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Reusse: Gophers of 1977 didn't receive their deserved respect

  • Article by: PATRICK REUSSE , Star Tribune
  • Updated: December 28, 2012 - 6:44 AM

Aside from the Gophers' two Rose Bowl teams in the early 1960s, the '77 team was the best to play in a bowl.

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verumprototDec. 28, 1212:51 AM

Patrick, you have spoken for all of us who witnessed great football, quality football back then. BTW, I was in the bleachers behind the goal post in the 16-0 victory over Michigan. Today it seem everything is watered down for the sake of a few fleeting, temporal dollars.

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tom322Dec. 28, 12 1:20 AM

I was seventeen years old when a buddy of mine and I drove down to Birmingham to watch the Gophers in the Hall of Fame Classic. The people there thought it was great that such young individuals would make such a long trek to see a football game. They couldn't have been nicer. A second possession fumble by the Gophers prevented them from taking a 14-3 lead. They never recovered from it, and were never able to put together another successful scoring drive. Although the outcome was disappointing, it was still fun making the trip down there.

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aonealphaDec. 28, 12 5:08 AM

Do you ever notice how the players always seem to end up in Wisconsin? Heck, even Ponder went to Wisconsin to get married. What is wrong with staying in Minnesota?

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jerryshakesDec. 28, 12 6:10 AM

Reality = "from a 2-6 Big Ten record and no bowl game in 2011 to a 2-6 Big Ten record and an appearance in Friday night's Muffler Bowl in Houston vs. Texas Tech."

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jerryshakesDec. 28, 12 6:15 AM

Awesome debunk of the "theory" there has been ENORMOUS improvement in the '12 2-6 squad over the '11 or '10 2-6 squads! Keep up the good work! I'm sure '13's 2-6 squad will be the best yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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norselandcDec. 28, 12 6:41 AM

I love Reusse's perspective. He is a sportswriter and historian.

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pjnickDec. 28, 12 7:09 AM

I do not see Mr. Reusse's story as a thorough story without any mention of Tony Dungy, quarterback of the 1977 Gophers' team. As the title states, Gopher fans, including Mr. Reusse, owe an apology to the 1977 team, especially Tony Dungy, for underappreciation of their quality. Few games rank with the 1977 16-0 defeat of Michigan.

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freedubayDec. 28, 12 7:34 AM

I know this is a story about Michigan and Dungy but who can forget Stoll's pregame pep talk, : there are 100,000 S O B's in the stands here to see you lose. Dungy, "Coach, my parents are in the stands." Stoll, "There are 99,998 S O B's..." LOL!

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gopherfollyDec. 28, 12 9:09 AM

Great article Pat!! Always good to see the golferholers knashing their false teeth!!

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olson123456Dec. 28, 12 9:58 AM

Hallelujah to pj and freedubay! Most of the young 'uns don't realize that Dungy played QUARTERBACK in college. I don't know if Jerry Kill (or anyone else, for that matter) has the mojo to make this program respectable ever again. We shall see.

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