# 1949 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

The 1949 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 1949 Big Nine Conference football season. In their 15th year under head coach Bernie Bierman, the Golden Gophers compiled a 7–2 record and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 231 to 80.
Tackle Leo Nomellini was named an All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press (AP), Look Magazine, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Center Clayton Tonnemaker was named an All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation, AP, Collier's/Grantland Rice, Look Magazine, Football Writers Association of America and the AFCA. Nomellini, Tonnemaker and end Bud Grant were named All-Big Ten first team. Guard John Lundin was named All-Big Ten second team.
Bud Grant, end, and John Lundin, guard, were awarded the Team MVP Awards.
Total attendance for the season was 305,200, which averaged to 61,040. The season high for attendance was against Wisconsin.

## Schedule

| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 24 | Washington* | | Memorial StadiumMinneapolis, MN | W 48–20 | 55,256 |
| October 1 | at Nebraska* | | Memorial StadiumLincoln, NE (rivalry) | W 28–6 | 34,000 |
| October 8 | No. 20 Northwestern | No. 5 | Memorial StadiumMinneapolis, MN | W 21–7 | 63,063 |
| October 15 | at No. 11 Ohio State | No. 5 | Ohio StadiumColumbus, OH | W 27–0 | 82,111 |
| October 22 | at No. 12 Michigan | No. 3 | Michigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI (Little Brown Jug) | L 7–14 | 97,239 |
| October 29 | Purdue | No. 7 | Memorial StadiumMinneapolis, MN | L 7–13 | 61,154 |
| November 5 | No. 15 Iowa | | Memorial StadiumMinneapolis, MN (rivalry) | W 55–7 | 62,089 |
| November 12 | at Pittsburgh | No. 9 | Pitt StadiumPittsburgh, PA | W 24–7 | 42,515 |
| November 19 | Wisconsin | No. 8 | Memorial StadiumMinneapolis, MN (rivalry) | W 14–6 | 63,139 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game |||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked ( ) = First-place votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Final |
| AP | 5 (2) | 5 (6) | 3 (8) | 7 | — | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |

## Roster

Dick Anonsen, QB
Jim Malosky, QB
Billy Bye, LHB
Dick Gregory, LHB
George Hudak, LHB
Ralph McAlister, RHB
Dale Warner, RHB
Dick Moy, RHB
Frank Kuzma, FB
Ken Beiersdorf, FB
Bud Grant, E
Gordy Soltau, E
Clayton Tonnemaker, C
Jerry Ekberg, T
Leo Nomellini, T/G
Gene Fritz, G
Johnny Lundin, G
Cal Stoll, E
Russell James Reed, G

## After the season

The following Golden Gophers were selected in the 1950 NFL draft after the season.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Team |
| 1 | 4 | Clayton Tonnemaker | Center | Green Bay Packers |
| 1 | 11 | Leo Nomellini | Defensive tackle | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1 | 14 | Bud Grant | End | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 3 | 30 | Gordy Soltau | End | Green Bay Packers |
| 6 | 70 | Floyd Jaszewski | Tackle | Detroit Lions |
| 8 | 96 | Ralph McAlister | Back | Detroit Lions |
| 10 | 121 | Bob Mealey | Tackle | Green Bay Packers |
| 14 | 176 | Gene Fritz | Tackle | New York Giants |
| 16 | 199 | Frank Kuzma | Back | Green Bay Packers |
| 19 | 244 | Billy Bye | Back | Chicago Bears |
| 25 | 319 | Ken Beiersdorf | Back | New York Giants |
| 29 | 370 | Johnny Lundin | Guard | Washington Redskins |
| 30 | 388 | Allen Markert | Tackle | Chicago Bears |