1995 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

The 1995 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1995 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their fourth year under head coach Jim Wacker, the Golden Gophers compiled am overall record of 3–8 with a mark of 1–7 in conference play, placing tenth in the Big Ten, and were outscored 368 to 272.

1995 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Record	3–8 (1–7 Big Ten)
Head coach	Jim Wacker (4th season)
Offensive coordinator	Bob DeBesse (4th season)
Defensive coordinator	Marc Dove (4th season)
Captains	Justin Conzemius Chris Darkins Todd Jesewitz Craig Sauer
Home stadium	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Seasons ← 1994 1996 →

1995 Big Ten Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 8 Northwestern $	8	–	0	–	0			10	–	2	–	0
No. 6 Ohio State	7	–	1	–	0			11	–	2	–	0
No. 13 Penn State	5	–	3	–	0			9	–	3	–	0
No. 17 Michigan	5	–	3	–	0			9	–	4	–	0
Michigan State	4	–	3	–	1			6	–	5	–	1
No. 25 Iowa	4	–	4	–	0			8	–	4	–	0
Illinois	3	–	4	–	1			5	–	5	–	1
Wisconsin	3	–	4	–	1			4	–	5	–	2
Purdue	2	–	5	–	1			4	–	6	–	1
Minnesota	1	–	7	–	0			3	–	8	–	0
Indiana	0	–	8	–	0			2	–	9	–	0
$ – Conference champion Rankings from AP Poll

Offensive guard Todd Jesewitz and linebacker Broderick Hall (American football) were named All-Big Ten second team.^[1] Defensive back Justin Conzemius was named Academic All-American second team.^[2] Kicker Mike Chalberg, defensive back Justin Conzemius, defensive tackle Troy Duerr, offensive lineman Chris Fowlkes, linebacker Peter Hiestand, offensive lineman Todd Jesewitz, quarterback Rob Jones, wide receiver Tony Levine, defensive tackle Antoine Richard, linebacker Craig Sauer, quarterback Cory Sauter, linebacker Jim Tallman, defensive end Dave Watson, linebacker Parc Williams and long snapper Scott Williams were named Academic All-Big Ten.^[2]

Craig Sauer was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Award and Carl Eller Award.^[3] Cory Sauter was awarded the Bruce Smith Award.^[3] Mike Chalberg was awarded the Bobby Bell Award.^[3] Justin Conzemius was awarded the Butch Nash Award.^[3] Running back Chris Darkins was awarded the Paul Giel Award.^[3]

Total home attendance for the season was 291,173, which averaged out to 48,529 per game.^[4] The season high for attendance was against Wisconsin.^[4]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 16	6:00 pm	Ball State*	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN	MSC	W 31–7	48,420
September 23	11:00 am	at Syracuse*	Carrier Dome [Syracuse, NY	Creative	L 17–27	42,780
September 30	6:00 pm	Arkansas State*	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN	MSC	W 55–7	42,472
October 7	6:00 pm	Purdue	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN		W 39–38	39,343
October 14	6:00 pm	No. 14 Northwestern	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN	MSC	L 17–27	50,504
October 21	12:00 pm	at Michigan State	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI		L 31–34	70,123
October 28	2:30 pm	at No. 9 Michigan	Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI (Little Brown Jug)	ABC	L 17–52	104,929
November 4	6:00 pm	No. 4 Ohio State	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN	ESPN2	L 21–49	46,418
November 11	6:00 pm	Wisconsin	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)	ESPN2	L 27–34	64,016
November 18	1:00 pm	at Illinois	Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL		L 14-48	45,521
November 25	1:05 pm	at Iowa	Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA (rivalry)		L 3–45	65,794
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[5]

Game summaries

Ball State

See also: 1995 Ball State Cardinals football team

Ball State Cardinals at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ball State	0	0	0	7	7
Minnesota	3	14	14	0	31

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: September 16, 1995
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cool, 72 °F (22 °C), No Wind (indoors)
• Game attendance: 48,420
• Box Score

Game information
First quarter MIN - 6:58-Chalberg 42 FG Second quarter MIN - 14:55-Thelwell 21 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) MIN - 3:17-Thelwell 36 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) Third quarter MIN - 11:22-Thelwell 32 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) MIN - 3:50-Darkins 2 run (Chalberg kick) Fourth quarter BALL - 0:12-Abernathy 14 pass from Knisely (Lockliear kick)

