Game one of any college football season is often about overcoming nerves and establishing rhythm, especially with new faces in critical roles. For Minnesota, all eyes were on redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey making his collegiate debut. Lindsey delivered a mixed but encouraging performance, throwing for 290 yards and two touchdowns, including a highlight 60-yard strike to Jalen Smith. His poise and arm strength were evident, though he also made a few rookie mistakes, including a fluky interception that set up Buffalo’s only touchdown. Notably, Lindsey spread the ball to eight different receivers, showcasing depth in the Gophers’ receiving corps.
While the offense stalled on multiple red zone trips—settling for three field goals and missing a crucial fourth-and-one conversion—the Gophers’ ground game provided stability. Junior running back Darius Taylor emerged as a workhorse, rushing for 141 yards on 30 carries and growing stronger as the game progressed. Though Taylor didn’t find the end zone, his consistent gains were instrumental in controlling the clock and field position.
Defensively, Minnesota put together a dominant performance, holding Buffalo to just 151 total yards and only 44 on the ground. The Gophers’ defense allowed just one third-down conversion on 11 attempts and consistently pressured the Bulls’ offense. Aside from a 40-yard touchdown pass by Buffalo’s Victor Snow, the unit kept the visitors in check, with the only other Bulls’ scoring opportunity coming after a turnover deep in Minnesota territory.
The victory, while not flawless, offered valuable insights for the Gophers as they move through a challenging schedule. The 2025 slate includes notable home games against Rutgers, Purdue (Homecoming), Nebraska, Michigan State, and the season finale against Wisconsin, as well as high-profile road trips to face California, Ohio State, Oregon, and Northwestern at Wrigley Field. For a full breakdown of the upcoming schedule and future opponents, fans can visit the official 2025 Football Schedule.
Minnesota now enjoys a 10-day break to fine-tune their offense before hosting Northwestern State on September 6. With a young quarterback gaining confidence and a defense already in midseason form, the Gophers look to build momentum and address early red zone inefficiencies as Big Ten play looms. For continuous updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow the program’s official account @GopherFootball on X.