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University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
1-0 , 0-0
Eastern Illinois
1-1 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Illinois | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Minnesota | 14 | 21 | 10 | 14 | 59 |
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
EIU 0, UMN 7
UMN - Taylor,Darius 1 yd run (Jackson,Daniel kick), 9 plays, 51 yards, TOP 05:46
EIU 0, UMN 14
UMN - Tracy,Javon 87 yd punt return (Jackson,Daniel kick)
EIU 0, UMN 21
UMN - Taylor,Darius 27 yd run (Jackson,Daniel kick), 3 plays, 66 yards, TOP 01:11
EIU 7, UMN 21
EIU - Buggs,Tyren 8 yd pass from LaCrue,Cole (Schiller,Drew kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:20
EIU 7, UMN 28
UMN - Taylor,Darius 3 yd run (Jackson,Daniel kick), 9 plays, 73 yards, TOP 05:41
EIU 7, UMN 35
UMN - Walsh,Pierce 1 yd pass from Lindsey,Drake (Jackson,Daniel kick) 10 plays, 53 yards, TOP 01:37
EIU 7, UMN 42
UMN - Tracy,Javon 69 yd punt return (Jackson,Daniel kick)
EIU 7, UMN 45
UMN - Jackson,Daniel 31 yd field goal 7 plays, 45 yards, TOP 03:49
EIU 7, UMN 52
UMN - Shikenjanski,Max 2 yd run (Jackson,Daniel kick), 7 plays, 52 yards, TOP 03:44
EIU 7, UMN 59
UMN - Ford,Xavier 1 yd run (Sunderland,Beckham kick), 9 plays, 34 yards, TOP 03:46
Game Leaders
Tracy, Taylor Lead Gophers to 59-7 Season Opening Win
9/3/2026 9:52:00 PM | Football
Drake Lindsey completed 19 of 24 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown to tight end Pierce Walsh, who posted his first career score with 6 seconds left before halftime to give the Gophers a 35-7 lead.
Backup quarterback Max Shikenjanski and deep reserve Xavier Ford each had rushing touchdowns in the second half and Daniel Jackson made his first college field goal on a night full of highlights for the home team, as head coach P.J. Fleck's 10th season started with ease.
Tracy, who also had five receptions for 98 yards in the first half, fielded four of the nine punts by Cade Cox and totaled 167 return yards. Tracy had an 87-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 69-yard score in the third quarter.
Tyren Buggs caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Cole LaCrue in the second quarter for the Panthers (1-1), who beat Murray State 28-14 in their opener last week.
The Takeaway
Eastern Illinois: After finishing 3-9 each of the last two seasons and being picked to finish seventh out of eight in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll, the Panthers have plenty of work to do under fifth-year head coach Chris Wilkerson, starting of course with the punt coverage team.
Minnesota: There will be much tougher tests ahead for the Gophers, but every unit got off to a crisp start. The defense had nine tackles for loss and held Eastern Illinois to 51 yards rushing on 28 attempts.
Up Next
Eastern Illinois: Hosts Indiana State on Sept. 12.
Minnesota: Hosts Mississippi State on Sept. 12. It's the first time an SEC team has visited Minneapolis since 1959.