2007 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was the first for new head coach Tim Brewster
. They began play on September 1, 2007 at home against Bowling Green
and finished the season with a record of 1 win and 11 losses.
that Tim Brewster was the choice of University of Minnesota athletic director
Joel Maturi
to replace Glen Mason
as the Gophers head coach. The following day, January 16, Minnesota associate athletic director Tom Wistrcill confirmed that Brewster was indeed the University's choice, with the contract signed in the early morning. Brewster was officially presented as the new head coach on Wednesday, January 17 at the McNamara Alumni Center
on the University of Minnesota campus. At his first press conference, Brewster stated that his immediate goals for the program were to "win the Big Ten championship" and "take the Gopher Nation to Pasadena."
of an 18-year-old Minneapolis woman at the University Village apartment complex. On April 9, 2007 they were released without being charged pending further investigation. On July 16, 2007, Dominic Jones was arrested and charged in Hennepin County District Court
with criminal sexual conduct after video of the incident was discovered. All four players involved were kicked off the team.
last season, it was the third consecutive overtime game for the Gophers.
was in the 2000 MicronPC.com Bowl
. A back and forth first quarter left the score tied at 14. FAU then scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter, giving a 35–21 margin at the half. A field goal and touchdown from the Gophers in the third quarter brought the Gophers eleven points away from tying the score. The Owls scored the deciding touchdown with under 12 minutes left in the game. Minnesota scored two more touchdowns, but the lead eventually proved insurmountable. The Gophers turned over the ball seven times (four interceptions and three fumbles).
returned the opening kickoff the distance. Later in the first quarter Purdue scored an offensive touchdown on a Curtis Painter
pass, and on the first play of the second quarter the Boilermakers scored a defensive touchdown on an interception return off an Adam Weber
pass. Four first half turnovers made the Gophers comeback attempts difficult.Right before the half, Gophers cornerback Jamal Harris returned a blocked field goal and dropped the ball at about the 15 yard-line. Minnesota finally got in gear in the second half, scoring 28 points, but the Gopher defense could not stop Purdue, as the Boilermakers tacked on three more touchdowns to win the game 45–31.
The Gophers finished with 580 total yards while Northwestern had 589; they combined for 169 plays. Gopher quarterback Adam Weber finished with 25 of 38 passes for 341 yards and five touchdowns, with two interceptions, while also rushing for 89 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries; his total yards and 5 TD passes were the second most in school history. Receiver Ernie Wheelwright had a career best seven catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Jay Thomas rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries.
, visited the Gophers for the second year in a row after nearly upseting them in a 10–9 decision the previous season. NDSU entered the game ranked No. 1 in I-AA (but ineligible for the playoffs due to the its transition period from Division II) and undefeated at 5-0, including a 44–14 win over FBS (D-IA) Central Michigan
. The Bison were previously 0-6 all-time against the Gophers. Coach Tim Brewster stated in the week before the game that he did not see the recruiting value in the Gophers playing the match-up, and referred to the Bison as "the little guys in green."
The Bison defeated the Gophers 27–21 in front of 63,088, the most people to attend a Gopher game to that point in the season. The Gophers were dominated in every facet of the game, by a team with 22 fewer scholarship players and none with scholarship offers by Minnesota. The game was considered a low point for the program as a whole. NDSU rushed for 394 yards and totaled 585 yards with an edge in time of possession of nearly 14 minutes. Bison running back Tyler Roehl had a school-record 263 yards on 22 carries with one touchdown. The defeat put the Gophers at 1-7 and official out of contention for a bowl game bid. The victory extended NDSU's winning streak to 11-games, then the longest in all of Division I football.
Approximately 30,000 of those in attendance were NDSU fans. In addition, the North Dakota State received $300,000 from the University of Minnesota for appearing in the game.
