1. Gopher Football Schedule 2025

Gopher Football 2025 Schedule

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The 2025 Gophers football schedule will be a challenging one, but it also provides plenty of opportunities for the team to succeed. Minnesota will open the season with a home game against the Colorado Buffaloes, a team that has won nine of its last 11 games. The Gophers will then travel to Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers, a team that has won the Big Ten West Division six of the last seven years. After a bye week, Minnesota will host the Purdue Boilermakers, a team that finished 9-4 last season. The Gophers will then travel to Evanston to take on the Northwestern Wildcats, a team that has won the Big Ten West Division twice in the last five years.

The Gophers will have a tough stretch of games in October, as they will host the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes in consecutive weeks. Michigan is a perennial powerhouse, and Ohio State is the defending national champion. After a bye week, Minnesota will travel to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a team that has won nine of its last 11 games. The Gophers will then close out the regular season with a home game against the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team that has won the Big Ten West Division four of the last six years.

The 2025 Gophers football schedule is a challenging one, but it also provides plenty of opportunities for the team to succeed. Minnesota will have a chance to prove itself against some of the best teams in the country, and it will also have a chance to win the Big Ten West Division and advance to the Big Ten Championship Game. The Gophers will need to be at their best in order to succeed, but they have the talent and the experience to do so.

The Thrill of the Griz

This century-old rivalry promises another thrilling chapter in 2025. The Griz, with their storied history and passionate fan base, will undoubtedly bring their A-game to this highly anticipated matchup. Kickoff is set for 1:05 PM on September 13th at Griz Stadium, where the atmosphere is sure to be electric.

Montana Grizzlies 2025 Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time
September 6	Eastern Washington Eagles	1:05 PM
September 13	North Dakota Fighting Hawks	1:05 PM
September 20	Sacramento State Hornets	1:05 PM
September 27	Cal Poly Mustangs	1:05 PM
October 4	Idaho Vandals	1:05 PM
October 11	Portland State Vikings	1:05 PM
October 18	BYU Cougars	1:05 PM
October 25	Eastern Washington Eagles	1:05 PM
November 1	Idaho State Bengals	1:05 PM
November 8	Weber State Wildcats	1:05 PM
November 15	Montana State Bobcats	1:05 PM
November 22	Southern Utah Thunderbirds	1:05 PM

Gopher Gridiron 2025: A Path to Victory

Road to Redemption

With a promising roster and a seasoned coaching staff, the Gophers are poised for a strong season in 2025. Key additions through recruiting and the transfer portal have bolstered the team’s depth and talent across the board. The schedule presents a challenging gauntlet, but the Gophers are confident in their ability to navigate it successfully.

A Season of Resilience

The Gophers’ 2025 schedule presents a formidable challenge. The season opens with a non-conference clash against the reigning national champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide. While a victory over the Tide would be a monumental upset, the Gophers will use this game as a measuring stick and an opportunity to test their mettle against the best in the country.

Following the Alabama game, the Gophers face a Big Ten Conference schedule that features some of the toughest teams in the nation. They take on the reigning Big Ten West division champions, the Wisconsin Badgers, on the road. They will also host the Ohio State Buckeyes, who are always among the favorites to win the College Football Playoff. Additionally, they will travel to Illinois to face the Fighting Illini, who have emerged as a rising power in the Big Ten.

| Week | Opponent | Location |
|—|—|—|
| 1 | Alabama Crimson Tide | TCF Bank Stadium |
| 2 | Wisconsin Badgers | Camp Randall Stadium |
| 3 | New Mexico State Aggies | TCF Bank Stadium |
| 4 | Michigan State Spartans | TCF Bank Stadium |
| 5 | Ohio State Buckeyes | TCF Bank Stadium |
| 6 | Bye | N/A |
| 7 | Northwestern Wildcats | Ryan Field |
| 8 | Illinois Fighting Illini | Memorial Stadium |
| 9 | Purdue Boilermakers | TCF Bank Stadium |
| 10 | Maryland Terrapins | TCF Bank Stadium |
| 11 | Iowa Hawkeyes | Kinnick Stadium |
| 12 | Nebraska Cornhuskers | TCF Bank Stadium |

Embracing the Challenge

The Gophers understand the arduous task that lies ahead. They embrace the challenge and are determined to prove their worth on the gridiron. The team’s leaders have instilled a strong sense of discipline, camaraderie, and belief within the squad. They are confident in their ability to overcome adversity, execute their game plan, and emerge victorious from each contest.

