It’s a busy weekend on campus—here’s your weekend schedule of action
It’s Homecoming weekend for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and it’s a busy sports weekend on campus. Here is your full schedule for the next few days and how you can catch all the action in person, or from your couch.
Friday October 25th:
Swimming—Alumni Meet 5PM
The Gophers men’s and women’s swimming teams will take to their home pool for the annual alimni meet on Friday night. The meet will consist of eight events (listed in chronological order): – 200 medley relay- 50 back- 50 fly – 500 free crescendo relay (50-100-150-200)- 100 individual medley- 50 frees- 50 breast- 200 freestyle relay. After the meet Minnesota will induct a pair of athletes into their swimming and diving hall of fame. Derek Williams was a 14x All-American, 3x Big Ten Champion, member of the 1996 Big Ten Championship team, 1996 U.S. Olympic Trial Finalist, USA National Team Member, and former Big Ten record holder in the 100 fly. Yu Zhou was a 2x NCAA Champion, 7x All-American, 7x Big Ten Champion, was named the 2015 NCAA Diver of the Year, 3x Big Ten Diver of the Year, holds the platform school record (371.80), and member of the 2015 Big Ten Championship team. Zhou now serves as the program’s assistant diving coach. Admission is free.
Women’s Hockey vs Minnesota State 5 PM B1G+
The Gopher women’s hockey team will look to get back to their winning ways after the top of the WCHA smacked them down the past to weekends. Minnesota took just one of six available points at Ohio State two weekends ago and then were swept by #1 Wisconsin at Ridder Arena last weekend blowing a 3-0 third period lead to lose 4-3 on Saturday. Yet the Gophers remain ranked #4 in the nation headed into this weekend’s series vs Minnesota State. The Gophers hold a 108-5-3 all-time record against the Mavericks and have gone 9-1 in their last ten matchups.
The Mavericks are 2-2 on the season and lost a pair of games to St. Thomas last weekend. Friday’s game will stream live on B1G+.
Cross Country—Rocky’s Run 5 PM
The Gopher cross country teams will host Rocky’s Run at the Les Bolstad Golf Course on Friday at 5 PM. The race caps the regular season for Minnesota’s cross country teams. Members of the public are invited to join the Gophers for an open 6k race on Friday. Registration is open on race-day with the entry fee to participate being $20 per person. The competition will begin at 5 p.m. and will be just one race.
Rocky’s Run was founded in 1981 to honor former Gopher runner Rochelle “Rocky” Racette, who died in a car accident that Fall at the age of 22. While at the University of Minnesota, Racette was an All-American in track & field and cross country and champion of the Big Ten and Drake Relays 5,000-meter titles. The annual race is staged by the many members of the running community who knew and loved her. Racette’s legacy lives on through the memory of those who knew her, and through Rocky’s Run and the scholarship for which it raises money.
Minnesota heads to the Big Ten Championships next Friday.
Men’s Hockey vs St. Thomas 5:30 PM Fox9+
The Gopher men’s hockey team hits the home ice for the first time this season when St. Thomas crosses the river to Minneapolis for Friday night’s tilt. Minnesota is 3-1 on the season after a sweep of UMD in Duluth last weekend. Faceoff is set for 5:30 and will air live on Fox9+ and will stream on B1G+.
Saturday October 26th
Women’s Hockey @ Minnesota State Mankato, MN 2:00 PM B1G+
The Gopher women’s hockey team finishes off their home and home with Minnesota State in Mankato on Saturday afternoon. Faceoff is set for 2 PM and will stream on B1G+.
Football vs Maryland 2:30 PM FS1
The Gopher football team plays their Homecoming game Saturday afternoon when Maryland comes to the Bank. Minnesota is 4-3 as are the Terrapins, so this game is crucial to both teams in their quest to become bowl eligible in November. Our full preview of the game is HERE. Kickoff is set for 2:30 and will air live on FS1 with Connor Onion on PBP.
Men’s Hockey @ St. Thomas — Xcel Energy Center 8 PM Fox9+
The Gophers and Tommies close out their home and home series with the St. Thomas home game at the Xcel Energy Center in front of plenty of Gophers fans as well. The two teams went to overtime in their game at the X a year ago before Jimmy Snuggerud sent the Minnesota fans home happy. Faceoff of Saturday’s tilt is at 8PM and will air on Fox9+.
Sunday October 27th:
Volleyball @ Ohio State Noon B1G+
The Gopher volleyball team heads to Columbus for a big Big Ten match on Sunday afternoon. The Buckeyes have struggled this season going 1-8 in conference play, while Minnesota is 6-3. It’s a must win for the Gophers to keep their RPI high enough to still potentially earn a to=16 NCAA seed and a pair of home games. Minnesota is coming off of a 3-0 sweep of Northwestern on Wednesday night at the Pav without star outside hitter Lydia Grote. Hopefully they can do it again. First serve is set for Noon and will stream on B1G+
Soccer vs #11 Iowa 1 PM B1G+
The Gopher women’s soccer team closes out their regular season by hosting rival #1 Iowa on Sunday. Minnesota has clinched a spot in the Big Ten Tournament which will see the Gophers play the opening rounds in front of a home crowd at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. The Gophers currently have 17 points on the season and are in a three-way time for 7th in the conference with both Ohio State and Penn State. Decision day sees those two teams playing one another, so the Gophers will need a win to not slip behind at least one of them when the final seeds are announced. Iowa sits in third place in the standings and could potentially leap into second place with a win as 31 USC and #2 UCLA also play one another. Kickoff is set for 1 PM and will stream live on B1G+.