The 2025 college football season kicks off Thursday night with an intriguing nonconference matchup: the Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. the Buffalo Bulls. Both teams enter the opener with new starting quarterbacks, looking to set the tone for the season ahead.
Drake Lindsey Era Begins at Minnesota
For Minnesota, the spotlight falls on sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey, who will make his first career start after spending his freshman season learning from the sidelines.
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2024 stats: 5 pass attempts, 4 completions, 50 yards, 1 touchdown
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Taking over for: Max Brosmer, now chasing an NFL roster spot with the Minnesota Vikings
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Coach P.J. Fleck’s outlook: “It’s not about just Drake Lindsey. It’s about how well the supporting cast can do around him. That’s ultimately going to be the story of the 2025 offense.”
The Golden Gophers showed resilience last season, finishing 8-5 after a rocky 2-3 start. Their campaign ended with a convincing 24-10 victory over Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, providing momentum heading into 2025.
Buffalo Turns to Ta’Quan Roberson
On the other sideline, Buffalo will hand the keys to quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson, a transfer from Kansas State. While his game action last year was limited (3-of-7 passes for 18 yards), he enters the program with fresh opportunity under head coach Pete Lembo.
Lembo’s debut season was historic:
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9-4 record overall
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6-2 mark in the MAC
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Bahamas Bowl win (26-7 vs Liberty)
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School record for most wins by a first-year coach
With a contract extension secured, Lembo is eager to build on that foundation. “We’ve won some games maybe when a lot of people didn’t expect us to,” Lembo said. “Now we’ve got a big challenge on the road to open the season.”
Key Players to Watch
Both teams bring offensive firepower and defensive talent into the opener.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
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Darius Taylor, RB: Led the team with 1,336 all-purpose yards, including 986 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
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Koi Perich, DB/Returner: Recorded 5 interceptions and 46 tackles as a freshman, while doubling as the primary kick and punt returner.
Buffalo Bulls
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Al-Jay Henderson, RB: Surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 and earned spots on the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award watch lists.
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Defensive front: Expected to be tested against Minnesota’s ground game, led by Taylor.
Series History: Minnesota vs Buffalo
This will be the third meeting between the programs:
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2002: Minnesota 41, Buffalo 17
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2017: Minnesota 17, Buffalo 7
The Golden Gophers hold a 2-0 all-time series advantage, but Buffalo enters as a program on the rise under Lembo.
What to Expect in the Season Opener
The Minnesota vs Buffalo 2025 season opener brings several storylines:
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Two inexperienced QBs making their first career starts under the lights
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A clash between Minnesota’s Big Ten physicality and Buffalo’s momentum from last season
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Star running backs (Taylor and Henderson) looking to carry the load and take pressure off their quarterbacks
Expect both teams to lean heavily on their rushing attacks early, while defenses look to exploit quarterback inexperience.
FAQs About Minnesota vs Buffalo
Who is Minnesota’s new starting quarterback in 2025?
Drake Lindsey, a sophomore who attempted only five passes last season, will start for the Golden Gophers.
Who is Buffalo’s starting QB for 2025?
Transfer quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson, formerly at Kansas State, will make his first career start for the Bulls.
Which running backs are players to watch?
Minnesota’s Darius Taylor and Buffalo’s Al-Jay Henderson, both capable of 1,000+ yard seasons.
What is the all-time series record between Minnesota and Buffalo?
Minnesota leads 2-0, with wins in 2002 and 2017.
Conclusion
The Minnesota vs Buffalo 2025 season opener is more than just another Week 1 matchup — it’s the beginning of two new quarterback eras. With Drake Lindsey and Ta’Quan Roberson under center, the game will test how quickly each team can adjust and rely on its supporting cast.
Fans can expect a hard-fought contest where running backs and defenses play major roles in shaping the outcome.
Stay locked in to Sportwp for more college football previews, results, and analysis throughout the 2025 season.
