For the third straight year, the Gophers’ offense mustered a slow start in a season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Minnesota was a 17-point favorite against Buffalo, but its inability to finish long drives allowed the Mid-American Conference opponent to hang around in an eventual 23-10 win.
The Gophers had six drives go inside the 25-yard line, but only one ended in a touchdown. They got over that hurdle by scoring before reaching the red zone.
Early in the fourth quarter, Drake Lindsey felt pressure, rolled right and found a wide open Jalen Smith for a 60-yard touchdown. It was the Gophers’ first 60-plus yard touchdown toss since October 2022.
After the one-play touchdown drive, Minnesota stacked up a 16-play drive that consumed nearly 10 minutes to put the game away.
The U’s start was all too familiar. They edged Nebraska 13-10 to start 2023 and fell late in a 19-17 loss to North Carolina to begin last year. The last comfortable win with explosive offensive plays in Game 1? A 38-0 blowout of New Mexico State and Jerry Kill in 2022.
In his first career start, Lindsey completed 19 of 35 passes (54%) for 290 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. A handful of dropped passes stymied drives, and a weird turnover ended another.
Up 13-3 in the third quarter, Gophers gave up a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ta’Quan Roberson to Victor Snow, whose double move beat U safety Kerry Brown. Given the U’s struggles on offense, any miscue on defense loomed larger.
The Gophers’ offense had four first-half drives reach inside the Buffalo 25-yard line, but two ended in turnovers (downs and interception), while the other two ended in points (touchdown and field goal).
The Gophers were thwarted on a fourth-down, tush-push by Jameson Geers, a tight end under center, being stopped at the line of scrimmage.
But on the next drive, Geers made a leaping grab on a jump ball from Lindsey for a 9-yard touchdown.
The following drive, Lindsey was docked an interception, but it was one of the flukiest turnovers possible. Geers was popped when running a shallow crossing route and was on the ground when Lindsey’s pass hit his foot. It ricocheted up, and linebacker Michell Gonser returned it 54 yards.
Darius Taylor’s shoestring tackle saved a Bulls touchdown and kept four points off the scoreboard once the Bulls made a 36-yard field goal. On offense, Taylor rushed for 141 yards on 30 carries and added four receptions for 36 yards.
Minnesota’s defense had six tackles for lost yards in the first half — the most in a half for the U since 2020 — and Buffalo managed only 66 yards on 26 plays in the first half. They ended with 151 total yards.
Minnesota wide receiver Jalen Smith (8) catches a 60 yard touchdown pass against Buffalo during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Minnesota defensive lineman Jalen Logan-Redding (97) sacks Buffalo quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson (2) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2025 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
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