RECAP: Minnesota Golden Gophers 23 vs Buffalo Bulls 10
FINAL: Minnesota 23 – Buffalo 10
It wasn’t the prettiest win, but the Minnesota Golden Gophers got the job done and started the 2025 season with a 23-10 victory over the Buffalo Bulls. The Gophers are now 1-0 on the season. They’ll take on Northwestern State next Saturday.
Drake Lindsey finishes his first game as the Gophers’ starting quarterback, completing 19-of-35 passing attempts for 290 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Darius Taylor was fantastic with 30 carries for 141 yards on the ground and four receptions for 36 yards.
TE Jameson Geers and WR Jalen Smith with touchdown receptions. Smith leads all receivers in yards with 71.
Jalen Smith says HELLO
The Gophers finally break through and find the endzone as Drake Lindsey climbs the pocket, rolls out to the sideline, and hits a wide-open Jalen Smith for a 60-yard touchdown. Gophers now lead 23-10.
Lindsey is now 18-for-34, 283 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Lindsey nearly hits Smith for TD ; Gophers settle for three
Minnesota once again was able to get deep into Buffalo territory, getting all the way to the Bulls’ seven-yard line. On third-and-five, Lindsey looked to hit Jalen Smith on a well-run route in the back of the endzone, but Smith just ran out of room, missing a touchdown by inches. The Gophers settle for a 25-yard field goal from Brady Denaburg, extending the lead to 16-10.
END Q3
The Gophers are driving as the third quarter comes to an end. They’ll take over on Buffalo’s 33-yard line to start the final quarter of play.
Buffalo strikes back with a touchdown
The Gophers’ defense finally breaks as Buffalo wide receiver Victor Snow beats Kerry Brown with a well-run route and gets wide open for Ta’Quan Roberson en route to a 40-yard touchdown. Buffalo cuts the Gophers’ lead down to three.
Gophers get points coming out of half
The Gophers needed points coming out of halftime and did just that. While they had to settle for their second field goal of the game, the Minnesota offense drove 59 yards deep into Buffalo territory before Brady Denaburg hit a 29-yard attempt to put the Gophers up 13-3. Drake Lindey started 3-for-3 coming out of the break before missing his final two attempts. Javon Tracy had a 35-yard reception, which involved breaking through several tackles and getting loose to pick up extra yards.
HALFTIME
Minnesota takes a 10-3 lead into halftime. They lead Buffalo 193-66 in the total yards department. Drake Lindsey has flashed at times and at others has looked like a redshirt freshman in his first start. Darius Taylor is having no issues on the ground with 12 carries for 70 yards. Devon Williams leads Gophers defenders with seven tackle,s including a sack.
Gophers add points before half, extend lead to 10-3
Minnesota hoped for more on their final drive of the first half, but after Drake Lindsey takes a sack, the Gophers settle for a field goal attempt. Brady Denabur,g in his first opportunity makes a 38-yarder to extend the lead to 10-3.
Buffalo misses field goal, Gophers look to get points before half
Buffalo had an opportunity to make it a one-point game but missed a 48-yard field goal. Minnesota has just under 80 seconds to get points on the board.
Two-minute warning
Two-minute warning as Buffalo faces a 3rd-and-4 after the break from Minnesota’s 31.
Another first down was taken away after review
After what appeared to be a rocket of a pass from Drake Lindsey to Jalen Smith that would’ve put the Gophers at midfield despite being in a 3rd-and-17 situation. The call on the field is overturned, and the Gophers were forced to punt. Despite the incompletion, it was a perfect pass from Drake Lindsey, and it shows that the Gophers have all the confidence in Lindsey in third-and-long situations.
Minnesota’s defense stands tall, forcing a field goal
The Golden Gophers’ defense answers the call and forces a field goal after just three plays. Buffalo’s Jack Howes makes a 36-yarder to make it a 7-3 game.
Lindsey interception results in strong field position for Buffalo
As the Gophers were driving, a Drake Lindsey pass intended for Jameson Geers, careened off Geers’ leg, who appeared to be knocked to the ground and into the hands of a Buffalo defender. Buffalo’s offense takes over at the Gophers’ 40-yard line.
