2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Quick Lane Bowl champion
Conference Big Ten Conference
Division 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 year)
Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys (5th year)
Captain K. J. Maye (4th year)
Captain Mitch Leidner (4th year)
Captain Briean Boddy-Calhoun (3rd year)
Captain Eric Murray (4th year)
Home stadium TCF Bank Stadium
(Capacity: 52,525)
2015 Big Ten football standings
Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
East Division
#6 Michigan State xy$^   7 1         12 2  
#4 Ohio State x   7 1         12 1  
#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
#9 Iowa x   8 0         12 2  
#23 Northwestern   6 2         10 3  
#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
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
As of January 2, 2016; Rankings from AP Poll

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 retired October 28, 2015 due to health reasons. Tracy Claeys[1] replaced Kill on an interim basis and was named head coach two weeks later.[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.

Recruiting

Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Beebe, Colton
FB
Kansas City, KS Piper HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 248 lb (112 kg) 4.75 Dec 17, 2014 
Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN grade: 71
Brooks, Shannon
RB
Jasper, GA Pickens County HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 4.56 Sep 11, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 73
Buford, Ray
ATH
Southfield, MI Southfield HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 4.65 Jul 19, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 75
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 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 72
Craighton, Alonzo
DB
Geismar, LA Dutchtown HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 184 lb (83 kg) 4.60 Oct 13, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 77
Croft, Demry
QB
Rockford, IL Boylan Catholic HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 4.66 Jun 30, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 73
DeLattiboudere, Winston
DL
Ellicott City, MD Howard HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 4.78 Feb 1, 2015 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: NR
Dovich, Bronson
OL
Chaska, MN Chaska HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 290 lb (130 kg) N/A May 30, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 74
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 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN grade: 74
Hall, Mose
DL
Mobile, AL Murphy HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 5.03 Jan 27, 2015 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN grade: 72
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 
Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 72
Huff, Jacob
DB
Bolingbrook, IL Bolingbrook HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 4.65 Jun 5, 2014 
Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 76
Huff, Julian
LB
Bolingbrook, IL Bolingbrook HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 4.70 Jun 5, 2014 
Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN grade: 75
Johannesson, James
RB
Fargo, ND Fargo South HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 216 lb (98 kg) 4.55 Aug 22, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 73
Johnson, Dior
DB
Southfield, MI Southfield HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) N/A Jan 28, 2015 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 75
Moore, Tyler
OL
Houston, TX North Shore HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 317 lb (144 kg) N/A Dec 16, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 77
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 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 76
Register, Hunter
WR
Lafayette, LA Ovey Comeaux HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 4.58 Jan 21, 2015 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 74
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 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 78
Shenault, Antonio
DB
Roselle, IL Lake Park HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.61 Oct 9, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 72
Stieber, Ted
OL
Akron, OH Archbishop Hoban HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 298 lb (135 kg) 5.86 Jun 18, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 74
Still, Rashad
WR
El Paso, TX Andress HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.50 Jan 24, 2015 
Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN grade: 79
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 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 77
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 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 73
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 56   Rivals: 52  247Sports: 63  ESPN: 62
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

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# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 3 8:00 PM #2 TCU* TCF Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MN ESPN L 17–23   54,147[5]
September 12 2:30 PM at Colorado State* Hughes StadiumFort Collins, CO CBSSN W 23–20   32,500[6]
September 19 11:00 AM Kent State* TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN BTN W 10–7   52,823[7]
September 26 2:30 PM Ohio*dagger TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN BTN W 27–24   53,917[8]
October 3 11:00 AM at #16 Northwestern Ryan FieldEvanston, IL BTN L 0–27   30,044[9]
October 10 2:30 PM at Purdue Ross–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, IN ESPNU W 41–13   33,780[10]
October 17 2:30 PM Nebraska TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN ($5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy) ESPN2 L 25–48   54,062[11]
October 31 6:00 PM #15 Michigan TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN (Little Brown Jug) ESPN L 26–29   50,789[12]
November 7 7:00 PM at #1 Ohio State Ohio StadiumColumbus, OH ABC L 14–28   108,075[13]
November 14 7:00 PM at #8 Iowa Kinnick StadiumIowa City, IA (Floyd of Rosedale) BTN L 35–40   70,585[14]
November 21 11:00 AM Illinois TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN ESPNews W 32–23   47,976
November 28 2:30 PM Wisconsin TCF Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, MN (Paul Bunyan's Axe) ABC L 21–31   52,850
December 28 4:00 PM vs. Central Michigan* Ford FieldDetroit, MI (Quick Lane Bowl) ESPN2 W 21–14   34,217
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll. All times are in Central Time.

