Minnesota defeats Eastern Illinois 59-7 in season opener

The Minnesota Gophers opened their 2026 season with a 59-7 victory against Eastern Illinois on Thursday night at Huntington Bank Stadium. Quarterback Drake Lindsey led the offensive effort, completing 19 of 24 pass attempts for 264 yards and one touchdown before leaving the game in the third quarter. Playing in a pro-style offense, Lindsey recorded a PFF passing grade of 83.3 while operating primarily from under center. The win provides a baseline for the team, though the schedule becomes more difficult next week. Minnesota is scheduled to host Mississippi State in their next contest, which marks the first major non-conference matchup for the program this season. The performance offered an early look at Lindsey’s ability to manage timing-based route concepts against an overmatched opponent.

• 7:47 PMYahoo Sports — Real tests are coming, but Drake Lindsey's 2026 debut lived up to his NFL buzz