Gophers defense continues to roll
The Minnesota defense continues to be dominant. After allowing a first down on the first play of Buffalo’s first drive, the Gophers keep the Bulls quiet and force a punt after just four plays. Gophers take over on their own 19.
Gophers take 7-0 lead on Jameson Geers touchdown
Drake Lindsey continues to look poised and confident as he makes a beautiful lob pass to Jameson Geers for a nine-yard touchdown. The redshirt freshman is now 6-for-8, 59 yards, and one touchdown. Jameson Geers has four receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown so far.
END OF Q1: Minnesota 0 – Buffalo 0
The Golden Gophers and Bulls are tied after the first quarter of play. Minnesota, however, is well ahead in the box score. 82 total yards to Buffalo’s -6. Gophers are averaging a quality 4.6 yards per play on offense and have 10:22 of TOP compared to Buffalo’s 4:38.
A third-straight three-and-out for Buffalo’s offense
Another drive, another three-and-out for Buffalo. The Bulls lose five yards over their three plays, with Devon Williams getting a sack on Ta’Quan Roberson to end the drive. Emmanuel Karmo also picked up his first career tackle on the drive. Gophers will start at midfield.
Minnesota drives into field goal range, turns ball over on downs
A promising Minnesota drive that saw the Gophers get as far as the Bulls’ 11-yard line resulted in a turnover on downs. Gophers on fourth down, lined up in a “tush push” formation, but instead of Drake Lindsey getting the carry, it’s a direct snap to Jameson Geers, who gets stuffed. Buffalo takes over at their own 11-yard line.
Two drives, two three-and-outs
Minnesota’s defense posts another three-and-out. Buffalo’s punt goes for 39-yards, Gophers will take over at the Buffalo 46.
Gophers opening drive fizzles out but Lindsey shows promise
The Gophers first drive of the game is five plays for 19-yards. Rushing attack on the drive didnt muster much, just seven yards on three carries. Drake Lindsey had two fantastic throws, one to Koi Perich for 12-yards and one to Jalen Smith for what appeared to be an 11-yard reception. However, upon review, Smith bobbled the ball as he went out of bounds. The play was overturned, and Gophers punted. Tom Weston’s first punt was a strong one while long snapper Alan Soukup and wide receiver Logan Loya downed the ball at the Bull’s 1.
Gophers force three-and-out on opening drive
The Gophers force Buffalo to go three-and-out on their first defensive drive of the game. Al-Jay Henderson got a pair of carries, one going for two, one losing two. The pass rush led by Anthony Smith and Jalen Logan-Redding gets to Ta’Quan Roberson on third down. Perich fair catches the punt, and the Gophers will start on their own 35.
Minnesota wins the toss
The Gophers have deferred to the second half.
True freshman Naiim Parrish set to have notable role
With Mike Gerald out tonight for the Gophers, expect true freshman Naiim Parrish to have a notable role behind starters Za’Quan Bryan and John Nestor.
Gophers offensive line looks to be set
The Gophers starting offensive line on Thursday night appears to be; Nathan Roy – Greg Johnson – Ashton Beers – Marcellus Marshall – Nathan Roy.
Availability Report
| Player | Designation |
| #24 CB Jai’Onte’ McMIllan | Questionable |
| #4 WR Cristian Driver | OUT |
| #12 S Darius Green | OUT |
| #13 WR Bradley Martino | OUT |
| #13 CB Mike Gerald | OUT |
| #20 WR Legend Lyons | OUT |
| #30 LB Drew Wilson | OUT – SEASON |
| #30 K Sam Henson | OUT |
| #50 DT Mo Omonode | OUT – SEASON |
| #51 OL Daniel Shipp | OUT |
| #52 OL Spencer Alvarez | OUT |
| #99 DT Theorin Randle | OUT |
The Minnesota Golden Gophers begin their 2025 season on Thursday evening at Huntington Bank Stadium with a matchup against the Buffalo Bulls. We’ll have you covered throughout Thursday night’s games with live updates, stats, scores, and more. Please note you will have to refresh this browser to receive the latest updates.
