{
  "id": 5136304,
  "title": "Minnesota opens the season at home against FCS foe Eastern Illinois",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/minnesota-opens-the-season-at-home-against-fcs-foe-eastern-illinois",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T17:36:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/uncategorized/2026/09/02/minnesota-opens-the-season-at-home-against-fcs-foe-eastern-illinois"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Minnesota will begin their college football season at home against Eastern Illinois on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. This marks the first annual subscription, billed at $205.00 plus GST for one year, which will automatically renew at $233.00 plus GST every 52 weeks. Eastern Illinois enters the game with a 1-0 record, while Minnesota starts the season 0-0. The game will take place at the University of Minnesota's stadium.\n\nCole LaCrue leads Eastern Illinois' offense with 101 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Drake Lindsey is the top performer for Minnesota, throwing for 2,382 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. Minnesota's offense averages 298.3 yards per game, ranking 109th in the FCS.\n\nEastern Illinois claimed a 28-14 victory over Murray State in their season opener, while Minnesota secured an 8-5 record after defeating New Mexico 20-17 in the Rate Bowl. The two teams will next face off against Indiana State on September 12 and Mississippi State on the same date, respectively.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Minnesota opens season at home against Eastern Illinois on Thursday",
    "Eastern Illinois enters game with 1-0 record",
    "Drake Lindsey leads Minnesota with 2,382 passing yards"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}