SEATTLE — The Gophers not only lost all five road games last season, they were outclassed in three of four conference defeats.

In their 2026 Big Ten opener Saturday, Minnesota never trailed Washington in a 27-24 win at Husky Stadium. The Gophers were a 10-point road underdog and led by 14 in the second half, but the Huskies made it interesting in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Drake Lindsey threw three touchdown passes in the first half, but his fourth-quarter interception helped fuel the Huskies’ comeback bid.

The Gophers took a 24-10 lead and Huskies quarterback Demond Williams threw an interception just before the fourth quarter, inducing Washington fans to boo, while many headed for the exits. They missed a closer finish.

Lindsey’s pick to start the fourth and Williams completed two passes for 26 yards apiece to jumpstart a drive. Then on fourth-and-5, Williams spun out of a sack attempt from Emmanuel Karmo and threw to a covered Baron Naone. But Gophers defensive back Aiden Gousby didn’t turn around, and Naone had a 15-yard touchdown to make it 24-17.

“That quarterback (Williams) is exceptional, their defense is good,” head coach P.J. Fleck said. “They got a lot of length, a lot of strength. They win a lot in this stadium. To come in here and do what we just did is very difficult to do, but it was good enough to be 1-0.”

Washington coach Jedd Fisch was 14-2 at home since 2024, with the only losses to Top 10 Ohio State and Oregon last season, while Minnesota won on the road for the first time since November 2024.

New Gophers kicker Luke Drezwiecki hit a career-long 51-yard field goal to make it 27-17, ultimately the game-winning points. After a U punt, a Washington drive was aided by two Minnesota penalties until Williams scrambled for a 13-yard touchdown to make it 27-24 with 1:53 remaining.

Minnesota recovered an onside kick but couldn’t get a first down on three consecutive runs and had to punt, but it was perfect, pinning the Huskies at their own 2-yard line with three seconds remaining. The Huskies’ final play was a short completion and a single lateral before linebacker Maverick Baranowski tackled the ball carrier to seal the win.

Williams came into Saturday’s game with a team-high 150 rushing yards, but his scrambling ability was held in check by seven sacks. He had one go for 18 yards, then his TD scamper.

Lindsey’s three TD tosses in the first half was a first for the U since Max Brosmer did it against Maryland in 2024, and he was nearly perfect headed into halftime — 15 for 16 for 125 yards and no interceptions.

“We did a great job preparing throughout the week,” said Lindsey, who finished 21 for 29 for 204 yards. “(Offensive coordinator Greg) Harbaugh is going a great job dialing it in and everyone was executing it at a high level. Just got to carry that over to the second half and execute better.”

In the first quarter, the Gophers defense’s first interception of the season was immediately turned into a first touchdown catch for a U freshman wideout, Quayd Hendryx.

Defensive end Anthony Smith hit the Huskies QB and a fluttering pass was intercepted by Baranowski deep in Huskies territory. On the next play, Lindsey threw a play-action touchdown to Quayd Hendryx for the New Jersey native’s first career TD in only his fourth game.

On their next drive, running TJ Thomas burst loose for a 45-yard gain, which was reminiscent of his 71-yard carry in the Akron win last week. Then Lindsey feathered a 9-yard touchdown toss to Jalen Smith to make it 14-0.

Washington got on the board with a quick bubble screen from Williams to Demean Roebuck on the perimeter for a 16-yard touchdown. It worked well as Minnesota brought a longer-developing zone blitz with a safety.

Lindsey responded again with a 6-yard touchdown to Javon Tracy to cap an 11-play 74-yard touchdown drive. It was Lindsey’s third TD to three different receivers.

It was the first Gophers-Washington game since 1977 and the first in Seattle since quarterbacks Tony Dungy and Warren Moon faced off in a nonconference game in 1976.

Source: Yahoo Sports