Finally here: Gophers to open TCF Bank Stadium against Air Force

Gophers open new stadium against Air Force

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Golden Gophers finally have a home of their own.

No Twins. No Vikings. No tractor pulls.

The Gophers open shiny new TCF Bank Stadium against Air Force on Saturday, marking the first game played on the school’s campus since 1981.

“I think the emotion of the night and the stadium is a really plus for us,” Minnesota coach Tim Brewster said. “I think it’ll give us a tremendous lift playing in front of over 50,000 fans dressed in maroon and gold. I think that will be an exciting thing for the football team, kind of a 12th man.”

It’s been so long since that has been the case around here.

The Gophers made an ill-fated move to the Metrodome in 1981, sharing the dingy, drab facility with the Twins, Vikings and Timberwolves for their inaugural season and even the monster truck rally.

Former coach Glen Mason used to bring recruits for campus visits, but not show them the Dome because the floor was covered with dirt for a tractor pull that was being held there on an off weekend.

The games weren’t much better. Minnesota’s struggles on the field took away any homefield advantage it held in the Metrodome, with opposing fan bases from Wisconsin and Iowa often taking it over and making the games feel like another road contest.

After years of lobbying for state funds to build a new stadium on campus, the Gophers finally gained approval and went to work on the $300 million, open-air facility, which features the largest locker room in professional or college athletics.

“We’re very, very lucky and very fortunate to be part of a team that opens up the new stadium,” quarterback Adam Weber said. “There have been so many people before us who haven’t been as lucky. They’ve been wanting this moment for a while. We’ll enjoy it. But you can’t make it more than it is. There’s going to be a lot of excitement running out of that stadium and that first kickoff will be like a Super Bowl for us.”

That’s what Brewster is hoping to guard against on Saturday against the Falcons (1-0), who are coming off a 72-0 rout of tiny Nicholls State.

“We can’t be concerned about tickets or Gopher Victory Walks,” Brewster said. “We’ve got to be concerned about preparing to play Air Force.”

The first opponent in the new stadium brings unique challenges. The Falcons are one of the few teams left in major college football to run a pure triple-option offense, a system that demands discipline and precision.

Air Force racked up 474 yards rushing on the ground last week and would have had a much more hospitable welcome were this game being played in the Metrodome.

But TCF Bank Stadium is sold out for this one, and the Gophers (1-0) want to capitalize on a homefield advantage they haven’t had for years.

“A little bit of excitement in there,” said Air Force coach Troy Calhoun, who coached with Brewster on the Denver Broncos staff. “The key for us is you’ve got to hold true not just what you want to do on the football field, but really hold close to what the academy is all about. Will it be easy? Not at all.”

The Falcons will have to adjust to more than just the stadium. Nicholls State plays in the smaller Football Championship Subdivision, while the Gophers are from the Big Ten.

“It definitely is a big jump up,” said Air Force fullback Jared Tew, who rushed for three touchdowns in the first half last week. “But I think we’re ready for that jump.”

The Gophers will bring in dignitaries from the glory days at Memorial Stadium, including Bud Grant and family members of Gopher greats Paul Giel, Bruce Smith and Bronko Nagurski.

Then the current crop of Gophers will get down to the business of making their new house a home.

“There’s going to be a lot of excitement going into it and all the hoopla that goes with it,” Weber said. “But we have to earn the right to keep that place special. It’s not just naturally special. We have to make that a place that’s tough to play in for other teams.

“It does feel special, but on the other hand, until we get out there and win some games, nothing matters.”

(This version CORRECTS SUBS graf 13 to correct grammar.)