, the Gophers held Michigan scoreless in the first quarter while building a 10–0 lead twelve seconds into the second quarter after a 46-yard fumble return for a touchdown by senior safety Dominique Barber
. That would be the last time the Gophers would score however, and Michigan responded by reeling off 34 unanswered points to win the game 34–10. Ryan Mallett
had 233 yards passing for Michigan. 162 of those yards went to Mario Manningham
, who also hauled in a touchdown pass. The Wolverine running back duo of Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor combined for 289 yards on the ground. Duane Bennett had 106 yards rushing for the Gophers while Adam Weber was limited to just 99 yards through the air. Minnesota was just 2 of 13 in converting third down opportunities.
game, 44-10. The Illini led 14-0 after the first quarter, and expanded their lead to 34-10 at halftime. The Illini rolled up 655 yards of total offense, which included a season high 448 yards rushing. Rashard Mendenhall
led the Illini attack with 201 yards on the ground, with quarterback Juice Williams adding 133 yards. Ernie Wheelwright led the Gopher attack with 9 catches for 133 yards and one touchdown.
and dropping Minnesota to 0-7 in the Big Ten. Albert Young rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hawkeyes, while Jake Christensen threw a TD pass to Brandon Myers for the other score. Eric Decker caught a 22 yard touchdown pass from Adam Weber with 1:38 left in the fourth quarter to make the game close, but the two point conversion failed and Iowa ran out the clock for the victory.
Award (Team Most Valuable Player)
Bruce Smith Award (Outstanding Offensive Player)
Carl Eller
Award (Outstanding Defensive Player)
Bobby Bell
Award (Outstanding Special Teams Player)
Butch Nash Award (Competitive on the field and in the classroom)
Paul Giel
Award (Unselfishness and most concern about the U of M)
Neil Fredenburg Award (Courage and Love of the Game)
Outstanding First Year Player
Outstanding Scout Team Players
Coaches Award for Career Achievement
Tony Dungy Character and Community Service Award
Tim Brewster
Tim Brewster is an American football player and coach. He most recently served as the head coach of the University of Minnesota from 2007 until he was fired midway through the Golden Gophers' 2010 season.-Playing career:...
. They began play on September 1, 2007 at home against Bowling Green
Bowling Green Falcons football
The Bowling Green Falcons football team is the interscholastic football team at Bowling Green State University. Bowling Green competes as a member of the Mid-American Conference in the East Division. The Falcons have won ten conference championships....
and finished the season with a record of 1 win and 11 losses.
Preseason
On January 15, 2007 it was reported on ESPN.comESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
that Tim Brewster was the choice of University of Minnesota athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
Joel Maturi
Joel Maturi
Joel Maturi is the athletic director at the University of Minnesota. He previously held the same post at the University of Denver and Miami University.-Early career:...
to replace Glen Mason
Glen Mason
Glen O. Mason is an American football coach. Mason previously served as the head football coach at Kent State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Minnesota, compiling a career college football record of 123–121–1.-Playing career:Mason played college football at...
as the Gophers head coach. The following day, January 16, Minnesota associate athletic director Tom Wistrcill confirmed that Brewster was indeed the University's choice, with the contract signed in the early morning. Brewster was officially presented as the new head coach on Wednesday, January 17 at the McNamara Alumni Center
McNamara Alumni Center
The McNamara Alumni Center, also known as the Gateway Building, at the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis, Minnesota is one of the more architecturally-unique buildings in the area. Minneapolis-based Mortenson Construction began the complex in March 1998 and completed...
on the University of Minnesota campus. At his first press conference, Brewster stated that his immediate goals for the program were to "win the Big Ten championship" and "take the Gopher Nation to Pasadena."
Off-field incidents
On April 6, 2007, Gopher players Alex Daniels, Keith Massey, and E.J. Jones were arrested on suspicion of rapeRape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
of an 18-year-old Minneapolis woman at the University Village apartment complex. On April 9, 2007 they were released without being charged pending further investigation. On July 16, 2007, Dominic Jones was arrested and charged in Hennepin County District Court
Minnesota District Courts
The Minnesota District Courts are the state trial courts of general jurisdiction in the U.S. state of Minnesota.The Minnesota Constitution provides that the district court has original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases and such appellate jurisdiction as may be prescribed by law.Each district...
with criminal sexual conduct after video of the incident was discovered. All four players involved were kicked off the team.
