2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Quick Lane Bowl champion
Quick Lane Bowl, W 21–14 vs. Central Michigan
Conference	Big Ten Conference
	West Division
Record	6–7 (2–6 Big Ten)
Head coach	Jerry Kill (5th season; first 7 games); Tracy Claeys (remainder of season);
Offensive coordinator	Matt Limegrover (5th season)
Defensive coordinator	Tracy Claeys (5th season)
Captains	K. J. Maye (4th year); Mitch Leidner (4th year); Briean Boddy-Calhoun (3rd year); Eric Murray (4th year);
Home stadium	TCF Bank Stadium
	Seasons ← 2014 2016 →

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 for 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 Big Ten Conference football standings
v t e
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
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

Recruiting

College recruiting information
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
Beebe, Colton FB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Brooks, Shannon RB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Buford, Ray ATH	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Connelly, Nick OL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Craighton, Alonzo DB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Croft, Demry QB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
DeLattiboudere, Winston DL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Dovich, Bronson OL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Femi-Cole, Jonathan RB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Hall, Mose DL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Hardin, Kiante ATH	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Huff, Jacob DB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Huff, Julian LB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Johannesson, James RB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Johnson, Dior DB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Moore, Tyler OL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Oseland, Quinn OL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Register, Hunter WR	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Rogers, Charlie DB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Shenault, Antonio DB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Stieber, Ted OL	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Still, Rashad WR	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Waters, Jaylen LB	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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
Witham, Bryce TE	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: 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: "Yahoo Sports: Rivals.com 2015 Minnesota Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015. "Scout.com 2015 Minnesota Commitments". Scout.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015. "ESPN 2015 Minnesota Commitments". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015. "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 12, 2015.

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	Source
September 3	8:00 pm	No. 2 TCU*	TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN	ESPN	L 17–23	54,147	^[5]
September 12	2:30 pm	at Colorado State*	Hughes Stadium Fort Collins, CO	CBSSN	W 23–20 ^OT	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*	TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN	BTN	W 27–24	53,917	^[8]
October 3	11:00 am	at #16 Northwestern	Ryan Field Evanston, IL	BTN	L 0–27	30,044	^[9]
October 10	2:30 pm	at Purdue	Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN	ESPNU	W 41–13	33,780	^[10]
October 17	2:30 pm	Nebraska	TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)	ESPN2	L 25–48	54,062	^[11]
October 31	6:00 pm	No. 15 Michigan	TCF Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN (Little Brown Jug)	ESPN	L 26–29	50,789	^[12]
November 7	7:00 pm	at No. 1 Ohio State	Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH	ABC	L 14–28	108,075	^[13]
November 14	7:00 pm	at No. 8 Iowa	Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA (rivalry)	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 (rivalry)	BTN	L 21–31	52,850
December 28	4:00 pm	vs. Central Michigan*	Ford Field Detroit, MI (Quick Lane Bowl)	ESPN2	W 21–14	34,217
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Roster

2015 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
WR	`1`	K. J. Maye (C)	Sr
WR	`2`	Isaiah Gentry	Fr
QB	`7`	Mitch Leidner (C)	Jr
WR	`9`	Eric Carter	So
QB	`11`	Demry Croft	Fr
WR	`12`	Hunter Register	Fr
WR	`14`	Chris Streveler	So
WR	`15`	Desmond Gant	Fr
QB	`15`	Conor Rhoda	So
WR	`16`	Jeff Jones	Fr
QB	`18`	Jacques Perra	Fr
WR	`19`	Michael Conway	So
WR	`20`	Adam Mayer	Fr
WR	`21`	Melvin Holland	Sr
WR	`22`	Jeff Borchardt	So
WR	`23`	E.J. Sardinha	Jr
RB	`24`	Rodney Smith	Fr
RB	`27`	Shannon Brooks	Fr
RB	`27`	James Johannesson	Fr
RB	`28`	Jonathan Femi-Cole	Fr
RB	`28`	Jerry Gibson	Fr
WR	`29`	Louis Tuszynski	Jr
RB	`32`	Berkley Edwards	So
RB	`35`	Rodrick Williams	Sr
WR	`37`	Charlie Greif	Fr
FB	`41`	Miles Thomas	Sr
FB	`43`	Tyler Hartmann	Jr
TE	`44`	Gabe Mezzenga	Jr
RB	`44`	Jacob Kirsch	Jr
TE	`44`	Colton Beebe	Fr
TE	`45`	Nick Hart	So
TE	`49`	Bryce Witham	Fr
OL	`53`	Luke Rasmussen	Fr
OL	`55`	Connor Mayes	So
OL	`58`	Quinn Oseland	Fr
OL	`60`	Matt Leidner	So
OL	`61`	Bronson Dovich	Fr
OL	`62`	Jared Weyler	Fr
OL	`63`	Jon Christenson	Sr
OL	`64`	Matt Oldenkamp	Fr
OL	`65`	Josh Campion	Sr
OL	`66`	Ted Stieber	Fr
OL	`67`	Brian Bobek	Sr
OL	`68`	Issac Hayes	Jr
OL	`70`	Chad Fahning	So
OL	`71`	Tyler Moore	Fr
OL	`73`	Joe Bjorklund	Sr
OL	`74`	Nick Connelly	Fr
OL	`75`	Noah Kuehn	Fr
OL	`76`	Alex Mayes	So
OL	`77`	Foster Bush	Sr
OT	`78`	Ben Lauer	Jr
OT	`79`	Jonah Pirsig	Jr
TE	`80`	Nate Wozniak	So
TE	`81`	Duke Anyanwu	So
WR	`82`	Drew Wolitarsky	Jr
TE	`83`	Noah Scarver	So
WR	`84`	Will Reger	Fr
TE	`85`	Lincoln Plsek	Sr
TE	`86`	Brandon Lingen	So
WR	`88`	Rashad Still	Fr
WR	`89`	Matt Morse	Fr

