Gophers Open Season Against Eastern Illinois | Minnesota Golden Gophers Football News

The Minnesota Gophers open their 2026 season with a massive 43.5-point favorite spot against Eastern Illinois — essentially a dress rehearsal to test the new running back room, led by Darius Taylor and coached by Mohamed Ibrahim. With a big Mississippi State game looming, starters won’t play long, giving backups crucial reps without risking injury. The kicking job remains up for grabs amid eligibility chaos, while Thursday’s game will debut the official depth chart — including new faces on the offensive line and rotating defensive players. And yes, fans will get their first taste of the new “Viking Row” chant, inspired by Norway’s soccer team — hope it’s less awkward than the social media preview. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ddb944bf66e2115e