Tag: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Michigan football vs. Minnesota Week 5 kickoff time, channel revealed

Set your calendars and DVRs! #GoBlue

Usually, fans get a pretty good idea of what the schedule will look like down the road about two weeks before each game, but TV channels held off on announcing what time Michigan football would host Minnesota for the final weekend in September.

After the Wolverines upset No. 11 USC on Saturday, one of the big guns decided the game was worth putting in the spotlight.

Fox puts its biggest game each week in its noon slot and the premier Big Ten partner opted to make the Wolverines and Gophers its noon game in Week 5 according to reports.

While that usually means “Big Noon Kickoff” will be in tow, that isn’t always the case. At times, the top broadcasting crew of Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt will take a later game, and there’s been no announcement, as of the time of this post’s publication, if the pregame show crew will come back to Ann Arbor three weeks after being in town for the Texas game. However, it’s rare Johnson and Klatt aren’t on that noon call or that the Big Noon Kickoff crew doesn’t follow its primary broadcasting duo.

Best photos from around the Big Ten in Week 3

Here are the best photos from around the Big Ten in Week 3.

While some of the Big Ten’s top teams were enjoying a week off, it was a picturesque day around the rest of the Big Ten in Week 3. Some of the results may not have gone the way a few Big Ten schools would have liked (looking at you, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Washington), but at least the scenes looked pretty great.

We have your full Week 3 Big Ten rundown available with quick reactions to each game involving a Big Ten team this weekend. The power rankings have also been updated accordingly as we begin to turn the page to Week 4.

Here are some of the best photos from around the Big Ten in week 3, including Wisconsin’s big game in Camp Randall Stadium against Alabama and UCLA’s Big Ten debut in Pasadena.

UNC DC Geoff Collins supporting Jahvaree Ritzie after Thursday’s big game

North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie received the greatest show of support from his new defensive coordinator on Monday afternoon.

After just one game, the North Carolina Tar Heels have to love the immediate impact from new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins.

Though UNC had some notable lapses against Minnesota, including allowing the host Golden Gophers to drive and set up a game-winning field goal attempt, UNC also had a few defensive heroes that impacted its 19-17 victory.

There’s arguably no greater defensive hero than graduate defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie, who registered three tackles for loss and sacked Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer three times.

Ritzie surpassed his career sack total in just one game, showcasing to Tar Heel Nation he has potential to be another star along the defensive line. When Ritzie wasn’t stuffing the stat sheet, he was disrupting the Gopher offense by generating pressure.

Tar Heel Nation undoubtedly enjoyed the breakout performance, but no one enjoyed Ritzie’s big night more than Collins himself.

On Monday, Sept. 2, Collins was seen wearing a Ritzie-inspired NIL shirt.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_bgcy5Rkot/

If you watched Ritzie’s Minnesota postgame interview, he was excited about playing under Collins’ new scheme. It’s truly amazing how just one coaching change, no matter how large or small, can unlock a player’s full potential.

Expect another big game from Ritzie on Saturday, Sept. 7 in North Carolina’s home opener against Charlotte. A big game could start with know Ritzie has the support of his defensive coordinator, which means the world for these young athletes.

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Tar Heel defense showed marked improvement in first game under new DC Geoff Collins

UNC’s defense limited Minnesota to just 17 points in its season-opening victory on Thursday night.

Watching UNC’s defensive unit take the football field, most of the time, is unbearable to watch. There’s be countless missed tackles, breakdowns in coverage and hardly any pressure at the line of scrimmage.

If the Tar Heels had any semblance of solid defense in either 2022 or 2023, I feel confident they win the ACC. Such wasn’t the case, though, with a unit performing so bad in 2023 that Gene Chizik lost his defensive coordinator job.

Through just one game in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, North Carolina’s defense looks significantly better.

UNC escaped Minnesota with a season-opening, 19-17 victory on Thursday, Aug. 29. While the Golden Gophers took advantage of a few Tar Heel mishaps on their final drive, it was the Tar Heel defense who helped the Tar Heels limit a Power 4 program – on the road – to under 20 points.

