1986 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 1986
| team = Minnesota Golden Gophers
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size =
| conference = Big Ten Conference
| short_conf = Big Ten
| record = 6–6
| conf_record = 5–3
| head_coach = John Gutekunst
| hc_year = 1st
| off_coach =
| oc_year =
| off_scheme =
| def_coach =
| dc_year =
| def_scheme =
| mvp =
| captain = Mark Dusbabek
| captain2 = Ray Hitchcock
| captain3 = Norries Wilson
| stadium = Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
| bowl = Liberty Bowl
| bowl_result = L 21–28 vs. Tennessee
}}
{{1986 Big Ten Conference football standings}}
The 1986 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 1986 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their first full year under head coach John Gutekunst, the Golden Gophers compiled a 6–6 record and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 316 to 261.{{cite web|title=1986 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|access-date=November 1, 2017|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1986-schedule.html}} The team went to a second straight bowl game for the second time in school history (the first being the 1961 and 1962 Rose Bowls).{{cite web|last=Keiser|first=Jeff|title=2007 Media Guide|pages=190|year=2007|url=http://www.gophersports.com//pdf3/80498.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Freshman tailback Darrell Thompson was named the Big Ten's freshman of the year.{{cite web|last=Keiser|first=Jeff|title=2007 Media Guide|pages=180|year=2007|url=http://www.gophersports.com//pdf3/80498.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Thompson and kicker Chip Lohmiller were named All-Big Ten first team. Center Ray Hitchcock, Safety Larry Joyner and offensive linemen Jim Hobbins and Troy Wolkow were named All-Big Ten second team. Offensive lineman Paul Anderson, punter Brent Herbel and offensive lineman Jim Hobbins were named Academic All-Big Ten.{{cite web|last=Keiser|first=Jeff|title=2007 Media Guide|pages=182|year=2007|url=http://www.gophersports.com//pdf3/80498.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Darrell Thompson was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Award and Bruce Smith Award.{{cite web|last=Keiser|first=Jeff|title=2007 Media Guide|pages=181|year=2007|url=http://www.gophersports.com//pdf3/80498.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Linebacker Mark Dusbabek was awarded the Carl Eller Award. Chip Lohmiller was awarded the Bobby Bell Award. Offensive tackle Anthony Burke was awarded the Butch Nash Award. Offensive tackle Norries Wilson was awarded the Paul Giel Award.
Total attendance for the season was 335,150, which averaged out to 55,858 per game. The season high for attendance was against rival Iowa.{{Citation | last = Keiser | first = Jeff | title = 2007 Media Guide | pages = 160 | year = 2007 | url = http://www.gophersports.com//pdf3/80498.pdf?SPSID=39281&SPID=3280&DB_OEM_ID=8400 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Schedule
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 1986
| poll = AP
| timezone = Central
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 13
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| opponent = Bowling Green
| site_stadium = Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
| site_cityst = Minneapolis, MN
| score = 31–7
| attend = 51,317
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-cloud-times-thompson-makes-a-flashy/170897807/|newspaper=St. Cloud Times|title=Thompson makes a flashy Gopher debut|date=September 15, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 20
| time = 1:30 pm
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = Oklahoma
| opprank = 1
| site_stadium = Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Norman, OK
| score = 0–63
| attend = 75,463
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-sooners-brush-gophers/170804386/|newspaper=Grand Forks Herald|title=Sooners brush Gophers aside 63–0; await Miami|date=September 21, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 27
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| opponent = Pacific (CA)
| site_stadium = Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
| site_cityst = Minneapolis, MN
| score = 20–24
| attend = 50,270
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-forum-pacific-shocks-gophers-2420/170756077/|work=The Forum|title=Pacific shocks Gophers 24–20|date=September 28, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 4
| time = 1:10 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Purdue
| site_stadium = Ross–Ade Stadium
| site_cityst = West Lafayette, IN
| score = 36–9
| attend = 63,067
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republic-george-boilers-get-knocked/170892015/|work=The Republic|title=George, Boilers get knocked silly|date=October 5, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 11
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = w
| homecoming = y
| opponent = Northwestern
| site_stadium = Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
| site_cityst = Minneapolis, MN
| score = 44–23
| attend = 58,177
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-minnesota-44-northw/170893245/|work=The Greenville News|title=Minnesota 44, Northwestern 23|date=October 12, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 18
| time = 11:30 am
| w/l = w
| opponent = Indiana
| site_stadium = Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
| site_cityst = Minneapolis, MN
| score = 19–17
| attend = 52,960
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-daily-bulletin-lohmillers-chip/170896780/|work=Anderson Daily Bulletin|title=Lohmiller's chip shot sinks Indiana|date=October 20, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 25
| time = 11:50 am
| w/l = l
| away = y
| opponent = Ohio State
| site_stadium = Ohio Stadium
| site_cityst = Columbus, OH
| tv = WTBS
| score = 0–33
| attend = 89,936
