American college football season
The 1896 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 1896 Western Conference football season . The 1896 season was the first season under head coach Alexander Jerrems and was the first season of competition in the Big Ten Conference , or Western Conference as it was commonly referred to at the time. Minnesota won its first ever conference game over Purdue but lost its other two matches to Michigan and Wisconsin .
Date Time Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 19 at South High School* Minneapolis, MN W 34–0 September 26 Minneapolis Central High School* Minneapolis, MN W 50–0 October 3 Carleton * Minneapolis, MN W 16–6 October 10 Grinnell * Minneapolis, MN W 12–0 October 17 Purdue Minneapolis, MN W 14–03,500 [ 1] October 24 Iowa Agricultural * Minneapolis, MN W 18–6 October 31 Ex-Collegiates* Minneapolis, MN W 8–0 November 7 Michigan L 4–65,000 [ 2] November 21 at Wisconsin Madison, WI (rivalry )L 0–6 November 28 2:30 p.m. vs. Kansas * W 12–0[ 3] [ 4]
Ends , Jack Harrison (captain and left end), Henry A. Scandrett (right end) Tackles , Ivan A. Perry (left tackle), A.M. Smith (right tackle) Guards , George A.E. Finlayson (left guard), Everhard P. Harding (right guard) Center , James C. Fulton Quarterbacks , George E. Cole, Richard E. Woodworth Halfbacks , S.W. Bagley (right half), Martin Teigen, Elbridge L. Heath (left half) Fullback , Harry C. Loomis Substitutes , Clinton L. Walker, John Taresh, Carl S. Jorgens, Lloyd Sperry, Claude Nicoulin, L. Eugene Parker, Conrad H. Christopherson Trainer , Edward "Dad" Moulton Coach , Alexander Jerrems [ 5] : 54
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold