Minnesota Countdown to Kickoff: 40 Days
The countdown to kickoff for the Minnesota Golden Gophers is down to 40 days. However, currently, there is no No.40 on Minnesota’s 2025 roster. So instead, we’re going to take a trip back in time to the 1940 season.
In 1940, the Golden Gophers were playing at Memorial Stadium, their home from 1924 through 1981. It used to stand where the current University Recreation and Wellness Center is at SE Walnut St and SE Beacon St.
In 1940, the Gophers were coming off a 3-4-1 season under head coach Bernie Bierman. It was the program’s first losing season since the 1930 season (3-4-1) under Fritz Crisler.
The Gophers would ensure it would not become a trend, as that year, they bounced back in a major way, going 8-0 and being named the 1940 National Champions. Neither the Gophers’ offense nor defense was overly dominant; both were very good, but neither was elite according to national rankings, at least.
Offensively, the Gophers averaged 19.2 points per game, best for 28th in the country. Defensively, 8.9 points per game, which ranked 32nd.
On offense, Bruce Smith and George Franck led the way. Smith completed just 7-of-30 passing attempts for just 161 yards and three touchdowns, but also had 542 rushing yards and four touchdowns. George Franck completed 3-of-16 passing attempts for 46 yards and a score but was dominant on the ground himself with 489 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Despite Smith finishing with more yards and total touchdowns, it was Franck who would earn All-American status and finish third in Heisman voting behind Michigan’s Tom Harmon and Texas A&M’s John Kimbrough.
The Gophers that season started their season off with a pair of non-conference matchups against Washington and Nebraska. Their matchup against the Huskies would be a narrow victory, 19-14, before defeating Nebraska one week later, 13-7.
After dispatching Ohio State 13-7 on October 19, the Gophers dominated Iowa 34-6 on October 26. The next two weeks would be nailbiters for Minnesota, defeating Northwestern 13-12 and Michigan 7-6.
After narrowly beating Michigan, they would easily dispatch Purdue 33-6 before finishing their season off with a 22-13 win over rival Wisconsin. They would soon afterward be named the 1940 National Champions, bringing home their fourth national championship in seven years.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers will kick off their 2025 season on August 28 against the Buffalo Bulls at Hunginton Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and will be televised natioanlly on Fox Sports 1.
