The Gophers gave New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer his debut at quarterback in Thursday’s opener against North Carolina. Brosmer, who threw for 3,459 yards and 29 touchdowns in the FCS last year, was expected to be a starter when he transferred to Minnesota in December. Last year’s starting signal-caller, Athan Kaliakmanis, transferred and made his Rutgers debut on Thursday. Brosmer went 13-for-21 for 166 yards with one rushing touchdown in his first Gophers game. Johnson finished 12-for-19 with 71 yards passing, an interception and a rushing touchdown.

Replacing the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft wasn’t a quick decision for North Carolina, which waited until the game to announce Texas A&M transfer Max Johnson as its opening-season starter. The 6-5, 225-pound senior began his career with a two-year start at LSU, including throwing for 2,814 yards and 27 TDs as a sophomore in 2021. Johnson, who never started a full season in the two years after transferring to the Aggies, was replaced by backup Conner Harrel with three minutes left in the third quarter after being stretchered off the field with an apparent leg injury.

In P.J. Fleck’s first season in 2017, the Gophers twice faced game preparation delays due to losses to Michigan State opponents.

The Gophers lost 30-27 at home to Michigan State in mid-October and were shut out 33-10 by Michigan in Fleck’s first Big Ten game in Ann Arbor.

After bad weather delayed the start of Thursday’s game by an hour, the Gophers and North Carolina played out a thrilling match that lasted a whopping three hours and 21 minutes.

It was an emotional night for former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson in the crowd at Huntington Bank Stadium on Thursday, cheering on his sons Max and Jake, who both play for North Carolina.

Johnson, a two-time Vikings player from 1992-98 and 2005-06, looked more physically like Max during his playing days. Max showed off his dual-three ability Thursday by using his legs on UNC’s first scoring drive, including runs of 16 yards and a 3-yard TD. That was the only score of the game for Max, who went from that highlight to a later rift with his family when he left the game with an injury in the second half. His brother had one catch for seven yards.

You know it’s a big game when Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti is in the house on opening night. Petitti and Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle took the field before the game and shared a suite to watch Thursday’s game.