Roster

2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 1 Maye, K. J.K. J. Maye (C) Sr
WR 2 Gentry, IsaiahIsaiah Gentry  Fr
QB 7 Leidner, MitchMitch Leidner (C)  Jr
WR 9 Carter, EricEric Carter  So
QB 11 Croft, DemryDemry Croft Fr
WR 12 Register, HunterHunter Register Fr
WR 14 Streveler, ChrisChris Streveler So
WR 15 Gant, DesmondDesmond Gant  Fr
QB 15 Rhoda, ConorConor Rhoda  So
WR 16 Jones, JeffJeff Jones  Fr
QB 18 Perra, JacquesJacques Perra  Fr
WR 19 Conway, MichaelMichael Conway  So
WR 20 Mayer, AdamAdam Mayer Fr
WR 21 Holland, MelvinMelvin Holland  Sr
WR 22 Borchardt, JeffJeff Borchardt  So
WR 23 Sardinha, E.J.E.J. Sardinha  Jr
RB 24 Smith, RodneyRodney Smith  Fr
RB 27 Brooks, ShannonShannon Brooks Fr
RB 27 Johannesson, JamesJames Johannesson Fr
RB 28 Femi-Cole, JonathanJonathan Femi-Cole Fr
RB 28 Gibson, JerryJerry Gibson  Fr
WR 29 Tuszynski, LouisLouis Tuszynski  Jr
RB 32 Edwards, BerkleyBerkley Edwards  So
RB 35 Williams, RodrickRodrick Williams Sr
WR 37 Greif, CharlieCharlie Greif Fr
FB 41 Thomas, MilesMiles Thomas Sr
FB 43 Hartmann, TylerTyler Hartmann  Jr
TE 44 Mezzenga, GabeGabe Mezzenga  Jr
RB 44 Kirsch, JacobJacob Kirsch  Jr
TE 44 Beebe, ColtonColton Beebe Fr
TE 45 Hart, NickNick Hart  So
TE 49 Witham, BryceBryce Witham Fr
OL 53 Rasmussen, LukeLuke Rasmussen  Fr
OL 55 Mayes, ConnorConnor Mayes So
OL 58 Oseland, QuinnQuinn Oseland Fr
OL 60 Leidner, MattMatt Leidner  So
OL 61 Dovich, BronsonBronson Dovich Fr
OL 62 Weyler, JaredJared Weyler  Fr
OL 63 Christenson, JonJon Christenson  Sr
OL 64 Oldenkamp, MattMatt Oldenkamp  Fr
OL 65 Campion, JoshJosh Campion  Sr
OL 66 Stieber, TedTed Stieber Fr
OL 67 Bobek, BrianBrian Bobek  Sr
OL 68 Hayes, IssacIssac Hayes  Jr
OL 70 Fahning, ChadChad Fahning  So
OL 71 Moore, TylerTyler Moore Fr
OL 73 Bjorklund, JoeJoe Bjorklund  Sr
OL 74 Connelly, NickNick Connelly Fr
OL 75 Kuehn, NoahNoah Kuehn Fr
OL 76 Mayes, AlexAlex Mayes  So
OL 77 Bush, FosterFoster Bush  Sr
OT 78 Lauer, BenBen Lauer  Jr
OT 79 Pirsig, JonahJonah Pirsig  Jr
TE 80 Wozniak, NateNate Wozniak  So
TE 81 Anyanwu, DukeDuke Anyanwu  So
WR 82 Wolitarsky, DrewDrew Wolitarsky Jr
TE 83 Scarver, NoahNoah Scarver  So
WR 84 Reger, WillWill Reger  Fr
TE 85 Plsek, LincolnLincoln Plsek Sr
TE 86 Lingen, BrandonBrandon Lingen So
WR 88 Still, RashadRashad Still Fr
WR 89 Morse, MattMatt Morse Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 2 Johnson, DiorDior Johnson Fr
DB 3 Hardin, KiAnteKiAnte Hardin Fr
DB 4 Ayinde, AdekunleAdekunle Ayinde  So
DB 5 Myrick, JalenJalen Myrick Jr
DB 6 Rogers, AceAce Rogers  Jr
DB 7 Travis, DamariusDamarius Travis Sr
DB 8 McGhee, DaletaviousDaletavious McGhee  So
DL 9 Keith, AlexAlex Keith Sr
DB 11 Johnson, AntonioAntonio Johnson Sr
LB 12 Poock, CodyCody Poock  So
LB 13 Celestin, JonathanJonathan Celestin So
DB 14 Craighton, ZoZo Craighton Fr
LB 15 Williams, EverettEverett Williams So
DB 17 Huff, JacobJacob Huff Fr
LB 18 Westerhaus, PeterPeter Westerhaus  Sr
LB 19 Dicke, CedricCedric Dicke  Jr
DB 20 Huff, JulianJulian Huff Fr
DB 22 James, CraigCraig James So
DB 25 Buford, RayRay Buford Fr
LB 26 Campbell, De'VondreDe'Vondre Campbell  Sr
DB 29 Boddy-Calhoun, BrieanBriean Boddy-Calhoun (C)  Sr
LB 30 Wipson, ChrisChris Wipson  So
DB 31 Murray, EricEric Murray (C) Sr
DB 33 McKelvey, JohnJohn McKelvey  Jr
DB 34 Shenault, AntonioAntonio Shenault Fr
LB 35 Waters, JaylenJaylen Waters Fr
DB 36 Cashman, BlakeBlake Cashman Fr
DB 40 Starks, AlexanderAlexander Starks  So
DL 46 DeLattiboudere, WinstonWinston DeLattiboudere Fr
LB 48 Weber, BlakeBlake Weber So
LB 50 Lynn, JackJack Lynn  Jr
DL 52 Timms, YoshoubYoshoub Timms  Jr
DE 55 Cockran, ThierenThieren Cockran  Sr
LB 56 Rallis, NickNick Rallis  Jr
LB 57 Mydra, JoeyJoey Mydra Fr
LB 59 Dixon, RayRay Dixon  So
DL 69 Carr, JustinJustin Carr  Jr
DB 87 Johnson, CavonteCavonte Johnson  Jr
DL 87 Elmore, GaelinGaelin Elmore So
DL 90 Renner, SamSam Renner Fr
DE 91 Kafo, JulienJulien Kafo  Fr
DL 92 Ndondo-Lay, RobertRobert Ndondo-Lay  Sr
DT 94 Hall, MoseMose Hall Fr
DL 95 Ekpe, HendrickHendrick Ekpe Jr
DT 96 Richardson, StevenSteven Richardson So
DL 97 Ekpe, ScottScott Ekpe  Jr
DL 98 Lapham, KevinKevin Lapham Fr
DE 99 Stelter, AndrewAndrew Stelter So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 18 Santoso, RyanRyan Santoso  So
LS 25 Jordahl, PaytonPayton Jordahl  Fr
K 33 Harte, AndrewAndrew Harte  So
P 34 McElfresh, LoganLogan McElfresh  Fr
P 37 Mortell, PeterPeter Mortell  Sr
K 38 Carpenter, EmmitEmmit Carpenter  Fr
LS 39 Hansen, TreyTrey Hansen Fr
LS 40 Samuels, ChaseChase Samuels Fr
K 42 Juenemann, JustinJustin Juenemann  So
P 47 Herbers, JacobJacob Herbers Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Brian Anderson (Wide Receivers)
  • Matt Limegrover (Offensive coordinator
  • Dan O'Brien (Asst. Defensive Backs / Co-Special Teams Coordinator / Asst. to the Head Coach)
  • Jeff Phelps (Defensive Line)
  • Pat Poore (Running Backs / Co-Special Teams Coordinator)
  • Rob Reeves (H-Backs / Tight Ends)
  • Jay Sawvel (Defensive Backs)
  • Mike Sherels (Linebackers)
  • Jim Zebrowski (Quarterbacks)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured
  • Redshirt