Syracuse

See also: 1995 Syracuse Orangemen football team

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Syracuse Orangemen

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Minnesota	3	7	7	0	17
Syracuse	3	10	14	0	27

at Carrier Dome, Syracuse, New York

• Date: September 23, 1995
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
• Game attendance: 42,780
• TV: Creative
• Box Score

Game information
First quarter MIN - 6:58-Chalberg 27 FG SYR - 0:52-Mare 29 FG Second quarter MIN - 11:23-Darkins 1 run (Chalberg kick) SYR - 8:24-Mare 48 FG SYR - 5:02-Harrison 94 punt return (Mare kick) Third quarter SYR - 13:02-Thomas 14 run (Mare kick) SYR - 4:55-Harrison 30 pass from McNabb (Mare kick) MIN - 3:50-Nelson 13 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) Fourth quarter No scoring

Arkansas State

See also: 1995 Arkansas State Indians football team

Arkansas State Indians at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Arkansas State	0	0	7	0	7
Minnesota	24	17	7	7	55

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: September 30, 1995
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cool, 72 °F (22 °C), No Wind (indoors)
• Game attendance: 42,742
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter MIN - 12:31-Jordan 45 interception return (Chalberg kick) MIN - 11:00-Thelwell 11 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) MIN - 5:03-Cooper 1 run (Chalberg kick) MIN - 0:38-Chalberg 21 FG Second quarter MIN - 13:46-Atwell 17 run (Chalberg kick) MIN - 8:43-Atwell 28 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) MIN - 0:15-Chalberg 30 FG Third quarter MIN - 12:56-Reem 10 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) ARST - 3:24-McIntosh 30 pass from Covington (Caldwell kick) Fourth quarter MIN - 14:46-Levine 16 run (Chalberg kick)

Purdue

See also: 1995 Purdue Boilermakers football team

Purdue Boilermakers at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Purdue	7	10	14	7	38
Minnesota	7	0	17	15	39

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: October 7, 1995
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cool, 72 °F (22 °C), No Wind (indoors)
• Game attendance: 39,343
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter PUR - Alstott 11 run (Bobich kick) MIN - Sauter 1 run (Chalberg kick) Second quarter PUR - Bobich 19 FG PUR - Alstott 1 run (Bobich kick) Third quarter MIN - Darkins 7 run (Chalberg kick) PUR - Alstott 3 run (Bobich kick) MIN - Darkins 45 run (Chalberg kick) MIN - Chalberg 48 FG PUR - Alford 78 pass from Trefzger (Bobich kick) Fourth quarter MIN - Darkins 24 run (Chalberg kick) PUR - Trefzger 4 run (Bobich kick) MIN - Sauter 1 run (Thelwell pass from Sauter) Top Passers PUR - Rick Trefzger - 13/24, 264 yards, 1 TD MIN - Cory Sauter - 15/26, 142 yards, 1 INT Top Rushers MIN - Chris Darkins - 38 rushes, 294 yards, 3 TDs PUR - *Mike Alstott 28 rushes, 133 yards, 3 TDs [6] Top Receivers PUR - Brian Alford - 6 receptions, 172 yards, 1 TD MIN - Ryan Thelwell - 6 receptions, 55 yards

Northwestern

See also: 1995 Northwestern Wildcats football team

Northwestern Wildcats at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Northwestern	3	11	7	6	27
Minnesota	7	7	0	3	17

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: October 14, 1995
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cool, 72 °F (22 °C), No Wind (indoors)
• Game attendance: 50,504
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter NU - 3:49-Valenzisi 20 FG MIN - 0:30-Kratochvil 4 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) Second quarter MIN - 13:08-Darkins 6 run (Chalberg kick) NU - 9:47-Valenzisi 29 FG NU - 5:42-Autry 18 run (Bates pass from Schnur) Third quarter NU - 3:57-Autry 11 run (Valenzisi kick) Fourth quarter NU - 12:21-Autry 73 run (kick failed) MIN - 8:51-Chalberg 47 FG Top Rushers MIN - Chris Darkins - 25 rushes, 75 yards, 1 TD NU - Darnell Autry - 28 rushes, 169 yards, 3 TDs Top Passers MIN - Cory Sauter - 29/50, 303 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT NU - Steve Schnur - 13/23, 194 yards, 1 TD Top Receivers MIN - Ryan Thelwell - 10 receptions, 105 yards MIN - Chris Darkins - 5 receptions, 55 yards NU - D'Wayne Bates - 6 receptions, 100 yards NU - Matt Hartl - 5 receptions, 64 yards

