Conference Big Ten Conference AP No. 12 MVP Bobby Cox | Coaches No. 9 1956 record 6–1–2 (4–1–2 Big Ten) | |
Head coach Murray Warmath (3rd year) | ||
The 1956 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Minnesota in the 1956 Big Ten Conference football season. In their third year under head coach Murray Warmath, the Golden Gophers compiled a 6–1–2 record and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 127 to 87. The team finished 12th in the final AP Poll and ninth in the final Coaches Poll.
Quarterback Bobby Cox received the team's Most Valuable Player award. Tackle Bob Hobert was selected by the Football Writers Association of America (for Look magazine) as a first-team player on the 1956 College Football All-America Team. Hobert was also named All-Big Ten first team, Academic All-American and Academic All-Big Ten. Offensive lineman Perry Gehring was named Academic All-Big Ten.
Total attendance for the season was 372,654, which averaged to 62,109. The season high for attendance was against rival Iowa.
Rankings and awards
On December 3, 1956, both the Associated Press (AP) and United Press (UP) released their final college football polls. Both organizations ranked undefeated Oklahoma at the No. 1 spot. The AP ranked the Golden Gophers No. 12, and the UP ranked them No. 9.
Only one Ohio State player, tackle Bob Hobert, was picked by the Associated Press (AP) and/or the United Press (UP) as a first-team player on the 1956 All-Big Ten Conference football team. Hobert received first-team honors from both the AP and UP. Hobert was also selected by the Football Writers Association of America as a first-team pick for the 1956 College Football All-America Team.