Gophers start season off strong in 23-10 win over Buffalo

by Robert Brent, Let’s Play Football

The Minnesota Golden Gophers kicked off their 2025 season in front of 47,774 fans last night against the Mid-American Conference’s Buffalo University. 

The Gophers came away with the 23-10 victory after pulling away in the fourth quarter. Minnesota gained 441 yards of total offense to Buffalo’s 151. Minnesota also dominated possession, holding the ball for 38 minutes and 28 seconds.

While the win was a positive start, it was only one game in what could be a defining season. P.J. Fleck has assembled a young and talented roster through strong recruiting. The opener showed progress but also reminded the team that there’s still work to be done.

Key Takeaways

Gophers Soft Launch Two-Way Perich

One of the most anticipated storylines for the Gophers this season is how they’ll use safety Koi Perich. He burst onto the scene last year, leading the Big Ten in interceptions and earning second-team All-American honors. He also returns punts and kicks.

Now, the hope is that he can also add an offensive spark.

“It all depends on what he can handle,” Offensive Coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. said during training camp. “Koi will have a specific job each week within the offense. He can do a lot of things. Why would I not want the ball in his hands?”

Perich saw his first offensive snaps last night, lining up at receiver and hauling in a 12-yard catch early. Defensively, he finished with two tackles.

The Gophers will look to get him more involved as the season progresses, but it will take time for him to acclimate to the offense fully. The opener was the first step.

New-Look Defense Passes Test

Minnesota’s season opener against Buffalo marked the debut of new defensive coordinator Danny Collins, who was promoted from safeties coach after Corey Hetherman’s departure..

The defense also had to replace several key players, including Cody Lindenberg, Jah Joyner, and Justin Walley.

If the opener is any indication, though, the unit should still be a strength. The only blemish came on a blown coverage that led to a 40-yard Buffalo touchdown. Other than that, the defense held Buffalo to just 151 total yards (107 passing, 44 rushing) and 3.4 yards per play.

The Gophers also piled up seven tackles for loss, including two sacks. Maverick Baranowski stood out with 10 tackles.

Offense Still Ironing Out the Details

While the defense impressed, the Gophers’ offense had mixed results.

Running back Darius Taylor was his usual steady self with 141 yards on 30 carries. The bigger story was the first start for redshirt first-year quarterback Drake Lindsey.

Lindsey went 19-of-35 for 290 yards and two touchdowns. His lone interception came on a fluky play where his receiver slipped and the ball deflected into the hands of a defender. Otherwise, he showed accuracy, arm strength, and poise. The coaching staff’s trust was clear in giving him 35 attempts.

The young quarterback could have had an even bigger day if not for several dropped passes. Minnesota’s receiving corps is inexperienced after losing top targets Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer.

The offense also stalled in the red zone, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns on a few key drives. That kept the game closer than it should have been, especially in the first half when Minnesota led by just seven at the break.

Season Outlook

The opener brought more positives than concerns, but Buffalo was an opponent Minnesota was expected to beat. The team needs to clean up frequent dropped passes and stalled drives before the start of the Big Ten schedule.

The Gophers’ schedule could give them time to grow. They face Ohio State and Oregon, but those are the only currently ranked opponents. Their opponents last season combined for a 79-76 record, ranking 85th nationally in strength of schedule.

That relatively light schedule should be a positive for the Minnesota team. They lost a significant amount of talent, especially on offense, from last year with the addition of a new starting quarterback and two new starting wide receivers. 

The team’s schedule should allow those players time to grow and get acclimated to NCAA football while still preserving traditional rivalries with Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska. That gives Minnesota an outstanding balance of exciting matchups and chances to grow.

The 2025 campaign will likely be one of progress for the Gophers. Minnesota has several young and talented players, with even more on the way from Fleck’s impressive recruiting exploits. Even in a season where the team will likely go through some growing pains, a bowl appearance should be the expectation.