Today is not a good day to be a Minnesota fan.
The Gophers dropped their 2024 season opener to North Carolina 19-17 on Thursday night. They did so in heartbreaking fashion, missing a 47-yard game-winning field goal attempt as time expired.
Related: Ranking the biggest storylines entering Wisconsin’s Week 1 contest vs. Western Michigan
The loss is a disastrous start to a pivotal year for the P.J. Fleck era at Minnesota. The team went 5-7 during the 2023 regular season and showed signs of steep regression. The loss to North Carolina only continues that trend, especially given the team’s continually nonexistent offense.
Transfer quarterback Max Brosmer was supposed to be a significant upgrade over 2023 starter Athan Kaliakmanis. His Gopher debut against the Tar Heels included a pedestrian 13/21 passing, 166 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Minnesota offense managed just 244 total yards in the loss.
NO GOOD 😱
Minnesota misses the game-winning field goal attempt and North Carolina survives! pic.twitter.com/6bKBNRnuUC
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 30, 2024
To add insult to injury, somebody at Huntington Bank Stadium thought the field goal went in. So they shot of celebratory fireworks:
Fireworks for the LOSS!! #Gophers continue their 2023 season into 2024!! Have a nice night, drive safely, hug your kids!! pic.twitter.com/uBBGvBfplE
— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) August 30, 2024
This captures the current state of Fleck era at Minnesota. A lot of flashy, bright lights all around the stadium, yet another loss on the field.
Minnesota still has games upcoming against No. 25 Iowa, No. 9 Michigan, No. 23 USC, Maryland, Rutgers, No. 8 Penn State and Wisconsin. It looks like Gopher fans are in for a long season.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.