For the third straight year, the Gophers offense mustered a slow start in a season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Minnesota was a 17-point favorite against Buffalo, but its inability to finish long drives allowed the Mid-American Conference opponent to hang around in an eventual 23-10 win.

The Gophers had six drives go inside the 25-yard line but only one ended in a touchdown. They got over that hurdle by scoring before reached the red zone.

Early in the fourth quarter, Drake Lindsey rolled right and found a wide open Jalen Smith for a 60-yard touchdown. It was the Gophers’ first 60-plus yard touchdown toss since October 2022.

After the one-play touchdown drive, Minnesota stacked up a 16-play drive that consumed more than nine minutes to put the game away.

The U’s start was all to

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