The University at Buffalo football team made its best run at a Power Four opponent, and nearly got its money’s worth in a season opener that will garner UB’s athletic department a $1.45 million payday. Minnesota held off UB’s third-quarter push, and Drake Lindsey’s 60-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Smith four minutes into the fourth quarter gave the Golden Gophers a 23-10 win in the season opener for both teams Thursday at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Despite Minnesota’s red-zone woes – Minnesota scored one touchdown on five opportunities inside the UB 20 – this wasn’t a make-or-break game for the Bulls.