1986 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

The Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was led for six full seasons from 1986 to 1991 by John Gutekunst. Coach Gutekunst also coached the Golden Gophers in the 1985 Independence Bowl. The team had a 29–36–2 overall record. In the Big Ten they had a record of 18–28–2. Darrell Thompson was named Big Ten freshman of the year. Seven players were named All-Big Ten first team. Seventeen players were named All-Big Ten second team. Punter Brent Herbel was named Academic All-American first team. Twenty-two players were named Academic All-Big Ten.

1985
When former Minnesota head coach Lou Holtz left the Golden Gophers to coach at Notre Dame, assistant John Gutekunst was tapped to coach the Golden Gophers in the 1985 Independence Bowl. Attendance was 42,845.

Quarterback Rickey Foggie was named offensive player of the game, while linebacker Bruce Holmes was named defensive player of the game.

1986
The 1986 season was the Golden Gophers' first season under head coach John Gutekunst. The Golden Gophers won six games and went to a second straight bowl game for the second time in school history (the first being the 1961 and 1962 Rose Bowls). Total attendance for the season was 335,150, which averaged out to 55,858 per game. The season high for attendance was against rival Iowa.

Freshman tailback Darrell Thompson was named the Big Ten's freshman of the year. Thompson and kicker Chip Lohmiller were named All-Big Ten first team. Center Ray Hitchcock, Safety Larry Joyner and offensive linemen Jim Hobbins and Troy Wolkow were named All-Big Ten second team. Offensive lineman Paul Anderson, punter Brent Herbel and offensive lineman Jim Hobbins were named Academic All-Big Ten.

Darrell Thompson was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Award and Bruce Smith Award. Linebacker Mark Dusbabek was awarded the Carl Eller Award. Chip Lohmiller was awarded the Bobby Bell Award. Offensive tackle Anthony Burke was awarded the Butch Nash Award. Offensive tackle Norries Wilson was awarded the Paul Giel Award.

1987
The 1987 season was the Golden Gophers' second season under head coach John Gutekunst. The Golden Gophers won six games and lost five. Total attendance for the season was 371,809, which averaged out to 55,116 per game. The season high for attendance was against rival Wisconsin.

Offensive guard Troy Wilkow was named All-Big Ten first team. Offensive lineman Paul Anderson, quarterback Rickey Foggie, tailback Darrell Thompson, kicker Chip Lohmiller and linebacker Jon Leverenz were named All-Big Ten second team. Punter Brent Herbel and offensive lineman Dan Liimatta were named Academic All-Big Ten.

Rickey Foggie was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Award. Darrell Thompson was awarded the Bruce Smith Award. Jon Leverenz was awarded the Carl Eller Award. Chip Lohmiller was awarded the Bobby Bell Award. Linebacker Brian Bonner was awarded the Butch Nash Award. Offensive tackle Dan Rechtin was awarded the Paul Giel Award.