Schedule
Roster
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Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Fullbacks
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
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Centers
Offensive Guards
Offensive Tackles
Offensive Line
Defensive Tackles
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Defensive Ends
Linebackers
Cornerbacks
Strong Safeties
Free Safeties
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Defensive Backs
Punters
Kickers
Long Snappers
Athletes
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Game notes
Bowling Green
In Tim Brewster's first game as Gopher head coach, Bowling Green flew out to a 21–0 first half lead. The Gophers finally got in gear midway through the third quarter, and proceeded to score four straight times, the final score being a 33 yard Jason Giannini field goal to give Minnesota a 24–21 lead with 2:12 remaining. Bowling Green then drove down the field and kicked a 35 yard field goal with 0:03 left in the game to tie the score at 24–24 and send the game to overtime. In the overtime session, the Gophers took the ball first and scored a touchdown, scoring on a 22 yard Amir Pinnix run, and converting the extra point to go up 31–24. Bowling Green followed that up with a touchdown of their own, but instead of trying to tie the game with an extra point, the Falcons went for two. They converted it on a Marques Parks reception to win the game, 32–31.Miami (Ohio)
Tim Brewster got his first win as a college head coach in a 41–35, three overtime victory. After the Gophers pulled out to a 28–12 lead mid-way through the 4th quarter, Miami started a furious comeback, tying the game on a 36 yard Trevor Cook field goal with 11 seconds left in regulation. In the first overtime both teams traded touchdowns. In the second overtime both teams missed potentially game winning field goals. In the third overtime, Gopher cornerback Jamal Harris intercepted a Daniel Raudabaugh pass in the endzone. The Gophers then took the ball and scored the game winning touchdown on an Amir Pinnix 2 yard touchdown run. Going back to Insight Bowl2006 Insight Bowl
The 2006 Insight Bowl, a college football bowl game held on December 29 at Sun Devil Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, pitted the Texas Tech Red Raiders against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This game featured the biggest comeback in NCAA Division I FBS bowl history...
last season, it was the third consecutive overtime game for the Gophers.
Florida Atlantic
The Golden Gophers took their first regular season trip to Florida. Their only previous game in FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
was in the 2000 MicronPC.com Bowl
Champs Sports Bowl
The Champs Sports Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played in Orlando, Florida, at the Citrus Bowl. The bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group which also organizes the Capital One Bowl and Florida Classic...
. A back and forth first quarter left the score tied at 14. FAU then scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter, giving a 35–21 margin at the half. A field goal and touchdown from the Gophers in the third quarter brought the Gophers eleven points away from tying the score. The Owls scored the deciding touchdown with under 12 minutes left in the game. Minnesota scored two more touchdowns, but the lead eventually proved insurmountable. The Gophers turned over the ball seven times (four interceptions and three fumbles).
Purdue
Purdue scored early and often against the Golden Gophers. On the first play of the game, Purdue scored a special teams touchdown when Dorien BryantDorien Bryant
Dorien Lamar Bryant is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He went undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft, but later signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent....
returned the opening kickoff the distance. Later in the first quarter Purdue scored an offensive touchdown on a Curtis Painter
Curtis Painter
Curtis Jeffrey Painter is a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.-High school career:...
pass, and on the first play of the second quarter the Boilermakers scored a defensive touchdown on an interception return off an Adam Weber
Adam Weber
Adam Weber is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He played college football at Minnesota...
pass. Four first half turnovers made the Gophers comeback attempts difficult.Right before the half, Gophers cornerback Jamal Harris returned a blocked field goal and dropped the ball at about the 15 yard-line. Minnesota finally got in gear in the second half, scoring 28 points, but the Gopher defense could not stop Purdue, as the Boilermakers tacked on three more touchdowns to win the game 45–31.
Ohio State
The Golden Gophers entered their second Big 10 game of the season against the #8 Ohio State Buckeyes with nothing to lose. In an attempt to gain an element of surprise, the Gophers warmed up on the field in their standard maroon home jerseys, but switched to new gold jerseys before taking the field for the game (alternatively described by the media as "mustard" or "garish"). Although Minnesota played better than it had previously in the season, the outmanned team fell victim to numerous mistakes that cost the Gophers several opportunities. With the construction of the new TCF Bank Stadium scheduled to be finished by the 2009 season, the Buckeyes are assured of never losing in the Metrodome, finishing with an 11-0 record since the Gophers moved to the Dome in 1982.Indiana
Minnesota entered their first Big Ten road game of the season looking for their first conference victory. The Gophers gathered 392 yards of offense in a losing effort. Gophers quarterback Adam Weber passed for 280 yards, but also had two interceptions. Indiana connected on four field goal tries, ranging from 25 to 47 yards in length. Two of Minnesota's drives into Indiana territory were turned over on downs. Six of Minnesota's 12 drives started at or behind their own 20 yard line.Northwestern
The Gophers continued Big 10 play by visiting the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Before a crowd of 23,314, the Gophers took a 21-point lead in the 2nd half, ahead 35–14 with 6 minutes, 18 seconds left in the third quarter. However, the Wildcats were able to tie the game by taking advantage of two interceptions and making the tying score with a 4-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal with 8 seconds remaining. Going into the second overtime, Tim Brewster, who turned 47 that day, elected to for a two-point conversion and the win, but the conversion failed and Northwestern pulled out the victory. The decision to gamble and go for two-points and the win instead of one-point and the next overtime period drew criticism for Brewster; as Northwestern defense appeared unable to stop the Minnesota offense.The Gophers finished with 580 total yards while Northwestern had 589; they combined for 169 plays. Gopher quarterback Adam Weber finished with 25 of 38 passes for 341 yards and five touchdowns, with two interceptions, while also rushing for 89 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries; his total yards and 5 TD passes were the second most in school history. Receiver Ernie Wheelwright had a career best seven catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Jay Thomas rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries.
North Dakota State
The North Dakota State Bison of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), led by head coach Craig BohlCraig Bohl
-External links:*...
, visited the Gophers for the second year in a row after nearly upseting them in a 10–9 decision the previous season. NDSU entered the game ranked No. 1 in I-AA (but ineligible for the playoffs due to the its transition period from Division II) and undefeated at 5-0, including a 44–14 win over FBS (D-IA) Central Michigan
Central Michigan Chippewas football
The Central Michigan Chippewas football team is a college football program in Division I FBS, representing Central Michigan University. They are a top 25 program in terms of all-time winning percentage and top five amongst all teams from non-BCS automatic qualifying conferences...
. The Bison were previously 0-6 all-time against the Gophers. Coach Tim Brewster stated in the week before the game that he did not see the recruiting value in the Gophers playing the match-up, and referred to the Bison as "the little guys in green."
The Bison defeated the Gophers 27–21 in front of 63,088, the most people to attend a Gopher game to that point in the season. The Gophers were dominated in every facet of the game, by a team with 22 fewer scholarship players and none with scholarship offers by Minnesota. The game was considered a low point for the program as a whole. NDSU rushed for 394 yards and totaled 585 yards with an edge in time of possession of nearly 14 minutes. Bison running back Tyler Roehl had a school-record 263 yards on 22 carries with one touchdown. The defeat put the Gophers at 1-7 and official out of contention for a bowl game bid. The victory extended NDSU's winning streak to 11-games, then the longest in all of Division I football.
Approximately 30,000 of those in attendance were NDSU fans. In addition, the North Dakota State received $300,000 from the University of Minnesota for appearing in the game.
Michigan
In the battle for the Little Brown JugLittle 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 Gophers held Michigan scoreless in the first quarter while building a 10–0 lead twelve seconds into the second quarter after a 46-yard fumble return for a touchdown by senior safety Dominique Barber
Dominique Barber
Dominique J. Barber is an American football safety for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Texans in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Minnesota....
