Gophers Spring Game 2026: Live Updates, Big Plays, Standout Performers

Minnesota is hosting its first traditional outdoor Saturday spring game without any restrictions since 2017. It's a great opportunity for fans to get an extended look at the Gophers' 2026 roster. Here are some live updates from Saturday's showdown between Team Gold and Team Maroon.

9:42 a.m. - Gophers conduct Ski-U-March into the stadium

10:29 a.m. - Game set to go on as scheduled, despite rainy weather

The Gophers have had horrible luck with weather during the spring game over the last decade, but it appears that a rainy forecast will not stop the 2026 game.

11:17 a.m. - Drake Lindsey bomb sets up first TD of the game

Lindsey launched a beautiful deep ball on his first pass attempt of the game to Cincinnati transfer wide receiver Noah Jennings for 73 yards. A touchdown from redshirt freshman running back Grant Washington gave Team Gold an early 7-0 lead.

11:24 a.m. - Huntington Bank Stadium crowd midway through the first quarter

The Gophers' spring game wasn't publicized very well leading up to Saturday, and it resulted in a relatively light crowd at Huntington Bank Stadium.

11:31 a.m. - RS freshman K Daniel Jackson drills a 51-yard field goal, Team Gold leads 10-0

Jackson finds himself in a kicking competition with Michigan transfer Beckham Sunderland, and he made a statement to end the first quarter with a 51-yard field goal.

11:41 a.m. - Lindsey's spring game ends after two drives

Lindsey's led Team Gold to a pair of scoring drives and 10 points before his spring game ended. He finished the day completing 4 of his 5 pass attempts for 89 yards. He added one carry for eight yards as well.

11:58 a.m. - Team Maroon finally gets on the board to make it 10-7

Max Shikenjanski played the entire first half, and he put together his best drive before heading into the locker room. His team went 11 plays and 82 yards down the field, and he found Javon Tracy for a touchdown.

12:02 p.m. - Team Gold lead 10-7 at halftime

12:21 p.m - Brady Palmer replaces Shikenjanski as Team Maroon's QB for one drive

Karmo recorded the first turnover of the day when he picked off Palmer's second pass in the third quarter. Shikenjanki's day appeared to be over, but he returned to the game after Palmer played just one drive.

12:24 p.m. - Jennings completes a pass as trick play QB

Jennings found Grant Washington for 21 yards to set up another touchdown drive for Team Gold. Michael Merdinger found Zion Steptoe for a TD two players later. Their lead was extended to 17-7.

12:39 p.m. - Lansu continues to shine with 50-yard TD to Hayden Moore

Lansu grew his MVP case to open the fourth quarter with a 50-yard touchdown pass to Moore. Both players are true freshmen, and they connected for one of the biggest plays of the game, as Team Gold extended its lead to 24-7.

12:42 p.m. - Palmer throws another interception

Palmer's day started 0 for 3 with two interceptions, and his second INT set up another touchdown drive from Team Gold. Merdinger found Auburn transfer wide receiver Perry Thompson on the next play for a eight yard touchdown. Their lead grew to 31-7.

12:45 p.m. - Palmer's nightmare start continues

Palmer threw a third interception on the next drive. This time Naiim Parrish picked him off, and it's became a game that Palmer will look to completely remove from his memory.

12:49 p.m. - Merdinger throws an interception

Merdinger threw two touchdowns, but he also had an interception late in the fourth quarter to safety Jordan Lampkins.

12:57 p.m. - Team Gold wins 31-7

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