History 1999-2007
Helmet
In 1999, Minnesota went back to a lighter maroon helmet, and the brick M lost the white inside border. The # decals were now separate on the back of the helmet as seen below. This same general design was used through 2006, though more shiny sparkle flake paint was added in 2004. The Gopher decal on the bumper was later added, a Big Ten Conference flag decal, as well as the US flag decal were added. The US flag decal and the Big Ten Conference decals also changed. Exact dates will be coming soon. Riddell and Air/Schutt models were used again by Minnesota, and in 2004 the Riddell Revolution model and Schutt DNA were seen first the first time for use by the Gophers.
The 2006 season brought something entirely new to the Gopher Nation, alternate throwback helmets! Minnesota wore 1961 throwback helmets to commemorate our last National Championship team. These white helmets sported a maroon and gold helmet stripe, with #s on the sides. These helmet broke new ground in alternate helmet use by Minnesota, which we would see in a few short years. The Gophers auctioned these uniforms off after the game, and we purchased 10 of these uniform sets, and many of the key players.
In 2007, the Gophers went with a slightly darker maroon and a change in the brick M design to a larger M, with a maroon inner and gold outer border. The front bumper changed from Big Ten to Gophers. One of the few genius ideas of the Brewster administration occurred here, the introduction of the State of Minnesota decal on the back of the helmet. The Big Ten and US flag decals on the rear changed once again. By this time, the Schutt DNA model and Riddell Revolution model were the norm.
The 2006 season brought something entirely new to the Gopher Nation, alternate throwback helmets! Minnesota wore 1961 throwback helmets to commemorate our last National Championship team. These white helmets sported a maroon and gold helmet stripe, with #s on the sides. These helmet broke new ground in alternate helmet use by Minnesota, which we would see in a few short years. The Gophers auctioned these uniforms off after the game, and we purchased 10 of these uniform sets, and many of the key players.
In 2007, the Gophers went with a slightly darker maroon and a change in the brick M design to a larger M, with a maroon inner and gold outer border. The front bumper changed from Big Ten to Gophers. One of the few genius ideas of the Brewster administration occurred here, the introduction of the State of Minnesota decal on the back of the helmet. The Big Ten and US flag decals on the rear changed once again. By this time, the Schutt DNA model and Riddell Revolution model were the norm.
Uniform
Many would say that 1999 was a great year for the Gopher uniform. Glen Mason brought back a nice, classic look the Gopher uni, which also ushered in the Nike era for Gopherdom. A clean looking, home maroon jersey with gold #s and letters, all sewn on. The away white jersey had maroon numbers bordered in gold, and gold names on the back, all sewn. This exact design was worn through 2003. The #71 Brandon Hall memorial patch was worn during the 2002 season after his unfortunate death. In 1999 we went to our first bowl in eons and wore the away white with the Sun Bowl patch. In 2000 we went to the now defunct MicronPc.Com Bowl and wore that patch. In 2002 we wore the home with Brandon Hall memorial patch and Music City Bowl patch during our first trip to Nashville. And, in 2003, back to El Paso in our away whites with the Sun Bowl patch.
The 2004 to 2007 era kept the 1999-2003 jersey style largely intact with some changes. We start with the addition of the brick M to the neckline. A larger holed mesh was also added for our warmer weather away games. As stated above in the helmet section, we did wear a throwback uni in 2006 vs NDSU to commemorate our 61 champs team. In 2007 the Big Ten Conference flag patch was added, along with a C captain's patch. In 2004 we returned to Nashville and wore our home jerseys with the MCB patch again, in 2005 away with MCB bowl patch...again, and in 2006 homes with Insight Bowl patch
The 2004 to 2007 era kept the 1999-2003 jersey style largely intact with some changes. We start with the addition of the brick M to the neckline. A larger holed mesh was also added for our warmer weather away games. As stated above in the helmet section, we did wear a throwback uni in 2006 vs NDSU to commemorate our 61 champs team. In 2007 the Big Ten Conference flag patch was added, along with a C captain's patch. In 2004 we returned to Nashville and wore our home jerseys with the MCB patch again, in 2005 away with MCB bowl patch...again, and in 2006 homes with Insight Bowl patch
