You’re stuck in traffic on I-35W. It’s a Saturday in October. The leaves are turning that specific shade of "Goldy" maroon, and you’ve got about twenty minutes before you’re home. You click the dial. Suddenly, the roar of the Huntington Bank Stadium crowd washes over your speakers, and there’s that familiar voice—Mike Grimm—setting the scene. Honestly, there is something about gopher football on radio that just hits differently than a TV broadcast. Maybe it’s the lack of annoying commercials every thirty seconds or the way radio forced you to use your imagination to picture a 40-yard bomb to the end zone.
Radio is the lifeblood of Minnesota sports. It always has been. Even in 2026, with every game streaming on some convoluted app or cable package, the AM/FM signal remains the most reliable way to catch the Gophers if you’re at the cabin or working in the garage.
Where to Find the Gopher Radio Network
If you’re looking for the game, you’re basically looking for KFXN-FM. Most people just call it KFAN 100.3. It’s the flagship. It’s been the home for University of Minnesota athletics for years, and that partnership isn't going anywhere. But it’s not just about one station in the Twin Cities. The Gopher Radio Network is massive. We’re talking over 40 stations across the Midwest.
If you are out in Marshall, you’re looking for KMHL. Up in Roseau? It’s KRWB. The signal reaches into North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. It’s a literal blanket of sound covering the Northland.
You should know that the pre-game show usually starts two hours before kickoff. That’s where the real junkies hang out. You get the injury reports, the weather updates—because weather actually matters in Minneapolis—and the deep-dive scouting reports on whatever Big Ten opponent is in town.
The Voices You Hear Every Saturday
The broadcast isn't just noise. It’s a personality. Mike Grimm has been the play-by-play guy since 2006. Think about that for a second. He’s seen the highs, the lows, the Jerry Kill era, the PJ Fleck "Row the Boat" transition, and everything in between. He has this specific cadence. When a big play happens, his voice hits a register that tells you exactly how much ground was gained before he even says the yardage.
Then you’ve got Justin Gaard on the sidelines. "Gaardsy" is a staple. He’s the guy giving you the "feel" of the turf and the mood of the bench. If a player goes into the medical tent, he’s the one watching the flap to see who comes out.
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And of course, Darrell Thompson. The legend. The Gophers' all-time leading rusher. Having a guy who actually played the position at an elite level providing color commentary is a cheat code. He doesn’t just say "it was a good run." He explains how the offensive line shifted to create the gap. He sees the game through the eyes of a running back, which adds a layer of nuance you just don’t get from a generic national TV announcer who barely knows the roster.
Why Radio Beats the TV Broadcast
TV is great, don’t get me wrong. But have you ever tried to sync a TV broadcast with the radio? It’s a nightmare because of the digital delay. Usually, the radio is a few seconds ahead.
There is a specific type of Gopher fan who mutes the TV and turns up the radio. They do it because the local guys actually care. National announcers often fall into tropes—they talk about the "cold" or they mention the Metrodome (which hasn't existed in a decade). The radio crew knows the depth chart. They know the backup long snapper’s hometown. They know the history.
- The "Hometown" Feel: You aren't getting a neutral perspective. You're getting a Minnesota perspective.
- Accessibility: You can take it on a hike, on a boat, or into the stadium itself.
- The Sound: There is a richness to the crowd noise on a high-quality radio feed that often gets compressed or muted on TV.
Streaming vs. Old School Airwaves
It’s 2026. You probably have the iHeartRadio app on your phone. That’s the easiest way to stream gopher football on radio if you aren't near a physical tuner. It’s free. It works. Just search for KFAN.
But there’s a catch.
Data caps and cell service can be spotty if you’re at a crowded stadium. If you’re actually at the game and want to hear the commentary, a digital stream will be 30 seconds behind reality. You’ll see the touchdown, and then half a minute later, you’ll hear the call. It’s jarring. The only way to get real-time audio inside the stadium is a low-latency digital device or an old-fashioned transistor radio. Yes, people still carry them. They’re small, they cost ten bucks, and they have zero lag.
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The Varsity Network App
Another option is the Varsity Network app by Learfield. It’s dedicated specifically to college sports. It’s usually a bit more stable than the general-market apps and it’s a great backup if iHeart is acting up.
Managing the Technical Side of Things
If you're trying to listen in your car, make sure your HD Radio settings are toggled correctly. Sometimes the HD2 or HD3 signals carry different content, and if your car keeps jumping between analog and digital, it can be annoying. If you're in a "dead zone," switching to the AM affiliate—which is often 1130 KTLK—can sometimes save your afternoon. AM signals bounce differently and can often reach further than FM in certain terrain.
Basically, you have options.
The Cultural Weight of the Broadcast
Gopher football is a generational thing in Minnesota. You probably remember your dad or grandpa listening to games on a porch. That tradition hasn't died; it just moved to Bluetooth speakers. The radio broadcast is the soundtrack of a Minnesota Saturday. It’s the background noise to tailgates at Lot 37. It’s what you listen to while you’re grilling brats before the 11:00 AM kickoff.
When the Gophers won the Axe or pulled off an upset against a top-5 Penn State, those radio calls became part of the university’s history. They get played in the highlight reels for decades.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Game Day
If you want the best experience for the next game, don't just wing it. Here is how you actually set up a pro-level listening experience:
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1. Download the Right Apps Early. Don't wait until kickoff when the towers are congested. Get iHeartRadio and The Varsity Network app ready to go.
2. Buy a Portable Radio for the Stadium. If you’re a season ticket holder, buy a small FM tuner. It’s a game-changer. You’ll actually know why the yellow flag was thrown before the ref even turns on his mic.
3. Check the Affiliate Map. If you’re traveling, look up the Gopher Radio Network affiliate map on the Gopher Sports website. It lists every station by city. Save a screenshot so you don't have to search for it while driving through a spotty area on I-94.
4. Syncing the Audio. If you're at home and want to sync the radio to your TV, use a "radio delay" app or device. Some desktop setups allow you to pause the radio stream to match the TV lag perfectly. It takes a little effort, but it's worth it to hear Mike Grimm while watching the 4K feed.
5. Catch the Post-Game. Don't turn it off the second the clock hits zero. The locker room interviews and the "Gopher Talk" segments are where you get the real honesty about what went wrong—or what went right.
The Gophers are more than just a team; they’re a weekly ritual. Whether you’re listening on a dusty old Grundig in the shed or through high-end noise-canceling headphones on a flight, the radio broadcast is the most intimate way to follow the team. It’s just you, the announcers, and the game. No gimmicks. Just football.