Gophers go wire-to-wire in Big Ten road win over Washington

A relentless pass rush and a red-hot first half from Drake Lindsey propelled Minnesota (3-1, 1-0) to a 27-24 win over Washington (3-0, 0-1) on Sunday morning. Yes, Sunday morning, because the game didn’t start until 10 p.m. and didn’t end until nearly 1:30 a.m. CT.

Lindsey was nearly perfect in the first half, completing eight straight passes to start the game and 15 of 16 for 125 yards and three touchdowns as the Gophers led 21-10 at the break.

Lindsey hit freshman Quayd Hendryx for a 15-yard touchdown one play after Maverick Baranowski intercepted Washington quarterback Demond Williams, who was hit as he threw by the reigning Big Ten sack leader, Anthony Smith.

Lindsey then capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with a nine-yard strike over the middle to Jalen Smith for a touchdown. Washington responded with a touchdown to cut Minnesota’s lead to 14-7, but Lindsey answered with a six-yard touchdown pass to Javon Tracy to finish an 11-play, 74-yard drive.

Williams scrambled for a 13-yard touchdown with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter to cut the Huskies’ deficit to three points, but Washington didn’t convert the onside kick. One last gasp in the final seconds from their own two-yard line proved fruitless.

Washington was 28-2 in its previous 30 home games dating back to 2022.

Minnesota’s offense slowed down in the second half, but the defense was ferocious. The Gophers sacked Washington quarterback Demond Williams seven times, while two QB pressures led to a pair of Williams interceptions in the game.

Karter Menz had two sacks; Mason Carrier, Baranowski, Riley Sunram, and T.J. Bush each had one sack; and Smith and Naquan Crowder were credited with a half-sack each.

Baranowski and John Nestor came down with interceptions for Minnesota.

Lindsey finished the game with 204 passing yards on 21-of-29 attempts. He threw for three touchdowns and one interception.

The Gophers are back at home next Saturday for an 11 a.m. kickoff against the Michigan Wolverines (3-1, 0-1).

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Sep 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.