MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — Mississippi State used a fast start and a balanced offensive attack to defeat Minnesota 38-13 on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Huntington Bank Stadium. The NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision game was played in Minneapolis, with Minnesota as the home team and Mississippi State as the visitor. The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 on the season, while the Golden Gophers fell to 1-1. Mississippi State never trailed after an early touchdown and controlled the game on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs’ defense and special teams complemented the offense throughout the afternoon.

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor set the tone on the opening possession. Taylor completed a deep left pass to Zion Ragins for a 22-yard touchdown with 13:12 remaining in the first quarter. Kyle Ferrie made the extra point. Minnesota answered later in the opening quarter when L. Drzewiecki made a 44-yard field goal with 2:58 left. The Golden Gophers’ kick trimmed the deficit, but Mississippi State responded quickly. Fluff Bothwell rushed up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown with 22 seconds remaining in the quarter, and Ferrie’s kick gave the Bulldogs more breathing room.

The Bulldogs continued to move the ball through the air in the second quarter. Taylor connected with Sanfrisco Magee on a short right pass that turned into a 30-yard touchdown with 11:27 remaining before halftime. Later in the quarter, Taylor found Anthony Evans III on another short right pass, this one covering 15 yards for a score with 4:32 left. Ferrie converted both extra points. Taylor’s ability to spread the ball to Ragins, Magee and Evans gave Minnesota trouble throughout the first half. Mississippi State’s offensive line also created enough room for Bothwell and fellow backs Xavier Gayten, Kolin Wilson and Brinston Williams to keep the Golden Gophers honest.

Minnesota’s offense had some success moving the ball but could not match Mississippi State’s efficiency. Quarterback Drake Lindsey directed the Golden Gophers. Minnesota leaned on running backs Darius Taylor, Xavier Ford, A.J. Turner and TJ Thomas, while Minnesota’s Jalen Smith, Javon Tracy, Pierce Walsh, Kaden Helms, Hayden Moore and Julian Johnson were among the passing options. Noah Jennings also was listed among the key performers. Punter Tom Weston was also called on to help manage field position. The Golden Gophers put together a second-quarter touchdown and added another scoring drive later, but their possessions too often ended without points against a physical Mississippi State defense. Minnesota’s offense showed flashes, yet the team could not sustain drives consistently.

That Mississippi State defense featured several contributors. Mississippi State’s Jalen Smith, Jaray Bledsoe, Dre Riley, Isaac Smith, Jardin Gilbert, Jett Jefferson, Marcus Williams and Tyler Lockhart all saw action. DJ Reed, Jayson Jenkins, Kalvin Dinkins, Kendel Dolby, Kaylib Singleton, Kelley Jones, Will Whitson and LaKendrick James also were part of the defensive rotation. Mississippi State limited Minnesota’s big plays and forced the Golden Gophers to settle for field goals or punts for much of the game. The visitors’ front seven made it difficult for Minnesota to establish a consistent rushing attack. The Bulldogs also got special teams work from Ethan Pulliam, Oisin Flynn, Kyle Johnson, Amaree Williams, Tanner Johnson and Bralan Womack.

In the third quarter, Minnesota’s defense produced a highlight when Taylor was sacked for a loss of 5 yards to the Mississippi State goal line with 11:01 remaining. The play gave the Golden Gophers a brief spark. Mississippi State answered with a 52-yard field goal by Ferrie with 9:53 remaining in the quarter. Ferrie’s long kick capped a productive day for the Bulldogs’ special teams. Minnesota continued to compete, but the Golden Gophers could not close the gap before the fourth quarter. The Golden Gophers’ best chance to build momentum came early in the second half, but they could not turn the defensive stop into enough points. Mississippi State’s defense kept pressure on Lindsey and the Minnesota offense, preventing the home team from building momentum.

Mississippi State put the game away in the fourth. Bothwell scored his second touchdown of the game on a 3-yard rush up the middle with 12:32 remaining. Ferrie added the extra point. Later, Ferrie attempted a 20-yard field goal with 1:05 left, but the kick was no good after being blocked by N. Parrish. By then, the outcome was already decided. Bothwell’s two short touchdown runs and Taylor’s three touchdown passes paced the Bulldogs’ offensive effort. Marquis Johnson, Sanfrisco Magee, Zion Ragins and Anthony Evans III were among the receiver group that helped Mississippi State stretch the field.

Minnesota’s defense received contributions from TJ Bush Jr., Aydan West, Kerry Brown, Maverick Baranowski and Mekhai Smith, among others. The Golden Gophers made a few stops and generated pressure on Taylor, but they could not contain Mississippi State’s passing game consistently. Minnesota’s record moved to 1-1 after the loss, while Mississippi State remained unbeaten at 2-0. The Bulldogs opened the season with a 62-13 win over Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 5. Minnesota began its season with a 59-7 victory over Eastern Illinois on Sept. 3. The loss was Minnesota’s first of the year after a dominant opening performance.

Mississippi State will next play at South Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Bulldogs then return home to face Missouri on Sept. 26. Minnesota will host Akron on Sept. 19 before traveling to Washington on Sept. 26. The Golden Gophers will then host Michigan on Oct. 3, while Mississippi State hosts Alabama on Oct. 3. Both teams remain in the early portion of their schedules with conference play approaching. Mississippi State’s next stretch includes games against Missouri, Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, Vanderbilt, Auburn, Tennessee Tech and Ole Miss. Minnesota’s upcoming slate includes Akron, Washington, Michigan, Purdue, Iowa, Indiana, UCLA, Penn State, Northwestern and Wisconsin.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Minnesota 44, Mississippi State 31. The same Interstat ELO system gave Minnesota a 90.7 percent probability to win. The projection gave Minnesota a large edge before kickoff, but the on-field result unfolded far differently. Instead, Mississippi State delivered a decisive road victory and handed the Golden Gophers their first loss of the season.