North Carolina’s strong defensive output can be attributed to virtually everyone, though defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie and defensive back Jakeen Harris played the largest roles.

Ritzie, who is a full-time starter this year after playing all 13 games in a reserve role last season, led all players with three sacks and tackles for loss apiece. Harris, who transferred from rival NC State in the offseason, led all players with 10 tackles.

Last season, it’d be a miracle if UNC could keep a team under 20 points in one half. The Tar Heels did that over an entire game Thursday night.

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Jahvaree Ritzie proves to be UNC’s defensive difference-maker in win over Minnesota

Jahvaree Ritzie enjoyed the type of breakout game UNC’s defense needed in Thursday night’s season-opening win over Minnesota.

I’m still in shock about how UNC escaped Minnesota with a 19-17, season-opening victory that came down to the final whistle.

The Golden Gophers enjoyed a couple of chunks plays to set up their game-winning field goal attempt, only for Dragan Kesich to miss his second kick. North Carolina, on the contrary, enjoyed a perfect night from kicker Noah Burnette.

There was another Tar Heel – on the defensive side of the ball – who played a near-perfect game.

That Tar Heel was defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie, who led all players with three sacks and tackles for loss apiece. Ritzie eclipsed his career sack total in just one game, as Ritzie had 2.5 sacks combined in his first three UNC seasons.

Ritzie was North Carolina’s leader at the line of scrimmage, constantly disrupting Minnesota’s rhythm by bursting through its offensive line, even if he didn’t record a sack or tackle. Ritzie’s production showed how good of a defensive unit the Tar Heels can carry throughout the fall, particularly under new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins.

Check out Ritzie’s postgame interview below, in which he took a humble approach but was proud of UNC’s effort:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_S_QKUpqZV/

Ritzie gets another golden chance to lead North Carolina at the line of scrimmage on Saturday, Sept. 7, as the Tar Heels return to Kenan Stadium for their home opener against Charlotte.

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Tar Heels escape Minnesota with season-opening victory after missed field goal

Thursday night wasn’t pretty, but the UNC football team found a miraculous way to escape Minnesota with a 2-point victory.

The UNC football team couldn’t have asked for a crazier start to its 2024 season on Thursday night at Minnesota.

That crazy start ended with a missed field goal by Golden Gophers kicker Dragan Kesich, as North Carolina escaped Minneapolis with a crucial, 19-17 victory.

Minnesota’s walk-off chance was set up by a Tar Heels’ pass interference call and a couple big plays: a 20-yard completion, plus another first down. For a UNC defense that played surprisingly well most of the night, it picked the worst time to slip up.

Kesich’s kick initially looked good, just inside the right upright, but the football sailed just right of the post. If his kick had been any closer to the center of the field, North Carolina goes back to Kenan Stadium with a tough loss.

The Tar Heels had much better luck in their kicking game, with Lou Groza Award nominee Noah Burnette nailing four field goals, including the eventual game-winner with 1:44 remaining.

UNC first took a 7-0 lead on Max Johnson’s second-quarter touchdown run. Johnson would later leave the game with a scary leg injury in the third quarter, forcing North Carolina to put Conner Harrell in.

The Golden Gophers quickly responded to the Tar Heels’ initial score, recording two consecutive rushing touchdowns and sending them into the half with a 14-7 lead. There wasn’t a single touchdown in the second half, though, as Burnette outscored Kesich 12-3 in points.

North Carolina went from holding its breath to a massive celebration – all in a matter of seconds. Players and coaches can now enjoy the long weekend, gameplan for the Sept. 7 home opener against Charlotte and learn what life without Max Johnson is going to be like.

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Minnesota fireworks set off after Gophers miss game-winning field goal

Guessing the fireworks were for a Minnesota win, not a loss

Someone didn’t get the message the kick was no good.

Minnesota missed a field goal that would have won the game against North Carolina on Thursday. Instead, the Tar Heels had a season-opening 19-17 victory.

And, the celebratory fireworks were set off erroneously after Dragan Kesich missed as 47-yarder that would have won the game for the Gophers.

How to watch UNC’s first game of the 2024 college football season

Here’s your everything you need to know guide for UNC’s 2024 football opener against Minnesota.

