(Photo credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images)

Drake Lindsey spent his freshman season watching and learning from the sidelines.

One year later, Lindsey is ready to take the reins for Minnesota. The sophomore quarterback will make his starting debut when the Golden Gophers face Buffalo in the season opener for both teams Thursday evening in Minneapolis.

Lindsey attempted only five passes last season, completing four of them for 50 yards and a touchdown. Previous starter Max Brosmer now is competing for a roster spot on the Minnesota Vikings, and the Golden Gophers placed their trust in Lindsey rather than acquiring a veteran in the transfer portal.

'It's going to be a lot of fun to watch where this all goes,' Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said. 'I said this at Big Ten Media Days: It's not about just Drake Lindsey. It's about how well the supporting cast can do around him. That's ultimately going to be the story of the 2025 offense.'

Minnesota is coming off an 8-5 campaign that included a season-ending 24-10 victory over Virginia Tech in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. The Golden Gophers started 2-3 and finished the season on a 6-2 run.

Buffalo is eager to provide a nonconference test to the Golden Gophers. The Bulls went 9-4 last season, including a 6-2 mark in the Mid-American Conference, and they also finished on a winning note after knocking off Liberty 26-7 in the Bahamas Bowl.

Buffalo's Pete Lembo set a school record for most wins by a first-year coach. He was rewarded with a pay increase and a contract extension, and he will look to build upon his success in year two.

'This is a group of guys, this is a team in my opinion that has done all the right things,' Lembo said. 'We've won some games maybe when a lot of people didn't expect us to. We've been out and about in the community. ... Obviously, we've got a big challenge on the road to open the season. we've got a lot of work to do here in the coming days to keep preparing and get ready for that challenge.'

Quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson will make his first career start for Buffalo. Roberson transferred from Kansas State, where he completed three of seven passes for 18 yards last season.

Buffalo's top threat is running back Al-Jay Henderson, who eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in 2024. Henderson enters this season on the watch list for the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award.

Minnesota also boasts an elite running back in Darius Taylor. He led the Golden Gophers with 1,336 all-purpose yards last season, including 986 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich will look to take another step forward after an impressive freshman season. Perich notched five interceptions, made 46 tackles and served as the team's primary kickoff returner and punt returner.

This will be the third time Minnesota has played Buffalo in program history. The Golden Gophers won 41-17 in the initial matchup in 2002, and they won 17-7 when the programs met again in 2017.

--Field Level Media