2011 Gopher Football Preview
CONFIDENTIAL The inside scoop for G opher fans Huskers v. Gophers Redux The Gophers welcome the Big Ten’s newest member, the Nebraska Huskers, to TCF Bank Stadium on Homecoming, October 22. It will be the 52nd time the two teams have met; Minnesota holds a 29-20-2 edge. One hundred years ago the Minnesota Alumni Weekly recapped the Gophers 21-3 win over Nebraska: “Minnesota looked forward to the Nebraska game with anything but a sense of security. The records of the two teams up to the present date favored the visitors. They had a team of veterans and were fast and resourceful. They were clean-cut, heavy men and they looked fit for the game of their lives. But Minnesota has come a long way during the past two weeks and hardly a minute during the whole hour did Nebraska push the playing. The few times when Nebraska did get the ball she was unable to make distance consistently and though several times a forward pass or a long run brought the hearts of Minnesota rooters to their mouths, such gains were usually followed by tackles for a loss. . . . Minnesota has found herself and will look forward to the remaining games of the season with confidence that the team will give good account of itself.”
Sandy Stephens Elected to Hall of Fame Sandy Stephens, the most accomplished quar terback in Gopher history, was posthumously elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in May. Originally from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Stephens chose Minnesota because he aspired to play in the Rose Bowl. He achieved that, and more, at the U, leading the Golden Gophers to the 1960 National Championship and to the 1961 and 1962 Rose Bowls. A consensus first-team All-American and the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player in 1961, he was the first African American in college football history ever to earn AllAmerican status at the quarterback position. He is the 19th Golden Gopher to be inducted into the College of Football Hall of Fame and the first since Bobby Bell in 1991. Stephens died at age 59 on June 7, 2000.
The cumulative weight of the 116 members of the Gopher football team is approximately equal to what? a. A campus connector bus b. An elephant c. 5,000 tackling dummies A football helmet weighs how much? a. 6 pounds b. 3 pounds c. It varies according to the player’s position
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Sandy Stephens
Homecoming: All That Glitters Is Gold Homecoming Week, October 16–22, features several new events tailored especially for alumni under the theme “All That Glitters Is Gold.” October 16, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.: Thank U: One Community Building Common Unity. Kick off the week by thanking the greater community for all it does for the U. Join fellow alumni, their families, students, faculty, and staff in performing service projects. Food and entertainment will be provided. Register at homecoming.umn.edu/thank-u. October 21: College Day. Twelve colleges and departments are organizing a rich variety of events for alumni to enjoy including reunions, a Mozart concert, author presentations, and facultyled discussions. After College Day events, s t ay o n c a m pus to enjoy the homecoming parade at 7 p.m. Then follow the Minnesota Marching Band into TCF Bank Stadium for a rousing pepfest featuring the Spirit Squads, fireworks, and the coronation of homecoming royalty. A concert featuring nationally recognized talent will follow. A limited number of discounted tickets for alumni will be available for $17.50. October 22, 2:30 p.m.: Cheer on the Gophers as they take on Nebraska at TCF Bank Stadium. For details on these and other events, visit www.MinnesotaAlumni.org/Homecoming.
Taking into account the 18-minute pregame show and the 16-minute halftime show, the 300 members of the Minnesota Marching Band combined walk the equivalent of approximately what distance from TCF Bank Stadium during one football game? a. To Chicago, Illinois (407 miles) b. To Rochester, Minnesota (87 miles) c. To Farmington Hills, Michigan (525 miles)
Visit www.MinnesotaAlumni.org/FBTrivia for the answers.
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KICK-OFF