Michigan State

See also: 1995 Michigan State Spartans football team

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan State Spartans

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Minnesota	7	10	14	0	31
Michigan State	14	7	0	13	34

at Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan

• Date: October 21, 1995
• Game time: 11:00 p.m. CST
• Game attendance: 70,123
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter MIN - 10:23-Atwell 58 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) MSU - 6:39-Renaud 9 run (Gardner kick) MSU - 0:25-Renaud 18 run (Gardner kick) Second quarter MIN - 11:56-Chalberg 45 FG MSU - 6:52-Carter 33 pass from Banks (Gardner kick) MIN - 3:45-Duerr 1 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) Third quarter MIN - 4:12-Thelwell 8 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) MIN - 2:33-Thelwell 21 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) Fourth quarter MSU - 14:11-Gardner 27 FG MSU - 9:55-Mason 65 pass from Banks (Gardner kick) MSU - 4:50-Gardner 24 FG

Michigan

See also: 1995 Michigan Wolverines football team

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Wolverines

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Minnesota	0	10	0	7	17
Michigan	21	0	17	14	52

at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Date: October 28, 1995
• Game time: 2:30 p.m. CST
• Game attendance: 104,929
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter MICH - 8:04-Biakabutuka 52 run (Hamilton kick) MICH - 7:30-Biakabutuka 16 run (Hamilton kick) MICH - 4:47-Toomer 75 pass from Griese (Hamilton kick) Second quarter MIN - 2:38-Chalberg 30 FG MIN - 0:47-Cooper 2 run (Chalberg kick) Third quarter MICH - 13:27-Toomer 52 pass from Griese (Hamilton kick) MICH - 9:41-Hamilton 26 FG MICH - 1:55-Howard 5 pass from Griese (Hamilton kick) Fourth quarter MICH - 11:59-Riemersma 6 pass from Griese (Hamilton kick) MICH - 5:16-Williams 11 run (Hamilton kick) MIN - 1:19-Nelson 13 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) Rushing MIN - Rafael Cooper - 14/68, 1 TD MICH - Tshimanga Biakabutuka - 19/196, 2 TDs Passing MIN - Cory Sauter - 39/20/2, 206 yards, 1 TD MICH - Brian Griese - 19/14/0, 271 yards, 4 TDs Receiving MIN - Ryan Thelwell - 6/85 MIN - Johnny Woodson - 5/36 MICH - Amani Toomer - 5/177, 2 TDs MICH - Mercury Hayes - 2/50

Ohio State

See also: 1995 Ohio State Buckeyes football team

Ohio State Buckeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Ohio State	7	28	14	0	49
Minnesota	14	0	0	7	21

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: November 4, 1995
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Cool, 72 °F (22 °C), No Wind (indoors)
• Game attendance: 46,418
• Referee: Tom Quinn
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter MIN - Javon Jackson 9-yard run (Mike Chalberg kick) OSU - Terry Glenn 39-yard pass from Bobby Hoying (Josh Jackson kick) MIN - Tutu Atwell 10-yard pass from Jason Murdock (Mike Chalberg kick) Second quarter OSU - Bobby Hoying 9-yard run (Josh Jackson kick) OSU - Eddie George 11-yard run (Josh Jackson kick) OSU - Pepe Pearson 18-yard run (Josh Jackson kick) OSU - Rickey Dudley 9-yard pass from Bobby Hoying (Josh Jackson kick) Third quarter OSU - Eddie George 87-yard run (Josh Jackson kick) OSU - Eddie George 1-yard run (Josh Jackson kick) Fourth quarter MIN - Lee Hutton 54-yard pass from Jason Murdock (Mike Chalberg kick) Top Passers OSU - Bobby Hoying - 16/24, 287 yards, 2 TDs MIN - Jason Murdock - 13/27, 174 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs Top Rushers OSU - Eddie George - 23 rushes, 178 yards, 3 TDs OSU - Pepe Pearson - 12 rushes, 71 yards, 1 TD Top Receivers MIN - Tutu Atwell - 8 receptions, 116 yards, 1 TD OSU - Terry Glenn - 3 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD Top Tacklers OSU - Rob Kelly - 8 (6 solo, 2 assisted) MIN - Justin Conzemius - 7 (7 solo) Interceptions OSU - 2 - Mike Vrabel (1), Anthony Gwinn (1)

