The Gophers are expected to get two key defensive players back against Wisconsin at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Linebacker Devon Williams and cornerback John Nestor were not listed on the U’s unavailability report, setting up their return for the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

Both will be welcomed back against the rival Badgers’ strong running game, especially Williams, the U’s leading tackler with 73 through 10 games.

Williams and Nestor were sidelined for the 38-35 loss to Northwestern at Wrigley Field last week and were badly missed as Minnesota gave up 525 total yards to the Wildcats.

Matt Kingsbury, who filled in for Williams last week, is listed as out, per the U, along with offensive lineman Kahlee Tafai and defensive lineman Sam Macy.

Minnesota will still be without backup safety Garrison Monroe, receiver Cristian Driver, defensive lineman Theo Randle, cornerback Simon Seidl and kicker Sam Henson. Offensive lineman DJ Shipp is listed as questionable.

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Southbound Interstate 35W in Dakota County will face road closures and lane restrictions beginning Monday so crews can do roadway striping, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said.

9 p.m. Monday. Beginning at 9 p.m., Monday, Dec. 1, southbound I-35W will be reduced to one lane between Highway 13 and Burnsville Parkway until 5 a.m. each day. The reduced lane closures will end at 5 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4.
9 p.m. Wednesday. Beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, through 5 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, ramps from eastbound Highway 13 to southbound I-35W and southbound I-35W to Burnsville Parkway will be closed.
6 a.m. Saturday. On Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at 6 a.m., southbound I-35 will shut down from I-494 to the I-35W/I35E split. Motorists will be directed to use eastbound I-494 to southbound Highway 77 to southbound I-35E to southbound I-35 until the freeway reopens at 9 p.m. Saturday.

“MnDOT urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution, and slow down in work zones where workers are present,” the agency said, noting that closures are subject to change.

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

For more information about this project or to sign up for email updates visit the project website.

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After nearly three years, visitors to Tettegouche State Park north of Silver Bay can once again cross the Baptism River above High Falls on foot.

The new High Falls pedestrian bridge opened to the public Monday, after the original 1988 bridge was damaged by severe flooding in 2022 and subsequently closed. A second flooding event in 2024 caused the original bridge to fully detach on one side.

“The High Falls Bridge has always been a high-traffic, popular spot in the park, so we’re thrilled to have a safe new bridge that visitors can enjoy,” said Katie Foshay, park supervisor at Tettegouche State Park, in a news release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The bridge was completely replaced during the $1.07 million construction project. The new bridge is made of fiberglass polymer and is elevated 5 feet above the original, helping make it more resilient to high flooding.

In addition to the High Falls bridge, the following areas of the park — closed during the summer 2025 bridge construction — have reopened:

The completed pedestrian bridge reconnects trails, including the Superior Hiking Trail, on the west side of the Baptism River, leading to the bridge.

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SEATTLE — Kelly Pannek scored two goals, Nicole Hensley had a shutout and the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost disappointed a record women’s hockey crowd with a 3-0 win over the Seattle Torrent on Friday afternoon.

The 16,014 fans set a record for largest attendance at a women’s hockey game in a U.S. arena. It was the inaugural home game for the Torrent.

Late in the first period, Pannek got the bounce and fired a shot from between the circle that Torrent goalie Corinne Schroeder couldn’t corral. She scored her second goal of the season midway through the third period, and Grace Zumwinkle added a power play goal.

Hensley made 30 saves for the Frost (1-1-0-0).

Schroeder, who led the league with four shutouts last season for the New York Sirens, made 22 saves for the Torrent (1-0-1-0).

The Frost plays at Ottawa on Tuesday. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.

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