1953 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

1953
The 1953 season was the Golden Gophers' third and final under head coach Wes Fesler. The Golden Gophers won four games, lost four and tied one. Total attendance for the season was 293,313, which averaged to 58,662. The season high for attendance was against Michigan.

Halfback Paul Giel was named an All-American by the Associated Press, FWAA, Look Magazine, Walter Camp Football Foundation and American Football Coaches Association. Giel received Chicago Tribune Silver Football, awarded to the most valuable player of the Big Ten. Giel was named All-Big Ten first team. Giel finished second in voting for the Heisman Trophy, receiving the most points for a player not to win the award.

Paul Giel was awarded the Team MVP Award.