The Minnesota Golden Gophers will begin their 2025 season in just five days when they take on the Buffalo Bulls at Huntington Bank Stadium. Before Thursday night’s matchup between the Golden Gophers and Bulls, Gophers Nation takes a first look at Pete Lembo’s Buffalo squad. Game / Broadcast Details Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota Stadium: Huntington Bank […]
The Minnesota Golden Gophers will begin their 2025 season in just five days when they take on the Buffalo Bulls at Huntington Bank Stadium. Before Thursday night’s matchup between the Golden Gophers and Bulls, Gophers Nation takes a first look at Pete Lembo’s Buffalo squad.
Game / Broadcast Details
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Stadium: Huntington Bank Stadium (50,805)
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
Television: FS1 | Tim Brando, Devin Gardner, Josh Sims
Radio: KFAN 100.3 | SiriusXM: 84 | Mike Grimm, Darrell Thompson, Justin Gaard
Odds: Minnesota is an 18.5-point favorite; the over/under is currently set at 44.5 points (BetMGM)
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Buffalo’s 2024 Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | Record |
| 8/29 | vs Lafayette | 30-13 Win | 1-0 |
| 9/7 | at No. 9 Missouri | 0-38 Loss | 1-1 |
| 9/14 | vs Massachusetts | 34-3 Win | 2-1 |
| 9/21 | at No. 23 Northern Illinois | 23-20 Win | 3-1 |
| 9/28 | at Connecticut | 3-47 Loss | 3-2 |
| 10/12 | vs Toledo | 30-15 Win | 4-2 |
| 10/19 | vs Western Michigan | 41-48 Loss | 4-3 |
| 10/26 | at Ohio | 16-47 Loss | 4-4 |
| 11/2 | at Akron | 41-30 Win | 5-4 |
| 11/12 | vs Ball State | 51-48 Win | 6-4 |
| 11/20 | at Eastern Michigan | 37-20 Win | 7-4 |
| 11/26 | vs Kent State | 43-7 Win | 8-4 |
| 1/4 (Bahamas Bowl) | vs Liberty | 26-7 Win | 9-4 |
Series History
This will be the third all-time matchup between the Golden Gophers and Bulls; the Gophers have won both previous matchups. The last matchup came in P.J. Fleck’s first-ever game as the Gophers head coach, a 17-7 win on August 31, 2017. The two programs also met in 2002, a 41-17 win.
In that 2017 matchup, the Gophers were led by a big day from wide receiver Tyler Johnson, recording six receptions for 141 yards and one touchdown, including a 61-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Of the 24 total points in the game, 21 came in the first quarter, including both of the Gophers’ touchdowns in the game. Also, finding the endzone that evening was running back Shannon Brooks on a goal-line carry.
Overall, Minnesota has faced opponents from the Mid-American Conference 40 times in program history. The Gophers have won 35 of those previous four matchups with four losses and one tie. Under head coach P.J. Fleck, the Gophers are 5-1 against MAC opponents, with a 14-10 loss in 2021 to Bowling Green being their only defeat.
Buffalo has faced 12 Big Ten programs since joining the FBS in 1999. The Bulls have lost 11 of 12 matchups with their only win coming against Rutgers in 2018. The Bulls have lost each of their last four matchups to Big Ten opponents by an average of 24.75 points per game.
Head Coach Profile: Pete Lembo
Lembo is entering his second season as the head coach of the Bulls; it is his fourth head coaching opportunity overall. He previously served as the leader of the Lehigh (2001-2005), Elon (2006-2010), and Ball State (2011-2015) programs.
After successful stints at both Lehigh and Elon, Lembo’s first taste of FBS football saw him win 25 games over his first three seasons before struggling in 2014 and 2015. He would resign following the 2015 season to become an assistant head coach and special teams coordinator at Maryland.
He spent two seasons with the Terrapins before coaching at Rice in 2018, Memphis in 2019 and 2020, as well as South Carolina from 2021 to 2023. In all three destinations, he also served as an assistant head coach and special teams coordinator.
Lembo took over last offseason for Maurice Linguist, who struggled in his three seasons with the Bulls after Lance Leipold left the program for Kansas. Looking to turn around the Bulls from a 3-9 season in 2023, Lembo’s first year with the program was a successful one, posting a 9-4 record, including 6-2 in conference play. The Bulls were led by a quality offense, averaging 28.8 points per game, while their defense did struggle at times, allowing 26.4 points per contest.
Buffalo returns six starters on offense; 10 starters on defense
The Gophers will be facing an experienced Buffalo team on Thursday night with 16 total listed starters returning for the 2025 season.
On offense, the Bulls return three starting offensive linemen from last season in Trevor Brock, Tyler Doty, and Henry Tabansi, while also returning key skill position players in running back Al-Jay Henderson and wide receiver Victor Snow. Depth receiver Nick McMilan also returns this season.
Last fall, Henderson totaled 204 carries for 1,078 yards and nine touchdowns while Snow led the program in the receiving department with 55 receptions for 651 yards and six touchdowns.
Defensively, Buffalo returns four defensive linemen: DT Cornell Evans, DT Tristan Souza, DE Kobe Stewart, and DT George Wolo; a pair of linebackers, Reid Murdock, Dion Crawford; and four defensive backs: safety Solomon Brown, cornerback Marquis Cooper, cornerback Charles McCartherens, and nickelback Jalen McNair.
Murdock is one of the top Group of Six defenders across the country with 156 tackles last season, including 16.5 tackles for loss. He also forced seven fumbles. Dion Crawford was also extremely productive in 2024 for the Bulls with 59 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks.
Cornerback Marquis Cooper will be one member of the secondary that Drake Lindsey will have to be careful with on Thursday evening. Last season, Cooper had two interceptions and eight pass breakups.
A new face at quarterback for Buffalo
With quarterback CJ Ogbonna gone, the Bulls will have a new starting quarterback for the 2025 season in sixth-year signal caller Ta’Quan Roberson. Buffalo is the fourth program that the New Jersey native will be a part of in his career after previously spending time at Penn State, Connecticut, and Kansas State.
In his collegiate career, Roberson has completed 212-of-376 passing attempts for 2,188 yards and 13 touchdowns to eight interceptions. His best season came in 2023 with Connecticut, completing 197-of-338 passing attempts for 2,075 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions in 12 games.
Last year for Kansas State, Roberson appeared in six games, completing 3-of-7 passing attempts. for 18 yards.
He is historically not a threat with his legs, totaling just 158 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 24 career games played.
Category: General Sports