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
DB	`2`	Dior Johnson	Fr
DB	`3`	KiAnte Hardin	Fr
DB	`4`	Adekunle Ayinde	So
DB	`5`	Jalen Myrick	Jr
DB	`6`	Ace Rogers	Jr
DB	`7`	Damarius Travis	Sr
DB	`8`	Daletavious McGhee	So
DL	`9`	Alex Keith	Sr
DB	`11`	Antonio Johnson	Sr
LB	`12`	Cody Poock	So
LB	`13`	Jonathan Celestin	So
DB	`14`	Zo Craighton	Fr
LB	`15`	Everett Williams	So
DB	`17`	Jacob Huff	Fr
LB	`18`	Peter Westerhaus	Sr
LB	`19`	Cedric Dicke	Jr
DB	`20`	Julian Huff	Fr
DB	`20`	Christopher Gray	Fr
DB	`22`	Craig James	So
DB	`25`	Ray Buford	Fr
LB	`26`	De'Vondre Campbell	Sr
DB	`29`	Briean Boddy-Calhoun (C)	Sr
LB	`30`	Chris Wipson	So
DB	`31`	Eric Murray (C)	Sr
DB	`33`	John McKelvey	Jr
DB	`34`	Antonio Shenault	Fr
LB	`35`	Jaylen Waters	Fr
DB	`36`	Blake Cashman	Fr
DB	`40`	Alexander Starks	So
DL	`46`	Winston DeLattiboudere	Fr
LB	`48`	Blake Weber	So
LB	`50`	Jack Lynn	Jr
DL	`52`	Yoshoub Timms	Jr
DE	`55`	Thieren Cockran	Sr
LB	`56`	Nick Rallis	Jr
LB	`57`	Joey Mydra	Fr
LB	`59`	Ray Dixon	So
DL	`69`	Justin Carr	Jr
DB	`87`	Cavonte Johnson	Jr
DL	`87`	Gaelin Elmore	So
DL	`90`	Sam Renner	Fr
DE	`91`	Julien Kafo	Fr
DL	`92`	Robert Ndondo-Lay	Sr
DT	`94`	Mose Hall	Fr
DL	`95`	Hendrick Ekpe	Jr
DT	`96`	Steven Richardson	So
DL	`97`	Scott Ekpe	Jr
DL	`98`	Kevin Lapham	Fr
DE	`99`	Andrew Stelter	So

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
K	`18`	Ryan Santoso	So
LS	`25`	Payton Jordahl	Fr
K	`33`	Andrew Harte	So
P	`34`	Logan McElfresh	Fr
P	`37`	Peter Mortell	Sr
K	`38`	Emmit Carpenter	Fr
LS	`39`	Trey Hansen	Fr
LS	`40`	Chase Samuels	Fr
K	`42`	Justin Juenemann	So
P	`47`	Jacob Herbers	Fr

Head coach

Jerry Kill (resigned)
Tracy Claeys (defensive coordinator / interim head coach / 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

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. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. 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.

[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 November 29, 2015.

[3] "Gophers could still be eligible for bowl berth". Fox Sports. Retrieved December 29, 2015.

[4] "2015-2016 Schedule". University of Minnesota Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on March 26, 2013. 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. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. 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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