Minnesota football’s Week 2 matchup against Northwestern State turned into such a rout that even the post-touchdown celebrations couldn’t keep up.
By the time the Golden Gophers built a 66-0 lead, Huntington Bank Stadium had officially run out of fireworks. A message on the jumbotron offered fan an apology which read, “Ope, sorry!”
Meanwhile, they ran out of fireworks at Minnesota pic.twitter.com/iIHVIt5Fa1
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 6, 2025
The fans likely didn’t mind. They were watching their team put on one of the most dominant performances in recent memory. Minnesota’s offense rolled up 484 total yards, while its defense suffocated the Demons, holding them to just 42 yards for the game.
The Gophers scored early and often, turning the contest into a celebration long before the weather had the final say. With 6:15 left in the fourth quarter, severe weather forced the game to be called, giving Minnesota the victory and 2-0 start.
The blowout was a stark contrast to the opener against Buffalo, which Minnesota won 23-10. While Northwestern State is an FCS opponent, the Gophers looked every bit like a program ready to build momentum heading into the heart of their schedule.
For head coach P.J. Fleck, who has led the team since 2017, it was another step in a tenure marked by stability and consistent winning. Fleck now holds a 59-39 overall record with five winning seasons in eight years.
Minnesota heads to Berkeley for a meeting with the Cal Bears on Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN).
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