2026 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

2026 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
2026 Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Record	0–0 (0–0 Big Ten)
Head coach	P. J. Fleck (10th season);
Offensive coordinator	Greg Harbaugh Jr. (4th season)
Defensive coordinator	Danny Collins (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Nick Monroe (4th season)
Home stadium	Huntington Bank Stadium

2026 Big Ten Conference football standings

Team	W		L	W		L
Illinois	0	–	0	0	–	0
Indiana	0	–	0	0	–	0
Iowa	0	–	0	0	–	0
Maryland	0	–	0	0	–	0
Michigan	0	–	0	0	–	0
Michigan State	0	–	0	0	–	0
Minnesota	0	–	0	0	–	0
Nebraska	0	–	0	0	–	0
Northwestern	0	–	0	0	–	0
Ohio State	0	–	0	0	–	0
Oregon	0	–	0	0	–	0
Penn State	0	–	0	0	–	0
Purdue	0	–	0	0	–	0
Rutgers	0	–	0	0	–	0
UCLA	0	–	0	0	–	0
USC	0	–	0	0	–	0
Washington	0	–	0	0	–	0
Wisconsin	0	–	0	0	–	0
Championship: December 5, 2026
As of March 21, 2026 Rankings from AP poll

The 2026 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team will represent the University of Minnesota as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Gophers will be led by tenth-year head coach P. J. Fleck. They will play their home games at Huntington Bank Stadium located in Minneapolis.

Offseason

Positions key
Offense	Defense	Special teams
QB — Quarterback RB — Running back FB — Fullback WR — Wide receiver TE — Tight end OL — Offensive lineman T — Tackle G — Guard C — Center	DL — Defensive lineman DE — Defensive end^[a] DT — Defensive tackle^[b] LB — Linebacker^[c] DB — Defensive back CB — Cornerback S — Safety^[d]	K — Kicker^[e] P — Punter LS — Long snapper RS — Return specialist^[f]
^ Sometimes referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE) ^ Includes nose tackle (NT) ^ Includes middle linebacker (MLB or MIKE), outside linebacker (OLB, WILL, SAM), and off-ball linebacker ^ Includes free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS) ^ Also known as a placekicker (PK) ^ Includes kickoff and punt returners

Coaching staff changes

Departures

Name	Position	New team	New position

Additions

Name	Position	Previous team	Previous position

Entered NFL draft

Player	Position	Round	Pick	Drafted by

Transfer portal

Departures

Departing transfers
Name	Pos.	Height/weight	Class	Hometown	New school	Sources

Incoming

Incoming transfers
Name	Pos.	Height/weight	Class	Hometown	Prev. school	Sources

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site
September 3	Eastern Illinois*	Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN
September 12	Mississippi State*	Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN
September 19	Akron*	Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN
September 26	at Washington	Husky Stadium Seattle, WA
October 3	Michigan	Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN (Little Brown Jug)
October 10	at Purdue	Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN
October 24	Iowa	Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN (Floyd of Rosedale)
October 31	at Indiana	Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN
November 7	UCLA	Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN
November 14	at Penn State	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA (Governor's Victory Bell)
November 21	Northwestern	Huntington Bank Stadium Minneapolis, MN
November 28	at Wisconsin	Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI (Paul Bunyan's Axe)
*Non-conference game

^[1] ^[2]

Game summaries

vs Eastern Illinois (FCS)

Eastern Illinois Panthers (FCS) (0–0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Panthers (FCS)	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0

at Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: September 3

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	EIU	MINN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Illinois	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Mississippi State

Mississippi State Bulldogs (0–0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0

at Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: September 12

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MSST	MINN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Mississippi State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Akron

Akron Zips (0–0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Zips	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0

at Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: September 19

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	AKR	MINN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Akron	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Washington

Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) at Washington Huskies (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0
Huskies	0	0	0	0	0

at Husky Stadium • Seattle, Washington

Date: September 26

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MINN	WASH
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Washington	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Michigan (Little Brown Jug)

Michigan Wolverines (0–0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolverines	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0

at Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: October 3

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MICH	MINN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Purdue

Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) at Purdue Boilermakers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0
Boilermakers	0	0	0	0	0

at Ross–Ade Stadium • West Lafayette, Indiana

Date: October 10

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MINN	PUR
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Purdue	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Iowa (Floyd of Rosedale)

Iowa Hawkeyes (0–0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Hawkeyes	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0

at Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: October 24

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	IOWA	MINN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Indiana

Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) at Indiana Hoosiers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0
Hoosiers	0	0	0	0	0

at Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, Indiana

Date: October 31

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MINN	IU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Indiana	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs UCLA

UCLA Bruins (0–0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bruins	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0

at Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: November 7

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UCLA	MINN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCLA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Penn State (Governor's Victory Bell)

Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) at Penn State Nittany Lions (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0
Nittany Lions	0	0	0	0	0

at Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania

Date: November 14

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MINN	PSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Penn State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Northwestern

Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0

at Huntington Bank Stadium • Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: November 21

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NU	MINN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Wisconsin (Paul Bunyan's Axe)

Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) at Wisconsin Badgers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Gophers	0	0	0	0	0
Badgers	0	0	0	0	0

at Camp Randall Stadium • Madison, Wisconsin

Date: November 28

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MINN	WIS
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Wisconsin	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name	Position	Consecutive season in current position
P. J. Fleck	Head coach	10th
Greg Harbaugh Jr.	Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks coach	4th
Danny Collins	Defensive coordinator/Safeties coach	2nd/5th
Nick Monroe	Co-defensive coordinator/Cornerbacks coach	4th
Daniel Da Prato	Special teams coordinator	1st
Mohamed Ibrahim	Running backs coach	1st
Isaac Fruechte	Wide receivers coach	1st
Eric Koehler	Tight ends coach	3rd
Brian Callahan	Offensive line coach	9th
C. J. Robbins	Defensive line coach	1st
Mariano Sori-Marin	Linebackers coach	2nd
Reference:^[3]

References

^ Ruane, Blake (January 27, 2026). "Big Ten announces 2026 conference football schedules". The Daily Gopher. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
^ "2026 Minnesota Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
^ "2026 Football Coaches". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved February 17, 2026.

[edge-1] Sometimes referred to as an edge rusher (EDGE)

[2] Includes nose tackle (NT)

[3] Includes middle linebacker (MLB or MIKE), outside linebacker (OLB, WILL, SAM), and off-ball linebacker

[4] Includes free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS)

[5] Also known as a placekicker (PK)

[6] Includes kickoff and punt returners

[7] Ruane, Blake (January 27, 2026). "Big Ten announces 2026 conference football schedules". The Daily Gopher. Retrieved February 16, 2026.

[8] "2026 Minnesota Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 16, 2026.

[9] "2026 Football Coaches". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved February 17, 2026.

[a]

[b]

[c]

[d]

[e]

[f]

[1]

[2]

[3]

Minnesota Golden Gophers football
Venues	Athletic Park (1892–1898) University of Minnesota Armory (1892–1898) Northrop Field (1899–1923) Memorial Stadium (1924–1981) Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1982–2008) Huntington Bank Stadium (2009–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Iowa Michigan: Little Brown Jug Nebraska Penn State: Governor's Victory Bell Wisconsin
Culture & lore	Goldy Gopher Marching band Spirit squad "Minnesota Rouser" "Minnesota March" "Go Gopher Victory" "Minnesota Fight" "Our Minnesota" "Hail! Minnesota" "Battle Hymn of the Republic" Minnesota shift T formation Smith of Minnesota
People	Head coaches Annual awards NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1882 1883 1884–1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
National championship seasons in bold