Minnesota Stadium Crew Sets Off Fireworks Despite Kicker Missing Game-Winning Field Goal

Despite the Minnesota Golden Gophers having just lost in heartbreaking fashion, the stadium crew ended the team’s home opener with a fireworks display.

Trailing the North Carolina Tar Heels 19-17 on Thursday night, the Gophers sent out kicker Dragan Kesich to attempt the game-winning field goal from 47 yards away. While the kick initially looked like it might go right down the middle, a slight gust seemingly pushed the ball just outside the right upright. The kick ended up being off by just a few feet.

On the broadcast, a repeating popping sound could be heard somewhere near the University of Minnesota’s Hunting Bank Stadium. It was later revealed on social media that as the players and coaches met, fireworks began to go off at the top of the stadium.

In the video posted online — which was taken from the other side of the stadium — a man out of frame said, “I can’t believe they set off the fireworks.”

It’s unknown why exactly the crew responsible for the fireworks decided to set them off. Maybe the plan was to do a fireworks display regardless of the outcome of the game — or maybe they simply assumed the field goal went in.

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