Gophers' ill-timed fireworks display goes viral on social media

Fireworks went off in Huntington Bank Stadium after Minnesota's 19-17 loss to North Carolina.

North Carolina defensive lineman Travis Shaw (4) celebrates his team's win against Minnesota after the game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Aug. 29, 2024. | Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Dragan Kesich lined up from the right hash for a 47-yard, potential game-winning field goal in the Gophers football team’s season opener Thursday against North Carolina at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The kick went wide right, but that didn’t stop a fireworks display from going off.

Fireworks went off at the corners of both end zones despite the missed field goal resulting in a 19-17 Gophers loss. The inadvertent fireworks display has since gone viral on social media with several college football fans getting a kick out of the ill-timed explosion. 

Fireworks for the LOSS!! #Gophers continue their 2023 season into 2024!! Have a nice night, drive safely, hug your kids!! pic.twitter.com/uBBGvBfplE

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) August 30, 2024

The Gophers shooting fireworks after the shanked field goal at the end perfectly encapsulated tonight

pic.twitter.com/wFuyfFarL8

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 30, 2024

That was awesome!!!
Why would the Gophers let off fireworks after a missed FG and a loss? Or is someone getting fired tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/Oa4MuHQaXM

— Jeff Koolmo (@Koolmo22) August 30, 2024

EMBARRASSING: The Minnesota Gophers BLASTED FIREWORKS AFTER THEIR LAST SECOND FIELD GOAL… ISSUE IS THEY MISSED THE KICK.

North Carolina won 19 to 17

💀💀💀

pic.twitter.com/7xGQttailu

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 30, 2024

#Gophers fireworks operators tonight. pic.twitter.com/m9aCYCS4eI

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) August 30, 2024

The Gophers blasted off fireworks for a

*checks notes*

Loss pic.twitter.com/0Idv4jeILo

— Barstool Big Ten (@BarstoolB1G) August 30, 2024

Minnesota set off fireworks on the possible game-winning FG against North Carolina.

Then the Gophers missed 🤦‍♂️

(via @GopherHole)pic.twitter.com/FyQmsLYDdQ

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 30, 2024

Field goal is no good.

FINAL: #UNC 19, Minnesota 17

Gophers set off fireworks, lol.

— Michael Koh (@michaelkohwchl) August 30, 2024

It was clear early on that it wasn’t the fireworks operator’s night. Earlier in the game with the Gophers threatening in North Carolina territory, Marcus Major powered towards the end zone but was stopped at the 3-yard line. A barrage of fireworks went off then, too. 

The Gophers have previously set off fireworks in the stadium, but they’re usually reserved for victories. In last season’s season opener at Huntington Bank Stadium against Nebraska, Kesich made a 47-yard field goal as time expired to lift the U to a 13-10 win. Fireworks. 

Fireworks in Minneapolis as the Gophers scrape by and spoil Matt Rhule’s debut at Nebraska.

Minnesota extends their streak to 5-games over the Huskers, and extend their series lead to 37-25-2, 8-5 since the Huskers joined the Big Ten.

First team P.J. Fleck has beat 6 times. pic.twitter.com/RZMeDQs63i

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 1, 2023

The — hopefully — accidental fireworks display will give college football fans a chuckle this week, but the Gophers would much rather see the fireworks celebration after a victory. They’ll look to get back on track Saturday when they host Rhode Island for an 11 a.m. kickoff.