Gelecinskyj kick), 4:40. Tied 17–17. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:50.

    Overtime

    • WISC – Collin Larsh 30-yard field goal. Badgers 20–17. Drive: 6 plays, 13 yards.
    StatisticsMINNWISC
    First downs1818
    Total yards326322
    Rushing yards146175
    Passing yards180147
    Turnovers11
    Time of possession29:3230:28
    TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
    MinnesotaPassingTanner Morgan13/25, 160 yards, 2 TD, INT
    RushingMohamed Ibrahim26 rushes, 151 yards
    Receiving Daniel Jackson 4 receptions, 67 yards
    WisconsinPassing Graham Mertz 12/20, 132 yards
    Rushing Garrett Groshek 24 rushes, 154 yards, TD
    ReceivingJack Dunn7 receptions, 76 yards, TD

    Players drafted into the NFL

    RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL Club
    127 Rashod Bateman WR Baltimore Ravens
    274 Benjamin St-Juste CB Washington Football Team

    References

    1. Stevens, Matthew (September 16, 2020). "Big Ten To Play A "Championship Weekend" 9th Game Of 2020 Season". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
    2. "Big Ten Statement on 2020–21 Fall Season". Big Ten Conference . August 11, 2020. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
    3. "The Big Ten Conference Adopts Stringent Medical Protocols; Football Season to Resume October 23–24, 2020". Big Ten Conference . September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
    4. Baird, Nathan (July 31, 2020). "Ohio State voted 2020 Big Ten favorite in cleveland.com Preseason Poll". Cleveland.com. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
    5. Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
    6. "UW-Minnesota cancellation ends 113-year streak". ESPN.com. November 24, 2020.
    7. "2020 Football Schedule". University of Minnesota Athletics.