Bad Omen: Minnesota launched fireworks after losing 19-17 to North Carolina on a last-second missed field goal

On college football’s opening night, the University of Minnesota had a chance to snag a win against North Carolina with just 2 seconds left on the clock.

The Golden Gophers were trailing 19-17 and called on kicker Dragan Kesich to line up a 47-yard field goal to give his team the win. That did not happen. Kesich’s kick missed to the right, allowing UNC to escape Minnesota with a victory.

Minnesota kicker Dragan Kesich misses 47-yard field goal with seconds left on the clock

NO GOOD 😱

Minnesota misses the game-winning field goal attempt and North Carolina survives! pic.twitter.com/6bKBNRnuUC

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 30, 2024

Unfortunately, someone in the pyrotechnics department either thought the field goal went through or accidentally hit the “fire” button, launching fireworks into the night sky while the Golden Gophers left the field in disappointment and the visiting Tar Heels celebrated.

Fireworks Launch After Minnesota Golden Gophers Loss

Fireworks for the LOSS!! #Gophers continue their 2023 season into 2024!! Have a nice night, drive safely, hug your kids!! pic.twitter.com/uBBGvBfplE

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) August 30, 2024

It’s something that can’t happen. Bad omen. I don’t care if the person in charge of the fireworks had a bit of a rough angle and thought the kick was good. There’s literally no justification for fireworks going off immediately following a missed field goal to win the game.

Minnesota was looking to bounce back from last year’s 31-13 loss to UNC but allowed the Tar Heels to escape with a win while embarrassing themselves in the process. If any Gophers fans happened to be hanging out outside the stadium when the fireworks lit up, they probably got a shock when they found out their team had lost.

This me of the Philadelphia 76ers infamous confetti game when the Wells Fargo Center preemptively dropped the confetti after Marco Belinelli hit a shot to tie the game, only for the Sixers to lose to in overtime to the Boston Celtics.

Check in on how the playoffs have gone for the 76ers since this happened.

Spoiler Alert: Not great.

Philadelphia 76ers Confetti Game:

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