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Gophers running back Darius Taylor scores from 1 yard out at Northwestern Saturday night. (University of Minnesota Athletics)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – As storms move through the Twin Cities metropolitan area, kickoff for Thursday’s football game between the Minnesota Gophers and the North Carolina Tar Heels has been delayed by one hour.

What we know

The match will now start at 8pm. Kick-off was originally scheduled for 7pm.

The game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis marks the start of the American football season for both teams.

Context

Severe storms are currently moving through the metro. A severe storm warning was issued around 3:45 p.m. and covers a large portion of the metro.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 9:30 PM

Darius Taylor and Darius Green are out for Gophers

The Gophers released their availability report at 6 p.m. before kickoff. Star running back Darius Taylor will not play Thursday night against North Carolina after suffering an injury during fall camp. It is reportedly a hamstring injury, the same injury that will force him to miss half of the 2023 season. Taylor was the Big Ten’s leading rusher when he was injured and still led the Gophers in rushing last season.

Taylor’s absence means Oklahoma transfer Marcus Major will likely take the starting job at running back, followed by Ohio transfer Sieh Bangura, Michigan State transfer Jared Mangham and Jordan Nubin.

Green, a safety, was injured and recently returned to practice but is not ready to play. Backup tight end Pierce Walsh is also out.

Daniel Jackson, Minnesota’s top returning receiver, is off the roster and will play Thursday night. He was limited during fall camp.