The 1903 team was the first great squad at Minnesota. Going 14-0-1, tying Michigan in the first Little Brown Jug game and in the Big Nine standings. Four players from the team received All-American status, including Ed Rogers. In these early days of college football there were no bowl games or post season play.
Some schools, like Michigan and the University of Chicago, had gone west to play California schools on New Year's Day. These games were purely exhibitions intended to promote the schools, the game, and make money. Before the 1903 season ended, rumors spread that Gopher officials were trying to set up a New Year's Game.