In their first year under head coach Joe Salem the Golden Gophers compiled a 461 record, Quarterback Mark Carlson received the team's Most Valuable Player award and Keith Edwards was awarded the Defensive MVP Award.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (commonly shortened to Gophers) are the college sports teams of the University of Minnesota. The 1979 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 1979 Big Ten Conference football season. In their first year under head coach Joe Salem, the Golden Gophers compiled a 461 record and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 271 to 264. Joseph N. "Smokey Joe" Salem (born May 1, 1938) is former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of South Dakota (19661974), Northern Arizona University (19751978), and the University of Minnesota (19791983), compiling a career college football record of 96913. Quarterback Mark Carlson received the team's Most Valuable Player award. Free safety Keith Edwards was awarded the Defensive MVP Award. Big Ten Conference 461 (351 Big Ten) Mark Carlson 
