Big Ten Conference officials announced today that the Minnesota's Sept. 26 football game at Northwestern will kick off at 11 a.m. and be televised nationally by the Big Ten Network.
It is the third 11 a.m. kick off of the young season for the Gophers, who will be looking to snap a two-game slide vs. the Wildcats. Minnesota opened the 2009 season with a 23-20 overtime win at Syracuse that kicked at 11 a.m. locally, while the Gophers' game this weekend against No. 8 California is also set for an 11 a.m. start.
The Gophers lead the all-time series with Northwestern by a 49-30 margin and there have been five ties between the two teams. Minnesota's last win in the series dates to the 2004 campaign (the Gophers and Wildcats did not meet in 2005 or 2006), with the last victory in Evanston coming in 2003.
The last two meeting between the two squads couldn't have been much closer. Northwestern came away with a 49-48 double overtime win at Ryan Field in 2007 before breaking the hearts of the Gophers last season in the Metrodome, when Brendan Smith returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown with just 12 seconds to play for a 24-17 Wildcat win.
Big Ten Football
Sept. 26 Television Schedule
11 a.m. CT
Minnesota at Northwestern, Big Ten Network
Michigan State at Wisconsin, ESPN or ESPN2 (*)
Indiana at Michigan, ESPN or ESPN2 (*)
2:30 p.m. CT
Illinois at Ohio State, ABC Regional (ESPN Mirror)
7:00 p.m. CDT
Iowa at Penn State, ESPN or ABC (*)
Notre Dame at Purdue, ESPN or ABC (*)
*-network designations to be made by ESPN/ABC following the conclusion of Sept, 19, 2009 games.