. That would be the last time the Gophers would score however, and Michigan responded by reeling off 34 unanswered points to win the game 34–10. Ryan Mallett
Ryan Mallett
Ryan Mallett , nicknamed "Big Tex", is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League , taken in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks...
had 233 yards passing for Michigan. 162 of those yards went to Mario Manningham
Mario Manningham
Mario Cashmere Manningham is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, who also hauled in a touchdown pass. The Wolverine running back duo of Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor combined for 289 yards on the ground. Duane Bennett had 106 yards rushing for the Gophers while Adam Weber was limited to just 99 yards through the air. Minnesota was just 2 of 13 in converting third down opportunities.
Illinois
Illinois found success on offense early and often in defeating Minnesota in their homecomingHomecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
game, 44-10. The Illini led 14-0 after the first quarter, and expanded their lead to 34-10 at halftime. The Illini rolled up 655 yards of total offense, which included a season high 448 yards rushing. Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Jamal Mendenhall is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers 23rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois....
led the Illini attack with 201 yards on the ground, with quarterback Juice Williams adding 133 yards. Ernie Wheelwright led the Gopher attack with 9 catches for 133 yards and one touchdown.
Iowa
The Hawkeyes won a defensive battle, claiming the Floyd of RosedaleFloyd of Rosedale
Floyd of Rosedale is the name of a bronze pig trophy that is awarded to the winner of the annual college football game between the Universities of Iowa and Minnesota...
and dropping Minnesota to 0-7 in the Big Ten. Albert Young rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hawkeyes, while Jake Christensen threw a TD pass to Brandon Myers for the other score. Eric Decker caught a 22 yard touchdown pass from Adam Weber with 1:38 left in the fourth quarter to make the game close, but the two point conversion failed and Iowa ran out the clock for the victory.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers won the battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe in a game featuring a lot of offense. Minnesota led the game 13-10 at halftime, but after the break Wisconsin outscored Minnesota 31-21 to win the game by 7. Freshman David Gilreath had two punt returns for 106 yards to spark Wisconsin. Running back Zach Brown led the Badger attack on the ground, rushing for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Led by Adam Weber's 352 yards passing and 87 yards rushing, Minnesota rolled up 501 ones yards in total offense in defeat. The loss completed Minnesota's first winless Big Ten campaign since 1983.All-Big Ten
- Dominique Barber - 2nd Team All-Big Ten (Coaches & Media)
- Justin Kucek - 2nd Team All-Big Ten (Media)
Team awards
Bronko NagurskiBronko Nagurski
Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was a Canadian-born American football player. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.-Youth and collegiate career:...
Award (Team Most Valuable Player)
- Dominique Barber
Bruce Smith Award (Outstanding Offensive Player)
- Eric DeckerEric DeckerEric Decker is an American football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
Carl Eller
Carl Eller
Carl Eller is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who played from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended the University of Minnesota...
Award (Outstanding Defensive Player)
- Dominique Barber
Bobby Bell
Bobby Bell
Bobby Lee Bell, Sr is a former professional American football linebacker/defensive end. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and was a member of the Chiefs' team that won Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings.- High school career :He excelled in...
Award (Outstanding Special Teams Player)
- Justin Kucek
- Nathan Triplett
Butch Nash Award (Competitive on the field and in the classroom)
- John Shevlin (Defense)
- Steve Shidell (Offense)
Paul Giel
Paul Giel
Paul Robert Giel was a football and baseball player from Winona, Minnesota.Giel attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a star quarterback for the Gophers. His career totals were 2,188 yards rushing, 1,922 yards passing...
Award (Unselfishness and most concern about the U of M)
- Todd Meisel (Defense)
- Tony Brinkhaus (Offense)
Neil Fredenburg Award (Courage and Love of the Game)
- Mike Sherels (Defense)
- Justin Valentine (Offense)
Outstanding First Year Player
- Kyle Theret (Defense)
- Adam Weber (Offense)
Outstanding Scout Team Players
- Kyle Moore (Offense)
- Andre Tate’ (Defense)
Coaches Award for Career Achievement
- Ernie Wheelwright
Tony Dungy Character and Community Service Award
- Amir Pinnix, Sr.