After waiting for what seemed like forever, are you finally ready to watch your North Carolina Tar Heels take the football field?

That waiting stops tonight, as UNC faces Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET in Huntington Bank Stadium. North Carolina won a 31-13, Week 3 clash last year in Kenan Stadium, but it’s the Golden Gophers’ turn to host in 2024.

There’s so much to watch for on the Tar Heels’ 2024 roster: a new starting quarterback, number one wide receiver, offensive line and an experienced defense. UNC also hired Geoff Collins as its new defensive coordinator in the offseason, with hopes the former Georgia Tech head coach can turn around a unit amongst the FBS’ worst.

North Carolina needs a victory tonight in the worst way. Beating Minnesota would showcase two things: the Tar Heels can win in tough road environments, plus compete with Power 4 schools.

If you won’t be in attendance tonight, let us deliver you all the necessary broadcast information:

UNC-MINNESOTA TV, RADIO, AND STREAMING INFORMATION

WHAT: North Carolina (0-0, 0-0 ACC) @ Minnesota (0-0, 0-0 Big 10)

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN

TV: FOX (Watch and stream the game live on Fox Sports)

ANNOUNCERS: Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline reporter)

RADIO: Tar Heel Sports Network. Jones Angell, play-by-play;
Bryn Renner, analyst; Lee Pace, sideline

SATELLITE RADIO: SiriusXM (84 or 193)

WEBSITE: Fox Sports (sign in with TV provider)

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UNC football players make special trip to Children’s Hospital before flight to Minnesota

The North Carolina Tar Heels begin their football season on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Minnesota. Players first made a special visit on Monday.

College football season is finally here – and the North Carolina Tar Heels are ready to press the reset button after last year’s late-season collapse.

UNC has a golden opportunity to get a rare, season-open road win at Minnesota on Thursday, Aug. 29. North Carolina still doesn’t have a starting quarterback, but instead, head coach Mack Brown said the Tar Heels will roll with both Max Johnson and Conner Harrell in the opener.

There will no doubt be some Carolina Blue in the stands at Huntington Bank Stadium Thursday night, but it won’t be the same as playing in front of the passionate crowd at Kenan Stadium.

Earlier Monday before boarding their flight to Minnesota, players took time to thank some of their greatest supporters earlier Monday, visiting the UNC Children’s Hospital.

One of those supporters even included a young Duke fan, who was overjoyed that several Tar Heels took time out of their days to visit with the children.

According to ESPN, North Carolina is a 2-point underdog entering its rematch with Minnesota. UNC handled the Golden Gophers last year, 31-13, when they came to Chapel Hill and fell victim to a 400-yard Drake Maye passing game.

When the Tar Heels return home on Saturday, September 7 to face Charlotte at 3:30 p.m., those same kids are hoping the Tar Heels will be 1-0.

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First AP Poll from 1936 filled with unexpected football programs

The 1936 AP college football preseason top 25 featured Notre Dame and USC, but also Yale, St. Mary’s, Holy Cross, and Marquette.

The 2024 college football preseason AP poll was released on Monday, giving fans an early look at the projected top teams in the country with the season getting underway in about two weeks.

This is a tradition dating back to 1936, when the first AP poll was released ahead of the first week of the season, ranking the top 20 teams in the nation.

Some of the names on the inaugural list from 1936 look pretty familiar: USC, Notre Dame, and Washington all come in next to each other at six, seven, and eight, while LSU (13) Texas A&M (14) Nebraska (15) and SMU (19) remain candidates to show up in the polls year in and year out.

However, it’s the other names on the list that make this a fun exercise:

Minnesota, Duke, Army, Northwestern, and Purdue is a wild, wild top five. At least all five of those programs still play football, however, which cannot be said for No. 12 St. Mary’s or No. 20 Marquette. Likewise, while Yale (10) Duquesne (11), Fordham (16), and Holy Cross (17) all still have football, each program competes at the FCS level.

As amusing as this list looks now, it apparently was a pretty good predictor in 1936, at least at the top, as the Golden Gophers did in fact win the national title that season.