Minnesota Gophers: Homecoming History #TBT

If you’re curious about the 1914 Homecoming, read my bit from last year The First Homecoming. Today’s post is more of a mix bag of historic photos and fun tidbits (did you know Minnesota has scheduled Ohio State 4 times on Homecoming, and never won once?). The U of M has come up with a really good timeline for the history of Homecoming, filled with fun facts like this one: from 1918-1920 homecoming was put on hold because of rationing during WWI.

Illinois, is the fifth most common Homecoming opponent. Five teams make up more than 60% of the 103 years of Homecoming games. Northwestern (18), Iowa (13), Michigan (13), Purdue (10) and Illinois (9) round out the most frequently played opponents. Getting back to the Illini, Minnesota holds a Homecoming record of 5-4-1, with the following results:

1919

Illinois 10

Minnesota 6

1958

Illinois 20

Minnesota 8

1960

Minnesota 21

Illinois 10

1962

Minnesota 17

Illinois 0

1964

Illinois 14

Minnesota 0

1968

Minnesota 17

Illinois 0

1976

Minnesota 29

Illinois 14

1979

Minnesota 17

Illinois 17

2004

Minnesota 45

Illinois 0

2007

Illinois 44

Minnesota 17

While Minnesota beat Illinois in 1964 with a ‘Silence Illi-Noise’ theme. Everyone got involved, including Daytons! Dayton's 8th Floor promoted Homecoming with a fashion show. If you don’t remember Dayton’s or know what the 8th floor is then you’re a cool age. But by 1968 when the Illni again traveled to Dinkytown for Homecoming the parade had to be cancelled because of the Vietnam War protests. The Homecoming parade, which in 1942 had been billed as the world's longest parade, didn’t resume until 1977.