2012 • FRESHMAN SEASON: Started the final seven games of the season at quarterback • passed for 873 yards and eight touchdowns (third most ever for a Gopher freshman quarterback) • rushed 69 times for 184 yards • led team with 1,057 yards of total offense • named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week for his performance against Purdue (first Gopher to ever earn that honor) • shared Outstanding Offensive Freshman of the Year honors with running back Rodrick Williams. Game-by-Game: Made his Minnesota and collegiate debut at Wisconsin • completed 13-of-24 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 16 times for 67 yards at Wisconsin • made his home debut against Purdue and led Minnesota to a 44-28 win • completed 15-of-22 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns in the win vs. Purdue • rushed for 37 yards and connected on 13 passes, including one touchdown, against Michigan • caught his first career pass on fake field goal attempt vs. Michigan • completed 9-of-15 passes for 78 yards (fewest in a Minnesota win since Adam Weber passed for 74 yards in 35-20 win against Purdue on Nov. 10, 2010) in a 17-3 bowl-clinching win at Illinois • saw action at Nebraska and against Michigan State • rushed for 26 yards and completed 7-of-16 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns vs. Texas Tech.
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Mankato West High School • MaxPreps' Tom Lemming rated him the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the nation, the No. 40 overall player in the country and his National Sleeper of the Year • listed as the No. 3 player in Minnesota and the No. 15 pro-style QB in the nation by Rivals • led team to 11-1 record, conference and section championship and berth in state semifinals • winner of Minnesota Mr. Football award following his senior season • also named ESPN Gatorade Minnesota Player of the Year and Associated Press Minnesota Player of the Year in 2011 • named all-state by the Minnesota Vikings and the Associated Press • earned All-America recognition by the Semper Fidelis All-Star Game • named Big Nine Conference Player of the Year and was a two-time Big Nine Offensive Player of the Year • three-time all-conference selection • set state records for single-season total touchdowns (55) and career touchdowns (135) • finished career No. 2 on state charts for attempts (801), completions (490), passing yards (7,561) and touchdown passes (94) • passed for 2,784 yards and 35 scores, while rushing for 1,243 yards and 20 TDs as a senior • coached by Mark Esch • enrolled at the University of Minnesota in January 2012 and took part in spring practice.
PERSONAL: Philip Nelson was born Sept. 11, 1993 • son of Pat and Norma Nelson.
