Donnell Kirkwood

Class:
Redshirt Sophomore
Position:
Running Back
Hometown:
Delray Beach, Fla.
High School:
Atlantic HS

2014 • SENIOR SEASON: Played in all 13 games, seeing action on offense and special teams • carried the ball 30 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns • received the Paul Giel Award, which is given to the person who shows the most unselfishness and concern for Minnesota • Academic All-Big Ten. Game-by-Game: Saw action against Eastern Illinois • rushed five times for 23 yards against Middle Tennessee, which included a 1-yard touchdown run (touchdown was his first score since the 2012 Texas Bowl) • played at TCU • carried the ball twice for five yards against San Jose State • played at Michigan and saw special teams action against Northwestern • rushed three times for eight yeards and one touchdown against Purdue • carried the ball two times for three yards at Illinois • had one carry against Iowa and two carries for 13 yards against Ohio State, while also playing on special teams in both games • rushed seven times for 32 yards at Nebraska and picked up nine yards on four carries at Wisconsin • competed against Missouri.

2013 • JUNIOR SEASON: Played in 11 games and started once • missed two games with an injury • rushed 52 times for 120 yards • caught three passes for 25 yards. Game-by-Game: Rushed 11 times for 30 yards against UNLV • missed the New Mexico State and Western Illinois games with an injury • returned to action against San Jose State where he played on special teams • rushed three times and caught one pass as he returned to the backfield for the first time in a month against Iowa • competed at Michigan • rushed 10 times for 26 yards and caught one pass for 3 yards at Northwestern • carried the ball three times for 12 yards against Nebraska • rushed four times for 10 yards at Indiana and three times for five yards against Penn State • had 12 yards on two carries against Wisconsin and 7 yards on seven carries at Michigan State • rushed four times for 6 yards against Syracuse.

2012 • SOPHOMORE SEASON: Started 13 games • led team with 218 carries and 926 rushing yards • added six rushing touchdowns • had a career-high 152 yards, including a career-long 38-yard run, at Illinois • received the Bruce Smith Award as the team[apos]s outstanding offensive player • also named team[apos]s Offensive Back of the Year • first Gopher running back to rush for more than 900 yards in a season since Amir Pinnix ran for 1,272 yards in 2006. Game-by-Game: Carried the ball 13 times for 81 yards at UNLV and also recorded one catch for 8 yards • ran for 71 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries vs. New Hampshire • recorded his first-career 100-yard rushing game vs. Western Michigan, gaining 110 yards on 23 carries • rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 28 carries against Syracuse • picked up 33 rushing yards on 12 carries at Iowa • rushed 18 times for 73 yards against Northwestern • carried the ball five times at Wisconsin • picked up 134 yards on 22 carries against Purdue • rushed 16 times for 58 yards against Michigan • rushed for a career-high 152 yards and two touchdowns, while tying his career high in carries with 28, at Illinois • his 152 yards at Illinois were the most for a Gopher running back since Duane Bennett ran for 187 yards in a win at Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 24, 2010 • had seven rush attempts at Nebraska and 10 carries vs. Michigan State • ruched 19 times for 80 yards and one touchdown vs. Texas Tech.

2011 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Appeared in all 12 games • made his first career start at Michigan State • rushed 63 times for 229 yards and three touchdowns. Game-by-Game: Saw action on special teams at USC and vs. New Mexico State • saw first action in backfield in win against Miami (Ohio), with 23 carries for 55 yards and a score • carried ball 10 times for 70 yards and two touchdowns against North Dakota State • competed at Michigan • rushed 12 times at Purdue • carried ball eight times vs. Nebraska, four times at Michigan State and eight times vs. Wisconsin • saw action as a reserve at Northwestern • three rushes for 24 yards vs. Illinois.

2010: Appeared in four games as a reserve running back • carried the ball 27 times, gaining 112 yards • missed remainder of season with a leg injury • granted medical hardship waiver. Game-by-Game: Recorded 50 yards on 12 carries including an 18-yard gain on his first-career carry against Middle Tennessee State • appeared against South Dakota • returned to the backfield against USC and led the team with 44 yards on 10 carries • carried the ball five times and picked up 18 yards against Northern Illinois.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2010 graduate of Atlantic High School • earned second-team all-conference honors as a senior after rushing for 491 yards and seven touchdowns • first-team all-conference selection as a junior after rushing for 1,013 yards and 14 scores • coached by Christopher Bean.

PERSONAL: Born Oct. 29, 1991 • son of Theresa and Donnell Kirkwood Sr • graduated with a degree in youth studies • working on his master[apos]s in applied kinesiology.