Why Minnesota ran out of fireworks at stadium during rout of Northwestern State

Jake Mozarsky

Why Minnesota ran out of fireworks at stadium during rout of Northwestern State image

© Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Minnesota is only in its second game of the season, and Huntington Bank Stadium already needs a fireworks reload.

After the Golden Gophers put up their ninth touchdown of the day against Northwestern State on Saturday, it was announced on the jumbotron that there were no more pyrotechnics to shoot.

Minnesota went on to win the contest 66-0, advancing to 2-0. 

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Minnesota runs out of fireworks

The Golden Gophers scored so much on Saturday that there were no fireworks available come the middle of the third quarter. 

Minnesota took a 59-0 lead into halftime, scoring eight touchdowns before heading to the locker room. After first score of the third quarter — a Max Shikenjanski eight-yard rushing touchdown — there were no more fireworks left to shoot.

Minnesota stats vs Northwestern State

Minnesota dominated all phases of the game against Northwestern State, shutting out the Demons 66-0.

The Golden Gophers outgained the Demons 484-42, with a first down margin of 25-2. Minnesota was balanced on offense, rushing for 258 yards and passing for 226.

On the ground, Minnesota had five touchdowns. But, none of them came from lead rusher Grant Washington, who had 126 yards on 20 carries. Passing-wise, starting quarterback Drake Lindsey — who had 290 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener against Buffalo — was 8-for-9 for 139 yards and a touchdown.

What's next for Minnesota?

After defeating Buffalo and Northwestern State at home, Minnesota will fly out west to play Cal on September 13.

The Golden Gophers will then have two weeks to prepare for their Big Ten opener, where they will host Rutgers at home on Sept. 27. Minnesota has a loaded conference slate, which includes traveling to Columbus to play No. 1 Ohio State on Oct. 4 and Eugene on Nov. 14 to face No. 6 Oregon.

In 2024, Minnesota finished 8-5 overall, with a 5-4 record in the Big Ten; PJ Fleck's team had two ranked wins over No. 11 USC at home and No. 24 Illinois on the road. The Golden Gophers ended the season by defeating Virginia Tech, 24-10, in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.

Jake Mozarsky

Jake Mozarsky joined The Sporting News as an Editorial Intern in August 2025 after earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University. He has previously written for Marquee Sports Network, Chicago This Week, Inside NU and The Daily Northwestern.