Week 10: Purdue Boilermakers (Away)

The Gophers will make the trip to West Lafayette, Indiana, to take on the Purdue Boilermakers in Week 10. Purdue has been a tough opponent for Minnesota in recent years, with the Boilermakers winning three of the last four meetings. However, the Gophers have won the last two contests, including a 24-14 victory in Minneapolis in 2023. Purdue is expected to be a competitive team in 2025, so this will be a key game for Minnesota’s Big Ten title hopes.

Week 11: Illinois Fighting Illini (Home)

The Gophers will return home to face the Illinois Fighting Illini in Week 11. Illinois has been a struggling program in recent years, but they have shown signs of improvement under head coach Bret Bielema. The Illini went 5-7 in 2023, their best record since 2019. Minnesota has won the last two meetings with Illinois, including a 41-14 victory in Champaign in 2022. The Gophers should be favored in this matchup, but they will need to be careful not to overlook Illinois.

Week 12: Wisconsin Badgers (Away)

The Gophers will close out the regular season with a trip to Madison, Wisconsin, to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in Week 12. The Badgers are Minnesota’s biggest rival, and this game is always one of the most anticipated of the season. Wisconsin has won the last three meetings with the Gophers, including a 34-10 victory in Minneapolis in 2023. Minnesota will need to play its best game of the season if it wants to beat Wisconsin in 2025.

Date	Time	Opponent	Location
August 30, 2025	11:00 AM	New Mexico State Aggies	TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
September 6, 2025	2:30 PM	@ Colorado Buffaloes	Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
September 13, 2025	11:00 AM	Western Michigan Broncos	TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
September 20, 2025	6:30 PM	UNO Mavericks	TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
September 27, 2025	11:00 AM	@ Illinois Fighting Illini	Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
October 4, 2025	2:30 PM	Maryland Terrapins	TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
October 11, 2025	11:00 AM	Purdue Boilermakers	TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
October 18, 2025	2:30 PM	@ Iowa Hawkeyes	Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
October 25, 2025	11:00 AM	@ Indiana Hoosiers	Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
November 1, 2025	2:30 PM	Nebraska Cornhuskers	TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
November 8, 2025	11:00 AM	Michigan State Spartans	TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
November 15, 2025	2:30 PM	@ Wisconsin Badgers	Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin

Gopher Football: A Historical Perspective

The Seventies: The Rise of the Gophers

The 1970s marked a golden era for Gopher football. Led by legendary coach Murray Warmath, the team won three Big Ten championships (1973, 1974, and 1978) and played in three Rose Bowls. The 1973 team, known as the “Monsters of the Midway,” went undefeated (11-0) and ranked 4th in the final AP poll. Standout players from this era included All-Americans Chuck Foreman, Bobby Bell, and Tony Dungy. Foreman, a running back, won the Heisman Trophy in 1970 and is considered one of the greatest college football players of all time.

The Gophers’ success in the ’70s was built on a strong defense and a punishing running game. They developed a reputation for their “four yards and a cloud of dust” offense that wore down opponents. The T formation, with its emphasis on power running and short passes, was the team’s preferred scheme.

The 1974 Big Ten championship season was particularly memorable. The Gophers went 9-2 and defeated Ohio State 21-14 in the season finale to secure the title. The team was ranked 6th in the final AP poll, and several players earned All-American honors. The Gophers returned to the Rose Bowl in 1975 but lost to Penn State 23-0.

The Gophers’ Home Field Advantage

The Gophers have a strong home field advantage at Huntington Bank Stadium. The stadium is known for its loud and passionate crowd, which can make it difficult for visiting teams to win. In recent years, the Gophers have had a winning record at home, and they are always a tough opponent in front of their own fans.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Huntington Bank Stadium is electric on game day. The crowd is loud and supportive, and they create a great atmosphere for the players. The stadium is also known for its unique traditions, such as the “Ski-U-Mah” cheer and the “Gopher Hole” student section.

