University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Sports: News & Notes
9/2/2026 5:14:00 AM | Athletics
Catch up on all the latest news from Gopher Athletics from the past week.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday
5PM: #11 Volleyball vs. Auburn | FS1
Thursday
7PM: Football vs. Eastern Illinois | Peacock & NBC Sports Network
Friday
Cross Country at Cyclone Preview / River Town Invite
Sunday
1PM: Soccer vs. Colorado | B1G+
Monday-Wednesday
Women's Golf Hosts ANNIKA Intercollegiate | Royal Golf Club
LAST WEEK
Soccer (3-1-1)
L, 0-1 at #15 BYU
W, 2-1 vs. St. Thomas
- @GopherSoccer: Ellen Neuharth scores first collegiate goal
- @GopherSoccer: Caroline Birdsell gives Gophers 2-0 lead
Volleyball (1-2)
L, 0-3 vs. #12 Arizona State
W, 3-0 vs. #11 Creighton
L, 1-3 vs. #17 Florida
- @GopherVBall: Cinematic recap of the sweep of Creighton
GopherSports.com: Football kicks off the 2026 season on Thursday night against Eastern Illinois. Kick off is set for 7PM and will air on Peacock and the NBC Sports Network.
@GopherFootball: Check out the team's uniform reveal for the opener.
GopherSports.com: Catch the debut episode of The P.J. Fleck Show from the State Fair.
KSTP.com: Mark Coyle spoke with KSTP's Darren Wolfson about Thursday's Football opener.
@MikeGrimm3: He also previewed 2026-27 with Mike Grimm on the Go Gopher Podcast.
GopherSports.com: Gopher Athletics announced game day improvements for this season at Huntington Bank Stadium.
@MikeGrimm3: Deputy Athletics Director Mike Wierzbicki offered more game day details on Mike Grimm's Go Gopher Podcast.
GopherSports.com: Once again Gopher Athletics is participating in the Big Ten's "We Give Blood" drive.
Schedule Updates:
- Men's Basketball: Minnesota Unveils Non-Conference Schedule
- Men's Basketball: Gophers/SMU Announced Matchup Partnership
- Swimming & Diving: Minnesota Announces 2026-27 Schedule
- Softball: Gophers Announce 2026 Fall Schedule
GopherSports.com: Gymnastics garnered a program-best 16 WCGA Scholastic All-America honors.
GopherSports.com: Softball announced its five-player transfer class for the 2027 season.
KFAN.com: Coach Plitzuweit appeared on KFAN at the State Fair on Tuesday afternoon (18:00 mark).
Fox9.com: Coach and Mara Braun also stopped by the Fox 9 booth.
Staff Updates:
- Baseball: McDevitt Inks Contract Extension, Announces Changes for 2027 Coaching Staff
- Rowing: 'U' Adds Hess to Coaching Staff
GopherSports.com: Men's Hockey will hold a public intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, September 26.
GopherSports.com: Alternate captain John Whipple was the guest on the latest Pride on Ice Podcast.
@GopherFootball: Take a look back at the best moments from fall camp.
Gopher Shorts:
- @GopherMBB: Which new State Fair food?
- @GopherWGym: What should make a comeback in Gymnastics?
- @GopherFootball: Minnesota fans, who is your favorite Gopher of all-time?
- @GopherFootball: Gophers hit Lucky Strike
- @GopherFootball: Who has the best hair?
Vikings.com: Former Gopher linebacker Blake Cashman was mic'd up during a Vikings training camp practice (with a brief Coach Fleck cameo).
ESPN.com: With the return of Aaron Donald, ESPN looked back at 10 NFL stars that un-retired including Bronko Nagurski.
GopherSports.com: Former Gopher lineman Tommy Olson previewed the Football season in the latest Golden Gopher Podcast.
@Sportsnet: Toronto rookie Brett Bateman made a big impression on Blue Jays hall of fame broadcaster Buck Martinez.
GopherSports.com: Libero Zeynep Palabiyik's long road back from injury was highlighted in Big Ten Network's 'At the Net' series.