Wisconsin

See also: 1995 Wisconsin Badgers football team

Wisconsin Badgers at Minnesota Golden Gophers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wisconsin	7	6	21	0	34
Minnesota	3	7	10	7	27

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Date: November 11, 1995
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cool, 72 °F (22 °C), No Wind (indoors)
• Game attendance: 64,016
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter WIS - T Simmons 62 pass from Bevell (J Hall kick) MIN - FG Chalberg 30 Second quarter MIN - Atwell 51 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) WIS - FG J Hall 28 WIS - FG J Hall 60 Third quarter MIN - Hubbard 63 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) WIS - A Stecker 100 kickoff return (J Hall kick) WIS - A Stecker 3 run (J Hall kick) MIN - FG Chalberg 26 WIS - T Simmons 70 pass from Bevell (J Hall kick) Fourth quarter MIN - Levine 39 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick)

Illinois

See also: 1995 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Illinois Fighting Illini

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Minnesota	0	7	7	0	14
Illinois	10	14	7	21	52

at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

• Date: November 18, 1995
• Game time: 1:00 pm CST
• Game attendance: 45,521
• Box score

Game information

Sources: Box score and Game recap First quarter ILL - 9:46-Cushing 40 pass from J. Johnson (Scheuplein kick) ILL - 7:00-Scheuplein 44 FG Second quarter ILL - 14:23-M. Johnson 2 run (Scheuplein kick) MIN - 3:06-Atwell 40 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) ILL - 0:56-J. Johnson 6 run (Scheuplein kick) Third quarter ILL - 6:00-Scheuplein 29 FG MIN - 1:10-Cooper 2 pass from Sauter (Chalberg kick) Fourth quarter ILL - 13:37-Dulick 6 pass from J. Johnson (Scheuplein kick) ILL - 9:55-Rice 27 fumble return (Scheuplein kick) ILL - 7:18-Holcombe 29 run (Scheuplein kick) Top Rushers MIN - Rafael Cooper - 29 rushes, 94 yards MIN - Javon Jackson - 5 rushes, 34 yards ILL - Robert Holcombe - 24 rushes, 206 yards, 1 TD ILL - Ty Douthard - 8 rushes, 48 yards Top Passers MIN - Cory Sauter - 34/21, 242 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs ILL - Johnny Johnson - 22/11, 174 yards, 2 TDs Receiving MIN - Johnny Woodson - 6 receptions, 74 yards MIN - Tutu Atwell - 4 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD ILL - Jason Dulick - 4 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD ILL - Matt Cushing - 2 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD

Iowa

See also: 1995 Iowa Hawkeyes football team and Iowa–Minnesota football rivalry

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Iowa Hawkeyes

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Minnesota	0	0	3	0	3
Iowa	7	10	7	21	45

at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa

• Date: November 25, 1995
• Game time: 1:05 pm CST
• Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), Sunny, Wind W 10 mph (16 km/h)
• Game attendance: 65,794
• Referee: Jim Kemerling
• TV: ESPN
• Box score and Game recap

Game information

First quarter IOWA - Tim Dwight 10-yard pass from Matt Sherman (Zach Bromert kick) IOWA 7–0 Second quarter IOWA - Dwight 14-yard pass from Sherman (Bromert kick) IOWA 14–0 IOWA - Zach Bromert 25-yard field goal IOWA 17–0 Third quarter MINN - Chalberg 24-yard field goal IOWA 17–3 IOWA - Shakoor 13-yard run (Bromert kick) IOWA 24–3 Fourth quarter IOWA - Michael Burger 2-yard run (Bromert kick) IOWA 31–3 IOWA - Shakoor 2-yard run (Bromert kick) IOWA 38–3 IOWA - Willock 17-yard pass from Ryan Driscoll (Bromert kick) IOWA 45–3

^[7]

Roster

1995 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class RB 44 Chris Darkins Sr QB 17 Cory Sauter So WR 4 Ryan Thelwell So QB 13 Spergon Wynn Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class CB 24 Rodney Heath Jr LB 16 Craig Sauer Sr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class	Head coach Jim Wacker Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt