1980 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
American college football team season
The 1980 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Minnesota in the 1980 Big Ten Conference football season. In their second year under head coach Joe Salem, the Golden Gophers finished in fifth place in the Big Ten Conference (Big Ten), compiled a 5–6 record (4–5 against Big Ten opponents), and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 250 to 210.
The team's statistical leader included quarterback Tim Salem (son of head coach Joe Salem) with 887 passing yards, fullback Garry White with 959 rushing yards, Chester Cooper with 210 receiving yards, and tailback Marion Barber Jr. with 66 points scored. Several Minnesota players also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in various statistical categories, including the following:
Marion Barber led the Big Ten with 11 rushing touchdowns and ranked seventh with 769 rushing yards.
Garry White ranked second in the Big Ten with 5.4 yards per rushing attempt, third with nine rushing touchdowns and 1,136 yards from scrimmage, and fourth with 959 rushing yards.
Tim Salem ranked fifth in the Big Ten with 13 interceptions, eighth with a 47.6 pass completion percentage and ninth with 887 passing yards and an 80.1 passer efficiency rating.
Marion Barber was the team captain and received the team's Most Valuable Player award. Barber, fullback Garry White, and defensive end Jeff Schuh were named All-Big Ten first team. Offensive guard Ken Dallafoir, free safety Mike Robb, linebacker Jeff Schuh, and defensive tackle Dana Noel were named All-Big Ten second team.
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