By Darin When Knute Rockne offers to buy a suit for anyone who can tackle you, you know you’ve arrived. Herb Joesting didn’t just play fullback for the University of Minnesota; he was the gravitational center of a Golden Gopher offense that punished the best defenses of the 1920s. Known as the “Owatonna Thunderbolt,” Joesting’s north-south running style was so relentless it inspired a young teammate named Bronko Nagurski to follow in his Hall of Fame footsteps. From undefeated seasons in the Big Ten to legendary battles against Notre Dame, Joesting remains the blueprint for the powerful Minnesota rushing attack.
Football Bio
April 17, 1905 – Little Falls, Minnesota – Herb Joesting, the Minnesota Golden Gophers fullback from 1925 to 1927, was born.
According to the FootballFoundation.org, Joesting was a powerful runner, and Gopher Coach Clarence “Doc” Spears knew how to use him, building the entire Minnesota offense around Herb’s style and talent.
After two straight seasons of being frustrated by Joesting, Notre Dame head man Knute Rockne proclaimed ahead of the 1927 matchup, “I’ll buy a new suit for the guy who can throw Joesting for a loss.” No Irish player was able to collect on the new threads, as the Irish and the Gophers ended the season tied at 7-7, with the Irish finishing 6-0-2.
The “Owatonna Thunderbolt,” as he was called, received the honor of being named an All-American for the third straight year in that senior season! Herb recorded 1,850 career yards in 24 games for a career average of 4.2 yards per carry. He knew only one way to play the game. “I play each game for all it’s worth,” he said. “No more can be asked of an athlete than that he goes all out in every situation.” Those words really inspired a young Gopher sophomore named Bronko Nagurski, who would watch and learn from Joesting’s great performances during the next two seasons.
Herb Joesting received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.
Conclusion
Herb Joesting was the ultimate “batterings ram” of his era, a player who combined raw power with an ironclad work ethic. His influence on the Minnesota program cannot be overstated; by mentoring Bronko Nagurski and anchoring Doc Spears’ offense, he helped establish the Gophers as a national power. His 1927 campaign—where he led an undefeated team and earned his second consensus All-America nod—remains a pinnacle of Big Ten history. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, Joesting’s legacy as the “Owatonna Thunderbolt” continues to rumble through the annals of “positive football history.”
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1954.
- 2× Consensus All-American: 1926, 1927.
- 3× First-Team All-Big Ten: 1925, 1926, 1927.
- Undefeated Season: Led Minnesota to a 6-0-2 record in 1927.
- Big Ten Scoring Leader: Led the conference in 1926 with 13 touchdowns (78 points).
- Record-Tier: His 13 touchdowns in 1926 tied the single-season record previously set by Red Grange.
- Career Rushing: 1,850 yards on 437 carries (4.2 average) over 24 games.
- Team Captain: Elected captain of the 1927 Minnesota squad.
- Helms Foundation Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1961.
- Pro Career: Played for the Minneapolis Red Jackets, Frankford Yellow Jackets, and Chicago Bears.
