University of Minnesota Athletics
Francis "Pug" Lund
9/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Francis "Pug" Lund |
Born and raised in Rice Lake, Wis., Francis "Pug" Lund headed west to the University of Minnesota in 1931, where he played football and ran track for the Gophers. On the gridiron, Lund was a two-time All-American in 1933 and 1934, earning Big Ten MVP honors those same years as well. The speedy halfback also served as the captain of the 1934 national championship team, averaging almost six yards per carry that season. Perhaps his most memorable game that season came against the University of Pittsburgh, when he took a lateral and then threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Robert Tenner late in the fourth quarter to give the Gophers a thrilling 13-7 win and their first undefeated national title. Tough as nails and never one to back down from an opponent, Lund rejected many offers to play pro football, and instead chose a career in the automotive insurance industry. Among his many honors, Lund was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1958.
M Club Hall of Fame