Nebraska Football Opponent Preview: Friday Night Challenge in Minnesota

Per SI:

Let’s See The Game Basics Under the Lights in Minneapolis​

The Cornhuskers will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CDT on FOX. The game will take place at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. It’s a venue known for its vibrant atmosphere, especially during night games.

Minnesota fans typically show up in force for these primetime matchups, ensuring a loud and challenging environment for the visiting Huskers. The short week preparation following the Maryland game will be a significant factor, testing the depth and conditioning of both teams.

For Nebraska, this game carries a strong revenge record. However, the Huskers haven’t beaten Minnesota since 2020. Well, it’s surely a frustrating streak that has seen the Gophers claim the "Broken Chair Trophy" in recent years.

The most painful memory for Husker Nation is undoubtedly the 2023 season opener in Minneapolis. The game ended in a heartbreaking 13–10 last-second loss for Nebraska. In that game, Minnesota capitalized on late turnovers, with Dragan Kesich hitting a 47-yard walk-off field goal as time expired. That bitter defeat, occurring under the Friday night lights, serves as a powerful motivation anchor for Matt Rhule's squad, who will be eager to finally break the Minnesota curse.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers continue to operate under the "Row the Boat" culture instilled by Head Coach P.J. Fleck, now in his ninth season. Fleck's teams are consistently disciplined, physical, and committed to a ground-first offensive approach, often dominating time of possession. The 2025 season is a pivotal year for Fleck, as the Gophers navigate life after longtime starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who transferred out.

The starting quarterback for Minnesota in 2025 has been named: redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey. He played in only three games last year, all in situations where the Gophers had strong leads.

Another option on the roster is to transfer Emmett Morehead from Boston College/Old Dominion, a 6-foot-6 pocket passer. This upcoming year will truly show how Lindsey fares in close, under-pressure games as the full-time starter.

Minnesota's offense traditionally leans heavily on its running game, featuring a workhorse back. Darius Taylor, a key returning player, is expected to be a prominent figure in their backfield. They also added running backs A.J. Turner (Marshall) and Cameron Davis (Washington) via the transfer portal, signaling a continued commitment to the ground attack. Their offensive line tradition emphasizes physicality and creating running lanes, aiming to control the tempo of the game.

Nebraska’s front seven will need to win first downs consistently to control the line of scrimmage and take the Gophers out of their comfort zone.

On defense, Minnesota's system, now under first-year defensive coordinator Danny Collins (formerly safeties coach), usually emphasizes a bend-don't-break philosophy, relying on strong tackling and disciplined coverage. They return key defenders like safety Koi Perich and defensive back Kerry Brown.

While they may not always generate a high number of sacks, their goal is to limit explosive plays and force opponents into long drives. Nebraska’s wide receivers, including dynamic transfers like Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter, might have chances to get over the top against Minnesota’s zone-heavy defense, and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will likely look for opportunities to take calculated shots downfield.


Go Gophers!!

BleedGopher said:

Per SI:

Let’s See The Game Basics Under the Lights in Minneapolis​

The Cornhuskers will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CDT on FOX. The game will take place at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. It’s a venue known for its vibrant atmosphere, especially during night games.

Minnesota fans typically show up in force for these primetime matchups, ensuring a loud and challenging environment for the visiting Huskers. The short week preparation following the Maryland game will be a significant factor, testing the depth and conditioning of both teams.

For Nebraska, this game carries a strong revenge record. However, the Huskers haven’t beaten Minnesota since 2020. Well, it’s surely a frustrating streak that has seen the Gophers claim the "Broken Chair Trophy" in recent years.

The most painful memory for Husker Nation is undoubtedly the 2023 season opener in Minneapolis. The game ended in a heartbreaking 13–10 last-second loss for Nebraska. In that game, Minnesota capitalized on late turnovers, with Dragan Kesich hitting a 47-yard walk-off field goal as time expired. That bitter defeat, occurring under the Friday night lights, serves as a powerful motivation anchor for Matt Rhule's squad, who will be eager to finally break the Minnesota curse.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers continue to operate under the "Row the Boat" culture instilled by Head Coach P.J. Fleck, now in his ninth season. Fleck's teams are consistently disciplined, physical, and committed to a ground-first offensive approach, often dominating time of possession. The 2025 season is a pivotal year for Fleck, as the Gophers navigate life after longtime starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who transferred out.

The starting quarterback for Minnesota in 2025 has been named: redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey. He played in only three games last year, all in situations where the Gophers had strong leads.

Another option on the roster is to transfer Emmett Morehead from Boston College/Old Dominion, a 6-foot-6 pocket passer. This upcoming year will truly show how Lindsey fares in close, under-pressure games as the full-time starter.

Minnesota's offense traditionally leans heavily on its running game, featuring a workhorse back. Darius Taylor, a key returning player, is expected to be a prominent figure in their backfield. They also added running backs A.J. Turner (Marshall) and Cameron Davis (Washington) via the transfer portal, signaling a continued commitment to the ground attack. Their offensive line tradition emphasizes physicality and creating running lanes, aiming to control the tempo of the game.

