The path to the end result was not clean, it was not pretty but the Gophers begin the season with a win beating South Dakota State 28-21. The Jackrabbits really dominated the second half but for two critical mistakes along with a handful of untimely penalties. Those mistakes were too much to overcome as the Gophers made just enough plays to come away with the 7-point win.
The first half was pretty banal with one lengthy scoring drive for both teams and the Gophers scoring their second touchdown right before the half on a beautiful one-handed touchdown catch by Rashod Bateman.