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-ohio-state-puts-damper-on-g/170898001/|work=Star & Tribune|title=Ohio State puts damper on Gophers|date=October 26, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 1
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = l
| opponent = Michigan State
| site_stadium = Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
| site_cityst = Minneapolis, MN
| score = 23–52
| attend = 57,408
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-michigan-state-ste/170897504/|work=Battle Creek Enquirer|title=Michigan State steamrolls Minnesota|date=November 2, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 8
| time = 1:05 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Wisconsin
| site_stadium = Camp Randall Stadium
| site_cityst = Madison, WI
| gamename = rivalry
| score = 27–20
| attend = 65,164
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-news-badgers-can-only-blame-thems/170891434/|work=Sunday News|title=Badgers can only blame themselves|date=November 9, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 15
| time = 12:00 pm
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = Michigan
| opprank = 2
| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium
| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI
| gamename = Little Brown Jug
| tv = PASS
| score = 20–17
| attend = 104,864
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-minnesota-knocks/170898170/|work=The Charlotte Observer|title=Minnesota knocks off No. 2 Michigan|date=November 16, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 22
| time = 6:00 pm
| w/l = l
| opponent = Iowa
| site_stadium = Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
| site_cityst = Minneapolis, MN
| gamename = rivalry
| tv = WTBS
| score = 27–30
| attend = 65,018
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/post-bulletin-gophers-exchange-tie-give/170898276/|work=Post-Bulletin|title=Gophers exchange tie, give Iowa win gift|date=November 24, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 29
| time = 7:00 pm
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| neutral = y
| opponent = Tennessee
| site_stadium = Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
| site_cityst = Memphis, TN
| gamename = Liberty Bowl
| tv = Raycom
| score = 14–21
| attend = 51,357
| source = {{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110781923/tennessee-air-raid-sinks-gophers-rally/|work=Chicago Tribune|title=Tennessee air raid sinks Gophers' rally|date=December 30, 1986|accessdate=April 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}
}}
}}
Game summaries
=At Oklahoma=
{{AFB game box start
|Title=
|Visitor=Golden Gophers
|V1=0 |V2= 0|V3= 0|V4=0
|Host=#1 Sooners
|H1= 14|H2=21 |H3= 14|H4=14
|Date=September 20
|Location=Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|1986 Oklahoma Sooners football team}}
{{Clear}}
=At Ohio State=
{{AFB game box start
|Title=Minnesota at Ohio State
|Visitor=Golden Gophers
|V1=0 |V2=0 |V3=0 |V4=0
|Host=Buckeyes
|H1=14 |H2=3 |H3=10 |H4=6
|Date=October 25
|Location=Ohio Stadium
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Weather=
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}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|1986 Ohio State Buckeyes football team}}
{{Clear}}
=At Wisconsin=
{{AFB game box start
|Title=Minnesota at Wisconsin
|Visitor=Golden Gophers
|V1=0 |V2= 17|V3=10 |V4=0
|Host=Badgers
|H1=0 |H2= 10|H3=10 |H4=0
|Date=November 8
|Location=Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=65,018
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team=WIS |Event=Gregoire 34 yard field goal |Score= WIS 3–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team=MINN |Event=Penn 2 yard run (Lohmiller kick) |Score= MINN 7–3}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team=WIS |Event=Artley 3 yard run (Gregoire kick) |Score= WIS 10–7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team=MINN |Event=Carter 27 yard pass from Foggie (Lohmiller kick) |Score= MINN 14–10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team=MINN |Event=Lohmiller 27 yard field goal |Score= MINN 17–10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=WIS |Event=Gregoire 28 yard field goal |Score= MINN 17–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=MINN |Event=Penn 64 yard pass from Foggie (Lohmiller kick) |Score= MINN 24–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=MINN |Event=Lohmiller 43 yard field goal |Score= MINN 27–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=WIS |Event= Hartlieb 13 yard pass from Keyes (Gregoire kick) |Score=MINN 27–20 |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|1986 Wisconsin Badgers football team}}
- MINN: Thompson 26 Rush, 117 Yds
{{Clear}}
=At Michigan=
{{AFB game box start
|Title=Minnesota at Michigan
|Visitor=Golden Gophers
|V1= 0|V2=7 |V3=10 |V4=3
|Host=#2 Wolverines
|H1= 0|H2=10 |H3=0 |H4=7
|Date=November 15
|Location=Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=104,864
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= MINN|Event=Anderson 15 yard pass from Foggie (Lohmiller kick) |Score= MINN 7–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= MICH|Event=Gillette 35 yard field goal |Score= MINN 7–3}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=2 |Time= |Team= MICH|Event=Witcher 8 yard run (Gillette kick) |Score= MICH 10–7}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team= MINN|Event=Foggie 5 yard run (Lohmilller kick) |Score= MINN 14–10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=3 |Time= |Team= MINN|Event=Lohmiller 25 yard field goal |Score= MINN 17–10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team= MICH|Event= White 1 yard run (Gillette kick) |Score= Tie 17–17}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=4 |Time= |Team= MINN|Event= Lohmiller 30 yard field goal |Score=MINN 20–17|LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{cite news |title=Minnesota Upsets Michigan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1986/11/16/minnesota-upsets-michigan/b3663465-cc33-41bc-874f-a5c84b52a18a/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 16, 1986 |access-date=November 8, 2019}}