Nebraska’s front seven will need to win first downs consistently to control the line of scrimmage and take the Gophers out of their comfort zone.

On defense, Minnesota's system, now under first-year defensive coordinator Danny Collins (formerly safeties coach), usually emphasizes a bend-don't-break philosophy, relying on strong tackling and disciplined coverage. They return key defenders like safety Koi Perich and defensive back Kerry Brown.

While they may not always generate a high number of sacks, their goal is to limit explosive plays and force opponents into long drives. Nebraska’s wide receivers, including dynamic transfers like Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter, might have chances to get over the top against Minnesota’s zone-heavy defense, and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will likely look for opportunities to take calculated shots downfield.

Nebraska Football Opponent Preview: Friday Night Challenge in Minnesota

Primetime lights, a hostile road environment, and a chance to break a frustrating streak. That's the scenario awaiting the Nebraska Cornhuskers as they head to

www.si.com

Go Gophers!!

Click to expand...

Multiple errors in this article

1) However, the Huskers haven’t beaten Minnesota since 2020.
The Gophers won the 2020 game. The last time the Huskers won was 2018 (beat the Gophers pretty badly as the team's defense couldn't seem to stop anyone until they fired the defensive coordinator).

2) That bitter defeat, occurring under the Friday night lights, serves as a powerful motivation anchor for Matt Rhule's squad, who will be eager to finally break the Minnesota curse.
It was the opening game of the season at home and it was on a Thursday, as has been the case for the Gophers in recent history.
3) The 2025 season is a pivotal year for Fleck, as the Gophers navigate life after longtime starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who transferred out.

Did this author ever hear of Max Brosmer? Our not long-time QB named Athan transferred out in 2024.

Pretty clearly AI written.

Such a shame to see what SI has become. There was a time when Sports Illustrated was big time. The biggest even.

TwistingMyMelon said:

Multiple errors in this article

1) However, the Huskers haven’t beaten Minnesota since 2020.
The Gophers won the 2020 game. The last time the Huskers won was 2018 (beat the Gophers pretty badly as the team's defense couldn't seem to stop anyone until they fired the defensive coordinator).

2) That bitter defeat, occurring under the Friday night lights, serves as a powerful motivation anchor for Matt Rhule's squad, who will be eager to finally break the Minnesota curse.
It was the opening game of the season at home and it was on a Thursday, as has been the case for the Gophers in recent history.
3) The 2025 season is a pivotal year for Fleck, as the Gophers navigate life after longtime starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who transferred out.

Did this author ever hear of Max Brosmer? Our not long-time QB named Athan transferred out in 2024.

Click to expand...

You beat me to it. This smells of AI with the obvious mistakes that easily could have been looked up prior to being sent to the ink stained printing press.

I'm a big sportswriter too...

Under the Friday Night Lights in Minneapolis: Nebraska Seeks Redemption

October 17, 2025 — Let’s set the stage. The Nebraska Cornhuskers hit the road, heading to Huntington Bank Stadium under Friday night lightsclash—kickoff set for 7 p.m. CDT on FOX—for a with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in one of the most anticipated games of the early Big Ten slate.

This isn’t just another game. It’s a chance to lay claim to some overdue payback. Nebraska hasn’t defeated Minnesota since 2020, and that streak has become a thorn in Husker Nation’s side. The 2023 season-opener still stings: a gut-wrenching 13–10 loss on a walk-off field goal from Dragan Kesich.

Minnesota, of course, remains firmly entrenched in its “Row the Boat” identity under P. J. Fleck—now in his ninth season—leaning heavily on a bruising run game and tempo control. Their ground attack is headed by dynamic junior running back Darius Taylor, supported by a host of transfer backs and a hard-nosed offensive line engineered to dominate the line of scrimmage.

Defensively, the Gophers stay true to their bend-don't-break roots under new DC Danny Collins, relying on disciplined tackling and veteran playmakers in the secondary like Koi Perich to keep opponents from lighting up the scoreboard in bursts.

From the Husker angle: Matt Rhule’s third season is built on momentum—after breaking through with a winning record and bowl victory in 2024. The offensive playbook, directed by Dana Holgorsen, brings a more vertical element that could test Minnesota’s zone-heavy defense, especially if Nebraska’s dynamic speed threats like Dane Key and Nyziah Hunter can escape the backfield and turn heads downfield.

This matchup also carries a deeper emotional charge. It’s about that painful 2023 loss. That broken-chair heartbreak looms large—but more importantly, it fuels a hunger. For a Kansas City-area Husker like me, this is the perfect season-adrenaline shot to finally break the curse.
The stakes, the crowd, the lights—it’s everything college football is built to deliver. Let’s hope our Cornhuskers charge back onto the field October 17 with vengeance on their minds.