Roster
Last update: December 31, 2015

References

  1. Christensen, Joe (October 28, 2015). "Jerry Kill Retires As U football Coach Due to Health Problems". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  2. "Tracy Claeys named University of Minnesota football coach". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  3. "Gophers could still be eligible for bowl berth". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
  4. "2015-2016 Schedule". University of Minnesota Department of Athletics. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  5. Christensen, Joe (September 4, 2015). "Gophers Drop Their Chances to Knock off Horned Frogs". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  6. Christensen, Joe (September 13, 2015). "Gophers Need OT to Top Colorado State 23-20". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  7. 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.
  8. Christensen, Joe (September 27, 2015). "Gophers Score on Final Drive to Escape with Win Over Ohio". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  9. Arnold, Jeff (October 4, 2015). "Gophers Drop the Ball in Big Ten Opener". Post-Bulletin. Rochester, MN. Associated Press. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  10. Washburn, Jeff (October 13, 2015). "Purdue Seeking Answers at Season's Midway Point, Travel to Wisconsin Next". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  11. Christensen, Joe (October 18, 2015). "Nebraska Overpowers Gophers for 48-25 Victory". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  12. Christensen, Joe (October 31, 2015). "Gophers-Michigan Game Recap". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  13. Christensen, Joe (November 8, 2015). "Too Little, Too Late As Gophers Fall 28-14 to Ohio State". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  14. Christensen, Joe (November 15, 2015). "Iowa Keeps U Hog-Tied". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
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