{{Clear}}
=Iowa=
{{AFB game box start
|Title=Iowa at Minnesota
|Visitor=Hawkeyes
|V1= 0|V2=0 |V3= 13|V4=17
|Host=Golden Gophers
|H1=7 |H2=10 |H3= 7|H4=3
|Date=November 22
|Location=Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=65,018
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=TBS
}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |FirstEntry=yes |Quarter=Q1 |Time= |Team=MINN |Event=Goetz 6-yard run (Lohmiller kick) |Score= MINN 7–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team=MINN |Event= D. Thompson 8-yard run (Lohmiller kick) |Score= MINN 14–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q2 |Time= |Team=MINN |Event= Lohmiller 62-yard field goal |Score= MINN 17–0}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=IOWA |Event= Houghtlin 49-yard field goal |Score= MINN 17–3}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=IOWA |Event= Marciano 89-yard punt return (Houghtlin kick) |Score= MINN 17–10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team=MINN |Event= Foggie 23-yard run (Lohmiller kick) |Score=MINN 24–10}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q3 |Time= |Team= IOWA|Event= Houghtlin 38-yard field goal |Score= MINN 24–13}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q4 |Time= |Team= IOWA|Event= Flagg 1-yard pass from Vlasic (Houghtlin kick) |Score= MINN 24–20}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q4 |Time= |Team= IOWA|Event= Bayless 1-yard run (Houghtlin kick) |Score= IOWA 27–24}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q4 |Time= |Team= MINN|Event= Lohmiller 49-yard field goal |Score= Tie 27–27}}
{{AFB Game Box Scoring Entry |Quarter=Q4 |Time=0:01 |Team= IOWA|Event= Houghtlin 37-yard field goal |Score=IOWA 30–27 |LastEntry=yes}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{see also|1986 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Floyd of Rosedale}}
{{cite web|date=November 16, 1986|title=Darndest Things Hog The Spotlight In Archrival Trophy Games|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/11/16/darndest-things-hog-the-spotlight-in-archrival-trophy-games/|access-date=November 8, 2019}}
{{Clear}}
=Vs. Tennessee (Liberty Bowl)=
{{AFB game box start
|Title=Minnesota vs. Tennessee
|Visitor=Golden Gophers
|V1=0 |V2=3 |V3=8 |V4=3
|Host=Volunteers
|H1=7 |H2=7 |H3=0 |H4=7
|Date=December 29
|Location=Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
|StartTime=
|TimeZone=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=51,327
|Weather=
|Referee=
|TVAnnouncers=Merle Harmon and Kevin Kiley
|TVStation=Raycom
}}
{{AFB game box end}}
{{main|1986 Liberty Bowl}}
{{see also|1986 Tennessee Volunteers football team}}
{{Clear}}
Personnel
{{American football roster/Header|year=1986|team=Minnesota Golden Gophers|teamcolors=y
|offensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Melvin|last=Anderson|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Paul|last=Anderson|pos=OL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Ed|last=Bahr|pos=TE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Jason|last=Bruce|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Dennis|last=Carter|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Gary|last=Couch|pos=WR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Marcus|last=Evans|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Rickey|last=Foggie|pos=QB|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Ron|last=Goetz|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Ray|last=Hitchcock|pos=OL|note=C}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=Sr|first=Jim|last=Hobbins|pos=OL|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Alan|last=Holt|pos=QB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Craig|last=Otto|pos=TE}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Ed|last=Penn|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Roselle|last=Richardson|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Terry|last=Stewart|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Darrell|last=Thompson|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Kevin|last=Wilson|pos=RB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Norries|last=Wilson|pos=OL|note=C|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Troy|last=Wolkow|pos=OL}}
|defensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Anthony|last=Burke|pos=DL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Mark|last=Dusbabek|pos=LB|note=C}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Duane|last=Dutrieuille|pos=DB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Steve|last=Franklin|pos=DB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Gary|last=Hadd|pos=DL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Bruce|last=Holmes|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Larry|last=Joyner|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Jon|last=Leverenz|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Matt|last=Martinez|pos=DB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Chuck|last=McCree|pos=DB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Jon|last=Melander|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Doug|last=Mueller|pos=DL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Don|last=Pollard|pos=LB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Donovan|last=Small|pos=DB}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Steve|last=Thompson|pos=DL}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=David|last=Williams|pos=DB}}
|special_teams_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Brent|last=Herbel|pos=P}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=|class=|first=Chip|last=Lohmiller|pos=K|link=y}}
}}
{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=|accessdate=
|head_coach=
|asst_coach=
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Minnesota Golden Gophers football navbox}}