Location

Huntington Bank Stadium is located in the heart of Minneapolis, which makes it easy for fans to get to. The stadium is also close to a number of restaurants and bars, which makes it a great place to spend a game day.

History

Huntington Bank Stadium has a long and storied history. The stadium was built in 1924, and it has been home to the Gophers ever since. The stadium has been renovated several times over the years, and it is now one of the most modern and well-equipped stadiums in the Big Ten Conference.

Capacity

Huntington Bank Stadium has a capacity of 50,805. The stadium is typically sold out for Gophers football games, and the crowd creates a great atmosphere for the players.

Seating

The seating at Huntington Bank Stadium is comfortable and spacious. The stadium has a variety of seating options, including chairback seats, bleacher seats, and luxury suites. There are also a number of accessible seating options for fans with disabilities.

Amenities

Huntington Bank Stadium has a number of amenities to make the fan experience more enjoyable. The stadium has a wide variety of food and beverage options, as well as a number of retail stores. The stadium also has a number of interactive games and activities for fans of all ages.

Record

The Gophers have a winning record at Huntington Bank Stadium. Since the stadium opened in 1924, the Gophers have won over 60% of their home games. The Gophers have also won a number of Big Ten championships at Huntington Bank Stadium.

9. Defensive Backs

Cornerbacks

Junior Justin Walley and sophomore Phillip Howard are projected to lead the Gophers’ cornerback unit in 2025. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance, but they must be more consistent and improve their tackling ability. Redshirt freshman Omarion Hampton and true freshman Ryan Stapp will also compete for playing time at cornerback. Hampton is a physical specimen with great length and athleticism, while Stapp is a skilled cover corner with excellent ball skills.

Safeties

The Gophers have a solid group of safeties led by senior Derik LeCaptain, who is one of the most experienced players on the team. Redshirt junior Tyler Nubin and sophomore Jordan Nubin are also expected to play significant roles in the defensive backfield. Nubin is a versatile defensive back who can play either safety or cornerback, while Nubin is a physical and hard-hitting presence in the secondary.

Player	Position	Year
Justin Walley	Cornerback	Junior
Phillip Howard	Cornerback	Sophomore
Omarion Hampton	Cornerback	Redshirt Freshman
Ryan Stapp	Cornerback	True Freshman
Derik LeCaptain	Safety	Senior
Tyler Nubin	Safety/Cornerback	Redshirt Junior
Jordan Nubin	Safety	Sophomore

Beyond the Season: The Future of Gopher Football

10. Recruiting: A Foundation for the Future

Recruiting is the lifeblood of any successful football program, and the Gophers have made significant strides in this area under head coach P.J. Fleck. The 2023 recruiting class was ranked among the top 25 in the nation, and the 2024 class is shaping up to be even better. Fleck and his staff have focused on bringing in talented players from both Minnesota and across the country, and they have done a great job of developing them into stars on the field.

Key recruits to watch in the 2025 class include:

Name	Position	Hometown
Dasan McCullough	Linebacker	Avon, IN
Jeremiah Alexander	Safety	Lakeland, FL
Joshua Conerly Jr.	Offensive tackle	Seattle, WA
David Bailey	Running back	Spring, TX
Walter Nolen	Defensive lineman	Powell, TN

These are just a few of the talented recruits that the Gophers are targeting for the 2025 class. With a strong recruiting foundation in place, the future looks bright for Gopher football.

Gopher Football Schedule 2025

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football team will begin their 2025 season on Saturday, August 30, at home against the New Mexico State Aggies. The Gophers will then travel to face the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, September 6, before returning home to face the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday, September 13.

Following the Colorado game, Minnesota will hit the road for two straight games, facing the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, September 20, and the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, September 27. The Gophers will then return home to face the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday, October 4, before traveling to face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, October 11.

After the Penn State game, Minnesota will have a bye week on Saturday, October 18, before returning to action on Saturday, October 25, at home against the Maryland Terrapins. The Gophers will then travel to face the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, November 1, before returning home to face the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, November 8.

Minnesota will wrap up their 2025 regular season on Saturday, November 15, at home against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.