2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
The 2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by fifth-year head coach Jerry Kill, who resigned on October 28, 2015 due to health reasons. Tracy Claeys[1] replaced Kill on an interim basis and was named head coach two weeks later on November 11.[2] The Gophers played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium. They were a member of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. Minnesota finished the regular season with a record of 5–7, 2–6 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for fifth place in the West Division. Despite finishing below .500, the Gophers were invited to the Quick Lane Bowl versus Central Michigan due to there not being enough bowl eligible teams and Minnesota's high Academic Performance Rating.[3] Minnesota defeated Central Michigan 21–14 to finish the season 6–7.
2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football | |
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Quick Lane Bowl champion | |
Quick Lane Bowl, W 21–14 vs. Central Michigan | |
Conference | Big Ten Conference |
West Division | |
2015 record | 6–7 (2–6 Big Ten) |
Head coach | Jerry Kill (first 7 games, 5th year) Tracy Claeys (interim 2 games/HC last 3 games) |
Offensive coordinator | Matt Limegrover (5th season) |
Defensive coordinator | Tracy Claeys (5th season) |
Captains |
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Home stadium | TCF Bank Stadium (Capacity: 52,525) |
2015 Big Ten Conference football standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
East Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 6 Michigan State xy$^ | 7 | – | 1 | 12 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 4 Ohio State x | 7 | – | 1 | 12 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 12 Michigan | 6 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Penn State | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indiana | 2 | – | 6 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rutgers | 1 | – | 7 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maryland | 1 | – | 7 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
West Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 9 Iowa xy | 8 | – | 0 | 12 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 23 Northwestern | 6 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 21 Wisconsin | 6 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nebraska | 3 | – | 5 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minnesota | 2 | – | 6 | 6 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Illinois | 2 | – | 6 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purdue | 1 | – | 7 | 2 | – | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Championship: Michigan State 16, Iowa 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Recruiting
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40‡ | Commit date |
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Beebe, Colton FB |
Kansas City, KS | Piper HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 248 lb (112 kg) | 4.75 | Dec 17, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Brooks, Shannon RB |
Jasper, GA | Pickens County HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | 4.56 | Sep 11, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Buford, Ray ATH |
Southfield, MI | Southfield HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | 4.65 | Jul 19, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Connelly, Nick OL |
Red Wing, MN | Red Wing HS | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 269 lb (122 kg) | 5.04 | Jun 24, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Craighton, Alonzo DB |
Geismar, LA | Dutchtown HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 184 lb (83 kg) | 4.60 | Oct 13, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Croft, Demry QB |
Rockford, IL | Boylan Catholic HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 4.66 | Jun 30, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
DeLattiboudere, Winston DL |
Ellicott City, MD | Howard HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 217 lb (98 kg) | 4.78 | Feb 1, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Dovich, Bronson OL |
Chaska, MN | Chaska HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | N/A | May 30, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Femi-Cole, Jonathan RB |
Aurora, ON, CN | St. Andrew's College | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 218 lb (99 kg) | 4.59 | Jul 19, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Hall, Mose DL |
Mobile, AL | Murphy HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 253 lb (115 kg) | 5.03 | Jan 27, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Hardin, Kiante ATH |
Webb City, MO | Webb City HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | 4.55 | Oct 14, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Huff, Jacob DB |
Bolingbrook, IL | Bolingbrook HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | 4.65 | Jun 5, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Huff, Julian LB |
Bolingbrook, IL | Bolingbrook HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | 4.70 | Jun 5, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Johannesson, James RB |
Fargo, ND | Fargo South HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 216 lb (98 kg) | 4.55 | Aug 22, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Johnson, Dior DB |
Southfield, MI | Southfield HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | N/A | Jan 28, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Moore, Tyler OL |
Houston, TX | North Shore HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 317 lb (144 kg) | N/A | Dec 16, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Oseland, Quinn OL |
Springfield, IL | Sacred Heart Griffin HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 303 lb (137 kg) | 5.53 | Aug 13, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Register, Hunter WR |
Lafayette, LA | Ovey Comeaux HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 191 lb (87 kg) | 4.58 | Jan 21, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Rogers, Charlie DB |
Iowa City, IA | Iowa Western CC (JC) | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 208 lb (94 kg) | 4.47 | Dec 3, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Shenault, Antonio DB |
Roselle, IL | Lake Park HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 4.61 | Oct 9, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Stieber, Ted OL |
Akron, OH | Archbishop Hoban HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 298 lb (135 kg) | 5.86 | Jun 18, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Still, Rashad WR |
El Paso, TX | Andress HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 4.50 | Jan 24, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Waters, Jaylen LB |
Copperas Cove, TX | Copperas Cove HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | 4.63 | Jul 21, 2014 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Witham, Bryce TE |
Grand Rapids, MI | West Catholic HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | 4.68 | Jan 26, 2015 |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:![]() ![]() ![]() | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 56 Rivals: 52 247Sports: 63 ESPN: 62 | ||||||
Sources:
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Schedule
Minnesota faced all six Big Ten West Division opponents: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, and Wisconsin. The Gophers also faced Big Ten East Division opponents Michigan and Ohio State.[4] Minnesota played four non-conference games: TCU of the Big 12 Conference, Colorado State of the Mountain West Conference, and Kent State and Ohio of the Mid-American Conference. Minnesota had one bye week during the season between their games against Nebraska and Michigan.
Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
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September 3 | 8:00 PM | #2 TCU* | ESPN | L 17–23 | 54,147[5] | |
September 12 | 2:30 PM | at Colorado State* | CBSSN | W 23–20 | 32,500[6] | |
September 19 | 11:00 AM | Kent State* |
| BTN | W 10–7 | 52,823[7] |
September 26 | 2:30 PM | Ohio*![]() |
| BTN | W 27–24 | 53,917[8] |
October 3 | 11:00 AM | at #16 Northwestern | BTN | L 0–27 | 30,044[9] | |
October 10 | 2:30 PM | at Purdue | ESPNU | W 41–13 | 33,780[10] | |
October 17 | 2:30 PM | Nebraska |
| ESPN2 | L 25–48 | 54,062[11] |
October 31 | 6:00 PM | #15 Michigan |
| ESPN | L 26–29 | 50,789[12] |
November 7 | 7:00 PM | at #1 Ohio State | ABC | L 14–28 | 108,075[13] | |
November 14 | 7:00 PM | at #8 Iowa | BTN | L 35–40 | 70,585[14] | |
November 21 | 11:00 AM | Illinois |
| ESPNews | W 32–23 | 47,976 |
November 28 | 2:30 PM | Wisconsin |
| BTN | L 21–31 | 52,850 |
December 28 | 4:00 PM | vs. Central Michigan* | ESPN2 | W 21–14 | 34,217 | |
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Roster
2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Offense
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Defense
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Special teams
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Roster |
Players into the NFL
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
4 | 106 | Eric Murray | CB | Kansas City Chiefs |
4 | 115 | De'Vondre Campbell | LB | Atlanta Falcons |
Undrafted | – | Briean Boddy-Calhoun | CB | Jacksonville Jaguars |
References
- Christensen, Joe (October 28, 2015). "Jerry Kill Retires As U football Coach Due to Health Problems". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- "Tracy Claeys named University of Minnesota football coach". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- "Gophers could still be eligible for bowl berth". Fox Sports. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
- "2015-2016 Schedule". University of Minnesota Department of Athletics. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- Christensen, Joe (September 4, 2015). "Gophers Drop Their Chances to Knock off Horned Frogs". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- Christensen, Joe (September 13, 2015). "Gophers Need OT to Top Colorado State 23-20". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- Christensen, Joe (September 20, 2015). "Signals About QB Are Mixed After Gophers Sputter in Win Over Kent State". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- Christensen, Joe (September 27, 2015). "Gophers Score on Final Drive to Escape with Win Over Ohio". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- Arnold, Jeff (October 4, 2015). "Gophers Drop the Ball in Big Ten Opener". Post-Bulletin. Rochester, MN. Associated Press. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- Washburn, Jeff (October 13, 2015). "Purdue Seeking Answers at Season's Midway Point, Travel to Wisconsin Next". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- Christensen, Joe (October 18, 2015). "Nebraska Overpowers Gophers for 48-25 Victory". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- Christensen, Joe (October 31, 2015). "Gophers-Michigan Game Recap". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- Christensen, Joe (November 8, 2015). "Too Little, Too Late As Gophers Fall 28-14 to Ohio State". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- Christensen, Joe (November 15, 2015). "Iowa Keeps U Hog-Tied". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved November 18, 2015.